Jules Verne had his heroes travel to the center of the earth through the Snaefellsnes volcanic cone. As it lies there, calm and majestic, it is hard to believe that it is the entrance to the underworld.
This ride takes you through a unique landscape: dozens of kilometers of beach and mudflats stretch out in the west of Iceland. During low tide, the water recedes for several kilometers and you ride during the day or at night, depending on when the tide comes in, through tidal flats, over black and white sand, then again for several kilometers through the green hinterland. Your destination, the Snaefellsnes crater, is always in sight.

Itinerary

Day 1: After arriving at Keflavík Airport, you’ll take the airport bus (BSÍ) to Reykjavík on your own. There, you’ll be picked up between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and driven to the horse farm, where you’ll spend the night in the guesthouse. After dinner together, you’ll be briefed on the details of the coming days.

Day 2: A bus will take you across the Hveragerdi highlands to the town of Borgarnes in western Iceland. The horses will already be waiting for you, and you’ll set off on horseback toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. On the way into the mountains, we’ll cross the Langá River. The ride ends at the old Grímsstadir farm, where the horses will stay overnight. You’ll take a bus to the Snorrastadir farm near the picturesque Elborg crater. You can take a walk up to the crater and end the day with a relaxing soak in a hot tub. Riding time: approx. 4 hours / 20 km. 

Day 3: From Grímsstadir, you’ll ride along an old trail through the Grimsstadamúli Mountains. You’ll ride with the herd through a lava field near the mouth of the Hitárdalur Valley. Near the palagonite mountain Grettisbaeli, you’ll cross the Hitará River, and the route continues along Fagraskógarfjall Mountain. You’ll end the ride at the Snorrastadir farm and spend the night there again. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours / 36 km.

Day 4: Today you’ll ride mostly along the expansive sandy beaches of the famous Löngufjördur, so the schedule depends on the tides. You may need to set out early in the morning or in the afternoon to ride at low tide. You’ll spend an unforgettable time with the herd on the golden beach and take a break on a small island in the delta. Afterwards, you’ll head back inland and the herd will be left at the Skógarnes farm at the end of the day. You’ll take the bus back to Snorrastadir. Riding time: approx. 5 hours / 25 km.

Day 5: Today you’ll explore the picturesque surroundings on horseback. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy a brisk ride along the beach with a fantastic view of the majestic Snaefellsnes Glacier. The horses will stay at Skógarnes Farm, and you’ll return to Snorrastadir. Riding time: approx. 4 hours / 20 km.

Day 6: Today, you’ll take all the horses with you and ride from Skógarnes across the sandy beaches of Löngufjörur to the Stakkhamar farmstead. From there, you’ll ride toward the Stadará River. The final stretch follows the main road along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The horses will stay behind at the Langaholt farm and you’ll spend the night in Snorrastadir again. Riding time: approx. 7 hours / 42 km.

Day 7: On the last day, you’ll continue on horseback along the southern coast of Snaefellsnes. At high tide, you’ll cross the river delta. The horses will remain in a paddock while you explore the area near the Snæfellsnes Glacier on foot. The ride back to Langaholt follows the sandy beach. In the afternoon, you’ll take the bus back to Reykjavík, where the tour ends. Riding time: approx. 4 hours / 22 km.

The second tour is conducted in the opposite direction.

Subject to change!

Accomodation
On this ride you will spend three nights in guest houses in double and shared rooms and three nights in a dormitory. Showers are always available. On several evenings you will enjoy the comfort of a hot tub or pool!

Saddle & Tack: Icelandic trail riding saddles and snaffle.

Experience: You should have ridden regularly for at least 5 years and be able to ride other horses in all gaits without instruction. You will be shown how to tölt on site. Especially in the mudflats, the pace is lively, which is also ensured by the free-running herd. The pace is very brisk, but except on two days the stages are not too long (4-7 hours)

Horses: You are riding on Icelandic horses: robust, extremely sure-footed, forward-going and reliable. The riding pace is particularly fast, you mainly ride in tölt. Each rider has 2-3 riding horses to ride, which are coming along in a free-running herd.