3 Day Riding Between Rivers Horseback Riding Holiday in Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur
Mesmerizing Horseback Riding Holiday in Iceland
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in Iceland
In this tour, you ride out from the Farm Kálfhóll along the pleasant trail at Thjórsá glacier-fed river, the longest river in Iceland with a view of the mighty Volcano Mountain Hekla, looking over you from a distance.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 242 pounds / 110 kilograms
- Tack type: Icelandic tack
- Horse breed: Icelandic
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 3 days of riding
- Enjoy horseback riding in a quiet environment
- Ride on a pleasant trail along the Thjórsá River
- Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet
- Bus transfer or flight from Reykjavík to the farm
- Full-board meals during the ride
- 2 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Wireless internet
Kálfhóll Farm is home to Gestur and Margrét horse farmers. They have been operating riding tours for many years now and during the wintertime, they are breeding horses. The horses from Kálfhóll farm are very popular for breeding and sought after.
Gestur and Margrét live in Kálfhóll farm in south Iceland. The farm is situated in the beautiful Skeiða and Hrunamannahreppi shire. All around the farm, you can see the gorgeous countryside where we start the ride. Nearby the farm is the most stunning attraction in South Iceland. The Golden Circle consists of Þingvellir National Park, the hot spring area Geysir, and the mighty waterfall Gullfoss. Þjórsá the longest river in Iceland 212 kilometers coming from the glacier Hofsjökull, the glacier river Hvítá.
You can see the queen of volcanic mountains Hekla in the distance and nearby is Þjórsárdalur valley where the famous TV show Game of Thrones was shot. Þjórsárdalur is known for its natural wonder as Gjáin, the waterfalls Háifoss, Hjálparfoss f.ex.
Program
Day 1: Reykjavík – Kálfhóll farm – Riding between rivers
Pick up at 10 a.m. from BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik. You will be transferred to Kálfhóll farm where you meet the farmers and staff. You will have lunch at the farm and then an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits.
This day is perfect for getting to know the horses and getting used to riding them. After a relaxing day on horseback, you will have dinner at Kálfhóll and enjoy an outdoor hot tub before a good night's sleep for the next day.
- Riding distance: approximately 15 kilometers
Day 2: Kálfhóll Farm – River Þjórsá – Kálfhóll farm
After breakfast, you will go to the stable and find your horse for today. You will ride along a pleasant trail at Þjórsá glacier-fed river and have lunch in a relaxed atmosphere at the banks of the Þjórsá river. You will enjoy Icelandic nature and feel the relaxation of the singing birds and the river sounds all around you. This day is the perfect day to get to know your horse better and the Icelandic way of trail riding. You will have dinner and stay the night at the farm. Hot tub on site!
- Riding distance: approximately 20 kilometers
Day 3: Kálfhóll farm – Þjórsá and the horses at Kálfhóll Farm
Today you will meet the horses that live at Kálfhóll Farm. You will go to their summer pastures and ride along with the herd that is running free around the farm and maybe see the new foals that have been born this summer, perfect day for photos! The ride takes you along the riverside of Þjórsá which is the longest river in Iceland or about 212 kilometers, and leads you through fertile farmland and on an excellent riding trail and witness what the Icelandic countryside is all about. You will return to Reykjavík at approximately 18:00.
- Riding distance: approximately 20 kilometers
Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
Tack type
The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different than the tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps to keep the saddle in place. The riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to the English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. The bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip-on reins.
Riding skills
Beginners and intermediate riders
Instructors
Hannes and family at Kálfhóll farm
For a long long time Íslandshestar's farmers Gestur and Margrét operated the tours in the south. Now they have past over the legacy to their son Hannes and his right hand Sophie who helped out all those year. The family at Kálfhóll farm are well known for their great hospitality and to lead their guests into the magic world of the southern countryside and incredible highlands of the south.
Location
In this tour you ride out from the Farm Kálfhóll along the pleasant trail at Thjórsá glacier-fed river, the longest river in Iceland with a view of the mighty Volcano Mountain Hekla, looking over you from a distance.
You will also ride along with the river Hvítá through moss and grassy farmland, and enjoy the Icelandic horse on his own home ground. This tour is ideal for families with children and/or riders who would like to experience Iceland on horseback in a quiet environment.
Tour highlights
Kálfhóll
Gestur and family in Kálfhóll farm operate tours all over south Iceland, both in popular tourist places as well as in the most rural places in Iceland.
Þjórsá
A glacier river with its source in Hofsjökull. It is the longest river in Iceland, around 230 kilometers.
Hvítá River
Its source is in Lake Hvítarvatn in the glacier Langjökull. It is the river of the famous Gullfoss waterfall and is popular for salmon fishing and river rafting.
Hekla volcano
Mount Hekla often titled the “Queen of Iceland” is a highly active fissure vent and a Strato volcano in South Iceland. Its numerous and frequent eruptions have left a big coverage of tephra layers all around and it has produced a massive amount of lava. In the Middle Ages, it was referred to as the gateway to hell by Europeans.
Food
During your stay, you will be provided with full-board meals. The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price at the Duty Free store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- 3 days of riding
- All transfers during the riding tour
- Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet
- Bus transfer or a flight from Reykjavík to the farm
- Domestic flights where applicable
- Full-board meals (Icelandic breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner while on the riding tour)
- 2 nights accommodation
- 11% VAT
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Alcoholic beverages
- Arrival and departure flights
- Travel insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Keflavík International Airport
99 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by bus
Íslandshestar's pick up for the tours will be from BSÍ bus station, except for the tours that use domestic flights.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.