4-Daagse Paardrijden en Golden Circle Sightseeing Vakantie in IJsland

This relaxed multi-day riding tour offers the perfect blend of gentle adventure, Icelandic farm life, and iconic sightseeing. Based at the welcoming Kálfhóll farm, you will enjoy daily rides through peaceful countryside, building a strong connection with your Icelandic horse while experiencing its smooth, natural gaits. Along the way, the journey is enriched with authentic local experiences, including farm-to-table dining, geothermal bathing, and visits to some of Iceland’s most celebrated natural landmarks. Designed for riders who value comfort, scenery, and cultural depth, this tour combines memorable riding with the best of Iceland beyond the saddle.

Day 1: Reykjavík - Kálfhóll

Pick up at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík at 16:00. The journey takes you south through fertile farmland and wide open landscapes, offering a gentle transition from city life into the Icelandic countryside. Along the way, stop at the powerful Urriðafoss, where glacial waters thunder toward the sea, setting the tone for the days ahead. Continue on to Kálfhóll, where the hosts and horses are waiting. After settling into your accommodation, enjoy a hearty welcome dinner together and take time to get to know your fellow riders. In the evening, guests may choose to relax in the outdoor hot pot, soaking in warm geothermal water under the open sky. Overnight at Kálfhóll.

Day 2: Kálfhóll - Friðheimar - Secret Lagoon - Kálfhóll

After breakfast, meet the Icelandic horses and receive an introduction to their unique qualities and smooth gaits. You then head out on your first ride of the tour, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi), following quiet riding tracks through peaceful farmland—an ideal way to build confidence and connection with your horse. At midday, visit Friðheimar for lunch. Dining inside a working greenhouse, surrounded by lush tomato plants, offers a truly Icelandic farm-to-table experience. In the afternoon, unwind at the Secret Lagoon, where naturally heated water invites relaxation after a day in the saddle. Dinner and overnight at Kálfhóll.

• Riding distance: approx. 10 km (6.2 mi)

Day 3: Kálfhóll - Hestakráin - Kálfhóll

Following breakfast, set out on the longest riding day of the tour. Today’s route takes you through varied countryside, with open stretches perfect for enjoying the Icelandic horse’s tölting gait, as you ride approximately 20 km (12.4 mi) to Hestakráin. A warming soup lunch awaits you before you ride back to the farm in the afternoon. The evening is dedicated to enjoying your final full night at Kálfhóll, sharing stories, reflecting on the days spent riding, and savoring the relaxed rhythm of farm life. Dinner and overnight at Kálfhóll.

• Riding distance: approx. 20 km (12.4 mi)

Day 4: Kálfhóll - Golden Circle - Reykjavík

After breakfast, head out for your final ride of the tour, approximately 7 km (4.3 mi), enjoying a relaxed farewell ride through the familiar countryside surrounding the farm. After lunch at Kálfhóll, begin your return journey to Reykjavík, combining the ride home with visits to some of Iceland’s most iconic natural sights. The first stop is the majestic Gullfoss, where glacial water cascades into a dramatic canyon. You then continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts regularly, sending boiling water high into the air. Your final stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great historical and geological significance, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly drift apart. Arrival back at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík is approximately 18:00.

The Icelandic horse

The breed is best known for its four-beat smooth gait, the “tölt,” which is very comfortable for the rider, especially on longer tours. Riding an Icelandic horse in its native habitat is an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Herd

Herding along free-running horses is the traditional way of traveling in Iceland, as horses are often changed at least once a day on longer tours. This allows you to ride a variety of horses throughout your journey.

Icelandic nature

Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe, offering a pure, unpolluted, and truly magical landscape for riders and nature lovers alike.

Nature bathing

Throughout Iceland (and on riding tours), you can discover hot spring oases featuring geothermal pools and hot springs, perfect for relaxing after a long day in the saddle.

Tack

The tack used for Icelandic horses is slightly different from the tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is built close to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Saddles come with plain or quilted seats. On longer rides, a crupper helps keep the saddle in place.

The riding style used on Icelandic horses is close to the English riding style, but stirrups are worn long. Bits used are mostly simple snaffles. Bridles have a detachable noseband and clip-on reins.