Iceland - Hestasport Escapes

  • Open Jul-Sep
  • Flexible arrivals
  • Usual Stay 4 nights | 1 to 5 hours riding per day | Nearest airport:Reykjavik
  • Weight limit: 17st 2lbs (109 kg) (240 pounds)
  • Usual maximum: 14

Iceland riding

Home at Hestasport (four nights/three days riding) is a relaxed lodge based (self-catering) ride. Each day you ride out from the centre, exploring a little further afield with each trail.

You will also have time to explore the history and museums of the local area. Other activities such as river rafting, boat trips, bird watching and sea angling are available at an extra cost.

 

 

Iceland Mountain ChallengeThe Mountain Challenge (three nights/three nights riding) is for competent riders. The trails take you through narrow valleys and canyons, across rivers into high mountain country, and along smooth grassy paths ideal for long, fast tölts. The horses stay out on the trail each evening whilst you return to the comfort of the Hestasport Cottages, and the welcome hot tub.

 

For non-riders, other activities in the area include river rafting, boat trips, bird watching and sea angling. The village of Varmahlíð, with a small supermarket, hotel and restaurant is just 1 km away.

Iceland ridingHome at Hestasport
The pace will be tailored to suit the ability of the riders, with slower rides for beginner and novice riders and faster, more challenging rides for experienced riders. Guests may ride with another group of similar ability.

The daily rides will be between 5 to 15 km. You should be fit enough to spend between one to five hours in the saddle each day.

Children over the age of eight years are welcome on this ride.

Mountain Challenge
The daily rides will be between 12 to 35 km. You should be fit enough to spend between two and six hours in the saddle a day.

Riders are expected to care for their horse (grooming and tacking up) but help is always on hand should you need it.

Children over the age of ten years, who are competent riders, are welcome on this ride.

The riding style is English.

You may be required to lead a spare horse but if you are not comfortable with this then an alternative plan will be made.

Hard hats are mandatory on these rides.

You stay in one of seven comfortable self-catering cottages close to Varmahlíð with made up beds, towels and bath robes provided for the hot tub. The cottages have twin, triple, four and six-bed rooms, private facilities (one or two bathrooms per cottage) and a kitchen. Two people booking will usually have a cottage to themselves. Single cottages may be available at a supplement.

The cottages are about 1km from Varmahlíð and 8km from the stables. If you do not have your own car, your guide will transfer you to the stables each day.

Alternative accommodation is sometimes available at Háabrekka Country House (supplement payable), 12km from Varmahlíð at the base of Mælifellshnjúkur mountain. The house has two bedrooms, a large living room and lounge area, spacious kitchen and bathroom. Outside there is a terrace with seating area, barbecue and a natural stone hot tub. The house can accommodate up to six guests. The stables are 6km away and the nearest restaurant is about 2km. You will need a hire car when staying at Háabrekka Country House.

These holidays are on a self-catering basis. There is a shop in Varmahlíð, although you may wish to bring some of the essentials (coffee, tea, cereal) with you. You may also wish to treat yourself to a meal or two at the Varmahlíð Hotel, which is within easy walking distance from the cottages.

Accommodation Gallery

( GBP | EUR | USD )

Availability

Dates are on request and can be confirmed for a minimum of two guests.

May to mid-October - Home at Hestasport (four nights)
July, August and September - Mountain Challenge (three nights)

Sample Itinerary for Home at Hestasport

Sample Itinerary for Mountain Challenge

Select your preferred arrival date:


Prices

HOME AT HESTASPORT (4 nights)

£1,130.64 per person (2 or 3 sharing)

Discount of £126.60 per person if 4 or more are sharing.

MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE (3 nights)

£1,075.64 per person sharing

INCLUDES Accommodation in a cottage (self catering); riding; transfers during the trail (for Mountain Challenge).

PAYABLE LOCALLY Meals; drinks; additional activities; tips.

NEAREST AIRPORT Keflavik or Akureyri.

TRANSFERS Included from Varmahlíð.


Getting There

For Home at Hestasport

This is a self-catering holiday and we recommend that you have a rental car.

You should aim to arrive no later than 3pm on day 1 so that you are in time for a short introductory ride that afternoon. There is no riding on the departure day.

In The Saddle Gallery

Client Photos

Location

These rides take place in northern Iceland in the famous horse region of Skagafjörður.


Weather & Climate

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.

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Guest Review

The riding was great. I did not know what to expect with the tolt and flying pace, but prefer it to English riding!!! Definitely going back. Nothing to improve.

Julie ,Buckinghamshire

5 star rating Overall rating: 5/5
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