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Overview

These rides, in the north of the island, are designed to follow the ancient riding trails that have served people travelling across the country ever since the settlements of Iceland. Travelling together through often challenging Icelandic terrain and experiencing all the wonders the country's r…

Highlights

  • Riding Icelandic Horses
  • Wilderness Riding in Iceland
  • Riding with Northern Lights
  • Mountain riding
  • Nordic culture

Essential Facts

  • 2 itineraries available
  • £985 $1330 €1130 - £1315 $1775 €1510 per person
  • Max 8 riders per group
  • Average of 3 - 4 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 90kg

Description

These rides, in the north of the island, are designed to follow the ancient riding trails that have served people travelling across the country ever since the settlements of Iceland.

Travelling together through often challenging Icelandic terrain and experiencing all the wonders the country's rugged landscapes have to offer is a unique experience.

These short break rides are based at Saltvík farm, surrounded by their Icelandic trail horses, who live outside in a big herd during the winter.

Horses & Riding

Tack

Simple bridles with a separate, low noseband are used on these rides. All the horses are ridden in a snaffle bit.

The saddles are Icelandic. This resembles an english dressage saddle, but with a more open/flat seat. Before the first ride, everyone chooses a saddle and rides in this saddle the whole week.

Horses

You will ride Icelandic horses known for their stamina and hardiness. In general, you’ll get to ride at least 2 horses a day. The main guide will choose you a horse for every ride.

Riding

There are 2 itineraries:

  • Saltvik Comfort Short Break is a based ride
  • Northern Lights Short Break is a based ride

Ages

Min. 10 years

Weight

90kg

Food & Accommodation

Food

Every tour has a cook who prepares the dinner and sets the breakfast buffet. Your lunch you’ll make every morning from the breakfast table. Your hosts will provide lunchboxes and water bottles (and saddle bags to bring your lunch with you on your horse).
Before the first ride on the first day, you will meet the cook on your tour. It is always good to discuss special wishes and/or allergies with the cook right then as well, so he/she can make sure to take care of the right meals for you. Most diets can be accommodated with prior notice so ideally specify well in advance.
Coffee and hot water for tea will be available at the accommodation. After the rides the cook often treats guests with some biscuits or sometimes cake.
Water is drinkable from the tap in Iceland.
Other drinks and snacks you’ll have to bring/buy yourself. There is usually beer (in cans) and sometimes wine for sale after the riding day. If you’d like some other alcoholic beverages for the evenings after a nice day of riding, it is by far easiest and cheapest to buy them tax free at the airport upon arrival in Iceland. It is clearly signposted.

Accommodation

During the winter tours and the Saltvík Comfort tours, guests stay at the new guesthouse at Saltvík farm. These rooms have private bathrooms and made up beds.
Outside there are 2 hot-tubs for relaxing after riding. Next to the hot-tubs is a bathhouse with a changing room and showers.

Itineraries

Saltvik Comfort Short Break Standard accommodation.

Northern Lights Short Break Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Examples of possible sightseeing activities:
– Whale watching tours from Husavik (5 km distance from Saltvík farm)
– Sightseeing tours to Lake Mývatn (30 km / 30 min drive away)
– Ásbyrgi canyon – the hoofprint of the 8legged horse Sleipnir (40 min drive)
– The mighty and beautiful waterfalls Goðafoss and Dettifoss are less than an hour drive away

Travel

Guests will be met at Akureyri, a short internal flight from the capital Reykjavik. Please note that flights to Akureyri depart from Reykjavik's domestic airport (RKV), which is in a separate location to the international Keflavik Airport (KEF). The flybus regularly runs between the two.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Arrive Akureyri airport in time for a 9am collection and then back to the farm (about a 1hr drive) to settle in, meet the horses and enjoy an introductory ride.

Days 2 to 3

Riding: 3 hours

The trails in the countryside of the north around Saltvík farm are extremely dramatic and varied. You will ride along the beaches of black, volcanic sand and along rugged cliffs with your sure-footed Icelandic horse effortlessly traversing the wild landscape. In contrast riders will also ride up to the heathlands of the northern farmlands with fantastic views out to the arctic circle and the volcanic landscapes of the north. There is a possibility to cross a river on horseback as well as riding to view the spectacular waterfalls of “Æðarfossar” at just a few meters distance.

Combine the riding with additional non-riding activities in the area (additional cost) -
Examples of possible sightseeing activities:
– Whale watching tours from Husavik (5 km distance from Saltvík farm)
– Sightseeing tours to Lake Mývatn (30 km / 30 min drive away)
– Ásbyrgi Canyon – the hoofprint of the 8-legged horse Sleipnir (40 min drive)
– The mighty and beautiful waterfalls Goðafoss and Dettifoss are less than an hour drive away

Day 4

Riding: No riding.

Departure to Akureyri after breakfast

Accommodation

Basic but comfortable rooms in the farmhouse with private bathrooms.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Riders able to walk, trot and canter, who are open to learning the tolt gait. Moderate fitness is beneficial.
Minimum group size 5
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

April 15, 2026 - April 18, 2026

May 2, 2026 - May 5, 2026

June 10, 2026 - June 13, 2026

July 12, 2026 - July 15, 2026

Aug. 9, 2026 - Aug. 12, 2026  (Extra Nights Available for Viewing Solar Eclipse)

Aug. 23, 2026 - Aug. 26, 2026

Pricing

2025
Child 10-15 yrs accompanied by an adult.		 £985 $1330 €1130
2026 £1315 $1775 €1510
Included 3 nights shared accommodation, meals, riding, raingear and helmets.
Not included Flights, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks.

Extras

2026 - Single Supplement £87 $118 €100 per night per person
Paid to Far and Ride
Depending on availability it is possible to book a single room. Please contact us to check availability & book your single room
2025 - Child Discount 25% discount for 10-15yr olds sharing with a Riding Adult
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1

Riding: 3 hours

The tour starts in the morning of Day 1 with a pick up from Akureyri at 9 am. You will then be driven to the farm (about a 1hr drive) to settle in, meet the horses and enjoy an introductory ride.

Days 2 to 3

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

On this short break you will spend your days riding the trails in the wild landscapes around farm as well as taking a sightseeing trip to the mighty Goðafoss (waterfall of the Gods) and possibly lake Mývatn area. Hours in the saddle are 3-5 hours per day, mostly divided in 2 separate rides with lunch at the farm in between. You will also visit the newly established geothermal bath “Geosea” in Husavík for some well-deserved relaxation after riding activities.
Optional, at extra cost, is also a sailing trip from Husavík harbour either for whale watching or even for the hunt for northern lights out in the peace and quiet of the arctic sea! There is a good chance you will see the Northern Lights in action in the Arctic sky above north Iceland during the winter seasons. We will do our best to find the best possibilities in the area for watching the Northern Lights when they show up in the evening!

Day 4

Riding: No riding.

On Day 4, the drop off in Akureyri will be around 10 am, but can be moved forward up to 07:30 (in that case for the whole group) in case participants have booked an early flight.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in double rooms with private facilities at the farm.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Ability to control the horse at all paces and in the open country. It is a great advantage if you are a proficient rider and a moderate level of fitness.
Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

March 5, 2026 - March 8, 2026

March 11, 2026 - March 14, 2026

March 18, 2026 - March 21, 2026

Pricing

2026 £1220 $1645 €1400
Included 3 nights shared accommodation, meals, riding, return Akureyri airport transfers (at set times), raingear, and helmets.
Not included Flights, alcoholic drinks, travel insurance.

Extras

2026 - Single Supplement £79 $106 €90 per night per person
Paid to Far and Ride
Single rooms can be booked at an extra cost depending on availability. Please contact us for availability if you’d like to book a single room.
2026 - Child Discount 25% discount for 10-15yr olds sharing with a Riding Adult
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.