Distance: 38km

Climbing: 1480m

Descending: 1480m

Highest point: 680m (Hlíðarfjall Bike Park)

Lowest point: 10m (Akureyri Downtown)

Day 1 - Akureyri Flow Loop | 38 km | 1,480 m Elevation Gain

The race kicks off in the heart of Akureyri, Iceland’s northern capital, where the energy of the start line buzzes against a backdrop of mountains and fjords. Riders roll out through town, pedaling northward toward their first taste of trail - the winding singletracks of Krossanesborgir. With legs warming and the field beginning to stretch, the route follows the gravel roads of Lögmannshlíð, skirting the coastline before tilting upward toward the day's first major climb.

The tarmac ascent to Hlíðarfjall Bike Park is a test of endurance - a stretch where the silence of the mountain and the sting in your legs become your companions. This climb, typically bypassed by chairlift, is today earned in full. But the reward is pure flow: the descent begins on Andrés, a smooth and speedy trail that sets the tone for what’s to come.

From Andrés, the stoke builds as you link directly into Hrúturinn, a trail that rewards bravery and precision. Ride it fast and you'll launch off natural drops; take it slower and every feature is safely rollable. Either way, it’s a highlight of the day. The descent continues into Laufið, a twisting trail that plunges toward the Glerá River, where a quick crossing on a narrow bridge marks the transition from descent to hike.

A short, steep push brings you to the Súlur parking lot, and from there, another climb leads up to Fálkafall - a rugged ridgeline with panoramic views and a taste of Iceland’s wilder side. The descent from here to Gamli hut is technical and raw, with rocks and switchbacks testing tired legs and sharp minds.

The final section weaves through Kjarnaskógur forest, home to Iceland’s first purpose-built flow trails. Soft pine needles under your tires, corners to carve, and a rhythm that pulls you forward - it’s a fast, fun run to the finish. One last effort brings you back into Akureyri, where Day 1 ends right where it began, but with the kind of exhaustion only earned through mountain highs and trail miles.

Distance: 42km

Climbing: 1590m

Descending: 1590m

Highest point: 750m (Hlíðarfjall Bike Park)

Lowest point: 10m (Akureyri Downtown)

Day 2 - Akureyri Trail Loop | 42 km | 1,590 m Elevation Gain

Day 2 begins again in downtown Akureyri, but this time riders are immediately tested with a local legend - the climb up Gilið, a steep road winding past the iconic Akureyrarkirkja church and the towering Kirkjutröppur stairs. It’s a punchy wake-up call, and just the beginning.

Heading south through town, the course leads into Kjarnaskógur, where the trails used in Iceland’s national XCO championships offer short, sharp climbs and tight turns under a dense canopy of pine. The forest gradually gives way to a long, steady doubletrack climb - a quiet, grinding stretch that tops out with a short blast down Súluvegur, a fast tarmac descent with sweeping views.

But recovery is brief. A sharp left across the Glerá River signals the next climb - a gravel road that merges into the familiar tarmac climb toward Hlíðarfjall Bike Park. Higher than Day 1’s peak, the trail continues upward to Hjalteyrin, a natural singletrack descent full of twists and quick drops. This leads directly into Gosinn, a smoother flow trail with berms and optional jumps that keep the pace high and the grin wide.

From there, riders dive into Drottningin - a trail that seems tame at first, but throws in a few surprises. Narrow Northshore bridges test your balance and nerve. They're low consequence - the soft swamp below offers more splash than danger - but they still demand respect.

Exiting the forest, the route swings south into Glerárdalur valley, where a wide gravel track runs beside towering cliffs and the glacial-fed Glerá. After crossing the river again via a hydro dam, the course follows a fast gravel descent toward Súlur parking lot. The final major climb takes riders back up to Fálkafell, followed by a descent down Rósin - a fresh, raw trail that threads through untouched hillside into the lower edges of Kjarnaskógur.

Just one last climb remains before linking back into the same flow trail that closed out Day 1 - now familiar, now faster - and then it’s a flat-out sprint back into Akureyri.

Two days down. Legs are burning, but the terrain is only getting bigger from here.

Distance: 59km

Climbing: 1930m

Descending: 1930m

Highest point: 860m (Reykjaheiði)

Lowest point: 10m (Siglufjörður and Dalvík)

Day 3 - The Queen Stage | Siglufjörður to Dalvík | 59 km | 1,930 m Elevation Gain

Day 3 sets out from the charming fishing village of Siglufjörður, but there’s no time for sightseeing - this is the Queen Stage, the most demanding day of the race. The route begins with a steady climb through the Siglufjörður ski resort, winding up to Siglufjarðarskarð, an old mountain pass that once connected fjords before the tunnel was built.

At the top, the first reward: a short stretch of gravel leads to Póstmannsleiðin, a rugged singletrack once used by postmen traversing the mountains on foot. The trail hugs the hillside with views across Fljótin, dropping riders down to the valley and a brief breather on the main gravel road.

But it’s short-lived. Up next is Lágheiði, a rolling gravel climb that serves as a warm-up for what’s ahead - Reykjaheiði, the biggest climb of the entire race. Gaining over 730 meters, this climb throws everything at you: rideable stretches, hike-a-bike grinds, and steep pitches where no one stays on the pedals. There are multiple river crossings, some with dry lines if you choose carefully - others where there’s no option but to wade through.

The air thins as you approach 860 meters above sea level, and remnants of winter linger - snowdrifts still clinging to the mountain pass even in summer. From the summit, the descent begins: a mix of smooth, flowy lines broken up by loose rocks, sharp switchbacks, and unpredictable terrain.

Just before reaching Kofi hut, riders face the biggest river crossing of the race - wide, cold, and unavoidably wet. Feet soaked and spirits tested, the final section rewards you with a fast and fun descent through Böggvistaðadalur valley, cutting through the Dalvík ski area on rolling singletrack.

The finish line greets you at the entrance to Dalvík’s swimming pool - a perfect place to soak tired legs and reflect on a day few will forget. This was Iceland at its rawest: wild, unforgiving, and absolutely unforgettable.

Distance: 72km

Climbing: 970m

Descending: 1300m

Highest point: 630m (Reykjahlíðarheiði)

Lowest point: 10m (Húsavík)

Day 4 - Across the Lava Fields | Reykjahlíð to Húsavík | 72 km | 970 m Up | 1,300 m Down

Day 4 begins in the steaming heart of the north - Reykjahlíð, on the edge of Lake Mývatn, surrounded by volcanic craters, hot springs, and lava fields. At 72 kilometers, this is the longest stage of the race and by far the most remote. No river crossings today - so make sure you bring enough water with you.

The stage starts with a steady climb on single and doubletrack trails that weave their way up Reykjahlíðarheiði, offering sweeping views of the volcanic plains behind. The route presses deeper into Iceland’s raw interior, where the landscape turns lunar.

Riders cross the ancient, jagged terrain of Leirhnjúkshraun, a still-warm lava field formed in the Krafla eruptions. It’s surreal and technical - black rock, narrow paths, and steam vents marking your passage through one of the Earth’s youngest surfaces.

The course then leads toward the Þeistareykir geothermal plant, a stark industrial outpost in an otherwise untouched wilderness. A short tarmac transition provides rare relief before plunging back onto the gravel of old Reykjaheiðarvegur - a remote road cutting through vast, empty highlands, where the wind can be your friend or your fiercest enemy.

After a long stretch through this barren beauty, riders join the new tarmac Reykjaheiðarvegur, and begin the last punchy climb of the day - short but sting-in-the-tail steep. At the crest, the landscape tilts downward, and the reward is instant: a long, grin-inducing descent on 640MTB, a flowing trail that locals sometimes refer to as Jaja Ding Dong - fast, fun, and full of rhythm.

It’s an unforgettable finish into Húsavík, a charming fishing town perched on the edge of Skjálfandi Bay - a welcome return to civilization after a day spent riding through one of the most isolated parts of Iceland.

Distance: 63km

Climbing: 1700m

Descending: 1700m

Highest point: 740m (Vaðlaheiði)

Lowest point: 10m (Akureyri)

Day 5 - The spa | Akureyri to Skógarböð | 63 km | 1,700 m Up | 1,700 m Down

The final day begins outside Hótel Akureyri, where it all started. But there’s no parade lap here - Day 5 is a proper stage, with everything Iceland can throw at you one last time: climbs, swamps, singletrack, and a finish that earns your soak at the spa.

Riders roll out and immediately cross Eyjafjörður via Leirubrú, leaving Akureyri behind and heading into the wild hills of Vaðlaheiði. The opening climb is a grind up the old gravel pass road, a scenic ascent with the fjord slowly shrinking behind you.

At the top, a sharp right turn takes you south into the heart of Vaðlaheiði, where the jeep tracks turn soft and the terrain shifts. This is swamp country now - deep, unavoidable bogs where tires sink, pedals slap water, and your shoes will absolutely get soaked. There’s no way around it, just through.

After slogging through the biggest swamp of the day, the route connects to Þingmannaleið, an old hiking trail with real character: fast singletrack, but raw and wild. It rewards flow and punishes overconfidence - expect sudden dips, sharp turns, and a few spots where the trail seems to vanish beneath your wheels. Keep your brakes ready.

Þingmannaleið spills riders down to Systragil, a forested campground in Fnjóskadalur. But this isn’t the finish. Not yet. A bridge crosses the Fnjóská River, and you reenter the woods via winding singletracks in Vaglaskógur, one of Iceland’s most beautiful forests.

You cross the old Fnjóská bridge, then begin the final big climb of the race: once again up the Vaðlaheiði pass, this time from the east. At the top, the route loops back - a sharp left puts you on the same muddy jeep track you fought through earlier, and yes, you’ll cross those same swamps again. It's a full-circle moment in the most literal sense.

Finally, back on Þingmannaleið, but now pointed west, the trail becomes a fast, swooping descent, mixing flow and tech through the open hillside. It’s a worthy finale - demanding enough to stay sharp, fun enough to ride with a grin.

The last few kilometers are a paved sprint toward Skógarböð, the forest spa tucked into the hillside above Akureyri. It’s not just a finish line - it’s the finish you’ve earned. Five days, hundreds of kilometers, thousands of meters climbed, and memories carved into the dirt, lava, and rain-soaked trails of North Iceland.