Kjolur Trail

7 Days  |  From £2399pp

Iceland ( Best airport: Reykjavik Keflavik)

The Kjölur route is an ancient riding trail crossing Iceland’s uninhabited highland, intimately associated with many dramatic events in Icelandic history. Visit the popular attractions of Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot springs before heading to the interior of Iceland, passing glaciers, hot springs and the fascinating wilderness of the highlands.

The Riding

Ride North between glaciers and spend a night close to a creeping glacier tongue. Hot springs await you at Hveravellir, like an oasis in the desert. Continue towards Northern Iceland reaching one of its many green and beautiful valleys, your final destination.

Ride with a free running herd of horses and experience the diversity of the Icelandic horse in its natural environment, far from civilization, and how Icelanders travelled in the old days with a herd of free-running horses. Every rider gets the chance to try 2 or 3 different horses each day.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This trail is for experienced riders with several years of experience in riding regularly on all kinds of terrain. You’ll ride up to 45 km, 4-9 hours per day mostly in the gait tölt with a herd of free-running horses, which requires a certain speed. Participants must be able to mount a horse with little assistance.

Hard hats mandatory. The weight limit is 110kg.

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.

The Horses

During this holiday you will be riding Icelandic horses. The native breed to Iceland is known to be tough, robust and hardworking, ideal steeds for the challenging terrain and changing weather. The horses are home-bred and live in a natural herd roaming large meadow expanses. Every guest will ride 2-3 different horses each day which develops riding skills.

Tack and Riding Equipment

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 in very close to English riding, but stirrups are worn longer.

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Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation during the trail is at farms, guesthouses, community centres and simple mountain huts in a sleeping bag. Some mountain huts in the highlands only have cold water and no showers.

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. Lunch is either packed in saddle bags or the cook meets the group.

Allergies or special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Luggage will be transferred by car between the overnight stops. Please pack light and bring only one piece of luggage.

Get a free Kjolur Trail mini-brochure in PDF format.

Itinerary

Kjolur Trail

7 days / 6 nights / 6 days riding
£2399pp

Weight limit: 110kg / 17,3 stone

Icelandic Lodging Tax is not included (£5 per  room per night) and is payable on site.

Transfer from Reykjavik
Participants will be picked up at BSI main bus station in Reykjavík at 17:30-18:00. Guests arriving earlier can be picked-up from guesthouses or hotels in Reykjavik.

International flights

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.

Plan your flight to arrive at Reykjavik by 15:00 on Day 1 of your holiday. Departure flight on the last day of your holiday should not leave before 21:00. It might be easier for you to stay overnight in Reykjavik and fly home the day after your holiday ends.

Used Riding Gear Caution
Used boots, riding wear, helmets, saddlebags etc. must be disinfected before arrival in Iceland. Chaps and other used leather gear must not be brought to Iceland. That is because infectious, contagious diseases can easily be brought into the country, which poses a great threat for the horses as they are not vaccinated. Riding wear should be washed, and shoes washed and cleaned with VirkonS, Iodine or some other fluid disinfectant.

Every other tour goes in the opposite direction.

Price Includes
  • 6 full days of riding
  • English speaking guide
  • Shared accommodation
  • Breakfasts
  • Lunches
  • Evening meals
  • Transfers to/from Reykjavik
  • Raingear
  • Helmets
Price Excludes
  • Flights
  • Transfers from airport to Reykjavik and back
  • Tips