Hengill: Vörðuskeggi - hringur frá Sleggjubeinaskarði

A truly epic tour that has it all. All-in-all the distance is only 20 km but with more than 800 m of total ascend to the top of Hengill mountain and some serious climbs this tour clearly defines the term "hike assisted biking"

You start by driving to the end of the thermal power plant Hellisheiðavirkjun and park the car at the bottom of Sleggjubeinaskarð. First you head back a few 100 m on pavement until you get to the first climb - a pretty steep stretch of about 1,2 km and 120 m of ascend. But the whole climb is on tarmac so its not too hard.
After about 3 km of warming up you exit the tarmac - heading east around the mountain Skarðsmýrarfjall leading into Innstidalur. This part is quite easy on a good gravel road which later turns into a rough jeep track.
As you approach Innstidalur you can see a hut to the north-east end of the valley. Follow the jeep track leading up to it.

The hut is a good place for a short stop to refresh (you can also dip in the nearby warm creek if you feel like it) as this is where the big climb begins. Take a deep breath before shouldering the bike for the sometimes near vertical 320 m climb ahead. Fortunately you are rewarded with some amazing views that ease the pain of the climb :) After the big climb there is a short ride-able stretch before you have to shoulder the bike again for another small and comparatively easy climb of approx 100 m. (I guess after the first climb anything will seem alot easier :)

The top of the Hengill mountain is cycle-able and offers a spectacular view over to Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla in the east, Þingvellir-lake and Hofsjökull and Langjökull to the north and all over west to Snaefellsjökull. While you are up there use, the opportunity to climb up to the Vörðuskeggi peak - even if only to say you've done it.

From there the descend begins. A part of the way (particularly higher up) is really gnarly and not cycle-able as the track passes through deep gorges and dark jagged cliffs on paths high up in the mountain that are only a few inches wide. Not for the faint hearted or those suffering from vertigo.
The final 6 km or so are all very much rideable - with some parts more technical than others - but all of it really good fun. Particularly the last bit down Sleggjubeinaskarð which again is both steep and technical.

In summary this route is very demanding. A lot of steep climbs and very rough sections. However the view is amazing and difficult to find anything comparable.

Rating: 1-5 points
View: 6 points
Difficulty: 5
Technicality: 5
Flow: 3
Overall 5 points

Check out the video link below.