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Sprengisandur

Overview

Between Glaciers into the Desert Wilderness, you ride along the ancient Sprengisandur route that crosses Iceland, exploring some of the most fascinating and extreme contrasts of the Icelandic landscape. In the South, ride on soft green paths along the riverbanks of the Thjórsá River and through …

Highlights

  • Ride Between Glaciers into the Desert Wilderness
  • Follow the Ancient Sprengisandur Route
  • Pass Arnarfell Mountain, Iceland’s Geographical Centre
  • Relax in Hot Geothermal Springs
  • Simple Mountain Hut Accommodation

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 18 riders per group
  • Average of 8 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 120kg / 264lb / 18st

Description

Between Glaciers into the Desert Wilderness, you ride along the ancient Sprengisandur route that crosses Iceland, exploring some of the most fascinating and extreme contrasts of the Icelandic landscape.

In the South, ride on soft green paths along the riverbanks of the Thjórsá River and through a lava valley created by an 800-year-old eruption of the volcano Hekla. The spectacular wilderness of Iceland emerges as we follow the sand and rock plains across Sprengisandur between the glaciers Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull. In stark contrast to this barren landscape, you will stop at a hot spring, where you have the opportunity to relax in the geothermal water.

During the tour, you pass Arnarfell Mountain, Iceland’s geographical centre before arriving in North Iceland at the bottom of Eyjafjörður Fjord, one of the longest fjords in Iceland.

Horses & Riding

Tack

Saddles used in Iceland are similar to dressage saddles with a flat seat and are very comfortable for the long hours in the saddle and help English style riders master the tolt. The Icelandic riding style is similar to English, but stirrups are worn long. The bridles are simple snaffles, and the bridles have a detachable nose band and clip on reins.

Horses

Your hosts breed all their Icelandic horses and are proud to produce well-behaved and well-gaited riding horses for their guests. Your hosts have up to 350 horses at their farm in the summer and 60-100 in the winter. Icelandic horses arrived with the first settlers from Scandinavia in the 9th century and have played a vital role in Icelandic history and culture for centuries. This breed can master five gaits rather than just the usual three and is best known for the tölt, a special gait which is very smooth and comfortable for the rider. Its lively temperament and friendly personality are amazing, and it is incredibly strong and sure-footed, allowing riders to feel safe and experience the soft tölt.

Please note: Icelandic horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad! Used riding clothes and boots should be washed in a washing machine or dry cleaned prior to entering the country. Clothes, boots and helmets that can't be placed in a washing machine or dry cleaned should be washed and disinfected. Importing of used riding equipment and riding gloves is strictly prohibited.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Sprengisandur Glaciers & Wilderness is a trail ride

Ages

Minimum aged 15 years (please enquire if you are an experienced rider under 15 years old).

Health

Good Physical Health

Weight

120kg / 264lb / 18st

Food & Accommodation

Food

For your first night you will eat in the hotel restaurant which offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere where meals focus on Icelandic cuisine. Your hosts always try their best to serve meals made from locally grown produce, much of it coming from the town of Hveragerði, less than 2 km away from the stables. Meat and fish are provided by local farmers and fishermen.

During your trail all food is included starting with dinner on arrival day and ending with lunch on the last riding day. Dinner is traditional Icelandic. In summer, lunch is either packed in saddle bags or the cook meets the group. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request – please book in advance. Please note that dinner on the last evening is not included.

Accommodation

Accommodation during the trail is at farms, guesthouses, community centres and simple mountain huts (dormitory style). The first night you will stay at Guesthouse Eldhestar which is located in the grounds of Hotel Eldhestar and is owned by your ride hosts. On the other nights of your trail your accommodation will be simple and in shared rooms and you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. Some mountain huts in the highlands only have cold water and no showers.

The guesthouse in which you will stay on your first night has a cosy living room, shared bathroom facilities, tea and coffee making facilities and a small refrigerator. You will be in shared rooms (3-4 beds per room) and while you are staying in the guesthouse meals will be taken in the hotel restaurant. There is a door directly to the garden, allowing you to step outside and observe the northern lights, when the conditions allow.

Itineraries

Sprengisandur Glaciers & Wilderness Basic accommodation.

Other Activities

The location is perfect for exploring Iceland’s most popular attractions, which are all within driving distance. Even better, there is a geothermal area right at the doorstep, providing endless options for outdoor activities that cater to every interest and age group.

Travel

Guests should fly to Reykjavik for this tour. The meeting point is the BSI Bus Station in Reykjavík on day one at between 17:30 & 18:00.

International flights to Iceland will land at Keflavik international airport (roughly 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik city). There is a regular bus service between the airport and the city centre.

On departure day, your hosts will transfer you back to the city of Reykjavik (not the airport) late afternoon. However, please note that this transfer can often be delayed for any number of reasons. To be safe and avoid missing your flight, we would advise planning to spend this final night in the city and fly the next day.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: No riding.

The tour 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 spend your first night at Guesthouse Eldhestar and enjoy dinner with your fellow riders at Hotel Eldhestar which is next door to the guesthouse.

Day 2 - Hveragerdi – Fellsmúli – Hólaskógur

Riding: 5 hours

From Hveragerdi, in the Ölfus municipality, you will be driven to the farm Fellsmúli near the Mt. Hekla volcano. You ride starts there, where you will follow soft paths through a birch forest, to the old farm Skarfanes. Most of the day you will be riding along the banks of the mighty river Thjórsá (the longest river in Iceland).

On the way to Tröllkonuhlaup, you pass the waterfall Thjófafoss and the striking mountain Búrfell, which was once home to giants and trolls. From there, you drive to the hut Hólaskógur where we spend the night.

Riding distance: 25 km

Day 3 - Hólaskógur – Hrauneyjarfoss – Hólaskógur

Riding: 7 hours

Today the ride continues north-east of the Thjórsá River. The landscape changes steadily into the wilderness. The horses will spend the night in a meadow close Hrauneyjar, near one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Iceland. You will spend the night in a hut at Hólaskógur.

Riding distance: 7 hours

Day 4 - Hrauneyjarfoss – Versalir

Riding: 9 hours

Today is an early start as you will be riding a long distance from Hrauneyjarfoss Falls to Versalir, a resting place at the beginning of Sprengisandur, known from the song “Á Sprengisandur” (Ridum, ridum…). On this route, you will see many mountains and the glaciers Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull.

You will spend the night in a large, comfortable mountain hut.

Riding distance: 50-60 km

Day 5 - Versalir – Nýi Dalur

Riding: 10 hours

On this day the ride also covers a long distance towards the North. The landscape is similar to that of the previous day, but you will approach the glaciers and ride between them. To the East you will be able to see Mt. Arnarfell, a green mountain which is known to be the center of Iceland. At this point, you reach Sprengisandur and pass the dwellings of some of the most famous Icelandic outlaws, for example, that of Fjalla-Eyvindur.

Tonight will be spent in a big mountain hut in Nýi-Dalur.

Riding distance: 60 km

Day 6 - Nýi-Dalur – Laugafell

Riding: 8 hours

As you ride from Nýi Dalur, you will traverse big sand dunes. The view of the landscape of North Iceland is spectacular and begins to open before your eyes as you leave the three biggest glaciers in Iceland behind.

The night will be spent in the Laugafell mountain hut where you can bathe in a hot spring.

Riding distance: 45 km

Day 7 - Laugafell - Hólsgerði in Eyjafjörður

Riding: 6 hours

For your final day you ride from Laugafell in the direction of Eyjafjördur Fjord, where the green natural surroundings, lush with bushes and some woods, start to dominate the landscape more. During your ride you will glimpse a most beautiful view over Eyjafjördur and Akureyri.

The tour ends at the farm Hólsgerði in Eyjafjörður and from there you will be driven to Akureyri Airport and fly back to Reykjavik. Our planned arrival there is around 18:00 p.m.

Riding distance: 35 km

Accommodation

For the first night you will stay at Guesthouse Eldhestar (2 to 4 riders per room with shared facilities). An upgrade to Hotel Eldhestar is possible for an extra charge (subject to availability - please enquire).

While you are on the trail you will stay at farms, guesthouses, community centres and simple mountain huts. These will be dormitory style (bring your own sleeping bag) and simple but very welcoming. Some mountain huts in the highlands only have cold water and no showers.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

This ride is suitable for intermediate and experienced riders. You need to be comfortable with very long hours in the saddle and comfortable in all paces in open spaces.
Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 18
Departure windows

July 9, 2025 - July 15, 2025

July 18, 2025 - July 24, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider, Sharing		 £3235 $4190 €3840
Included 6 nights guesthouse accommodation (2-4 beds per shared room with shared facilities) and in sleeping-bag accommodation (cottages and simple mountain huts with bunk beds shared rooms). 6 days riding. Full board (traditional Icelandic home cooking). Dinner on the last day is not included. English speaking guide, riding and safety equipment and transfer from/to Reykjavik at set times.
Not included International flights, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks, tips & other personal expenses.
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.