The national park of Snæfellsnes Peninsula is where you find one of the most recognised sights in Iceland; the glacier covered cone volcano Snæfellsjökull. Its mythical atmosphere became famous through Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. Many of the famous Sagas unfolded in this spectacular area; a home to elves, trolls and ancient sorcerers. Today rich bird life attracts visitors from all over the world. The peninsula itself is often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of its diversity of landscape.
We ride through mighty lava fields, craters and ashes of ancient eruptions enjoying wide-open stretches of light-coloured sand on the beaches where only the tide sets a limit to the freedom of horses and riders. Hítardalur Valley comes as a surprise with multicoloured mountains. Majestic Snæfellsjökull rises ahead of us when we traverse the beach on a traditional trail only known by the locals. Crater Eldborg is a landmark, where the light sand turns black once you reach its lava field. On our last riding day we follow the outskirts of the lava flow along the shore before we return the horses to the farm. Our hosts and partners on this tour for over 20 years, Sigurður (Siggi) and Ólöf are proud of their large selection of well-trained horses. Whether you like an easy-going horse or a more spirited one, you can be sure to find the right horses to suit your liking. Experiencing “tölt”, the unique gait of the Icelandic horse is made easy for you since we follow good riding tracks on land. The smooth sand of the beach makes this tour a delight for both horses and riders. Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm offers cosy rooms and a warm outdoor tub where we can relax after an exciting riding day. Accommodation is in beds in shared rooms. We spend two nights at different locations in sleeping bag accommodation. Enjoy not having to pack and unpack every day yet experience a challenging ride herding free running horses alongside. Day-by-Day Itinerary: Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour and meet your fellow riders. Sunday: Reykjavík – Stóri-Kálfalækur – Grímsstaðir Morning transfer to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm with its proud history dating back to medieval times. Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur in made up beds, Showers and a hot tub on site. (30 km) Monday: Grímsstaðir – Hítarhólmur The ride today leads through multi-coloured mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon! We leave the horses at the Hítarhólmur mountain and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where the hot tub is waiting. (30 km) Tuesday: Hítarhólmur – Kolviðarnes – Laugagerði Schoolhouse We continue our ride through this mystical volcanic valley. We stop at the sheep gathering place Hítardalsrétt and if you take a good look you can see the troll woman Hít who was turned into stone returning late from a date. We proceed west across Hítará River and travel trough an area well known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm we leave the horses and spend the night at Laugagerði Schoolhouse where a swimming pool heated with geothermal water awaits us. (45 km) Wednesday: Laugagerði Schoolhouse – Traðir – Hof Farm After rejoining the horses we start our beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’ excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. Our horses spend the night at Traðir Farm while we stay at Hof Farm with a geothermal hot tub on site. (40 km) Optional (available at an extra charge): Drive along the coast towards the romantic fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar. Here we are right underneath magical Mt. Snæfellsjökull. Visit the Information center of the Snæfellsnes National Park and learn about its mysterious powers. View beautiful bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by powerful waves. Meet giant Bárður Snæfellsás and hear about historic celebrities like the far travelled Guðríður Þorbjarnadóttir and mass murderer Axlar Björn! (Price per person: ISK 3.500) Thursday: Hof – Traðir – Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur Another day´s ride on the yellow coloured, sandy beach. Direction changes and we head back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava field. An unique experience for everyone with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. We leave the horses at Kolviðarnes Farm and drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where we spend the last two nights. (40 km) Friday: Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm Last day on the beach and yet a new experience. The sand turns black as we follow the outline of Eldborgarhraun lava field. Imagine the black lava still on the move on your way back to dry land. The ride ends at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where we enjoy Ólöf’s farewell dinner. (30 km) Saturday: Stóri-Kálfalækur – Reykjavík Transfer back to Reykjavík for an overnight stay in a guesthouse. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 11:00. Sunday: Dep. from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home. Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for the beach ride! Notes: Please note that accommodation is shared, a single room in Reykjavik is an option. 
Supplier Information
Out-Of-The-Ordinary Ranking
Also see tour packages in: Europe Iceland Outdoor: Land Rambler Horse Riding Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
