Since time immemorial, people have crossed the Kjölur highland route on horseback, and many legends and dramatic events from Icelandic history are associated with it. In this completely uninhabited area, you’ll discover desert-like landscapes, mountains, glaciers, hot springs, and black lava sand. Riding this route means understanding just how arduous crossing the island must have been in centuries past. An exciting adventure still awaits riders, even though things are much more comfortable today. The support vehicle transports the travelers’ food and luggage. Experienced guides accompany the riding tour, along with a cook who prepares meals for the guests at lunch and dinner. You’ll ride in two groups, herding a free-roaming herd along the way. Before heading up into the remote highlands, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of Iceland’s most famous sights: the Geysir and Strokkur hot springs, as well as the Gullfoss waterfall.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik and transfer to the riding stable at 5:30 / 6:00 p.m. After getting to know the other riders and guides, we’ll have dinner together and go over the tour de ion.

Day 2: You’ll start the day with a short horseback ride, during which you’ll get acquainted with the Icelandic riding style and the horses. After an early lunch, you’ll drive to a location near the Reykholt farm. You’ll ride across a river to the Myrkholt farm, near the hot springs at Geysir. Riding time: approx. 4 hours, 20 km.

Day 3: Today’s first stop is at the famous Gullfoss. From here, you’ll ride into the wilderness, a black desert of rocks and sand. You’ll follow the river until you reach Mount Bláfell, which offers a breathtaking view of the southern part of the Kjölur Route. If the weather is good, you’ll see three glaciers: the famous Eyjafjallajökull, Hofsjökull, and Langjökull. You’ll spend the night in a mountain hut south of Bláfell. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours, 27 km.

Day 4: You’ll continue your route eastward, passing by Bláfell Mountain. You’ll cross the Hvítá River via a bridge and pass the Ábóta Waterfall, where the old Kjölur highland route begins. Kjölur is the oldest road connecting southern and northern Iceland. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the picturesque Kerlingafjöll mountains. You’ll follow the Svartá River to the Árbúdir mountain hut. Riding time: approx. 6–7 hours, 30 km.

Day 5: Today you’ll start by riding toward Hvítárnes, a grassy area. You’ll continue on to the Kjalhraun lava field, which likely gave the Kjölur its name. West of Kjalhraun, you’ll ride through a narrow gorge to the Thjófadalur valley (the Valley of Thieves). It’s one of the few places along the Kjölur that’s rich in grass. From the valley, you’ll ride over a small ridge and from there follow a flat trail to Hveravellir, where you can enjoy a well-deserved soak in the hot springs. Riding time: approx. 8 hours, 40 km.

Day 6: Today, take your time exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of Hveravellir before saddling up. Hveravellir is one of Iceland’s largest geothermal areas. You’ll ride north across the Seydisá River and into the mountains, where you’ll spend the night in a mountain hut. Riding time: approx. 6–7 hours, 32 km.

Day 7: You’ll ride north across the Eyvindarstadaheidi moor. To your right lies the large lake Blöndulón, which was created during the construction of the hydroelectric power plant on the Blanda River. You’ll finish the tour in the green Vatnsdalur valley. From there, you’ll take a bus directly back to Reykjavík, where the tour ends. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours, 28 km.

The first tour starts in the south. Every second tour is ridden in the opposite direction.

Subject to change!

Accomodation
On the first day, you’ll spend the night in the cozy guesthouse at the riding stable in rooms with 2 to 4 beds. You’ll enjoy dinner and breakfast in the beautiful hotel restaurant. In the often very remote areas you’ll be riding through, there are no hotels available along the way. You’ll spend the night in sleeping bag accommodations at local farms and simple mountain huts in shared rooms with bunk beds. Hot showers are usually available (for a fee), but occasionally an accommodation may only have washing facilities and toilets. Electrical outlets aren’t available every night either. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Saddle & Tack: Snaffle and Icelandic trail riding saddles

Experience: You should have ridden regularly for at least 3 years and be able to handle unfamiliar horses in all gaits without instruction (you’ll learn the tölt on site). Since you’ll be riding with a free-roaming herd, the pace will be adjusted accordingly (usually a brisk tölt). You’ll ride between 20 and 45 km per day. Maximum rider weight: 100 kg!

Horses: All riders have 2-3 horses during the tour, and always changes between them.