Riding in Iceland is a unique experience - an opportunity to ride strong, willing horses over exciting and adventurous terrain. Riding an Icelandic horse is not only tremendous fun, it's also a great way to experience the natural beauty of Iceland; snow topped mountains, the largest glacier in Europe, volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and striking lunar landscapes.
The Icelandic horse is a pure-bred descendant of those brought to Iceland by the Vikings over a thousand years ago. Horses remain an important part of Icelandic culture; they are used on remote farms to round up livestock and are still the best means of getting around in many parts of the island. Although small, the Icelandic is a powerful horse and has no difficulty carrying someone weighing 100kgs.
What makes this horse special is its fourth gait, the tölt, which is comparable to a running walk. Most riders can master it fairly quickly; it's fast, comfortable and enables the horse to cover great distances.
THE ROUND UP
Moving sheep and horses into the highlands for grazing during the summer is more than an annual event it is an Icelandic tradition and way of life. In September, the farmers ride into the mountains and collect their animals before the winter sets in.
The round up is an unforgettable sight. You will see thousands of sheep and/or hundreds of horses herded down the mountain slopes into the round-up pens. You are invited to take part in this very traditional Icelandic event and to join the farmers on their trusted Icelandic horses, the one means of transport capable of meeting the rigours of the round up. You need to be at least a strong intermediate rider, capable of leading your spare horse as you ride.
Accommodation at the farm is in bedrooms with two to four people per room and in Reykjavik in a hotel. After a day in the mountains you can relax in a warm outdoor tub at the farm before dinner.
Much of the riding is at a tölt, which can be fast so you need to be a confident rider able to adapt to different riding styles. General fitness is as important as riding experience due to the long hours in the saddle.
Since the riding on the Round Up may be additionally challenging due either to the weather or the unpredictability of the round up, it is recommended that you have ridden in Iceland before and know what to expect.
This ride has 3 choices of itinerary.
Horse Round Up October
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Horse Round Up October
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day One
Met on arrival at Keflavík airport (latest flight arrival time should be 16:00) and transferred by bus to the Riding Centre for an introductory ride to Mount Helgafell Volcano. Supper of traditional Icelandic soup awaits your return to the Centre, and after the ride briefing you are transferred to your hotel in Reykjavík. (8km)
Day Two
Transfer to the north of Iceland and meet your guides and horses at Bjargshóll Farm. You will visit a factory outlet with woollen goods on the way to the farm. You ride along river Miðfjarðará towards the ocean and from there beneath Mt. Vatnsnesfjall to Gauksmýri Farm. Overnight in a cosy country hotel. (25 km)
Day Three
A long and exciting riding day takes you through the countryside of Vestur-Hóp, past a lake and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. Follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Holiday Farm, close to Kolugil canyon. This farm is beautifully located in Víðidalur Valley and you will enjoy the hospitality of Sigrún and Víglundur. Outdoor hot tubs are waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (35 km)
Day Four
On this long riding day, you ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. Stop for a warm lunch before joining the farmers to drive the herd down from the mountains. Before ending the ride at Dæli Farm, stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments.
Following dinner, you can spend time with the farmers and other guests in Dæli and join in their singing and celebration of the Round Up. (32 km)
Day Five
Today starts at the round up place Víðidalstungurétt where the horses
are sorted out. An auction is held on the spot and you can join the
farmers in their singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the
afternoon ride back to Bjargshóll Farm and return the horses to the
meadows, before driving back to Dæli for dinner. (30 km)
This
evening you may wish to join the local farmers at the
"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after
the excitement of the day (payable locally).
Day Six
After breakfast depart from the north and return to Reykjavík. Arrive at the hotel at c.14:00. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Reykjavik.
Day Seven
You are transferred to Keflavík Airport in time for your return flight home.
Horse Round Up September
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Horse Round Up September
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day One
Met on arrival at Keflavík airport (latest flight arrival time should be 16:00) and transferred by bus to the Íshestar Riding Centre for an introductory ride to Mount Helgafell Volcano. Supper of traditional Icelandic soup awaits your return to the centre, and after the ride briefing you are transferred to your hotel in Reykjavík. (8km)
Day Two
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where you meet your horses and guides. Start your ride in Vatnsdalur valley on the eastern side, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. The horses stay close to Stóra - Giljá Farm and you return to Hvammur Farm, home of your hosts Sonja and Haukur, for the night. (22 km)
Day Three
After rejoining your horses you start your ride along the shore of Lake Húnavatn, following the salmon fishing river Laxá á Ásum and continuing on to Blönduós village. Cross the glacier fed river Blanda by bridge and continue to Björnsólfsstaðir Farm in Langadalur valley. This farm belongs to Haukur’s grandfather who is known for his storytelling and warm personality. Return to Hvammur Farm for the night. (30 km)
Day Four
Today you will meet the farmers coming down from the mountains, where they have already spent some time gathering the horses in their summer pastures. Hundreds of horses are expected down from the highlands and you participate in herding them to the round up place at Skrapatungurétt. (45 km)
This evening you may wish to join the local farmers at the "Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Blönduós, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day (payable locally).
Day Five
Your day starts back at the round up place Skrapatungurétt where the horses are sorted. Once this is done you help the farmers in returning some of the horses to the meadows at their home farms. After dinner at Hvammur some of the farmers may join you to say farewell. (25km)
Day Six
After breakfast depart from the north and return to Reykjavík, perhaps visiting a factory specialising in woollen goods on the way. Arrive at the hotel at c.14:00. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Reykjavik.
Day Seven
You are transferred to Keflavík Airport in time for your return flight home.
Sheep Round Up
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Sheep Round Up
Unlike the Horse Round Ups, this is not a ‘customized' riding tour. Expect to be treated as one of the crowd, required to fulfil your duty every day and enjoy the camaraderie of all those participating in this great adventure of the fall.
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day One
In the morning you are collected from your hotel in Reykjavik (own arrangements) and transferred via the Íshestar Riding Centre and to Landmannahellir, where you meet the horses and horse guides. Ride into the famous Landmannalaugar area, surrounded by colourful mountains and black lava fields. This is a short riding day which gives you time to get acquainted with the terrain and to learn about the task which lies ahead. Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar. (3 – 4 hrs)
Day Two
Jökulgilið, a long and shallow valley with multiple colours and rock formations, is your destination today. The valley is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, mostly barren yet covered with grass here and there. A glacier fed river makes it hard to access the valley during the summer time and it is only now that riders can enter and look for the sheep that have been grazing there all summer. Overnight stay in Landmannalaugar. (8 – 9 hrs)
Day Three
Today you cover the area between Landmannalaugar and Landmannahellir. The area is covered with lava fields, craters and lakes and sheep can be found widely spread. Therefore it is important to keep your place in the human chain to make sure that no sheep stays behind. Another and final night in Landmannalaugar. (8 hrs)
Day Four
Leave Landmannalaugar in the morning and ride back to Landmannahellir. Today you explore the surroundings of Landmannahellir, which has a long tradition as a night rest for those gathering sheep. Overnight in Landmannahellir. (8 hrs)
Day Five
Green grass turns into black ashes as you approach the volcano Mt Hekla, an active volcano which has erupted regularly. While some of you are out in this wilderness looking for sheep others will drive the flock to Mt.Valahnjúkar. Overnight in Landmannahellir. (10 hrs)
Day Six
Áfangagil is the final destination for the flock and the round pen where the sheep will be sorted tomorrow. On the way you search the area to make sure that no sheep stay behind. Spend this last night at Galtalækur Farm, underneath towering Mt Hekla volcano. (8 hrs)
Day Seven
This is the final and well celebrated day of the round-up. At noon the sorting of the sheep starts and lasts until each sheep has been returned to its owner. You participate in sorting the sheep, passing the flask around and join in with the singing and celebrating after a successful ride into the mountains. Once the sorting is finished you are transferred back to your hotel in Reykjavik (own arrangements), arriving at about 18:00.
Farmhouse accommodation is in two to four person rooms with shared facilities.
In Reykjavik you stay in a hotel with private facilities.
Upcoming Dates
If you do not see availability for your preferred dates, please do contact us since there might have been a cancellation.
Set arrival and departures arriving Thursdays.
September Horse Round Up
11 Sep - 17 Sep |
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Sheep Round Up
15 Sep - 21 Sep |
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October Horse Round Up
1 Oct - 7 Oct |
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Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Once booked, prices are fixed.
Price Details
HORSE ROUND UP (6 nights)
Sep 2013: $1,845
Oct 2013: $1,725
INCLUDES Hotel accommodation (B&B) in Reykjavik; shared farmhouse accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; transfers.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are not available on the ride and you
should be prepared to share. Single accommodation in Reykjavik is
available at a supplement - please ask for details.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Meals (other than breakfast) in Reykjavik; drinks; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik. Icelandair fly from Heathrow daily, Gatwick, Manchester and
Glasgow. Iceland Express fly from Gatwick. Easy Jet fly from Luton,
Edinburgh and Manchester. WOW fly from Gatwick.
TRANSFERS Included from Keflavik.
NOT INCLUDED International flights to Keflavik (Reykjavik).
SHEEP ROUND UP (6 nights)
2013: please enquire
INCLUDES Shared mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; transfers from Reykjavik.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are not available on the ride and you should be prepared to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik. Icelandair fly from Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow. Iceland Express fly from Gatwick.
TRANSFERS Included from Reykjavik at a set time.
NOT INCLUDED International flights to Keflavik (Reykjavik); accommodation in Reykjavik; airport transfers.
Location
The Round Ups take place in the north and south of Iceland. Nearest airport is Keflavik, the international airport near to Reykjavik.
The trail route
Weather
Average temperature is 10 to 12 degrees but during September and October in the mountains you may even experience snow!
Climate
Yearly rainfall & temperature
5-Day Forecast
| Day |
Weather |
Max. Day
(°C) |
Min. Night
(°C) |
| Wed |
 Sunny |
5 |
2 |
| Thu |
 Cloudy |
6 |
-1 |
| Fri |
 Partly Cloudy |
5 |
-1 |
| Sat |
 Overcast |
7 |
-4 |
| Sun |
Partly Cloudy |
6 |
4 |
Weather information is obtained from the nearest available weather station.
United States (
Suitable for beginner riders
