The legendary Hekla (Icelandic for dome) is a 1.488 m high volcano in the south of Iceland. The volcano, considered the gateway to hell in the Middle Ages, is located in the centre of a 40 km long volcanic fissure and is one of the three most active volcanoes in Iceland. The remarkable eruptions of the volcano have repeatedly covered large parts of Iceland with volcanic ash and rock. In its resting phases Hekla is often covered with snow and small glaciers. The area around the volcano is characterized by rivers and green valleys, but also by black lava sand tracks, canyons and mountains. Absolutely lonely and a real insider tip for riders! Also a free running herd is not to be missed and so we go up and down at a brisk pace through a unique area, marked by volcanic eruptions and water. You are sure to meet some Icelandic sheep along the way, which spend the summer in this fertile area.
On this tour you will have a shower every evening and usually even a swimming pool on site.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik and transfer to Riding centre. You will meet your fellow riders over dinner, discuss the tour itinerary and receive important information about your Icelandic riding horses. 

Day 2: Hveragerði - Vellir - Brúarlundur
The bus takes you to Fellsmúlí farm, the starting point for the volcano tour. From here to ride you first head east and then further south along the river to the farm Hrólfsstaðahelli, where the horses spend the night. The riders spend the night in a cozy hut with the opportunity to relax in a hot tub. 
During your ride you will cover a distance of 23 km (approx. 4 hours at saddle)

Day 3: Hrólfsstaðahelli - Foss (Ásgardur)
After breakfast, the horses are saddled up for a 7-hour ride to Ausgadur. On the way, you will cross the river Vestri-Rangá. It is a great experience to be carried through the wide river by the sure-footed, fearless Icelanders! The trail then continues across a vast lava field that was formed many hundreds of years ago during an eruption of Mount Hekla. A beautiful bridle path leads through the unique nature to a lonely farm. Later to ride you continue across a second lava field in the south of Hekla. Your destination is the Foss mountain hut. This hut is located in the area south of the volcano Hekla, which is known from the famous "Saga of Njáll". (approx. 35 km in 7 hours)

Day 4: Foss - Foss (Ásgardur)
Today to ride you are in the area of the Torfafjallajökull glacier, southwest of Hekla. Many beautiful riding trails to lead through the unique nature. You follow a path to a large meadow where you leave the free-roaming horses. On back the best tölter you enjoy a ride through picturesque valleys with deep crevices and abandoned farms. Overnight stay as on the previous day. Riding time: approx. 5 hours. 

Day 5: Foss - Rjúpnavellir
Today to ride you cross the lava field of Axarhraun once again to explore the area west of Hekla. You continue past the so-called Hekla farms to river Vestri-Rangá, which you cross. On the other side of the river you continue to farm Rjúpnavellir at the foot of Hekla. The terrain here is characterized by the rugged nature, volcanic eruptions and the strong wind. Today's stage is around 40 km long (approx. 8 hours at saddle).

Day 6: Rjúpnavellir - Jófafoss - Fellsmúli 
The journey continues to the glacial river Thjórsá and Thjófafoss, the Thieves' Waterfall. You follow soft sandy paths through a low birch forest. The horses know the paths here well and know that they are on their way home, so the pace of the herd increases accordingly. The Riding tour ends back at the Fellsmúli farm. In the afternoon you say goodbye and drive back to Reykjavik, arriving at approx. 17.00 hrs. Approx. 7 hours at saddle and 24 km.

Accomodation
On the first day you will stay overnight in 2 to 4 bedded rooms in the comfortable guesthouse at the riding stable. Dinner and breakfast are served in the beautiful hotel restaurant.
In the often very remote areas through which you will ride, there are no hotels available on the way. Sometimes you will stay in guesthouses with 4 to 6 bedded rooms, but mostly you will be accommodated in dormitories or hikers´ cabins where all guests stay together. Usually hot showers are available, but it may be that in between an accommodation only has washing facilities and toilets. Power sockets are also not available every night.

Saddle & Tack: Icelandic trekking saddles and snaffle.

Experience: You should have been riding regularly for at least three years, beeing comfortable in all gaits and a good physical condition is required. Riding with the herd involves a brisk pace (usually tölt).

Horses: Icelandic horses, 2-3 horses per rider, the free running herd accompanies the ride.