In addition to the tangible history of Thingvellir, discover the enchanting nature around Iceland's largest lake on excellent soft tölt trails. The area around Thingvellirvatn is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a very varied and beautiful natural landscape. You will ride across lava fields, heathland and moors, past lakes and rivers, and bathe in hot springs. The area is ideal for riding, with soft ground and many narrow paths leading through the beautiful landscape. There are also some low fir trees here among the many types of moss. Between mist and steam, the landscape often seems enchanted and makes you think of fairy tales (and believe in elves and trolls).
This horse riding tour is led by two experienced guides who bring along spare horses. This allows the horses to rest in between or be swapped if necessary.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
After arriving at Keflavík Airport, take the Flybus to Reykjavík (final stop BSÍ). There you will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation. After dinner together, you will be given details about the next few days.

Day 2: Hveragerði - Kolviðarhóll
From Hveragerði, in the district of Ölfus, follow an old route to Hellisheiði, a vast high moor. From here, the route takes you across a lava field towards the Hengill volcano. This lava field was created in the year 1000 during an eruption of Hengill. According to legend, this eruption was the revenge of the ancient gods Thor, Óðinn and Freyr, and it promoted the adoption of Christianity in Iceland. The route continues between mountains and lava rocks to Kolviðarhóll, where riders have been resting for hundreds of years. The horses spend the night there while you drive back to the riding centre. 18 km, approx. 4 hours in the saddle.

Day 3: Kolviðarhóll - Thingvellir
You ride north along 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 (Torberg), from where you have a magnificent view of Lake Thingvallavatn. The route leads along the lake, past Hestvík, to the Heiðarbær farm, where today's stage ends. Afterwards, you will visit the famous Althing in Thingvellir, where the first Icelandic national assembly once met. From here, it is not far to your accommodation in Skógarhólar, where major national horse races took place until 1978. Approximately 6 hours in the saddle.

Day 4: Thingvellir - Kringlumýri
From Skógarhólar, the route continues through the national park. Along the way, you will enjoy fantastic views of Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake. This is also where the American and European tectonic plates meet. A strip runs along the plates throughout Iceland, along which you will find volcanoes, hot springs and lava fields. The route continues across the Lyngdalsheidi moor with a stop at the Laugardalshellir caves. The destination is the small hut Kliglumýri, where you will spend the night. Approx. 6-7 hours in the saddle.

Day 5: Kringlumýri – Villingarvatn
You follow beautiful, soft riding trails through a green, fertile area on the south side of Thingvallavatn. Once again, you enjoy a beautiful view over the lake. The ride ends at the Villingarvatn farm, where the horses stay. Today's ride is a little shorter (15 km, 3-4 hours) and you will be back at the riding centre in the afternoon, where you will have time to relax before enjoying your evening buffet at the hotel restaurant. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Villingarvatn – Reykjadalur – Vellir
Short drive back to the horses. After a ride through the mountains on the east side of the Hengill volcano, you will come across two crater lakes called Kattartjarnir. You will climb a hill and reach a green area with many hot springs. After a while, you will arrive in the Reykjadalur valley with its hot springs. Before continuing on towards Hveragerdi, you can enjoy a dip in the hot stream in the valley. You leave Reykjadalur and now have a view of the sea and the Westman Islands. Back at the riding centre, you drive by car to Reykjavík, where you arrive in the late afternoon. Approx. 23 km, 5-6 hours.

Subject to change!

Accomodation
You will spend two nights in the cozy guest house at Riding centre in double and multi-bed rooms. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel restaurant next door. Only two nights are spent in simple mountain huts, one of which has only cold water.

Saddle & Tack: Icelandic trekking saddles and snaffle.

Experience: ou should have some riding experience, sporty beginners are also welcome. You will be riding at a leisurely pace, but up to 7 hours a day,so a certain level of fitness is required. You will not be accompanied by a free-running herd. For all those who like it a little quieter or have not been sitting in the saddle for quite so long.

Horses: Icelandic horses, sure-footed and friendly.