Riding - Riding tours
Traces of the past
This tour is not only a highlight of our riding season but contains the visit of some of the absolute highlights in our area. The tour combines riding and sightseeing through Skagafjörður and is a great possibility to ride excellent horses through a beautiful landscape while listening to stories about Iceland and the Icelanders.
Program
Monday:
Guests arrive on Lýtingsstaðir followed by a short ride (ca 2 hours). Dinner and accommodation on Lýtingsstaðir.
Tuesday:
We ride on an old path which was forgotten for many years and has been discovered again a few years ago. The path was once used by the farmers to visit the community parliament. Now we enjoy the marvellous view over Skagafjörður while riding on the soft path. We find a nice place to stop, have lunch and ride back to the farm. The ride lasts for 5-6 hours. Dinner and accommodation on Lýtingsstaðir.
Wednesday:
We start a three day ride into the beautiful valley Vesturdalur. We ride along the glacial river and stop on Iceland’s oldest stone corral which is still in use. After we pass the last inhabited farm we ride along the Fossá canyon, a remarkable canyon with many waterfalls. Basalt rocks and small hills were elves life lays along our way after we leave the civilisation. We reach the deserted farm Þórljótsstaðir where we stay for two nights in a simple equipped but cosy mountain hut. The surroundings are beautiful and invite for walks while the horses graze just around us. An old turf house is just beside the hut and tells stories from past times. We will spend an unforgettable time here. Ride lasts about 6 -7 hours.
Thursday:
After breakfast we saddle the horses and ride further into the valley. We follow the deep Fossá canyon through the most remarkable landscape of Skagafjörður. At the end of the valley (or is it the end of the world?) we will reach a place called Klaustur (English: monastery). High cliffs surround the place and give it a very special atmosphere. We hear the story of its past, rest for a while and ride back to the hut (ca. 6 hours)
Friday:
After a relaxing night and a good breakfast we saddle our horses again and ride back to Lýtingsstaðir, enjoying the landscape and the tolt of our horses which head home in fast tolt (ca 5-6 hours). A hot shower, a comfortable bed and a big dinner welcome us back at Lýtingsstaðir.
Saturday:
We saddle our horses once more for a last ride on the soft riding paths along the river Svartá. After lunch we drive to the seaside and take a bath in the natural hot pot Grettislaug while listening to the old saga of Grettir, the famous outlaw. When back at Lýtingsstaðir we enjoy a dinner and spend the last evening together talking about the past days full of impressions.
Sunday:
The tour ends after breakfast. We say “Good bye” to horses, hosts and guides and leave Skagafjörður.
Included
4 x Accommodation on Lýtingsstaðir, 2x accommodation in simple equipped mountain cabin
Riding tour as outlined above, bath in the natural hot pot Grettislaug
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Transfers from/to the nearest bus station (Varmahlið) to Lýtingsstaðir
Please bring
Riding helmet, windbreaker and rainwear, riding and walking boots
Small camera for taking photographs during the riding tour
Please note
We reserve the right to alter any itinerary in the participants best interest or for reasons of safety.
It is advisable to have your own personal insurance when joining the riding tour. This tour is undertaken at the participants own risk. Riders must wear riding helmets.
Your riding clothes and boots must be disinfected before you arrive.
For this riding tour it is necessary to have previous riding experience.
This tour requires a minimum of 4 participants.