Northern Iceland, Iceland
Reviews
“I took part in the Autumn Colours and Northern lights programme it was an amazing experience in which I won't forget, it couldn't have been better. Overall it was brilliant and as guests we just had to sit back and enjoy it.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Icelandic
Nature of horses:
Powerful, honest and gentle
Height of horses:
Average 13.2hh
Weight limit:
100 kg
Tack type:
Icelandic tack is slightly different than tack ordinarily used for other breeds. The saddle is built closer to a dressage saddle and has a relatively flat seat. Stirrups are worn long and it is not uncommon to use a crupper which keeps the saddle in place. Iceland saddles come with flat or quilted seat. Stirrups are shaped to accommodate heavy boots. Bits range from simple snaffle to the Icelandic curb bit. Bridles often have a detachable noseband and clip on reins.
Weather
Current Conditions:
Cloudy, 11 C
Forecast:
Sat - Showers Late. High: 18 Low: 9
Sun - Showers. High: 21 Low: 11
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Elves and Trolls Trail
Price is £940
North Iceland Trail
Price is £1282
Autumn Colours and Northern Lights Trail
Price is £769
Farm holiday
Price is £598
A Breath of the Desert
Price is £1282
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Since 1985 your hosts have been organising riding tours in this extraordinary landscape with helpers from all over the world who return year after year. About seventy Icelandic horses live with them during the whole year and during the months of June, July and August some twenty more join the herd.
You have the opportunity to ride through remote valleys to the North Atlantic and, with a herd of freely running horses, to Lake Myvatn, the famous lake of the midges. In the autumn, when the first snowflakes are announcing winter, you may experience a new riding tour through the autumnal landscape of Northern Iceland.
You may prefer to stay closer to the farmhouse and enjoy short riding tours around the fascinating landscape. Your children will most definately enjoy taking a closer look behind the scenes of an Icelandic farm with the horses, sheep, lambs, chicken, rabbits, cats and a dog.
The basic accommodation here means this is not a ride for those looking for luxury. If, however, you dream of exploring a totally unspoilt country second to no other in the world, this ride is perfect for making this dream come true.
Iceland is a land not only of immense beauty but one laced with mystery and legend. Sharing this with one of the world's most powerful yet gentle horses makes this a holiday experience of a lifetime.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The farmhouse from where the ride is based lies in the North of Iceland at the longest fjord and is the starting point of a variety of long and short riding tours. It is located a few kilometres away from Grenivik a little fishing village.
The accommodation is not for those looking for luxury but nevertheless is comfortable, warm and hospitable. Accommodation at the farm is one of three cottages belonging to your hosts.
The first has two double rooms and one four bed room. The second has three double rooms and one four bed room both have shower and toilet facilities. The third cottage has one four bed room and one five bedroom each with their own shower and toilet facilities.
During trails you will sleep at farmhouses, mountain huts, schools and community centres in sleeping bag accommodation.
The food here is substantial - your host's believe riders must never be hungry! Here you have an opportunity to savour Icelandic specialities but nothing too "exotic".
Favourites are lamb, fish, vegetables, salads, rice and noodles. Vegetarians are catered for. During the rides there are plenty of sandwiches and on the longer tours when the herd runs freely, Goi will drive the bus and be on hand with the lunch boxes.
In the evening there will always be a hot and hearty meal to enjoy. Unlimited tea, coffee and delicious Icelandic Spring Water is always available.
Activities
The unique landscape invites long walks, fishing or just exploring the area on a bike.
In the village you may go shopping or go for a dip in a hot pool.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: None
Age limit: None
Tuition: No
Included: Transfer to and from Akureyri, full board, sleeping bag accommodation, entrance fees to sights visited on tours, safety helmet and raingear, English speaking guides.
Not included: Sleeping Bags, alcoholic drinks.
Travel Information
There are many flights to Reykjavik and from there you are able to take a 45 minute internal flight to Akureyri.
Alternatively if you wish to see more of this country there are buses which take approximately 6 hours. You will be transferred from Akureyri usually at about 18.00. From there your journey is 30 minutes to the farm.
Airport: Akureyri
Alternative Airport: Reykjavik
Programmes
Elves and Trolls Trail
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You will ride along the valley of Fnjoska river which is the longest freshwater river in Iceland. Some 10,000 years ago there was a glacial lake in this valley whose shore is still visible in the slopes of the mountains. You will have time to take a look at the famous church and turfhouses at Laufas and ride along impressive woods to Hjardarholt farmhouse. Enjoy the magnificent view to the mouth of the Fnjóská river and into the Eyjafjordur fjord the next day. On the fifth day your ride will take you to Fjordur, a deserted countryside populated only by 4000 sheep and the trolls and elves. Names like Trölladalur - valley of the trolls and Álfaborgir - cities of the elves - remind you of the existence of these invisible beings. They have chosen some of the best places for their homes. Old volcanoes, glaciers, little ponds and an amazingly green landscape greet you. The next three days will be spent enjoying the idyllic life and fascinating atmosphere of this special area. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate onwards |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 6 long days in the saddle |
| Departure dates: | 27th June - 4th July, 4th July - 11th July, 11th July - 18th July, 18th July - 25th July, 25th July - 1st August, 1st August - 8th August, 8th August - 15th August, 15th August - 22nd August |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
North Iceland Trail
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This is an eight day, seven night trail with six long days in the saddle following the tracks of Gods and Vikings. You must be an experienced rider comfortable at all paces and happy to ride with a herd of free horses. You will have the opportunity to ride two or three horses a day. Sleeping bag accommodation is at farm houses, schools and guest houses. Day 1: In the late afternoon transfer to Grytubakki farmhouse - a hearty dinner and an overnight stay. Day 2: After breakfast you will be shown the famous waterfall of the Gods. According to the sagas Þorgeir of Ljósavatn threw his statues of the gods into the falls when Iceland converted to Christianity in the year 1000, hence the name. Then you will be driven to Fremstafell farmhouse, where you catch the horses and saddle up. You will then ride to the Bardardalur valley, follow the river Skjálfandafljót and stay overnight at Hotel Kiðagil.The river Skálfandafljót flows through the valley over the Bárðardalshraun lava field that probably came all over the way from Trölladyngja in Ódaðahraun north of Vatnajökull more than 7,000 years ago. Today you will spend 5 to 6 hours in the saddle. Day 3: You leave Kiðagil, ride over the bridge at Stóruvellir to the other side of the valley and reach the old farmhouse of Stóratunga. Here you are very close to the entrance of Ódaðahraun, the enormous lava field, believed to be the home of outlaws, elves and trolls in the old days. At Stórutunga you leave some of the horses and ride then on to the impressive waterfall Aldeyarfoss. Here you will enjoy this wonderful nature paradise. Overnight at Stóratunga. You will have ridden for 5 hours. Day 4: Today you ride in a north eastern direction over Landsmelar at Viðiker to the area of Myvatn. In the 19th century at Viðiker lived Jón Þorkellsson. He was a very famous guide for foreign travellers and you then ride on through 'Odaðahraun lava field to Askja. Your ride takes you over sandy hills and through moorland. A tremendous view awaits you when you reach the highest point. If you are lucky you might see the queen of the Icelandic mountains in a distance: Herdubreið. The destination today is farmhouse Stöng where you will stay for two nights. You can relax in the hot pool which awaits you. You will have ridden for 5 hours. Day 5: After breakfast you will have a look at the Perles of the North by bus: The pseudocraters of Skutustaðir, the bizarre lava formation of Dimmuborgir and the bubbling mud pools of Námaskarð. After lunch you saddle up and ride with one horse per person in a north easterly direction to explore the area around Stöng. You ride on old paths and sheep tracks close to Gautlönd and Baldursheimur. Tonight you will stay in Stong and you will have spent 3 to 4 hours in the saddle. Day 6: After breakfast you leave Stöng first to the south close to the old farmhouse of Hörgsdalur and ride then along Myvatnsheiði to the valley of the smoke - Reykjadalur. Smooth tracks, adventurous tracks and a diversified landscape await you. Mountain Kinnarfjöll to the west side and mountain Gaesafjöll to the east side are visible if the weather allows it. You will stay overnight at Breiðimyri, close to the little village Laugar. You will have ridden for 6 hours. Day 7: Your ride takes you along Vatnshlið through woods. There is a wonderful view over the valley Reykjadalur and the lake Vestmannsvatn. After the hill Fljótsheiði a terrific and diversified ride awaits you along the river Skjálfandafljót and through the forest Fellskógur. On the way you will pass the waterfalls Ullarfoss and Barnafoss. You will be able to leave the horses at Fremstafell farm and drive home. A last goodbye dinner, where you can talk about your adventure with your new friends, and your overnight stay is back at the farmhouse. You will have been in the saddle for six hours. Day 8: After breakfast transfer to Akureyri. |
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| Minimum group size: | 8 |
| Maximum group size: | 14 |
| Ability description: | Experienced riders who are able to ride different horses and are comfortable for long hours in the saddle. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 6 long days in the saddle |
| Departure dates: | 31 July-7 August, 9-16 August, 19-26 August |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Autumn Colours and Northern Lights Trail
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The trail provides the opportunity to experience the variety and beauty of Icelandic nature in Autumn. By the end of August Iceland's summer is all but over. In September the days shorten and introduce a wide range of autumnal colours and the famous Northern Lights. You will ride through fabulous valleys where flocks of cackling geese are resting for their journey South. You will ride up mountains where you will meet the sheep who have spent the last few months free in the mountains enjoying their liberty. Now is the time to bring them back home and winter starts to knock on the door. You may be lucky enough to get involved in gathering in some of these sheep in preparation for the round up. After the first two days riding, you return to the farmhouse each night. On the third day you ride to another valley where you will stay at another farmhouse. From here your trail continues and you will sleep in a mountain hut for one night. Here everyone sleeps in the same room which, althought this sounds basic, it in fact makes your night sleeping in the mountains more exciting - a perfect opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and share tales of this amazing experience. You will have six days in the saddle exploring the autumnal countryside. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate onwards |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 4 - 6 hours a day |
| Departure dates: | 6-13 September, 13-20 September |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Farm holiday
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An eight day seven night stay on an Icelandic farm combining riding and relaxation for all the family. Have a closer look behind the scenes of the farm with horse, sheep, lambs, chicken, rabbits, cats and a dog. Every day the whole family can enjoy a short riding tour exploring some of this amazing country. During you stay you will visit Akureyri, the capital of the North and the scenic waterfall that played a role in the Christianisation of Iceland. This is a holiday perfect for families. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Beginners welcome |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Riding to suit |
| Departure dates: | Available April-end of September 2009 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
A Breath of the Desert
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You start your ride at the entrance to the highland of Sprengisandur at the farmhouse Stóratunga. You will explore mossy green valleys, impressive waterfalls, ride along gurgling brooks and enjoy the untouched nature and the mystery and magic of this area. You ride alongside Iceland’s biggest surface of lava – Ódáðahraun – to the farm Baldursheimur in the centre of the area of Mývatn, the famous lake of the midges. You will visit the most beautiful sites around the lake and ride on sandy paths back to the valley of Bárðardalur. On your way back home to Grýtubakki you will have a look at the historic waterfall of Goðafoss. Day 1: You will be picked up from Akureyri and taken to the farm at Gr_tubakki. An evening meal is served and you will have a chance to meet the other riders and your guides for the week. There will be a briefing on the week’s itinerary. Day 2: You will be driven to meet the horses at Fremstafell farmhouse where you will be saddled up with a suitable horse. Today's trail takes you through the Bardardalur valley, along the river Skjálfandafljót. You will be following tracks through fertile farmland. The sides of the valley stretch up to 700 meters tall with 7000 year old bizarre lava formations left from the volcano Trölladyngja. The second nights accommodation is in Hotel Ki_agil. Day 3: After a hearty breakfast, you will continue to follow the river Skjálfandafljót, over a bridge at Stóruvellir to reach the other side of the valley. The location for the nights accommodation in Stóratunga will be reached in the early afternoon. It is located very near to the enormous lava field of Ódá_ahraun. It is believed that this lava field used to be the home of outlaws, elves and trolls. The horses will be left at Stórutunga, while you take a walk up to the dramatic waterfall Aldeyjarfoss. This fascinating waterfall has black basalt columns stretching tall behind the white waters that gush over it. Day 4: Today you will follow a route, which allows a closer look at the interesting landscape in this mysterious area. After breakfast, you begin by riding alongside the river of Skjáfandafljót to the waterfalls of Hrafnarbjörg and then on to the lava field of Su_urárhraun. The ride then continues over the river of Su_urá to Svartárkot. Svartárkot is the most northerly farmhouse in the valley and stands at the mouth of the Ódá_ahraun Lava field. The horses will spend the night at the farmhouse while the riders will be driven back to Stóratunga to spend the night. Day 5: After breakfast and meeting up with the horses at Svartárkot, the guides will lead down a path next to the river of Su_urá to reach Stóruflesja. Here, you will be able to marvel at the view of Her_ubrei, known as the Queen of the Icelandic mountains, and the volcano Dyngjufjöll. Following this, you will ride back to Svartárkot, and ride up towards the northeast. This stunning route takes you through breathtakingly constrasting scenery. To the right is Ódá_ahraun and the left the entrance to the highland Sprengisandur. The Ódá_ahraun lava field is the biggest lava field in Iceland covering over 4500 km2. You will be driven back for a meal and to sleep at Stóratunga. Day 6: You will be driven to Svartárkot, saddle up and ride in the direction of Baldursheimsheiði heath over moorland, along old sheep tracks and sandy paths to farmhouse Baldursheimur, where you leave the horses. Close to the farm they found one of the most important burial place of Iceland. Here they buried a man with his horse, his weapons and other extras. This discovery was the foundation-stone of the archeologic collection for the Icelandic National Museum. Today you have time to visit by bus the Pearls of the North like Dimmurborgir, the bizarre lavaformations, Hverarönd, the bubbling mud pools and Skutustaðir, the pseudocraters around lake Mývatn. Dinner and overnight close to Mývatn. Day 7: We leave the area of Mývatn and ride from Baldursheimur over sandy hills and nice riding tracks alongside Hrísheimarmelar direction lake Sandvatn to Engidalur. From here we have a tremendous view south to the highland and to the special formed table mountains Selljandafjall and Bláfjall. Both were formed during volcanic eruptions under ice. In the late afternoon we reach again Stóratunga. You say good bye to the horses and drive to Grýtubakki. On the way you have a look at the historic waterfall of Goðafoss. Dinner and overnight. Today will ride for about 6 hours in saddle. Day 8: After breakfast you will be taken back to Akureyri. The ride starting the 12th of July follows the above itinerary. However, the trails starting 3rd of July and the 20th of July start in Stóratunga and end in Fremstafell. |
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| Minimum group size: | 8 |
| Maximum group size: | 18 |
| Ability description: | Experienced riders |
| Type of ride: | Day long trails |
| Total riding time: | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Departure dates: | 3 -10 July, 12-19 July, 20-27 July |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |