Iceland - Snæfellsnes
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 lava fields, green valleys, wide-open stretches of pale sandy beach, and 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.”
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.
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 average height is 13hh to 14hh), the Icelandic is a powerful horse with great stamina and strength of character.
What makes the Icelandic Horse extra 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.
For these trails you need to be a strong, 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 and the fast pace of the ride.
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.
You stay in farmhouse accommodation at Hraunholt Farm in two to three person rooms, with made up beds. Bathrooms are shared; there are three toilets and three showers. WiFi is available.
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.
Depending on your flight times you may need a night in Reykjavik before and after the ride.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
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| Snæfellsnes | 6 Jun 2020 - 13 Jun 2020 | 7 nights 7 ngts |
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| Snæfellsnes | 20 Jun 2020 - 27 Jun 2020 | 7 nights 7 ngts |
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| Snæfellsnes | 29 Aug 2020 - 5 Sep 2020 | 7 nights 7 ngts |
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INCLUDES Shared farmhouse accommodation and meals on the ride; riding; transfers on the ride.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are not available on the ride and you should be prepared to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips; airport transfers.
NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik.
TRANSFERS Included from Reykjavik city at set times.
Return transfers are included from Reykjavik BSI central bus station at 18:00 on the first day of the ride, dropping off on the last day at about 11:30.
There is a regular Flybus service (http://www.re.is/flybus) between Keflavik airport and Reykjavik BSI central bus station. To allow sufficient time to transfer by Flybus, we recommend your flights arrive before 16:00 on the first day and depart Keflavik after 15:30 on the last day.
Depending on the time of your return flight, you may need to make your own accommodation arrangements in Reykjavik for the night after the ride. Please check with us if you are unsure of the timings.
It is possible to arrange drop off on the last day for some hotels in Reykjavik, except those in the very centre. For these hotels you will be dropped off at the nearest designated bus stop. You will find a map of the bus stop locations and further information at www.busstop.is.
A ride on the beaches and through the mountains of the Snæfellsnes peninsular in western Iceland.
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.
Riding was exciting but safe. What more could you want. This was a well-organised wonderful holiday that exceeded my expectations. I was a bit worried about coping with the riding at my advanced age but it was fine. I would encourage anyone who is reasonably fit and can ride ok to enjoy this experience.
Philippa ,Hampshire
Overall rating: 5/5Long rubber boots are recommended for this trail due to the beach riding and, sometimes deep, river crossings.
Chris says
This ride will take your breath away! Fast fabulous tölting along wide open beaches with a herd of loose horses.