“Ride through the lovely southern countryside!”
7 Day Southern Comfort: Golden Circle Horse Riding Holiday in Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur, Iceland
Kálfhóll Farm, Kálfhóll 2 Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur, 801, Iceland
Breathtaking Iceland Horse Riding Tour
This tour was nominated by CNNgo as one of the 15 greatest horse treks in the world. What better or more unique way to do the popular Golden Circle tour than by riding through the lovely countryside of South Iceland? The key attractions on this classic tour are the hot spring area of Geysir, Gullfoss, or the Golden Waterfall, each one guaranteed to take your breath away!
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 242 pounds / 110 kilograms
- Horse breed: Icelandic horse
Meet the instructors
Hannes and family at Kálfhóll farm
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Highlights
- 6 days of horse riding
- Daily horse rides
- Ride along the pleasant trail at Thjórsá Glacier Fed River
- Cross the well-known Salmon River Stóra-Laxá
- Entrance fee to Secret Lagoon included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Ground transfers included
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
6 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 20 participants
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Wireless internet
Kálfhóll river cabins
Welcome to the cozy cabins near Kálfhóll Farm, offering views overlooking the majestic Þjórsá river. Escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the tranquility of Iceland’s countryside.
The cabins are simple yet comfortable, providing everything you need for a peaceful getaway. Enjoy the scenic beauty from your doorstep, whether you’re savoring a morning coffee or stargazing under the clear Icelandic skies.
Located just a stone’s throw from Kálfhóll farm, the cabins offer easy access to the surrounding nature and farm life.
River Cabins summerhouses at Kálfhóll Farm
- Number of cabins: 5
- Number of rooms per cabin: 3
- Number of beds per cabin: 5
- Number of showers per cabin: 1
- GSM connection: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Made up beds: Yes
- Number of water closets per cabin: 1
Program
This tour is perfect for families and those not having the required riding experience for Íslandshestar's highland tours. Keep in mind that riding days can be long so you should be in good physical shape and have the basic horsemanship skills.
On the first riding day, you will get acquainted with the unique Icelandic Horse and its special extra gait as you take an easy trek along the banks of the majestic Thjórsá River. You'll continue towards Gullfoss Waterfall, with its thundering waters and the hot spring area of Geysir.
After a relaxed day´s riding in that locality, you will next explore some of more remote places, well off the beaten track. On your way to the accommodation, you will also visit the charming Secret Lagoon for a well-deserved bath.
You'll then cross the highland moor of Hrunaheiði and enjoy good riding tracks when trekking past iconic basalt columns at Hrepphólar on your way back to Kálfhóll Farm.
Category
This tour is for intermediate riders who are comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
Meeting place
You will be picked up at the BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik.
Farmer
This tour's farmer will be Gestur at the Kálfhóll farm and family.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik - Kálfhóll Farm
You'll be picked up at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00, where Íslandshestar's bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll, where horses and staff will be waiting. After a lovely introductory meal where participants get to know each other, you will relax and rest so that you will be well-prepared for the adventure ahead of you.
Day 2. Kálfhóll - Thjórsá glacier river – Sandlækjamýri
After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, you will start your ride along the pleasant trail at Thjórsá glacier-fed river. You'll leave the horses at Sandlækjarmýri field and drive to Kálfhóll. This day will be the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere
- Approximately 15 km
Day 3: Kálfhóll - Sandlækjarmýri - Kálfhóll
You'll leave Kálfhóll Farm and drive back to the horses. From there, you'll head off to the fertile farmlands of neighboring community Hrunamannahreppur. You'll drive spare horses along in a free running herd, enabling you to change your mount regularly and travel at a brisk space.
You'll cross the well-known Salmon River Stóra-Laxá and stop for a picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a corral used for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. Continue your ride on good trails, towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð, where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. The ride will end at Brúarhlöð and you'll drive to the Kálfhóll Farm, where you'll spend the night.
- Approximately 30 km
Day 4: Kálfhóll - Gullfoss - Kálfhóll
Continue the ride on soft trails ideal for tölting. Alongside Hvítá River, you'll follow the ever-deepening canyon onto the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. The name “Gullfoss” means “golden waterfall” in English, and it is named after the golden hue that the waterfall takes on during sunrise and sunset.
Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland and is known for its powerful and dramatic appearance, with water falling a total of 32 meters (105 feet) in two stages. The group will have their lunch break at Gullfoss before you ride back to Kálfhóll, where you will spend the night.
- Approximately 20 km
Day 5: Haukadalur - Haukadalsheiði - Kálfhóll
The ride will take you through Haukadalur Valley, with its beautiful birch forest. Cross clear little streams on the way and enjoy the rich vegetation of wild mountain flowers that bloom during high summer.
While you ascend to a highland plateau, you will notice the changes in nature as you reach higher ground. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highland around awaits you when you reach the top of Haukadalsheiði.
The rest of the day will be spent in the Geysir area. You will have plenty of time to explore this highly interesting area with its countless bubbling hot springs.
- Approximately 18 km
Day 6: Geysir - Tungufellsdalur - Kaldbakur - Kálfhóll
You will leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures, back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon where you will cross the mighty Hvítá River. Then, you'll head towards the interior and follow the beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiðar heath plateau and experience riding along the edge of civilization.
The horses will spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm while the group will drive to the Secret Lagoon for a relaxing bath in the geothermal pool and then drive to Kálfhóll and spend the night.
- Approximately 30 km
Day 7. Kálfhóll - Kaldbakur - Hrepphólar - Kálfhóll - Reykjavík
The last day of riding will include yet again terrific scenery. This day, you will follow good riding tracks past Mt. Galtafell. You will cross River Laxá before you reach Sandlækjarmýri. You'll turn towards the banks of Thjórsá River and follow them to Kálfhóll Farm. There, you'll say goodbye to the guides, staff, and horses, and return to Reykjavík BSÍ, with an approximate arrival at 20:00.
- Approximately 40 km
Please note that Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
Changing horses
Usually, you will change horses once or twice a day. On most of the longer tours, Íslandshestar herds spare horses along in a free-running herd, the traditional way of riding in Iceland.
All tours of the three and four-horse categories are operated that way. For tours of the two-horse category, guides may lead spare horses for parts of the ride.
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
This horse riding tour will take place in the Southern Region of Iceland. This country is the least densely populated one in Europe, with a pure, unpolluted, and truly magical landscape. In Iceland, you can find a hot spring oasis featuring hot pools and geothermal hot springs that are perfect for relaxing after a long riding day.
The three key attractions on this classic tour are the hot spring area of Geysir, Gullfoss or the Golden Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir National Park is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list based on its historical, geological, and cultural importance.
Gullfoss Golden Waterfall
This is where Hvítá falls 32 meters in two stages before entering the canyon Gullfossgljúfur. Gullfoss is one of three main attractions of the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland, The Golden Circle.
Haukadalsheiði
This is a moorland located in the southern central highlands in the vicinity of Geysir. The area was well-grown in older times but later turned into a desert, giving Icelanders a hard battle fighting erosion for years and years
Geysir area
This is a famous geothermal area with Geysir, the first documented hot spring in Europe. Lately, Geysir is rarely active but its smaller neighbors are. Strokkur erupts 20 to 40 meters high every few minutes, and Litli- Strokkur and Smiður are highly active as well.
Secret Lagoon
This is a natural pool in a geothermal area 38 to 40 degrees Celsius warm. Situated by the village Flúðir and within the Golden Circle route, it is a wonderful experience during all seasons.
Other tour highlights
- Þjórsá - a glacier river with its source in Hofsjökull, it is the longest river in Iceland at around 230 km
- Hrunamannahreppur - a municipality in the south where the village Flúðir is located; a part of the municipality is within the highlands
- Stóra-Laxá - a well-known salmon river surrounded by magnificent landscape such as the gorge Laxárgljúfur
- Hrunaréttir - a corral used for the annual sheep round-up in autumn
- Brúarhlöð - majestic canyon in Hvítá river where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations
- Hvítá River - its source is in Lake Hvítárvatn in the glacier Langjökull; it is the river of the famous Gullfoss waterfall and is popular for river rafting
Food
During the ride, full board meals will be provided and are included in the price. The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders will 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 in the duty-free store at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) upon arrival.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- All horse riding days
- Entrance fee to Secret Lagoon
- 3 to four horses per person and local guidance
- Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
- Use of rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, and riding helmet
- 6 nights accommodation
- Full board meals
- 11% VAT
What's not included
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages
- Individual travel insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
KEF
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. You can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs the airport and reaches the location for 35 to 40 minutes after each arrival.
Buses are located right outside the terminal building. Íslandshestar will pick you up at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik or in Reykjavik official bus stops near your accommodation between 18:00 and 19:00.
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.
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