HORSE RIDING IN ICELAND
Iceland is one of the most fascinating destinations for horse riding. With its austere volcanic landscapes, geysers, glaciers, waterfalls and deep fjords, horse riding in Iceland is a unique and exhilarating experience. This large island, floating on the edge of the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic, is a captivating and often exhilarating place for horse riding.
Characterized by its volcanic landscape and its intact fjords, the terrain is often hilly. Most horse treks in Iceland provide two or three times the usual number of horses to avoid exhaustion on rough terrain. The only breed of horse in Iceland is the robust Icelandic horse. These strong and safe horses were first introduced to Iceland by the Vikings in the 9th century. Because of their Scandinavian heritage, they are often called "Viking horses". In a unique way, the Icelandic horse has 5 gaits: the fetgangur (walk or not), the brokk (trot), the tölt (fast walk), the skeið (intermediate gait) and the stökk (gallop). Icelandic horses are well adapted to the harsh environment of Iceland and, small but impressively robust.
Horseback riding trail ride in ICELAND : THE NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE
The North of Iceland is known for its spectacular natural sights and diverse landscape. Our tour goes from Bjarnastaðir Farm near Húsavík to the Lake Mývatn area, famous for its volcanic features and rich birdlife. Ásbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall, and the strange rock formations at Hljóðaklettar are just some of the gems of nature you´ll be seeing on this amazing tour. You ride along soft riding tracks ideal for “tölting”, the unique extra gait of the Icelandic Horse. The first day you spend in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and visit both Dettifoss Waterfall and Ásbyrgi Canyon. From rich green pastureland you head towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains and spend a night in a mountain cabin at Theistareykir. Through an area scarred with cracks and fissures from…
Horseback riding trip in ICELAND: THE ICELAND GOLDEN CIRCLE
This tour was nominated by CNNgo as one of the 15 greatest horse treks in the world!What better or more unique way to do the popular Golden Circle Tour than by riding the Icelandic horse through the lovely countryside of South Iceland. The key attractions on this classic tour are the hot spring area of Geysir and Gullfoss or the Golden Waterfall. Each one guaranteed to take your breath away.This tour is perfect for families and those not having the required riding experience for highland tours. Keep in mind that riding days can be long so you should be in good physical shape and have the basic horsemanship skills.On the first riding day you get acquainted with the unique Icelandic Horse and its special extra gait as we take an easy trek along the banks of the majestic Thjórsá River…
Horseback riding trip in ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING
Horseback riding in Iceland is a unique experience. Riding on an Icelandic horse is a great way to experience Iceland's natural beauty: mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, lunar landscapes. What makes the icelandic horse specia,l is its fourth gait: the tölt. It is fast, comfortable and can cover great distances. You change horses once or twice a day among the herd. Accommodation in mountain huts, all rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating.
Country
Horseback riding in Iceland: the dream of many riders ! Iceland has an area of nearly 40,000 square miles. Iceland lies halfway between North America and mainland Europe, and borders the Arctic Circle to the north. The landscapes are magnificent and varied to travel on horseback: glaciers, waterfalls, active volcanoes and lava deserts, mountains, fjords and valleys. Iceland is famous for the Icelandic horse: a small and sturdy breed, which has evolved over centuries. The Vikings brought the first horses to Iceland around 1100 years ago and the breed has remained pure. DNA studies of the Icelandic horse show that it is related to the horse of Shetland, Norway and Mongolia. Horses have evolved a lot since their arrival in Iceland. Both man and nature have created a strong and resilient breed. The natural development of the Icelandic breed is mainly related to its ability to survive. A recent study shows that horses' intestines are larger and more developed than in other breeds, which could prepare them for winter. They gain weight in autumn, their hair grows abundantly, to increase their resistance to winter.
Weather
Contrary to popular belief, it is never very cold in Iceland: the average temperature in summer is 12.5°C, with sometimes peaks of 20°C! At night, of course, it is cooler and it can even snow sometimes in August, at altitude or in the interior of the island. In winter, the mercury can drop to -15°C, but the average temperature in Reykjavík in January is 0.5°C, and the thermometer most often fluctuates between -5 and 5°C. "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes"... the saying illustrates the instability of the Icelandic climate ! Thus, weather forecasts are, in general, quite unreliable. On horseback in Iceland, it is best to keep raincoats and warm clothing handy.
Source: https://fr.climate-data.org/europe/islande/reykjavik/reykjavik-764736/
Useful informations
Passport or identity card valid for the entire duration of the stay for Europe Union nationals and Swiss nationals, valid at least 3 months after the return date for Canadian nationals.
Please note that French identity cards issued to adults between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013 are still valid 5 years after the expiry date indicated on the back. On the other hand, no material modification will attest to this. To avoid any inconvenience, it is advisable to travel with your passport or to download the certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explaining this rule.
In 2001, without being part of the European Union, Iceland joined the Schengen Convention on the free movement of persons. There are therefore no border controls for EU nationals.
Departures
| Departure | Destination | Name | From | Infos | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 6 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 7 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | NORTH - SOUTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND : NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE | 6 days - 5 nights - 4 days 1/2 riding in Iceland | ||
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | SOUTH - NORTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | NORTH - SOUTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | SOUTH - NORTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND : NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE | 6 days - 5 nights - 4 days 1/2 riding in Iceland | ||
| - | Iceland | ICELAND : NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE | 6 days - 5 nights - 4 days 1/2 riding in Iceland | ||
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | NORTH - SOUTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND : NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE | 6 days - 5 nights - 4 days 1/2 riding in Iceland | ||
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | SOUTH - NORTH | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 6 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 7 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND : NORTHERN ICELAND TRAIL RIDE | 6 days - 5 nights - 4 days 1/2 riding in Iceland | ||
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 7 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland | |
| - | Iceland | ICELAND: THE ICELAND CROSSING | 6 days | 7 or 6 days - 6 or 5 nights - 6 or 4 days riding in Iceland |