Riding program - Riding tours
Highland Adventure
This tour follows a part of the ancient trade route across the highlands. In the past this trail was used by commoners and statesmen for travelling to the Alþing at Þingvellir, Europe's first parliament.
We will cross wide fields of heath and areas full of stones and rocks. The glaciers seem to be closed enough to touch and we cross some of the biggest glacial rivers. We discover Hveravellir, an oasis in the desert and home to one of the most famous outlaws in Icelandic history.
To keep the horses fresh and willing we will change horses at least once a day. For this reason we drive a herd of free running horses with us.
The daily time of riding will be between 5-8 hours. Guests need to have very good riding skills to take part on this tour.
Let us tell you about this land and its people, its history and sagas. Enjoy this adventure on back of our fascinating Icelandic horses.
Program
Sunday:
Guests arrive with the evening bus in Varmahlíð at 10.00 pm. We pick you up there and drive you to the farm. While having a cup of coffee or tea we will to talk about the coming days. Accommodation is provided on Lýtingsstaðir.
Monday:
We start for the first stage at the sheep corral Mælifellsrétt, only a few kilometres away from Lýtingsstaðir. We ride through the beautiful Mælifellsdalur valley and reach the mountain plateau Eyvindastaðaheiði. In clear weather conditions we will have a spectacular view over the highlands with the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull in front. We ride around the beautiful lake Aðalmannsvatn on soft trails and enjoy the splendid view we have of the highland mountains around us. We will leave the horses at the lake and drive back to Lýtingsstaðir where we stay overnight.
Tuesday:
After breakfast we drive back to our well rested horses, saddle them and prepare for today’s ride. We ride through wide heather fields in Auðkúluheiði, along the water reservoir Blöndulón which was made to produce energy by water of the river Blanda and cross the dam. We tolt on soft paths and we head for the cosy mountain hut Áfangafell.
Wednesday:
Our way today follows the Kjölur mountain trek. We ride on soft riding paths and enjoy the great view over glaciers and mountains. We ride all the way to Hveravellir, an oasis in the desert with an impressive geothermal area. We hike through the hot area, listen to the stories of Fjalla Eyvindur, one of the most famous outlaws in the 18. Century and take a relaxing bath in the hot pot.
Thursday:
We enjoy ones more a bath in the hot pot or a walk through the impressive geothermic area before we meet the horses. Today's ride will be a big adventure as we have to cross three glacial rivers. Long sandy paths between the rivers welcome us for a fast tolt on our fantastic horses. We stay in the mountain cabin Strángakvísl and should go for a walk through the beautiful surroundings of the hut.
Friday:
Today we follow a historical route through a desert of sand and stones, which is marked by large man made stone cones. This route has been used since the early settlement of Iceland and people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. We reach mountain cabin Galtará with an overlook to the lake Blöndulón. Here we spend our last night in the highlands.
Saturday:
We saddle our horses for the last day and pass the lake Aðalmannsvatn. We will leave the highlands through the fertile valley Gilhagadalur. We will have a spectacular view over Skagafjörður when we get out of the valley and come down the steep mountains. The horses feel that they are close to their home and speed up. We will speed up with them and head home in a last fast tolt. We say good bye to the horses when we leave them for a well deserved rest into the fields. We stay the last night on Lýtingsstaðir, having a great “Good bye” dinner and talk about the days we spent together.
Sunday:
The tour ends after breakfast. We have to say good buy to our guides and new friends. Transfer to the bus station in Varmahlíð.
Included
Riding tour and transfers as per the above program, luggage is carried in a van
Sleeping bag accommodation (dormitories) in simple equipped mountain cabins, farmhouse accommodation at Lýtingsstaðir
Full board starting with a midnight coffee on Sunday evening, ending with breakfast on Sunday morning
English (and Icelandic) speaking guides and assistants
Transfers from/to the nearest bus station (Varmahlið) from/to Lýtingsstaðir
Please bring
Sleeping bag and towels
Rubber boots, walking boots, slippers
Gloves, warm underwear, woollen socks, bathing-suits
Riding helmet, windbreaker and rainwear
Chocolate or energy bars for the long riding days are recommended
Small camera for taking photographs during the ride
Please do not bring heavy (hard shell) suitcases!
Please note
We reserve the right to alter any itinerary in the participant’s best interest or for reasons of safety.
Your riding clothes and boots must be disinfected before you arrive.
For this riding tour it is necessary that you have very good riding experience.
We strongly recommend a personal insurance when joining a riding tour. Riders must wear helmets.
Min. 10 participants