LANDMANNALAUGAR

15 - 21 July 2024

6 Nights | From €2,990 per person | ✈️ Reykjavik, Iceland

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF THE HIGHLANDS WITH A HERD OF LOOSE HORSES

OVERVIEW

Discover the volcanoes, lava fields and lush green fields of Iceland from the back of one of their eponymous horses. Ride with a herd of loose horses that move with your through the ruggard highland countryside. Stay in lodges and huts that the shepherds use when checking on their animals in Iceland’s mild summers.

So aesthetic, so wild. What are you waiting for?

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Exclusive Black Saddle Safari
Fast riding in the black volcanic sands of the highlands
Ride with the herd of loose horses
Bath in the natural hot river
Witness the solidfied lava flow

OVERVIEW

RIDE GUIDE

Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

Cost: From €2,990pp sharing

Operator: Kalfholl Farm

Where: Reykjavik, Iceland

When: 15 - 21 July 2024

Riders: 18-20

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. Do not come if you cannot canter.

Read our guide here on what level of riders are suited for our private groups.

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!

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 the family and are very much part of the family.

ACCOMMODATION

This is an adventure safari with simple, dorm style sleeping bag accommodation. You will stay in three locations during your ride:

Nights 1 + 2: Kalfholl Farm. You will be in twin rooms at the horses' home farm.

Nights 3 + 6: Hólaskógur hut. A large modern, clean, mountain hut with a single room with cosy nooks of beds.

Nights 4 + 5: Landmannahellir in the highlands. A large mountain hut that sleeps 24 in one room. Hot showers are available in a nearby cabin.

As accommodation is shared we ask those that snore to choose another itinerary. We would be happy to welcome you on our Lupine Ride in June 2024 that has comfortable twin room accommodation.

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!

Apply Now

ENQUIRY

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. Beer is available to purchase in Landmannalaugar.

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.

Icelandic 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 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. You 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!

Vegetarians are welcome.

Alcohol is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own. There is a duty free as you exit the airport.

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!

PRICES + AVAILABILITY

15 - 21 July 2024 Black Saddle Ride (20 saddles)

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. The balance is due 90 days before departure.

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.

LANDMANNALAUGAR ITINERARY

Please be prepared that the following itinerary may change throughout the week if your ride is threatened by bad weather.

Dormitory Accommodation | €2,990 per person sharing | 20 Riders

Submit a rider form to request availability.

Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00, where our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll farm 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.
No Riding Today
Accommodation
We ride on fantastic riding paths along the mighty glacial river Þjórsá, with views of the glacier Eyjafjallajökull and the volcano Hekla. We leave the horses at Sandlækjarmýri field and drive to Réttarholt.
This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere.
We stay at Kálfhóll and relax in the hot tub outdoors.
Overnight in a lodge.
5 hours riding (approximately 20 km)
Today we ride along the lovely river Sandá through the National Forest Skriðufellskógur into the beautiful and famous valley of Thjórsárdalur.
The volcano Hekla towers over the vast lavender-blue lupine fields along the sandy tracks. We stop at Stöng, the ruins of a medieval farmhouse excavated in 1939.
In 1104, Mt Hekla erupted for the first time in the recorded history of Iceland. The eruption destroyed at least 20 farms in the valley Thjórsárdalur, among them the farm Stöng.
After a short stop at Gjáin, a mystical canyon with lots of small waterfalls and famous setting for Games of Thrones, we head for the cozy mountain hut Hólaskógur with a prime view of Volcano Hekla.
6 Hours Riding (approximately 35 km)
We ride over narrow tracks through black lava north of Valafell mountain. Our surefooted horses carry us comfortably through rough terrain through the Lambaskarð mountain passage.
We continue on sandy paths close by lake Sauðleysuvatn and through the moonlike desert towards Mountain hut Landmannahellir, where we will spend two nights.
4 Hours Riding (approximately 30 km)
Today we ride to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colorful mountains and lava from 1480.
Our horses rest in a paddock and we have a good part of the day to relax in the hot pools or visit the numerous sights, before returning to Landmannahellir. This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour.
Overnight at the mountain hut in Landmannahellir.
5 Hours Riding (approximately 40 km)
We leave the beautiful area of Landmannahellir and ride on towards the Herbjarnfell mountain. Today´s route takes us over the varying landscape.
We ride across sanders, sharp lava, huge pumice fields in many colors and over green grazing fields where the farmers drive their sheep during summer.
We stay overnight in the solitary mountain hut Hólaskógur with a perfect view of the Hekla volcano.
Here we get the feeling of being “on top of the world”.
6 Hours Riding (approximately 40 km)
Today we ride over the rich green mountain fields over Seljamýri to Fögruskógar and Þrengslasandur towards Réttarholt Guesthouse.
Here we have to say goodbye to horses and staff.
The bus will take us back to Kálfhóll farm for coffee & cake. We then drive back to Reykjavík BSÍ.
6 Hours Riding (approximately 35 km)

MEET YOUR GUIDES

Kálfhóll Farm

Hannes, Gestur and Margrét live in Kálfhóll farm in south Iceland. The farm is situated in the beautiful Skeiða and Hrunamannahreppi shire. All around the farm you can see gorgeous countryside where we start the ride. Nearby the farm is the most stunning attractions in South Iceland. The Golden Circle consists of Þingvellir national park, the hot spring area Geysir and the mighty waterfall Gullfoss. Þjórsá the longest river in Iceland 212km coming from the glacier Hofsjökull, the glacier river Hvítá.

You can see the queen of volcanic mountains Hekla in distance and nearby is Þjórsárdalur valley where the famous tv shows Game of Thrones where shot. Þjórsárdalur is known for a natural wonder as Gjáin, the waterfalls Háifoss, Hjálparfoss f.ex.

KALFHOLL INSTAGRAM

KALFHOLL LOCATION