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.
SNÆFELLSNES - 'Magical and Mysterious'
The Snæfellsnes peninsula, recently designated a National Park, is often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of its extreme diversity of landscape. This ride takes you through mighty lava fields, green valleys, wide-open stretches of light-coloured sand on the beaches and to the multi-coloured mountains of Hítardalur valley.
The glacier covered cone volcano Snæfellsjökull, after which the peninsula is named, is one of the most recognised sights in Iceland. Its mystic atmosphere has been described in words and written language and became famous through Jules Verne’s novel “A journey to the centre of the Earth.” The area is home to elves and trolls and many of the famous Sagas originate from this spectacular area. In this country you will believe that anything is possible.
You stay four nights at your hosts’ farm and two nights in sleeping bag accommodation. In Reykjavik you stay in a hotel with shared facilities.
(Total six nights in the west and two nights in Reykjavik. Six days riding.)
SNÆFELLSNES BEACH RIDE
This exciting ride along the Snæfellsnes beaches will leave you breathless. Nowhere else in Iceland can you ride for hours without any obstacle to slow down the riders and horses.
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.
This ride has 2 choices of itinerary.
Snæfellsnes
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Snæfellsnes
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day One
Your flight should arrive at the latest at 16:00. Met on arrival at Keflavík Airport and transferred to a hotel in Reykjavik. You are invited to a ‘Welcome Meeting’ (including traditional Icelandic soup) where you will receive details of the tour and meet your fellow riders.
Day Two
Transfer to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm to meet the horses and your guides. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, start your ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm. Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur with a hot tub on site. (30 km)
Day Three
The ride today leads through multi-coloured mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon! Leave the horses at the Hítarhólmur mountain and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalækur. (30 km)
Day Four
Continue your ride through this mystical volcanic valley. Stop at the sheep gathering place Hítardalsrétt and then proceed west across Hítará River and travel through an area well known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm you leave the horses and spend the night at Laugagerði Schoolhouse where a swimming pool heated with geothermal water awaits you. (45 km)
Day Five
After rejoining the horses you start your beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’ excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. Your horses spend the night at Traðir Farm while you stay at Hof Farm with a geothermal hot tub on site. (40 km)
You have the option today to drive along the coast towards the romantic fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar, right underneath magical Mt. Snæfellsjökull: visit the Information centre of the Snæfellsnes National Park and learn about its mysterious powers; view beautiful bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by powerful waves; meet giant Bárður Snæfellsás and hear about historic celebrities like the far travelled Guðríður Þorbjarnadóttir and mass murderer Axlar Björn! (Payable locally ISK 4.000 per person.)
Day Six
Another day´s ride on the yellow coloured, sandy beach. The direction changes and you head back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava field. A unique experience, with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. You leave the horses at Kolviðarnes Farm and drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where you spend the last two nights. (40 km)
Day Seven
Your last day on the beach and yet a new experience. The sand turns black as you follow the outline of Eldborgarhraun lava field. The ride ends at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm. (30 km)
Day Eight
Transfer back to Reykjavík for an overnight stay in a guesthouse. Arrive in Reykjavík at approximately 11:30. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day Nine
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for your flight back home.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Please note that since some of the ride is governed by the tides, it
can start at any time of the day, or even last long into the night.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Snæfellsnes Beach & Mountain Ride
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Snæfellsnes Beach & Mountain Ride
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day One
You are collected from your hotel in Reykjavik (own arrangements) and transferred to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm to meet the horses and your guides. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, start your ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm. Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur with a hot tub on site. (30 km)
Day Two
The ride today leads through multi-coloured mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon! Leave the horses at the Hítarhólmur mountain and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalækur. (30 km)
Day Three
Continue your ride through this mystical volcanic valley. Stop at the sheep gathering place Hítardalsrétt and then proceed west across Hítará River and travel through an area well known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm you leave the horses and spend the night at Laugagerði Schoolhouse where a swimming pool heated with geothermal water awaits you. (45 km)
Day Four
After rejoining the horses you start your beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’ excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. Your horses spend the night at Traðir Farm while you stay at Hof Farm with a geothermal hot tub on site. (40 km)
You have the option today to drive along the coast towards the romantic fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar, right underneath magical Mt. Snæfellsjökull: visit the Information centre of the Snæfellsnes National Park and learn about its mysterious powers; view beautiful bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by powerful waves; meet giant Bárður Snæfellsás and hear about historic celebrities like the far travelled Guðríður Þorbjarnadóttir and mass murderer Axlar Björn! (Payable locally ISK 4.000 per person.)
Day Five
Today you leave your riding companions and drive back to your hotel in Reykjavík (own arrangements). The arrival time in Reykjavík depends on the tide, and whether it is possible to operate the optional tour on Wednesday afternoon or on Thursday morning.
Please note that since some of the ride is governed by the tides, it
can start at any time of the day, or even last long into the night.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Four nights will be spent in farmhouse accommodation, in two to four person rooms with shared facilities. Two nights will be spent in sleeping bag accommodation.
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. There might have been a cancellation or we might have a
slightly different ride in Iceland which would appeal to you.
Snæfellsnes
15 Jun - 23 Jun |
Book |
Snæfellsnes Beach & Mountain Ride
16 Jun - 20 Jun |
Full |
Snæfellsnes
22 Jun - 30 Jun |
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Snæfellsnes Beach & Mountain Ride
23 Jun - 27 Jun |
Book |
Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Once booked, prices are fixed.
Price Details
SNÆFELLSNES (8 nights)
2013: $2,438
INCLUDES Hotel accommodation (B&B) in Reykjavik; shared farmhouse
and mountain hut accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; sleeping
bag and liner; 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).
SNÆFELLSNES BEACH & MOUNTAIN RIDE (4 nights)
2013: $1,444
INCLUDES Shared farmhouse accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; transfers from Reykjavik.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik. Icelandair fly from Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow. Iceland Express fly from Gatwick.
TRANSFERS Included from Reykjavik at set times.
NOT INCLUDED International flights to Keflavik (Reykjavik); airport transfers;
accommodation in Reykjavik before or after the ride. We are happy to
assist you with accommodation arrangements - please ask us for details.
Location
A ride on the beaches and through the mountains of the Snæfellsnes peninsular in Western Iceland. Nearest airport is Keflavik, the international airport near to Reykjavik.
The trail route
Weather
In the summer months of June and July there are 24 hours of daylight. Average temperature is 10 to 12 degrees.
Climate
Yearly rainfall & temperature
5-Day Forecast
| Day |
Weather |
Max. Day
(°C) |
Min. Night
(°C) |
| Fri |
 Light rain |
9 |
3 |
| Sat |
Light drizzle |
6 |
2 |
| Sun |
 Cloudy |
6 |
4 |
| Mon |
Light drizzle |
7 |
5 |
| Tue |
Cloudy |
7 |
4 |
Weather information is obtained from the nearest available weather station.
United States (
Suitable for beginner riders
