Iceland - Breath of the Highlands
The Breath of the Highlands ride takes you from Varmahlið on a trail leading through the wilderness of the Icelandic highlands where in times gone by horses were the only means of transport.
With a herd of free running horses, you follow trails through Gilhagadalur canyon and into the remote highlands. Ride through the beautiful Svartádalur valley, with the sight of the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull leading you further.
A healthy mixture of adventure on horseback, with more than just a hint of comfort thrown in; you spend five nights in comfortable cottages at Hestasport and one night in the remote mountain hut at Galtará.
For these trails 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, riding around 20 to 40 km each day.
On the trail you change horses once or twice a day and as you ride, the herd of fifty or more loose horses travels with you.
Riders are expected to care for their horse (grooming and tacking up) but help is always on hand should you need it.
The riding style is English.
Hard hats are mandatory on this ride.
On the Breath of the Highlands ride you spend five nights in the comfortable cottages close to Varmahlíð with made up beds, towels and bath robes provided for the hot tub. The cottages have twin bed rooms with private facilities (one or two bathrooms per cottage). Accommodation is usually shared, although single/twin cottages are sometimes available at extra cost.
One night on the trail is spent at Galtará mountain cabin in four bed bunk rooms. Sleeping bags are provided. There are shared toilets and hot showers.
On all mobile trails a support vehicle goes ahead carrying personal gear, cooking equipment and food.
This exclusive ride combines comfortable accommodation with riding in the remote highlands of northern Iceland.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
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| Breath of the Highlands | 29 Jun 2025 - 5 Jul 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £4,268.64 |
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| Breath of the Highlands | 27 Jul 2025 - 2 Aug 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £4,268.64 |
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| Breath of the Highlands | 10 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £4,268.64 |
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INCLUDES Accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; return transfers from Reykjavik to Varmahlið.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are sometimes available (except in the mountain cabin). Please ask us for details.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips; airport transfers.
NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik.
TRANSFERS Included from/to Reykjavik (at set times).
Return transfers are included from Reykjavik city at set times.
You would need to fly to Keflavik airport and then take the Flybus to Reykjavik city. There is a regular Flybus service (http://www.re.is/flybus) between Keflavik airport and Reykjavik BSI central bus station.
You will be collected from your hotel in Reykjavik between 09:00 and 10:00 on day one of the ride. If your hotel is in the city centre, where buses aren't permitted, the collection will be from the nearest designated bus stop.
You will return to Reykjavik between 14:00 and 16:00 on the last day and be dropped off at your hotel or the nearest designated bus stop. Onward flights should depart after 20:00 but you may prefer to overnight in Reykjavik so that you can relax on this last day.
You will need to arrange accommodation in Reykjavik for the night before the ride and depending on the time of your flights, you may also need a night after the ride. Please ask if you are uncertain about the timings.
This ride take place in northern Iceland in the famous horse region of Skagafjörður.
The climate in Iceland is milder than its name and latitude suggests. However, the weather can change very quickly, especially in the mountains, going from warm and sunny to freezing cold in a few hours, and it is often very windy. Therefore, you must be prepared for all types of weather. In the summer months of June and July there are 24 hours of daylight.
We had incredible horses. The staff was VERY competent. They always checked how we were doing, what type of horse we would like and what wishes we had. They did everything they could, to give us the perfect riding experience! and the horses where very well looked after.
Anna ,Zürich
Overall rating: 5/5
