Day 1 - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
Your itinerary starts in the evening. Riders who arrive the same day to Iceland should take the Flybus from the airport to the bus station BSÍ in Reykjavík. Your hosts will meet you at the bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik between 17:30- 18:00 and drive you to the farm Vellir near Hveragerði.
You will stay Hotel Eldhestar for whole of your ride and your breakfast and evening meals will be served in the restaurant. On your first evening you will meet your fellow riders for dinner and your hosts will give you further information about your itinerary.
Day 2 - Reykjadalur - Vellir
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
For your first ride you will trek along the slopes of Reykjafjall mountain and continue on scenic riding trails surrounding the small village Hveragerði. The path then takes you through a green forest to a colourful geothermal valley with hot springs, an area which expanded dramatically during an earthquake in 2008.
On your way towards the green hills surrounding the volcano Hengill, there is plenty of opportunity to try the “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. The horses then take you on a leisurely pace following narrow trails up into the valley Reykjadalur.
You pass the beautiful waterfall Djúpagilsfoss and some hot springs before reaching Reykjadalur valley and get the opportunity to take a relaxing bath in a warm stream. During the ride down the valley, enjoy fascinating panoramas over the surroundings, the village Hveragerði, picturesque farmland and all the way down to the coastline, where you might see the Westman Islands, weather permitting. Continue along the mountain slopes again back to the farm Vellir where the day ends.
Riding distance: 19 km
Day 3 - Kolviðarhóll – Marardalur
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After breakfast you will start your ride at Kolviðarhóll and ride North along the slopes of Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. When you reach Engidalur valley the ride continues along a narrow path and you will need to dismount and lead the horses through a narrow cleft to the beautiful, hidden Marardalur.
The Valley of Horses – Marardalur is one of the most popular stops on this ride around the Volcano Hengill Area. The valley is surrounded by special formed cliff walls, but the bottom is flat and grassy, known locally as 'the hidden valley'.
Previously, the Valley of Horses was used as a storage site for cattle. It's truly a unique place to visit, beautiful views with very good riding trails.
Riding distance: approx. 15 km
Day 4 - Skógarhólar- Kringlumýri
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today you ride through Thingvellir National Park, following scenic trails through woods and lava formations. Pass the abandoned farms Hrauntún and Skógarkot before reaching the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. The path continues through a fascinating landscape with large cracks created by movements of the continental plates.
From Gjábakki farm you will have an exceptional view over the large valley between the American and Eurasian continental plates, lake Thingvallavatn, and the volcanic mountains surrounding the lake. This area is a large valley shaped by glacier ice and many volcanic eruptions. Continue along an old path to the mountain hut Kringlumýri, where you finish your riding for the day.
Riding distance: approx. 25 km
Day 5 - Vellir – Thorlákshöfn
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today's ride is through Ölfusforir to the wide delta of Ölfusá river, where you should see a variety of birds. Far to the east, you can see the Eyjafjallajökull volcano as well as the volcano Hekla (weather permitting). Gradually you will make your way along the western banks of Ölfusá, riding some very beautiful trails.
Ride through the shallow water before finally reaching the south coast and turn west on the beach, riding on soft black lava sand. You end the day near the town of Thorlákshöfn and drive back to Vellir.
After some refreshments, the bus will take you back to Reykjavik (arrival about 17:15).
Riding distance: 25 km
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
