Iceland is one of the few places in Europe where pure and unspoilt nature still exists. The best way to explore these landscapes is on horseback. Discover the Iceland of 100 or even 1000 years ago. Ride through endless meadows, hidden valleys, dormant volcanoes and high mountains. These shorter riding programmes offer the opportunity to combine riding with other activities in Iceland. On the day trips, you will be accompanied by one or two guides who will bring along lead horses for you to change. At the end of each day, enjoy a dip in the hot tub, an excellent dinner (buffet) and first-class accommodation at the hotel on the riding farm. You will stay in cosy double rooms with private bathrooms and internet access. In the evening, the bar invites you to relax and chat.

The tours include hand horses for changing, not free-running herds. There will also be a short walk in between and the pace is rather slow. These rides are also suitable for families. Children accompanied by their parents are welcome, provided they are confident in the saddle.

Itinerary

Iceland's natural wonders (5 days)
You will ride in the area around the Hengill volcano and on the beach, discovering the amazing contrasts of Iceland's natural landscape – from the rushing ice-cold waters of the Ölfusá river to the hot geothermal streams of Reykjadalur – on four exciting day rides. You will ride for 4-6 hours each day.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel at the riding centre.

Day 2: After breakfast, you’ll get to know the horses. The program begins with a few laps in the indoor arena or on the riding course. Afterward, you’ll go on your first ride and discover the beautiful landscape that unfolds between the volcanic mountains and the Atlantic Ocean in southern Iceland. The riding trails are ideal for trying out the Icelandic horse’s distinctive gait, the tölt. You’ll reach the mighty Ölusá glacial river, where you’ll take a lunch break and enjoy the panoramic view of the famous volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. You’ll continue your journey through the shallow waters of the river delta, where you’ll have a good chance of spotting various bird species. After the ride, relax with coffee and homemade cake in the hotel’s cafeteria. In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind in the pleasantly warm hot tubs.

Day 3: Today you’ll ride along the slopes of Reykjafjall. The trail then takes us through a lush forest to a colorful geothermal valley with hot springs. On the way to the green hills surrounding the Hengill volcano, you’ll have a great opportunity to try out the “tölt,” the Icelandic horse’s distinctive gait. You’ll pass the beautiful Djúpagilsfoss waterfall and several hot springs, where you’ll have the chance to take a relaxing dip in a warm stream. You’ll continue riding along the mountain slopes back to the farm, where coffee and homemade cake await you.

Day 4: After breakfast, you’ll set out on your horseback ride to the volcanic mountains, riding along excellent trails that are ideal for a brisk tölt. After lunch, you’ll ride toward Ingólfsfjall, a table mountain named after Iceland’s first settler, Ingólfur Arnarson. You’ll then follow a picturesque, narrow old Viking trail along the mountain’s slopes, riding in the footsteps of the first settler. After the ride, you’ll enjoy some refreshments at the hotel.

Day 5: After breakfast and check-out, the horses will be transported by trailer to the small fishing village of Thorlákshöfn, where we’ll begin the tour with a ride along the long, black beach. If the weather is good, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the mountains as well as the volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. After reaching the old cemetery in Arnarbaeli, you’ll ride along the Gljúfurá River back to the hotel. The bus will take you back to Reykjavík in the afternoon, arriving between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Ride around the volcano (4 days)
A short but exciting tour-style ride around the Hengill volcano: The horses stay in a meadow along the way, and you return to your comfortable hotel in the evening. You ride 4-6 hours daily.

Day 1: Transfer from Reykjavik to the farm between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. After dinner together, you will be briefed on the details of the next few days.

Day 2: In the morning, you’ll get to know the horses and find the perfect mount for your tour. After an early lunch, you’ll follow an old route from Hveragerdi to Hellisheidi. You’ll dismount and lead the horses for about 30 minutes across the steeper section. You’ll continue riding between lava fields and hills down to Kolvidarhóll, where Icelanders have been resting with their horses for centuries. Riding time: approx. 4 hours, 21 km.

Day 3: You’ll ride northward with the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains looming ahead. You’ll dismount and lead the horses through a narrow gorge to Marardalur (Valley of the Horses). Soon you’ll have a magnificent view of Lake Thingvallavatn. The lake lies at the foot of the gorge where Icelanders held their democratic assemblies—known as the Althing—for centuries. Riding time: approx. 6–7 hours / 30 km.

Day 4: First, you’ll ride along the slopes of Reykjafjall and then follow beautiful riding trails around the small village of Hveragerdi. The trail takes you through a lush forest to a colorful geothermal valley with hot springs. On the way to the green hills surrounding the Hengill volcano, you’ll have the opportunity to try the “tölt,” the Icelandic horse’s distinctive gait. You’ll pass by beautiful waterfalls and several hot springs before having the chance to take a relaxing dip in a warm stream. After a light snack upon your return, the bus will take us back to Reykjavík in the afternoon, where you’ll arrive around 5:00–5:30 p.m. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours, 19 km.


Best of South Iceland (5 days)
During this 5-day programme, you will experience some of the most beautiful riding areas in southern Iceland, including Maradalur, the valley of horses, and Reykjadalir, the valley of smoke. Another highlight is riding along the black lava beaches of the south coast. You will also experience Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the meeting place of the first Icelandic parliament, from horseback during the four days of riding. You will spend 4-6 hours in the saddle each day.

Day 1: Transfer from Reykjavik to the farm between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. After dinner together, you will be briefed on the details of the next few days.

Day 2: First, you’ll ride along the slopes of Mount Reykjafjall and then continue through a lush forest to a colorful geothermal valley with hot springs. On the way to the Hengill volcano, you’ll have a great opportunity to try out the “tölt,” the Icelandic horse’s distinctive gait. You’ll pass the beautiful Djúpagilsfoss waterfall and several hot springs, where you’ll have the chance to take a relaxing dip in a warm stream before riding back to the hotel. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours / 19 km.

Day 3: You’ll ride north along the slopes of the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. Every now and then, you’ll dismount and lead the horses through a narrow gorge to the beautiful, hidden Marardalur (Valley of the Horses). A unique place well worth a visit, with stunning views and excellent riding trails. Riding time: approx. 4–5 hours / 23 km.

Day 4: Today you’ll ride through Þingvellir National Park to the shores of Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake. The trail continues through a fascinating landscape featuring large fissures formed by the movement of tectonic plates. This area is a vast valley shaped by glacial ice and numerous volcanic eruptions. In the afternoon, you’ll ride back to Skógarhólar. Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours / 25 km.

Day 5: The tour takes you to the expansive delta of the Ölfusá River, where you can observe various species of birds. Far to the east, if the weather is clear, you’ll see the Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes. You’ll ride through shallow water before reaching the south coast and riding along the beach on soft black lava sand. After a light snack at the hotel, the bus will take you back to Reykjavík (arrival around 5:00–5:30 p.m.). Riding time: approx. 5–6 hours / 24 km.

Please note: Depending on availability, individual overnight stays may be in a hotel in the surrounding area (higher category, approx. 5 minutes transfer time)!
The order of the individual day rides varies!

Subject of change!Day programmes
Would you like to experience one or two more highlights in the south of Iceland? Our day programmes from the riding hotel can be freely combined with all longer rides offered by our partner (code IE-). The combination programmes with sightseeing and puffin watching end in Reykjavík and are therefore ideal to book after your riding programme.
Our offer:

Combined riding & sightseeing: In the morning, you will go on a short ride in the volcanic area around the riding hotels (1.5–2 hours), and in the afternoon, you will drive to the Gulfoss waterfall, the Geysir and Strokkur hot springs, and the famous Thingvellir. This allows you to cover three of Iceland's most famous sights in one go.

Day ride to hot springs: Beautiful ride along the mountains in the Hengill Vilkans area. You ride across lava fields and pass bizarre rock formations. In the Reykjadalur valley, you will encounter many steaming springs and enjoy a dip in the warm river.

Day ride to the beach: Ride to the fishing village of Thorlákshöfn. You will ride along the black beach and through the wide delta of the Ölfusá, where many birds frolic. Green meadows and soft sandbanks lie between the riding stable and the coast. (Min. 4 people)

Accomodation
You will stay at the Reiterhotel in spacious double rooms (approx. 23 square metres) with private bathrooms. Single occupancy is available at an additional cost. Family rooms and triple rooms are also available. The hotel offers TV and internet in all rooms, a restaurant with excellent international cuisine, a bar, fireplace and hot tub. Towels are provided and hairdryers can be borrowed from reception.

A delicious buffet breakfast awaits you in the morning. Water, tea and coffee are included. In the evening, there is a 3-course menu for guests, always with a vegetarian option. Other meal requests can also be accommodated upon prior arrangement. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available at an additional cost. On the go, you can enjoy a picnic with sandwiches in the great outdoors.
Credit card payment is possible at the hotel

Saddle & Tack: Snaffle and Icelandic trekking saddles

Experience: You should have some riding experience. Experience in tölt is not required. Children are welcome if accompanied by their parents. Young people from the age of 16 also possible unaccompanied. Rider weight approx. 95kg.

Horses: Icelandic horses, stick size approx. 1.35 to 1.48m. There are very well-behaved, experienced horses for children and beginners, but also lively, easy to ride horses for advanced riders.