Between the glaciers! If you want to see as much as possible of our beautiful country then you should ride across the heart of Iceland on the ancient trail Kjölur.

RIDING ACROSS THE HEART OF ICELAND

Step back in time and ride along the ancient Kjölur trail as
Icelanders did over the centuries when travelling to the annual summer
parliament at Thingvellir, first held in 930 AD. We visit this historic site
where the heart of the nation beats and which became Iceland´s first National
Park in 1930. When we arrive to the south we will wisit and enjoy the Geysir
hot spring area and Gullfoss Waterfall.

Travelling from south to north or vice versa right across the
heart of Iceland we find ourselves traversing sandy deserts close to the mighty
Langjökull and Hofsjökull Glaciers. Sheltered green valleys come as a surprise
in this rugged terrain. Hveravellir is a geothermal area in the highlands where
we can soak in a long hot bath under the Midnight Sun.

If you want to see as much as possible of the unspoilt Icelandic
highlands, this tour, which has been in operation since 1983, is the perfect
choice.

Day 1. Reykjavik – Kálfhóll 

Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00 where our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll cabins, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory meal where  we get to know each other we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us. 

Day 2. Kálfhóll – Gullfoss – Fremstaver Mountain Cabin 

The starts off by a drive to the Geysir area where we meet the horses and rid towards the majestic glacier Langjökull and our first stop is the beautiful Gullfoss  waterfall and the hot spring area Geysir. Our ride today leads us to a mountain called Bláfell. There we  spend the night and rest the horses at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 25 km) 

Day 3. Fremstaver – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin 

Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. This area was roamed by outlaws in the old days. We  cross River Hvítá and enjoy the view to the glacier fed lake Hvítárvatn. Tonight we stay at Árbúðir,  situated right on the banks of river Svartá. (Approx. 35 km) 

Day 4. Árbúðir –Hveravellir Geothermal Area, Mountain Cabin 

We ride along the glacier fed river Fúlakvísl through huge rugged lava fields of Kjalhraun where we hear  a tragic story about two brothers who froze to death in October 1780 on their way to Skagafjörður with  a flock of sheep. During the ride we enjoy magnificent views of the glacier Langjökull. We continue into  the world of Thjófadalir, or Valley of Thieves, a grassy valley surrounded by high mountains, a true oasis  in the wilderness. The destination of todays ride is Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between  

Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous  outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. At the mountain cabin a natural hot pool invites us to a  deserved relaxing bath. (Approx. 50 km) 

Day 5. Hveravellir – Áfangi Mountain Cabin 

Our route today leads us further to the north over the beautiful river Seyðisá. Further, the horses run  free with us on the soft paths of this mystical highland area. We pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and  Sauðafell before reaching our destination. It is easy to see that we follow a historical route. All the way  back to the early settlement of Iceland, people traveled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we  do today. Our well-equipped cabin for the night has a hot tub next to it. It is named after the hill  Áfangafell which offers great views of the big glaciers behind us and towards the high mountains of the  North ahead of us. Up to mid-July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country. (Approx. 35 km) 

Day 6. Áfangi – Vatnsdalur Valley – Hvammur Farm 

We continue our ride over the Auðkúluheiði Moor. The valleys with the farms in the north are getting  closer as our horses run freely over the soft riding paths of the northern higland. It is impressive to see  the fertile valley Vatnsdalur with all its fields and vegetation. As we ride down to the valley the canyon  

of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some of its many beautiful waterfalls. Our horses stay at  Forsæludalur Farm which is the first farm to reach in this area when you come from the highland. We  stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The hot tub offers a nice relaxation after todays ride. (Approx.  35 km)

Day 7. Hvammur – Forsæludalur – Vatnsdalur – Hvammur  

Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the  soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient  sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody  conflict, revenge and love. We say good-bye to our horses as they get rest in the green fields of the  valley. We celebrate a successful tour with a great farwell dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 20  km) 

Day 8. Hvammur – Reykjavík 

We say goodbye to our farmer and his crew. Transfer back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. Approx.  return at 14:00.  

Day 1. Reykjavik – Hof 

Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00. Our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to  Hvammur farm in the north Iceland where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory  meal where we get to know each other we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure  ahead of us. 

Day 2. Hof – Vatnsdalur Valley – Forsæludalur – Hof  

Today is our first riding day. Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the  opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland  and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur we hear tales from  Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge and love. The horses stay at Forsæludalur farm which is  the last farm in the valley before we enter the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse.  The hot tub offers a nice relaxation after todays ride (Approx. 20 km) 

Day 3. Hof – Forsæludalur – Áfangi Mountain Cabin 

As we ride up the valley the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some its many waterfalls. Today  we ascend up to the mountain plateau Auðkúluheiði . The fertile valley with its farms is left behind as our  horses run freely over the soft riding paths of the northern highland. We enjoy the splendid view over the  impressive highland mountains and glaciers around us. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Áfangi,  beside the huge man-made lake Blöndulón. Hot tub a side. (Approx. 35 km)  

Day 4. Áfangi – Hveravellir Geothermal Area, Mountain Cabin 

On our ride today we pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell. It is easy to see that we follow a  historical route. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on  exactly the same trails as we do today. Our route today leads us further to the south over the beautiful  river Seyðisá. The horses run happy with us on the soft paths of this free and mystical highland area. The  destination of todays ride is Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull  glaciers. Here in this rough but extremely beautiful nature the most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur  survived for years. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath. (Approx. 35 km) 

Day 5. Hveravellir – Árbúðir Mountain Cabin 

We start the day by riding through the Valley of Thieves, called Thjófadalir, a remote grassy valley  surrounded by high mountains. From the entrance of the valley we have a splendid view over the fertile  landscape. Our ride leads along the vast lava fields of Kjalhraun, where we hear a tragic story about two  brothers who froze to death in October 1780 on their way to Skagafjörður with a flock of sheep.  Following the glacial river Fúlákvísl we enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull. The day ends  Árbúðir Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 50 km) 

Day 6. Árbúðir – Fremstaver Mountain Cabin  

We follow river Svartá for a while before crossing the river Hvítá. Our ride continues along the slopes of  Mt. Bláfell. During the last centuries, traveling through the remote Highland was a dangerous trip due to  outlaws waiting to rob the riders. We spend the night and rest the horses at Fremstaver Mountain  Cabin. (Approx. 35 km) 

Day 7. Fremstaver – Gullfoss Waterfall – Geysir Hot Spring Area – Fossnes Farm  We saddle up again and ride by the canyon of Hvítá river heading southwards to the lowlands. Our  horses bring us in their soft and strong gates the last part of the journey. We explore the world famous  natural wonders, Geysir and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. We say goodbye to our horses as they get  their rest on some of the farm’s fertile fields. We celebrate a successful tour with a great farewell  dinner, storytelling and singing. (Approx. 25 km)  

Day 8. Fossnes – Reykjavík 

We say good-bye to our farmer and his crew and return back to Reykjavík. On our drive back to  Reykjavík to your accommodation, we visit the historical site Thingvellir, Iceland’s first National Park.  Approx. arrival at 13:00. 

ACCOMMODATION 

Shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. Accommodation after the ride is to be arranged individually.

NOTE - Tours operate alternatively from north to south, the next tour being from south to north.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.

During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

ATTENTION

Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

Flight to and from Iceland is not included

Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour

Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases.

Pack light because transport space is limited.

- For more information please visit our website www.islandshestar.is -