8 Day Snæfellsnes: Mountain and Beach ride in Iceland

Facilities

Many of the great Sagas are located in this very area. Today, the remote beauty and rich birdlife draw visitors from all over the world. The peninsula itself is often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of its diversity of landscape. Experiencing “tölt”, the unique extra gait of the Icelandic Horse is made easy for you on this tour when you follow good riding tracks.

The long stretches of smooth sandy beaches make this tour a delight for both horses and riders. 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 horse and man. The impressive 50-meter deep crater Eldborg is a distinctive landmark, where the light sand turns black once you reach its lava field.

Day 1: Reykjavík - Hraunholt

You will be picked up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 6 p.m. where the Islandshestar bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Hraunholt Farm, where horses and the family at Hraunholt are waiting for you. After a lovely introductory meal where everybody will get to know each other, relax and rest so you are well prepared for the adventure ahead. Overnight at Hraunholt.

Day 2: Hraunholt - Kolviðarnes (Riding Distance: Approximately 25 kilometers)

After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, start your ride from Hraunholt and ride through fertile farmlands with lava on both sides. Cross the river Haffjarðará on your way to Kolviðarnes where your ride ends today. Overnight at Hraunholt. On the next three days, you will ride on Löngufjörur beach where timings depend on the tide. In some cases, you will need to start the ride very early in the morning or in the afternoon.

Day 3: Kolviðarnes - Traðir (Riding Distance: Approximately 35 kilometers)

After rejoining the horses, start your beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View the majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses' excitement and take part in the joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. Overnight at Hraunholt.

Day 4: Traðir - Kolviðarnes (Riding Distance: Approximately 35 kilometers)

Another day's ride on the yellow-colored sandy beach, the same directions as the day before; a unique experience for everyone with lava fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Leave the horses at Traðir Farm and spend the night at Hraunholt Farm.

Day 5: Kolviðarnes - Hausthúsahringur - Kolviðarnes (Riding Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers)

Leave the herd at Kolviðarnes and go out and play, enjoying another brisk ride on the beach with fantastic views of the ocean, the mountains, and the majestic Snæfellsnes Glacier. The horses will stay at Kolviðarnes and you will drive back to Hraunholt.

Day 6. Kolviðarnes - Hraunholt (Riding Distance: Approximately 25 kilometers)

Take all the horses with you and ride into the mountains and lava, on your way back to Hraunholt. Ride through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks over the river Haffjarðará and travel through an area well known as the hideout of Iceland‘s most famous outlaw, Grettir. Overnight at Hraunholt.

Day 7: Hraunholt - Rauðaneslaug - Hraunholt (Riding Distance: Approximately 22 kilometers)

On the last day, Íslandshestar will choose their best horses and continue riding in an amazing landscape surrounded by lava, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Ride to Rauðaneslaug where you can have a bath in the Rauðaneslaug swimming pool. You will then ride the last part of the tour before you enjoy the farewell dinner at Hraunholt.

Day 8: Hraunholt - Reykjavík

You will be transferred back to BSÍ bus station in Reykjavík. Your approximate arrival is 11:30 a.m.

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 intermediate to advanced riders.

Meeting place

You will be picked up at the BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik.

Reminder

Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for the beach ride.

This horse riding tour will take place in the Western 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 Grímsstaðir, Hítardalur, Hítardalsrétt, Hítará River, Grettir, Löngufjörur beach, and Eldborgarhraun lava field in Snæfellsjökull National Park.

Snæfellsjökull National Park

The Snæfellsjökull National Park is where you find one of Iceland's most beautiful and emblematic sights - the glacier-covered cone volcano Snæfellsjökull. This horseback riding tour in Snæfellsnes, Iceland, is definitely the best way to see the astonishing nature of the peninsula. The mystery and spiritual aura of this still active volcano were made famous through Jules Verne’s novel "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". Many of the great sagas are located in this very area. Today, the remote beauty and rich bird life draw visitors from all over the world. The peninsula itself is often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of its diversity of landscape.

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On the first day, a welcome dinner at Stóri-Kálfalækur 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.

• 6 horse riding days
• 7 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.