7 Days Mount Hekla Horse Riding Tour in Southern Region, Iceland

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.

This horse riding tour will take place in the Southern Region of Iceland. Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe with a pure, unpolluted, and truly magical landscape. In Iceland, you can find hot spring oasis featuring hot pools and geothermal hot springs that are perfect for relaxing after a long riding day. On this tour, you will ride through various places including glacial river Þjórsá, the lovely river Sandá, National Forest Skriðufellsskógur, Thjórsárdalur valley, Stöng, Gjáin, Valafell Mountain, Lambaskarð, Landmannalaugar, Landmannahellir, Herbjarnfell Mountain, Seljamýri, Fögruskógar, and Þrengslasandur in the Mount Hekla area.

Mount Hekla

Mount Hekla is a highly active volcano often titled as the “Queen of Iceland”. The mountain towers regally over the region and every day, you can see evidence of its numerous devastating eruptions throughout the ages. In the old times, people actually believed it to be the gateway to hell.

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is a geothermal wonderland in the Southern Highlands. Its natural bathing pools are only one of the highlights which make this area one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for nature lovers. The beautiful area Landmannahellir is a fitting outpost in the central highlands before going on to enjoy the colorful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by black lava fields.

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On the first day, a welcome dinner at Kálfhóll Farm will be held and during the ride, full board is provided. Íslandshestar's menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. You will make your own packed lunch from the breakfast table. Moreover, please note that 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.

On Saturday, you can relax in the hot pools or visit the numerous sights of Landmannalaugar after the ride.

• All horse riding days
• 6 nights accommodation
• Transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
• Daily full board meals
• Use of rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, and riding helmet

• Airfare
• Alcoholic beverages
• Individual travel insurance

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• 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 14 days before arrival.