Day 1: On the traces of Games of Thrones
Today we arrive at Snæfellsnes around 12 pm. We have lunch and enjoy our free time until we get the horses saddled up for the first ride. We start single horse 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.
The timing of the ride around Kirkjufell depends on the tide. In some cases, we need to start the ride very early in the morning or we have to wait until the afternoon
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse
Riding distance: 15 km.
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 pass 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
Riding distance: 26 km.
Day 3. Between summit and sea: Around Bjarnarhafnarfjall back to Hraunsfjörður
We continue our ride from Bjarnarhöfn surrounded by mountains on one side and the sea on the other, riding on private land. On the way we enjoy the view of the islands of Breidafjörður venturing off the beaten path. Today we ride rather slowly due to rocky grounds and also to keep the sheep in the area calm. We will make our way towards Mjósund fjord and ride next to the first bridge that was built over a fjord in Iceland. After that we make our way back to Hraunsfjörður enjoying the spectacular views of lava fields covered in moss as well as impressive mountain ranges. When we return to Bjarnarhöfn, we can explore the shark museum and get to know everything about the Greenland shark and try the (in-)famous “hákarl”(a.k.a. fermented shark)
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse
Riding distance: 30 km
Day 4. Landing on the Moon: Ride to lake Selvallavatn
Dinner at Bjargarsteinn
Today's route leads us from Bjarnarhöfn on a marvelous lava trail called Berserkjargata where the two unruly Berserks are buried. We pass craters and ride on soft paths up to lake Selvallavatn, with a spectacular view of the colorful Berserk lava field and variably shaped landscape around. This lava field is around 4000 years old. On our way you spot a hidden waterfall; just another proof that this area is magical.. We continue our ride through the lava field and return to Bjarnahöfn. We head back to Grundarfjörður and have a dinner at Bjargarsteinn that is a local restaurant well known among Icelandic people.
Accommodation: Hellnafell Guesthouse
Riding distance: 25 km.
Day 5.
We return to Reykjavik in the morning.