Volcanoes Trail

4 Days  |  From £849pp

Iceland ( Best airport: Reykjavik)

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A short break staying at an Icelandic horse farm and spending three days riding exploring the fascinating volcanic mountains nearby. Ride over moss-covered lava fields and into a unique area of exceptional beauty with volcanic formations, green valleys and hot springs. Visit the hidden Valley of the Horses and ride along the Jórukleif range of mountains before continuing to the largest lake in Iceland. Discover forests with steaming hot springs and waterfalls before taking a dip in the warm, geothermal river in Reykjadalur Valley. For all levels.

The Riding

Ride one of the friendly and willing Icelandic horses in its natural environment, far from civilization. Every rider gets the chance to try 2 or 3 different horses each day. You’ll be covering 70 km over the course of the 3 days with between 4-6 hours riding 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 horse with little assistance and hard hats are mandatory.

Level of Riding and Fitness

All levels of riding ability are welcome, but for your own enjoyment it’s a good idea to have a couple of rides beforehand. The weight limit is 95kg.

Guides and Group Size

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.

Any questions?

Contact us now on WhatsApp with any queries you have about this trail.

The Horses

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 natural herd roaming large meadow 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.

Volcanoes Trail - Horse Riding Holidays Iceland

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation during the trail is at a traditional Icelandic farm. There are 8 guest rooms at the farm, with 2-4 beds in each room. There are separate bathrooms each with a basin, shower and toilet and an outdoor hot tub to relax in after each day’s riding with views over the river. Wifi is available for guests at the farm. 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, mainly meat and potatoes type fare but also stews and casseroles are common. 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.

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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
Day 2 After breakfast you'll meet the horses and start the day by getting to know them in the paddock. After an early lunch, you’ll head out on the trail following the old route from Hveragerdi to Hellisheidi. After reaching the moor, continue to the Hengill volcano across the distinctive lava fields. Continue on the track between lava and hills down to Kolvidarhóll, where people have stopped to rest for hundreds of years. Return to the farm for dinner and overnight. Total length: 21 km, 4 hrs.
Day 3 Today you’ll continue riding north below the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. You’ll dismount and lead the horses through a narrow cleft to Marardalur (Valley of Horses) before riding over Dyrfjöll (Door-Mountains), the reward for reaching the mountaintop is the view over Lake Thingvallavatn. The lake is by the cleft where Icelanders had their democratic meetings called Althing for hundreds of years. The track continues to Nesjavellir, where the trail finishes for the day. Dinner and overnight at the farm. Total length: 30 km, 6-7 hrs.
Day 4 Spend the final day riding along mountain slopes towards the small village of Hveragerði. Travel through green forests to one of the geothermal valleys complete with hot springs. You’ll pass the beautiful waterfall of Djúpagilsfoss and some hot springs before reaching Reykjadalur valley where you will have the opportunity to take a relaxing dip in the warm river. During the ride into the valley, enjoy fascinating panoramic views over the surroundings, the village Hveragerði, picturesque farmland and all the way down to the coastline, where you might see the Westman Islands on a clear day. Continue along the mountain slopes back to the farm. After some refreshments, the bus returns to Reykjavík at about 16:30. Total length: 19 km, 5 -6 hrs.

Volcanoes Trail

4 days / 3 nights / 3 days riding
£849pp

Flights & Airport transfers

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.
Please arrange to arrive at Reykjavik Airport on the first day by 15.30. You will be collected from the meeting point at 17.30.
Please book your departure flights on the last day after 18.30 or add an extra night in Reykjavik.

Price Includes
  • 3 days riding
  • 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

Join a ride - Select your date:

23rd May 2023 - 4 Saddles Available - £930pp
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31st May 2023 - 4 Saddles Available - £930pp
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30th June 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £930pp
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6th September 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £930pp
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