Tag 1: Auf den Spuren von ´"Games of Thrones"
Today we arrive at Snæfellsnes around 5 pm. We have dinner and enjoy our free time until we get the horses saddled up for the first ride. We start on a trail just outside of Grundarfjörður, a small beautiful town situated in the north of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We continue our ride towards Kirkjufell, the most distinct mountain in Iceland, considered one of the top 10 most beautiful mountains in the world, and yet most recognized as being “Arrowhead Mountain” on the TV series Game of Thrones. On the way we stop at the majestic waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, take a selfie and enjoy the pristine nature around us. Then the ride leads us to the roots of Mt Kirkjufell where we make our way around this unique natural wonder, riding on the beach and grassy fields, we might even experience the famous Icelandic midnight sun.
The timing of the ride around Kirkjufell depends on the tide. In this case, we need to start the ride rather late in the evening.
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse/Kirkjufell Oceanfront Guesthouse
Reitstrecke: ca. 15km
Day 2: Fjordhopping: Grundarfjörður- Kolgrafafjörður – Bjarnarhöfn
We start our ride into the mountains passing Grundarfjörður, following the old postal route towards Kolgrafarfjörður bay. We bring the herd with us today and ride through green grasslands and cross rocky grounds. We rest the horses at the foot of the mountain range Axarhamar, before we take the steep way up the mountain Tröllaháls. The ride leads into the beautiful Hraunsfjörður fjord where we ride past deserted farms and through the mystical Berserk lava, named after two unruly Berserks that were betrayed by an Icelandic farmer in the 10th century, and end our day at the farm Bjarnarhöfn.
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse/Kirkjufell Oceanfront Guesthouse
Reitstrecke: ca. 26 km
Day 3. Bjarnarhöfn - Berserk Lava and the old Berserk Road.
This day is dedicated to the old Berserk Road, escorting us through the mythical Berserk Lava Field. Here, we pause to marvel at the peculiar lava formations. Weather permitting, and if the lake “Selvallavatn” is compliant, we may diverge to a hidden waterfall nearby. The journey concludes along the enchanting Berserkjargata lava trail, the final resting place of the legendary Berserks, where we immerse ourselves in the sagas while riding with the herd. Back at Bjarnarhöfn, the day offers a cultural twist with a visit to the shark museum to delve into the world of the Greenland shark and perhaps daring to sample “hákarl,” the notorious fermented shark.
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse/Kirkjufell Oceanfront Guesthouse
Riding distance 22 km.
Day 4. In the steps of the giantess: Ride over the Snæfellsnes mountains following Kerlingarskarð.
Today's route leads us from Bjarnarhöfn again to the old Berserkjargata. We pass craters and abandoned cottages and ride on soft paths up to Lake Selvallavatn, with a spectacular view of the colorful 4000-year-old Berserk lava field and variably shaped landscape around. We continue with our journey, making our way towards the mountain pass of Kerlingarskarð, once a well-trodden postal route. This pass takes its name from a rock formation known as "kerling," which, according to local legend, is a giantess turned to stone. The story says that this giantess was heading home with fish from the lake when the morning sun caught her, transforming her and her string of trout into a permanent stone fixture. This landmark, which has long been passed over by cars, now offers a path less traveled, allowing our horses to roam freely. We spend most of our day riding through the mountain pass and will end on the south side of Snæfellsnes.
Accommodation: Stóri Kálfalækur Farm
Reitstrecke: ca. 35km
Day 5. Return to Reykjavik
After breakfast we say our goodbyes to the horses and drive back to Reykjavik.
