A real horseback trip in Iceland :
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.
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIE IN ICELAND
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
SOUTH TO NORTH :
Day 1: You will be met at Reykjavik Bus Station in the late afternoon (see arrival-departure information) and transferred Fremstaver mountain cabin, where horses and staff are waiting for us. On our way we stop at the world famous natural wonders, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall.
After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other, we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.
Day 2: The ride starts off towards the majestic glacier Langjökull and up into the Highlands. Our horses bring us in their soft and strong gates along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. We cross the river Hvítá and follow the river Svartá until we get to the Mountain Cabin Árbúðir where we spend the night and rest the horses. (about 25km)
Day 3: Our ride continues following the glacial river Fúlákvísl with great view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. We then enter the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley surrounded by high mountains. During the last centuries, traveling through the remote Highland was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders. From the entrance of the valley, we have a splendid view over the fertile landscape. The ride ends at the paddock of Hveravellir where our horses will spend the night and we head up to our cabin Gíslaskáli where we will stay for the next two nights. (Approx. 50 km)
Day 4: We start the day by driving to our horses in Hveravellir and we continue our ride through the highlands and cross the river Seyðisá. Todays ride is a shorter one inbetween 2 long riding days. We leave the horses to rest at the river Kúlukvísl and we have time to explore Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath before we return to our cabin Gíslaskáli. (Approx. 15km).
Day 5: In the morning we make our way back to our horses at the paddock of Kúlukvísl where we start todays ride. The horses run happily with us on the soft paths of this free and mystical highland area. We pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell before reaching our destination. It is easy to see that we follow a historical route. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people traveled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. We spend the night in the mountain cabin Öndvegi. Up to mid-July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country. (Approx. 35 km)
Day 6: We continue our ride over the mountain plateau Grímstunguheiði. The valleys with the farms in the north are getting closer. It is impressive to see the fertile valley Vatnsdalur with all its fields and vegetation. As we ride down to the valley the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some of its many beautiful waterfalls. Our horses stay at Forsæludalur Farm which is the first farm to reach in this area when you come down from the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The hot tub offers a nice relaxation after today’s ride. (Approx. 35 km)
Day 7: Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge, and love. We say good-bye to our horses as they get to rest in the green fields of the valley. We celebrate a successful tour with a great Farwell dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 20 km)
Day 8 - Saturday: End of your horseback riding tour in Iceland. You leave your guides and return to Reykjavík, arriving around early afternoon (see arrival-departure information).
* Indcative itinerary that may be subjected to changes.
NORTH TO SOUTH :
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland. You will be met at Reykjavik Bus Station in the late afternoon (see arrival-departure information) and transferred to northern Iceland, a journey of around three to four hours. Installation in your room in Hvammur farm. After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other, we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.
Day 2: Today is our first riding day. Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge and love. The horses stay at Forsæludalur farm which is the last farm in the valley before we enter the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The hot tub offers a nice relaxation after today’s ride (Approx. 20 km)
Day 3: As we ride up the valley the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some its many waterfalls. Today we ascend up to the mountain plateau Grímstunguheiði. The fertile valley with its farms is left behind as our horses run freely over the riding paths of the northern highland, one of the largest uninhabited areas in Europe. We enjoy the splendid view over the impressive highland mountains and the completely untouched nature around us. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Öndvegi. (Approx. 35 km)
Day 4: On our ride today we pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell. It is easy to see that we follow a historical route. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people traveled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. The horses run happily with us on the soft paths of this free and mystical highland area. We leave the horses at the river Kúlukvísl where they can rest for the night. We head up to our cabin Gíslaskáli where we will stay for the next two nights. (Approx. 35 km)
Day 5: The destination of today’s ride is Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Our path leads us over the river Seyðisá and we can see the vegetation changing as we get higher up into the highlands. Todays ride is a shorter one inbetween 2 long riding days. The horses get to rest and we have time to explore the unique area of Hveravellir. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath before we return to our cabin Gíslaskáli. (Approx. 15km)
Day 6: We start the day by riding through the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley surrounded by high mountains. During the last centuries, traveling through the remote Highland was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders. From the entrance of the valley, we have a splendid view over the fertile landscape. Following the glacial river Fúlákvísl we enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. The day ends in Árbúðir Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 50 km)
Day 7 - Friday: We follow the river Svartá for a while before crossing the river Hvítá. Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. As we ride down the mountain the beautiful south appears in front of us. Our horses bring us in their soft and strong gates the last part of the journey. Our ride ends at Fremstaver mountain cabin beautifully located on the south side of the mountain Bláfell not far from the famous water fall Gullfoss. We celebrate a successful tour with an authentic farewell dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 25km)
Day 8 - Saturday: End of your horseback riding tour in Iceland. You say goodbye to your guides and return to Reykjavík. On the way, you visit the world famous natural wonders, Geysir and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Arrival in Reykjavík in the early afternoon (see arrival-departure information).
* Indcative itinerary that may be subjected to changes.
MEETING:
Day 1 at Redjavik bus station at 6 p.m. There is a regular Flybus service (www.re.is/flybus) between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik Central bus Station. To have enough time for the Flybus transfer, we recommend that you arrive before 4 p.m.
DEPARTURE:
Day 8 in Redjavik around 1 p.m. (north-south ride), 2 p.m. (south-north ride). Free transfer to the bus station around 6.30 p.m. Depending on the time of your return flight, you may need to make your own accommodation arrangements in Reykjavik for the night. Last day drop-off is possible for select Reykjavik hotels except those in the city center. For these hotels, you will be dropped off at the nearest bus stop. You will find a map of the bus stop locations and more information on www.busstop.is.
LEVEL: 
You should be comfortable with the three gaits (walk, trot, canter) outdoors. Physical condition is as important as equestrian level because of the long hours in the saddle at an often fast pace. Riders are expected to take care of their horse (groom and saddle up), but help is always available if you need it.
RYTHM:
You ride 3 to 7 hours a day on average.
GUIDES:
Local English speaking guides.
GROUPS:
Up to 20 riders.
HORSES:
Icelandic horses. On the ride, you change horses once or twice a day, the herd of around fifty free-roaming horses travels with you.
TACK:
English saddles.
ACCOMMODATION: 
In shelters, in dormitories for up to 30 people. Collective showers available some nights and others there may be natural thermal pools. Some nights may only have cold water available, sometimes in a stream.
MEALS:
During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
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 Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
Insured by assistance vehicle.
2025 PRICES / PER PERSON *:
19-26 June: 2866 €
26 June- 22 August: 3070 €
Booking fees: 15 €
Vegan and gluten free food supplement : 100€
* Rates may vary up or down at the time of your booking, depending on the exchange rate with the Icelandic Krona.
PRICES INCLUDE:
Rides described, the equipped horse, the guide, the assistance ensuring the transport of the luggage, the accommodation, the meals, the transfers from / to Redjavik at the fixed times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our deposit of travel operator.
PRICES DON'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks, any sightseeing, tips, accommodation and meals in Redjavik, transport to Iceland, gratuities, anything not indicated in "prices include".
FLIGHTS:
Flights to/from Iceland are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request (free service).
| Dates | From | Infos | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | NORTH - SOUTH | Information request | |
| - | SOUTH - NORTH | Information request | |
| - | NORTH - SOUTH | Information request | |
| - | SOUTH - NORTH | Information request | |
| - | NORTH - SOUTH | Information request | |
| - | SOUTH - NORTH | Information request |
Our guide: friendly, positive, attentive to the riders and horses. In a word: perfect
The tour required a good level of riding but, if the riders were all experienced, not all had the same level of experience or physical condition. The guides were attentive to give each one the most suitable mount (as far as possible) and to change it if it did not go well.
I rode about ten different horses!!!! Special mention to Frikk, Rosa and a small brown bay mare whose name I forget. If not all were very comfortable, all were respectful, calm and had incredibly sure feet!
Tack: Clean and comfortable.
Accommodation: The comfort was sometimes basic but that was part of the adventure. All the accommodations were located in incredible environments and the meals cooked in sometimes difficult conditions were plentiful, varied and incredibly tasty. Thanks to the cook Gigga.
A fabulous experience in every way.
Be careful to update the information or not to be too precise on the description of the tour and the different days; each day seems to be a little different. In any case, there was a small gap between what was described and what we did (no stop at Pingvellir for example)... but it's not a big deal.