Volcano Mount Hekla - Horseriding Iceland

Hekla Volcano, often called the “Queen of Iceland” towers over this facinating area and every day we will be reminded of the devastating numerous eruptions through the ages. Landmannalaugar, colourful beauty in the southern highlands. A natural bathing spot is only one of the highlights which make this area one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for all lovers of nature and adventurous souls.

We have added one more riding day to be spent in the Landmannalaugar area. We stay for two nights in the hut at Landmannahellir to be able to ride to Landmannalaugar and back, and to have plenty of time to walk and bathe in this natural gem. This riding trail is one of the most scenic and colourful in the whole country. Our host for this tour is Gestur and his family from Kálfhóll Farm. He has been breeding horses for many years and his well trained horses have been the joy of many clients for the last 2 years.

On our way to the farm we visit Gullfoss Waterfall and the hot springs of Geysir. From Kálfhóll Farm we head off through fertile farmland and enter the beautiful trail along mighty river Thjórá. The ride continues towards the highlands along good riding tracks, through black ash from Mt. Hekla eruptions to the mountain cabin at Hólaskógur. We continue to the beautiful area of Landmannahellir, a fitting outpost in the central highlands before we enjoy the colourful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by black lava fields where hot water streams have just the right temperature for a refreshing bath.

Accommodation on this ride is in mountain cabins and a holiday farm in sleeping bags. Warm showers are available all the nights except for one and the cabin at Hólaskógur also offers a sauna. Include is also a visit to the swimming pool Reykjalaug, situated in the vaste fields of ashes from the vulcano Hekla, a true oasis in the wilderness. Two nights are spent in Reykjavík, in a guesthouse in rooms with shared facilities.

Day by day description

Monday: 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. 

Tuesday: Reykjavík – Geysir – Gullfoss –  Kálfhóll – Fossnes Farm
We visit the well known sights of Iceland, Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall on our way to Kálfhóll Farm, where we meet staff and horses. Our ride starts alongside the mighty glacial river Thjórsá, using a soft trail that will make it easy for horse and rider to enjoy the famous gate; tölt !! We will follow this trail almost all the way to Fossnes Farm where we will stay the first night, enjoy a dip into the hot tub and a good dinner. (38 km)

Wednesday: Fossnes – Hólaskógur Mt. Cabin
Now it’s time to ride into the mountains and valleys where black ashes of numerous eruptions of volcano Mt. Hekla remind us of the huge powers hidden down below. We stop at Gjáin valley with its rich vegetation, and Stöng, the site of a 12th century Viking farm. Overnight at Hólaskógur cabin, warm showers and a sauna on site. (35 km)

Thursday: Hólaskógur – Landmannahellir Mt. Cabin
We cross mighty River Thjórsá on a bridge and ride north of Mt. Hekla and Mt. Valafell, using  good riding tracks through fields of ashes and lava from Mt. Hekla eruptions. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the trail takes us through an amazing landscape. Today's ride ends in the beautiful area of Landmannahellir where we spend 2 nights in a mountain cabin, again with hot showers. (40 km)

Friday: Landmannahellir - Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir Mt. Cabin
Today we ride to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful 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.(40 km )

Saturday: Landmannahellir –  Klettur Mt. Cabin
This is another exciting and a long riding day when we take another route north of Mt. Valafell with a view to the mighty glacier Vatnajökull. Part of today’s ride is on the famous Sprengisandur Trail. You can just imagine the thousands of horses and farmers using this trail through the centuries on their way to or from the parliament, then beeing held at Thingvellir. We cross River Thjórsá again and continue to the mountain cabin at Klettur where we stay overnight in beautiful surroundings. (55 km)

Sunday: Klettur – Fossnes - Reykjavík
We start the day with riding to the swimming pool Reykjalaug, situated in the vaste fields of ashes from the vulcano Hekla. This is a nice pool heated with geothermal water coming up from the ground nearby and there are hot tubs on site. After returning to the cabin we have lunch, sattle up again and ride through valleys and across small rivers to Fossnes Farm. After having enjoyed refreshments it is time to say goodbye to staff and horses. A bus takes us back to Reykjavík for our last night of this tour. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 19:30. (32 km)

Monday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

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