Forces of Nature: Southern Route

Our ride starts in the beautiful and renowned Fljótshlíð area south-east of Hvolsvollur town and we ride alongside the Markarfljót glacier River up into the mountains. The tour starts strongly and from the first day in the saddle – we are surrounded by breathtaking landscape and scenery!

We are in ancient Viking country, home to one of our most renowned and tragic sagas, The Saga of Njáll.  Looking south on a bright day you can see the Westman Islands, home to some 4.300 people and one of Iceland´s largest puffin colony. We follow good riding tracks through black ash from Mt. Hekla’s past eruptions but Hekla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, as we venture out into the heart of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

 

We continue across the black sand desert Mælifellssandur and into lava fields originating from Laki’s craters during Skaftáreldar, a devastating eruption in the 18th century. About 135 craters erupted on a huge fissure and they covered the area with lava and the whole country with ashes for about two years. Animals succumbed to hunger or volcanic poisoning, a large part of the human population died and only 38.500 people survived the disaster. We spend a day close to Eldgjá, the biggest volcanic canyon in the world before returning home.

 

This tour is part of the ISHESTAR Special Tour Forces of Nature. You can decide to take the full experience on the round tour (9 riding days), or just the Southern route (4 riding days) or the Northern route (5 riding days).

This tour is operated by Kiddi and Birna.

FORCES OF NATURE: NORTHERN ROUTE

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1.690 €


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    DURATION

    4 days - 3 nights - 4 riding days

    RIDING SKILLS

    Advanced riders

    DEPARTURES

    Departure 2022: July 24-27

    WHAT IS INCLUDED

    Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.

    During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available on request when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

    Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

    Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

    ATTENTION

    Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

    Flight to and from Iceland is not included

    Children receive a 25% discount off the tour price.

    Tour Map

    DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

    Part one

    Day 1: Fljótshlið – Mosar  (ca. 35 km) Entering the highlands

    We follow the mighty Markarfljót River on the Western banks for about half of the day. Then our path leads us further into the mountains, around the Einhyrningur mountain. We meet Markarfljót again, crossing it this time (on a bridge) and enter the scenic Emstrur area. This grazing area in the highlands pleases our horses and we spend the night in a mountain cabin.

     

    Day 2: Around Mosar (ca. 25-35 km): Where the wild sheep roam

    We leave the herd behind and continue on individual horses to further explore this wonderful area some more. We ride into the beautiful Botnar valley and stop at a cave used in earlier times as a shelter for farmers when gathering their sheep. The highlight of this day will be looking down at the impressive Markafljotsglúfur, a gorge that is 200 meter deep. Before heading back to the cabin we stop at a hilltop and enjoy a great 360 degree view over the Southern highlands, including Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the notorious Katla crater.

     

    Day 3: Mosar – Lambaskarðshólar (60 km) Fire and Ice

    The longest day of our tour lies ahead of us. Our ride will take us North East, between Mýrdalsjökull and Torfajökull Glacier. We follow the Fjallabak Trail across Mælifellssandur, a black sand desert named after the prominent cone shaped volcano Mælifell that rises above the black sand and provides great contrast with its’ moss green slopes. We ride around it and turn North through the Álftavatnskrókur grazing area and past Lake Álftavatn. cross several small glacier fed rivers on our way to the cabin. Before reaching the cabin, we have to pass Ófæragíl, a  narrow canyon where the horses have to pass through one by one. We end our ride at Lambaskarðshólar cabin, close to River Skaftá. After this long riding day, the hot showers at the cabin will be highly appreciated (60 km).

     

    Day 4: Around Eldgjá – Exploring the Fire Canyon (ca. 30 km)

    After the long ride the day before, we start today a little bit later and leave the herd at home to rest. We will ride down to the banks of the glacier river Skaftá. Our ride will take us further North to the edge of Eldgjá, the “Fire canyon”. It is around 40 km long. ca. 270 metres deep at its deepest point and 600 metres wide at its widest point. The eruption at 939 AC released approximately 18 cubic kilometres of lava and caused a drop in temperature. The ash could be traced as far as Central Asia. We have a short break there with the opportunity to walk a bit into the canyon to see its dimensions.

     

    The riders that only take the 4 day tour will leave us after the ride.

    We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary

    This tour can be booked as a tour with 8 riding days, 4 riding days (part 1) or 5 riding days (part 2)

    USEFUL INFORMATION

    Terms & Conditions:
    If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested. Íshestar requests a confirmation payment upon booking of a minimum of 30% of the tour price. When the confirmation payment is received the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the tour departs.
    Children under 12 years receive a 25% discount on our multi-day tours.

     

    Liability:
    Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

    For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at ishestar@ishestar.is

    ACCOMMODATION

    Accommodation is in shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. We will be staying in the following cabins. Toilets and water are all cabins but showers can be limited.

    • Mosar
    • Lambskarðshólar