Overview
This horseback riding tour will take you through a landscape of extensive lava fields, craters, and ash from ancient eruptions in Hítardalur valley. You will also enjoy wide-open stretches of light-colored sand at Löngufjörur beach where only the tide sets a limit to the freedom of a horse and a man. The impressive 50-meter deep crater Eldborg is a distinctive landmark where the light sands will turn black once you reach its lava field. On the last riding day, you will follow the edge of the lava flow along the shore before returning to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm.
The horses
Icelandic horse breed is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt”, which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on a longer tour. Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat land is an authentic riding experience. Herding along free-running horses is the traditional way of traveling in Iceland since horses are changed at least once a day on longer tours. You will get to ride a variety of horses.
With over 30 years of experience providing horse riding tours to both locals and visitors, Íslandshestar is proud to be the industry leader in the caretaking of horses in Iceland. They work actively with MAST (Icelandic food and veterinary authority) to improve their caretaking methods. Íslandshestar's experience and collaboration with MAST and other leading veterinaries in Iceland prompted them to write and publish a handbook where their procedures are available to fellow horse riding tour operators as best-practice for optimal treatment for the Icelandic horse.
Riding tack and style
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. The saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps to keep the saddle in place. Riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles and the bridles have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.
If you know how to ride a horse using English riding style, you should have no problems riding an Icelandic horse. Western-style riders should not experience any difficulties adjusting to the Icelandic way of riding either. Íslandshestar's guides will take some time at the beginning of each tour to explain the correct way to saddle the horse, mount it, and how to ride the different gaits. They will carefully explain how and when to ride “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse.
Riding skill
This horseback riding tour is for intermediate and advanced riders. As an intermediate rider, you must be comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length trots (tölt), and short canters. Meanwhile, for advanced riders, you must be comfortable and in control at all paces, have firm seat, and also comfortable in the saddle for up to seven hours per day. Advanced riders are also persons who usually ride regularly and are capable of handling horses in an open country.
Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavík - Stóri-Kálfalækur - Grímsstaðir
You will be picked up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik or at Reykjavik official bus stops near your accommodation between 18:00 to 19:00. Íslandshestar's bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm where the horses and staff will be waiting for you. After a lovely introductory meal where you can get to know each other, you may relax and rest so you will be well prepared for the adventure ahead of you.
Day 2. Stóri-Kálfalækur - Grímsstaðir
After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, you will start the ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along with good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm with its proud history dating back to the medieval times. You will overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur in made up beds with showers and a hot tub on site.
- Approximate riding distance: 25 kilometers
Day 3: Grímsstaðir - Hítarhólmur
The ride today will lead you through multi-colored mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes, and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains will give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon. You will leave the horses at Hítarhólmur farm and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalækur where the hot tub will be waiting for you.
- Approximate riding distance: 25 kilometers
Day 4: Hítarhólmur - Kolviðarnes
You will continue the ride through this mystical volcanic valley. You will stop at the sheep gathering place, Hítardalsrétt, and if you take a good look, you can see the troll woman, Hít, who was turned into stone returning late from a date. You will proceed to the west across Hítará River and travel through an area well-known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm, you will leave the horses, then be driven back to and spend the night at Stóri-Kálfalækur. For the next three days, you will ride on Löngufjörur beach where timings will depend on the tide. In some cases, you will need to start the ride very early in the morning or in the afternoon.
- Approximate riding distance: 45 kilometers
Day 5: Kolviðarnes - Traðir
After rejoining the horses, you will start the beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. You will view majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’ excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. You will leave the horses at Traðir Farm and spend the night at Stóri-Kálfalækur.
- Approximate riding distance: 30 kilometers
Day 6: Traðir - Kolviðarnes - Stóri-Kálfalækur
Today will be another day ride on the yellow colored and sandy beach. You will have the same directions as the day before. It will be a unique experience for everyone with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. You will leave the horses at Kolviðarnes Farm and be driven to Stóri-Kálfalækur where you will spend the last two nights.
- Approximate riding distance: 30 kilometers
Day 7: Kolviðarnes - Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm
Last day on the beach and yet a new experience. The sand will turn black as you follow the outline of the Eldborgarhraun lava field. You can imagine the black lava still on the move on your way back to dry land. The ride will end at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm where you will enjoy Ólöf’s farewell dinner.
- Approximate riding distance: 30 kilometers
Day 8: Stóri-Kálfalækur - Reykjavík
You will be transferred back to Reykjavik to your accommodation and arrive at approximately 11:30.
Note: Please note that Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries, or timetables without prior notice should the necessity arise.
