Northern Lights Trail
Spend three days riding willing Icelandic horses on volcanic mountain slopes before relaxing in thermal swimming pools and watching the snow fall from the outdoor hot tub. The Icelandic winter is an incredibly special time to visit this region. This trail also includes a half day excursion by bus to take in the waterfalls, geysers and hot springs scattered across southern Iceland. Every rider gets the chance to try 2 or 3 different horses each day. This trail involves riding for around 4 hours per day.
In Iceland you’ll ride mostly in the tölt, a comfortable, smooth gait somewhere between trot and canter. Participants must be able to mount a (small) horse with little assistance and hard hats are mandatory.
itinerary
Day 1
You will be met by your hosts at the BSI bus station or at your hotel/ guesthouse in Reykjavik between 17:30- 18:00 and will transfer to the farm Vellir in Hveragerði. Get to know your fellow guests and hosts over dinner and finish the day with a briefing on the upcoming trail before settling into your accommodation.
Day 2
After breakfast, head to the stables where you’ll be met by your guide. Once everyone is happy riding in the paddock you’ll head out for a four hour ride beside the meadows surrounding the farm, a good opportunity to get familiar with the special gait of the Icelandic horse, the tölt. Follow the river Gljúfurá, heading towards the volcanic mountains and enjoy spectacular views of the diverse landscape between the ocean and the volcano Hengill. Back at the farm, warm up with a light lunch before riding for another hour. After riding, head to the thermal swimming pool in Hveragarði where you can relax in the soothing, warm geothermal water, relax in the steam sauna or take a swim in the comfortably warm outdoor pool. Afterwards, coffee and home baked cake will be served at the hotel. If the forecast is favorable, and the sky is clear, look out for the lights at the farm or go on a hunt for the best viewing point for this natural phenomenon.
Days 3
Start the day riding on the trails along the slopes of Reykjafjall Mountain and along forested paths. You’ll pass by many hot springs in the colorful geothermal area know as the Gufudalur valley. The route continues along the volcanic hills interspersed with wide plains. You’ll stop close to the stables for some refreshments before riding back to the farm for lunch. After lunch we saddle our horses again for the afternoon ride
Day 4
following the river Gljúfurá until you reach the mighty glacial river Ölfusá. From there, we have a view of the river and, if the weather allows, the famous Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes. Upon your return to the farm, dinner will be served before more Northern Lights spotting.
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Northern Lights Trail
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
In Iceland you’ll ride mostly in the tölt, a comfortable, smooth gait somewhere between trot and canter. Participants must be able to mount a horse with little assistance and be happy riding at walk, trot and canter. The weight limit is 95kg.
You’ll be accompanied by professional guides who will show you the ropes with the Icelandic horses and help you to get used to their special gait, tölt. There can be up to 20 riders in your group.
During this holiday you will be riding Icelandic horses. This native breed is known to be tough, robust and hardworking, ideal mounts for the challenging terrain and changing weather. The horses are home-bred and live in a large herd roaming vast expanses. All the horses are ridden in simple, Icelandic style tack. The saddles are built close to a dressage saddle, with a relatively flat seat. The riding style is very close to English riding, but stirrups are worn longer.
All the horses are ridden in simple, Icelandic style tack. The saddles are built close to a dressage saddle, with a relatively flat seat. The riding style is very close to English riding, but stirrups are worn longer.
Price includes
- 3 days riding
- Bus excursion to the Golden Circle
- 3 nights accommodation in shared rooms
- Meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 4
- Tea, coffee, water
- Luggage transport
- Return transfer from Reykjavik to the farm
Price Excludes
- Airport transfers
- International flights
- Alcoholic drinks
- Icelandic Lodging Tax (666,-ISK per room per night payable on site, around £5 in GBP)
Accommodation
Accommodation during the trail is at one of the cosy countryside hotels in the south of Iceland, close to your host's farm. There are double, twin and family rooms available, all are spacious, warm and light-filled. All the hotels have an onsite restaurant and traditional hot tubs to relax in at the end of the day. Rooms are fitted with luxurious Hästens beds, offering unrivalled comfort.
Full board is included starting with dinner on arrival day and ending with lunch on the last riding day. Dinner is traditional Icelandic home cooking, stews and casseroles are common and ingredients are locally sourced with an emphasis on fresh produce. Lunch is either a picnic packed in your saddle bags or the cook meets the group. Allergies or special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Northern Lights Trail
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com
Flight and transfer information
- Arrival airport: Keflavík (KEF)
- Arrival time: Before 15.30 on Day 1
- Departure time: After 19.30 on Day 4
- Transfer arrangements: Transfers are included from Reykjavik bus station at 17.30. There is an easy shuttle from the airport to the bus station. See flybus.is.
Single room supplement: £210 (applies if you do not want to share a room)
An Icelandic Lodging Tax applies to these trails and will be added to your final invoice. The cost is 666,-ISK per room per night (approximately £5).