TYPOLOGIES

classic

+ 2
DIFFICULTY

High

MIN. AGE

12 years

4.590 €

Attention advanced riders! If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure, join us for a tour on almost forgotten tracks where you'll discover new territory. This tour is designed specifically for experienced riders like you and you'll be riding with a group of fellow Ishestar riders. Get ready for an unforgettable experience and the chance to explore Iceland's stunning landscape in a whole new way.

BOOK NOW


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    Our ride starts in the beautiful and renowned Fljótshlíð area which is south-east of the town Hvolsvöllur and leads alongside Markarfljót River up into the mountains. Despite the fact that this is our first day in the saddle – please make sure you take a look around and enjoy the 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 climbing up into the mountains, as we venture out into the heart of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

    We continue across the black sand desert Mælifellssandur with it´s majestic mountain Mælifell 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. We spend a day close to Eldgjá, the biggest volcanic canyon in the world until we pass through the Northern Fjallabak and reach Landmannalaugar.

    There we leave our herd for a ride into the magical canyon Jökugil before we ride further to Landmannahellir, taking paths less travelled to avoid the "Highland-Highway-Traffic". Our way back towards the South will lead us over high mountains, through smoking valleys, alongside rivers and waterfalls.  On our last two days we ride through the lava fields of Hekla towards the mighty glacier river Þjorsá further in the West.

    This tour is operated by Kiddi and Birna and you can read more about it in our Blog

    DURATION

    10 nights - 10 riding days

    RIDING SKILLS

    Advanced riders, who have been riding with IISHESTAR before

    DEPARTURES

    Dates 2023: 14-24 August

    ACCOMMODATION

    Shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and sleeping bag accommodation during the ride. Accommodation after the tour are to be arranged individually.

    WHAT IS INCLUDED

    Return 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.

    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

    Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases

    Pack light because transport space is limited.

    Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour or rent one from us

    Day 1: Entering the Highlands: Fljótshlid – Mosar (ca. 35 km)

    Pick-up in Reykjavik in the morning and a 1,5 hour drive to our starting point in the historical Fljótshlíð area, where we meet staff and horses and start our ride alongside the Markarfljót River. We are riding past lucious farm land and waterfalls cascading down the slopes, Merkjáfoss (also known as Gluggafoss) being one of the most remarkable ones in this area. Since the early times of settlement this area has been proven to be fertile farmland and it was also the scene for the Saga of Njál one of the most famous sagas in Icelandic culture. We follow the Markafljót river upstream and ascend into the mountains, up the slope Þórolfsfell. From there we get  great views of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier and Thórsmörk Nature Park. 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: Where the wild sheep roam: Around Mosar (ca. 25-35 km):

    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: Fire and Ice: Mosar – Lambaskarðshólar (50 km)

    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. 20 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 cloud 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 it´s dimensions.

    Day 5:On the road to Nowhere: Lambaskarðshólar – Landmannalaugar (car transfer to Landmannahellir) (ca. 40 km)

    A long exciting day lies in front of us. We ride with our herd Northwards through the mountains, past the Eldgjá Canyon entering the Northern part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This is a mountainous region and we will navigate our way over and through the mountain ranges, crossing rivers until we reach the colourful geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. We leave the horses but will not spend the night here, instead drive to the more remote and serene cabin Landmannahellir.

    Day 6: The Kaleidoscope of Iceland´s colours: (car transfer to) Landmannalaugar – Jökugil - Landmannahellir (ca. 40 km)

    Today we drive back to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colourful mountains and lava from 1480. We spend the morning there with the opportunity to hike or take a dip in the pool or to go on the special ride further into Jökugil Canyon. For this ride we need to leave the herd behind while we venture further to explore. You will be riding through an area of outstanding beauty without the crowds from the Landmannalaugar area. After that de-tour we embark with our herd on the scenic ride returning to Landmannahellir. The colours change from the blue-yellow-reddish of the rhyolite mountain ranges of Landmannalaugar to the greenish black lava fields and unreal blue dotted lakes all in between. We cross rivers and lakes and pass through an obsidian field before arriving back in Landmannahellir.  This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour.

    Day 7: Through the Smokey Valley: Landmannahellir – Hungurfit (ca. 45 km)

    We start our day with a steep ascend into the mountains. When we reached Pokahryggur at about 1000 metre,, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Southern Highlands, with Torfajokull, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull in sight. From there we descend into Reykjadalur, a remote valley with hot springs, small geysers and colourful mountains. Our ride takes us past the black obsidian lava fields of Hrafntinnusker towards the prominent table mountain Laufafell, where a hidden waterfall provides the perfect backdrop for a break.  We are riding through a black lava desert and on the banks of the Eystri-Rangá river until we reach the cabin at Hungurfit, just North of Tindfjallajokull, our place for the night.

    Day 8: Winding down: Hungurfit – Foss (ca. 35 km)

    Our last riding day leads us further West, with the infamous Mt. Hekla volcano to our right side. Hekla is one of the most active and most feared volcano in Iceland, the lava fields in the South date back to the 12th century. Constant eruptions have not only destroyed human settlements throughout the centuries but also created fertile soil. Our ride takes us on the slopes of Tindfjallajökull  through lush farmland at the edge of lava fields and crossing the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá. For most parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt.  This is the perfect day to wind down and let all the impressions from the trip sink in. We end the ride of the day in Foss and drive back to the comfortable farmhouse Minnivellir for the night.

    Day 9: Foss - Rjupnavellir (ca. 35 km)

    After the breakfast we are driving to Foss where we start our riding day. We are riding towards Hekla now. We ride through lush green fields and cross the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá. For parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt. We leave the horses on a field in Rjupnavellir and drive back to
    Minnivellir for the night.

    Day 10:Rjupnavellir - Skafarnes - Minnivellir (ca. 35 km)

    On our last riding day we ride d around the big lava field ‘Merkurhraun’, that is about 6000-8000 years old and on the banks of the mighty glacier river Þjórsá. This is excellent riding territory and the horses will take us ´home´to Minnivellir on soft and even ground. There we can settle in for our farewell barbecue night.

    Day 11: Departure to Reykjavik after the breakfast

    Airport Transfer

    We recommend you to book with Airport Diorect as they offer the most frequent departures.

    Keflavik - Reykjavik (Bus hostel)

    Reykjavik (Bus hostel) - Keflavik

     

    Terms & Conditions:
    If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.

    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 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.

    • Fell
    • Mosar
    • Lambskarðshólar
    • Landmannahellir
    • Hungurfit
    • Foss