The ride will start along the river banks of the mighty glacial river, Thjórsá, with a magnificient view on glacier Eyjafjallajökull and Volcano Hekla. The beautiful area Landmannahellir is a fitting outpost in the central highlands before going on to enjoy the colourful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by black lava fields.
Your way back to civilization leads down from the mountains and into black lava and green valleys. The spirited and sure-footed horses make this tour an experience of a lifetime for anyone seeking a challenging highland adventure!
Day 1: Reykjavík - Kálfhóll (Riding Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers)
You will be picked up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 6 p.m., where the bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll farm where horses and staff will be waiting for you. After a lovely introductory meal where everyone gets to know each other, relax and rest so you are well prepared for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Kálfhóll - Glacier River Thjórsá - Blesastaðir Guesthouse (Riding DIstance: Approximately 30 kilometers)
Ride on fantastic riding paths along the mighty glacial river Þjórsá, with views of the glacier Eyjafjallajökull and the volcano Hekla. Leave the horses at Sandlækjarmýri field and drive to Blesastaðir Guesthouse. This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. Stay at Blesastaðir Guesthouse and relax in the hot tub outdoors.
Day 3: Blesastaðir Guesthouse - Mountain Hut Hólaskógur (Riding Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers)
Today, ride along the lovely river Sandá through the National Forest Skriðufellskógur into the beautiful and famous valley of Thjórsárdalur; the mountain Dímon towers over the vast lavender-blue lupine fields along the sandy tracks. Stop at Stöng, the ruins of a medieval farmhouse excavated in 1939.
In 1104, Mt. Hekla erupted for the first time in the recorded history of Iceland. The eruption destroyed at least 20 farms in the valley Thjórsárdalur, among them, the farm Stöng. After a short stop at Gjáin, a mystical canyon with lots of small waterfalls and a famous setting for Games of Thrones, head for the cozy mountain hut Hólaskógur with prime view of Volcano Hekla.
Day 4: Mountain Hut Hólaskógur - Landmannahellir Mountain Hut (RIding Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers)
Ride over narrow tracks through the black lava north of Valafell mountain. The sure-footed horses will carry you comfortably through rough terrain through the Lambaskarð mountain passage. Continue on sandy paths close by lake Sauðleysuvatn and through the moonlike desert towards Mountain hut Landmannahellir, where you will spend two nights.
Day 5: Landmannahellir - Landmannalaugar - Landmannahellir Mountain Hut (Riding Distance: Approximately 40 kilometers)
Today, ride to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colorful mountains and lava from 1480. The horses rest in a paddock and you will have a good part of the day to relax in the hot pools or visit the numerous sights, before returning to Landmannahellir. This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour.
Day 6: Landmannahellir - Mountain Hut Hólaskógur (Riding Distance: Approximately 40 kilometers)
Leave the beautiful area of Landmannahellir and ride on towards the Herbjarnfell mountain. Today's route will take you over the varied landscape. Ride across sanders, sharp lava, huge pumice fields in many colors, and over green grazing fields where the farmers drive their sheep during summer. Stay overnight in the solitary mountain hut, Hólaskógur, with the perfect view of the Hekla volcano. Here, you will get the feeling of being “on top of the world”.
Day 7: Mountain Hut Hólaskógur - Réttarholt Guesthouse - Kálfhóll - Reykjavík (Riding Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers)
Today, ride over the rich green mountain fields over Seljamýri to Fögruskógar and Þrengslasandur towards Réttarholt Guesthouse. Here, you will have to say goodbye to the horses and staff. The bus will take you back to Kálfhóll Farm for coffee and cake. You will then drive back to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
PLEASE NOTE: Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
Luggage
Luggage will be transported in the kitchen van.
- Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases.
- Pack light because transport space is limited.
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.
Category
This tour is for advanced riders.
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.
