Combine a unique nature experience on horseback with a visit to Iceland's most famous natural wonders on this Iceland horse riding tour! While exploring the south-west of the island and the lonely but fascinating highlands on horseback, there is still plenty of time to visit the Icelandic highlights. The South Iceland horseback riding tour leads through valleys and meadows to the hidden valley of horses and continues along the shores of Iceland's largest inland lake to Ingvellir, where the Icelanders founded the world's oldest still existing parliament over 1000 years ago. You will ride to the geothermal area around the great Geysir and from there to nearby Gullfoss, which many consider to be the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. You will cross the highlands between the glacial rivers Hvitá and Jorsá and visit Jófafoss, the waterfall of the thieves. Through Icelandic birch forests, you will reach the famous Hekla volcano, where this varied Iceland riding tour ends. After the daily riding stages, you will travel by minibus to nearby sights. On the third day, a visit to the Thingvellir valley is planned. This is where the Althing, the ancient Icelandic national assembly, used to meet and founded the world's first republic more than 1000 years ago. The next evening, you will spend the night near the Geysir, the famous hot spring that ejects water several metres into the air at regular intervals. Afterwards, you will visit Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, which is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer by airport bus to Reykjavík, where you will be picked up and taken to the riding centre in Hveragerði. Transfer takes place between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Day 2: From Hveragerði, you will follow an old route to Hellisheiði and the high moor along the Kristnitökuhraun lava field towards the Hengill volcano. This lava field was formed in the year 1000. According to legend, it was the revenge of the ancient gods Thor, Odin and Freyr. The tour continues to Kolviðarhóll, where people have been stopping to rest for hundreds of years. You will spend the night at the Vellir farm. 20 km, 4 hours.

Day 3: You ride north at the foot of the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. Through a narrow gorge, you reach the Marardalur valley, the valley of horses. The route continues over the Dyrfjöll (Gate Mountain), from where you have a magnificent view of Lake Thingvallavatn. Our route takes us along the lake, past Hestvík, to the Heiðarbær farm, where today's stage ends. You will visit the old Althing (Icelandic National Assembly) in Thingvellir. Accommodation in Skógarhólar. 38 km, 6-7 hours.

Day 4: You start the day in Skógarhólar and ride along beautiful trails through the varied landscape of Thingvellir National Park. Along the way, you enjoy beautiful views of the park, Lake Thingvallavatn and the fascinating volcanic landscape with its diverse vegetation. You cross the heathland of Lyngdalsheiði and see the lava cave Laugarvatnshellir. After this long ride through wild, untouched nature, you will reach your destination for the day, Kjarnholt, near the large geyser. You will spend the night in a beautiful guesthouse near Reykholt. Nearby, you will visit Gullfoss, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe. Approx. 35 km, approx. 6-7 hours.

Day 5: On this day, you will ride into the highlands. From Geysir, you will ride up to Brúarhlöð, where you will have a magnificent view of the Hvítá glacier river, which has created an impressive gorge over many hundreds of years. In the afternoon, you will reach the Helgaskáli hut on the Litla-Laxá river. 35 km, 5-6 hours.

Day 6: The journey continues through the vast highlands. The silence is only broken by the sound of Háifoss, Iceland's second highest waterfall (122 m), where you will take a break. Our destination for the day is the beautifully situated Hólaskógur hut. Hear the ghost story about the old hut, which stands just a few hundred metres away from the new one, and take a dip in the Fossá river. 20 km, 4 hours.

Day 7: Most of this day's stage leads along the Thjórsá, Iceland's longest river. You will pass the striking mountain Búrfell, once home to giants and trolls, and the Tröllukonuhlaup, the place where the troll women jumped across the river. A few kilometres further on, you will have a view of the Thjófafoss (Thief's Waterfall), about which there are many stories. With a view of the Hekla volcano, you will end today's ride in Fellsmúli. You will spend the night in the school with a swimming pool in Laugaland. 45 km, 7 hours.

Day 8: On soft grassy hills, you will follow the course of the Eystri-Rangá river. Throughout the day, you will be able to see the Hekla volcano, which was considered the gateway to hell in the Middle Ages. The tour ends in Laugaland, from where a bus will take you back to Reykjavík, arriving at around 5 p.m. There you can spend the evening together in a nice restaurant. 24 km, 4 hours.
Please note: Every second South Iceland horseback riding tour is ridden in the opposite direction. Subject to change!

Accomodation
On two days you will spend the night in guesthouses with 2-bed and multi-bed rooms. The remaining nights are spent in very simple mountain huts and in mattress dormitories. Not all accommodation has showers.

Saddle & Tack: snaffle and Icelandic trail riding saddles

Experience: You should have ridden regularly for at least 3 years and be able to ride other horses in all gaits without instruction. The riding pace is usually quite brisk at trot or tölt. For each rider ther are 2-3 riding horses available, which are driven along in a free-running herd.

Horses: You will, of course, be riding Icelandic horses. Hardly any other horse offers more ideal conditions for these riding tours: they are robust, extremely sure-footed, comfortable, tireless and reliable. You are sure to fall in love with this breed in no time.