WILD BEAUTY AND LOOSE HORSES
OVERVIEW
Spend four days riding from the glaciers of the highlands at Thorsmork back to the horses home farm, Hekluhestar. Ride through purple, lupine fields in peak bloom, past glacier tongues, across bridges and ford rivers.
Thorsmork, where you arrive on Day 1, was voted by Icelanders as their favourite place in their own country. Dramatic mountain-scapes surround you on all sides. The horses are in their element here!
Most of the horses at Hekluhestar were born and bred on their property near to Mount Hekla. They tolt and gallop comfortably over the volcanic terrain perfectly surefooted. You will be amazed at the terrain your horse will cover comfortably!
HIGHLIGHTS
Ride with the herd of 40+ loose horses
Fast riding - you will barely walk at all!
Experience the majestic highlands
Ride through black sand lava fields
Tolt through blooming fields of purple lupine flowers
We’ve upgraded the accommodation to glamping bell tents and twin rooms in country hotels for one of Iceland’s most comfortable riding options
Incredible food - Iceland will surprise you!
Wonderful, welcoming owners / guides that lead the ride and train their own horses
OVERVIEW
RIDE GUIDE
Duration: 3 Nights
Cost: From €2,850pp
Operator: Hekluhestar
Where: Iceland
When: 14 - 17 June 2024
Riding Level: Advanced. You must be able to control your horse at gallop and keep them in control while cantering in a group of horses.
Weight Limit: Maximum of 95kg/210lbs
Time in the saddle: 2 to 8 hours a day
Horses: Icelandic Horses. There is no other breed allowed in Iceland!
We are grateful to Lina of Lina Images for her incredible photos of this ride!
HORSES
Icelandic horses are around 13.2 hands average but stout and strong, capable of carrying large and heavy people over rough distances at a brisk rate.
The horses are usually in snaffle bits - loose rings with snap-on, one-piece reins. English-type saddles are used with the Icelandic style of saddle seen as somewhat of a cross between a dressage and an endurance saddle.
The horses have all been bred and trained on site by Hekluhestar and are very much part of the family.
Mothers bond with foals and remain with them for many years in the herd. The horses form friendships are are free to spend time with the best friends.
ACCOMMODATION
Black Saddle Exclusive Lupine Ride: 4 Days
We are hosting a ride especially for Black Saddle riders staying in twin rooms in country hotels and one night in glamping bell tents with a real bed, heater and electricity. Perfect if you are sensitive sleeper.
On the longer highlands tour accommodation is dormitory style basic in huts and lodges sometimes with no electricity. You will usually share double bunk beds with your riding companions in a single room. This is standard in the highlands of Iceland where buildings are simple and functional.
To book select the 14 - 17 JUN 24 Black Saddle Lupine Ride when completing the rider form.
Links to the the websites of the accommodation is included in every itinerary description.
GET IN TOUCH
Fill in an obligation free rider form by clicking “book now” and we will be in touch!
Photo by @linaimages
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All meals and soft drinks, horses, accommodation, support vehicle for your luggage, transfers to and from the bus stop to Reykjavik are included.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international flights, travel insurance, accommodation in Reykjavik and airport transfers.
This is a dry ride and alcoholic drinks are not included though you are welcome to bring your own or order at dinner on your own account.
WHAT TO PACK
Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.
In addition to the standard list you will need to bring: a sleeping bag, a small travel pillow (if so desired), a microfibre towel, sunglasses (for dust), a water bottle, an extra pair of riding gloves. Here are some great value gloves that we recommend.
We will send confirmed riders a full packing list.
Iceland horses are not vaccinated and you must be very careful when bringing used clothing and riding gear onto the island. Please refer to this helpful guide to learn more about how you can protect the horses.
There is no electricity in the highlands. Bring a power bank and download a game onto your phone before time, or bring a book for internet free entertainment. This gear guide has recommendations for helpful clothing and gadgets for riding holidays.
Should you wish to dress like a local for your ride, we are happy to recommend places in Iceland to buy knit sweaters and riding clothing developed especially for the Icelandic climate.
Iceland uses the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs. For these plugs, you can use adapter types “C” or “F”.
MEALS
Meals are simple with hearty dinners. For breakfast you’ll have access to milk, yhogurt, cereals, bread, cheeses, jams, coffee and tea.
Lunch is a picnic made of a generous selection of breads, meats, salmon, spreads, fruits, yhogurt, cookies, chocolates and nuts. You will pack your own lunch at the breakfast table and hold your lunchbox in your saddle bags or pack into the car if the car can access the lunch spot. Hekluhestar will have hot coffee, tea and cake at lunch too.
Dinner is a hot meal with meat or fish, vegetables and fruit and a desert. Homemade and very wholesome and delicious, the amount of food is substantial. You certainly won’t feel hungry at any point on this trip!
Alcohol is not provided
INTERNET
Consider yourself ‘unplugged’ while on trail. Cell-phone reception is intermittent at best. You will have reception sometimes during a day’s riding but at some huts like Landmannahellir there is no reception at all.
Pack a good book for the evenings or make sure your kindle is charged!
PRICE
Lupine Ride: €2,850 per person
AVAILABLITY
14 - 17 June 2024 Lupine Ride
Fill in an obligation free Rider Form and we will get back to you with availability.
Bookings are confirmed on receipt of a 30% deposit.
ICELAND
The currency is Icelandic Króna. Cards are readily taken in all shops.
Time Zone: GMT
Climate: Please pack for all weather including warm over trousers and a waterproof lined jacket or bring a warm fleece Riding in the mountains you might come across a lot or rain, hail or even snow - even in the summer time! The average temperature in June / July between 9C and 15C.
Iceland has one month of summer in July and the shoulder months of June and August also make for great riding. It is possible to ride all year around by wearing highly insulated jumpsuits.
If you would like to see the midnight sun and the giant purple meadows of lupine fields arrive in June or July.
ITINERARY
Please be prepared that the following itinerary may change throughout the week if your ride is threatened by bad weather. Hekluhestar will reschedule that day’s ride to make the most of the good weather and take precautions against the bad.
3 NIGHT LUPINE RIDE
Country Hotel Accommodation | €2,850pp | 14 Riders. Submit a rider form to request availability.
-
We meet our riders at 08:00 at BSI bus station in Reykjavik. We drive around 3 hours to meet your guide and horses in Húsadalur. We have an early lunch and discuss the upcoming adventure.
After lunch we meet the horses and head off to explore the beautiful nature reserve Thorsmörk. A truly magical place with three glacier views, beautiful mountains, natural birch forest, bright green moss, bushes and water creeks everywhere.
Accommodation in glamping tents, perfect for 2 persons each. Bathroom in a next door building.
2-3 hours riding without loose horses.
-
We have an early breakfast and start to prepare our horses. Today we will start our journey to the Hekluhestar home farm with the loose horses.
We ride through breath-taking scenery with glaciers on both sides and crossing several rivers.
After lunch we reach the little mountain Stóri Dímon and ride through lupin flower fields.
Overnight at Hótel Fljótshlíð.
4-5 hours riding with loose horses.
-
We ride from Hótel Fljótshlíð to Thríhyrningur, the three horned mountain, next to the river Fiská and to the mountain hut of Foss.
After lunch we change horses and ride our second horse alongside the river Rangá Eystri.
Our accommodation tonight is in a country hotel with a hot tub! Don't forget to bring your swimsuit!
Overnight at Hótel Lækur in twin rooms.
4-5 hours riding with loose horses.
-
It’s a short ride this last day but a fun one.
We have a late breakfast and we prepare our horses for the last time.
We ride through farmland and the historical Landgræðslan, the soil conservation service of Iceland. Taking a break in the beautiful little forest of Gunnlaugsskógur.
After the break we continue through the meadows towards the Rangá ytri river. We cross that river and you can expect to get wet feet!
We have the last stretch to our farm where we take a moment and say goodbye to our horses and we have some coffee and cakes talking about our adventure the last days.
Around 14:00 we will board the bus back to Reykjavik where the tour ends with a drop off to your hotel or to the BSI Bus Terminal for transfer to the airport.
2-3 hours riding with loose horses.
LOOKING FOR A LONGER ITINERARY IN ICELAND?
JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE LANDMANNALAUGAR ITINERARY
15 - 21 JULY 2024
YOUR GUIDES - ANITA & STEFNIR
Anita’s father started horse riding holidays at Hekluhestar when then only way to book your holiday was by phone or letter.
Anita has been guiding the horse rides since she was a teenager. She did spend time away from the horses when she went to university to study ecology but this place and these horses are in her blood and she wasn’t away for long. Eventually she took over the riding holiday operation with the support of her husband, Stefnir.
Stefnir was originally asked to help drive the giant Dodge Ram on rides - not an easy drive through the wild volcanic dirt roads of the highlands. Made of just as tough stuff, Stefnir proved how handy he is when the weather made things hard and earned Anita’s affection.
Two very kind, intelligent, hard working people who truly LOVE their horses.
PRICES & AVAILABILITY
2024
14 - 17 JUN 2024 Lupine Ride - Black Saddle Ride
Fill in an obligation free Rider Form to be put on the waitlist for 2024 and we will get back to you with more information.
Bookings are confirmed on receipt of a 30% deposit.
TESTIMONIALS
“For me, a horse’s well-being is the most important and these were some of the most at ease, happy and well cared for horses I’ve ever met.”
“It’s been my dream vacation to ride horses across Iceland. This more than delivered.”
“Best trip of my life. Very hard to land to the real life after this trip!”
“Such an incredible trip, will definitely sign up for another soon!”
READ THE FIELD REPORT
FIND OUT WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO RIDE THE LUPINE TRAIL
