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The national park of Snćfellsnes Peninsula
is where you find one of the most recognized
sights in Iceland; the glacier covered cone
volcano Snćfellsjökull. Its mythical
atmosphere became famous through Jules
Verne’s novel “Journey to the Centre of the
Earth”. Many of the famous Sagas unfolded in
this spectacular area; a home to elves,
trolls and ancient sorcerers. Today rich
bird life attracts visitors from all over
the world. The peninsula itself is often
called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of
its diversity of landscape.
We ride through mighty lava fields,
craters and ashes of ancient eruptions
enjoying wide-open stretches of
light-coloured sand on the beaches where
only the tide sets a limit to the freedom of
horses and riders. Hítardalur Valley comes
as a surprise with multicoloured mountains.
Majestic Snćfellsjökull rises ahead of us
when we traverse the beach on a traditional
trail only known by the locals. Crater Eldborg is a landmark, where the light sand
turns black once you reach its lava field.
On our last riding day we follow the
outskirts of the lava flow along the shore
before we return the horses to the farm.
Whether you like an easy-going horse or a
more spirited one, you can be sure to find
the right horses to suit your liking.
Experiencing “tölt”, the unique gait of the
Icelandic horse is made easy for you since
we follow good riding tracks on land. The
smooth sand of the beach makes this tour a
delight for both horses and riders.
Stóri-Kálfalćkur Farm offers cosy rooms
and a warm outdoor tub where we can relax
after an exciting riding day. Accommodation
is in beds in shared rooms. We spend two
nights at different locations in sleeping
bag accommodation. Enjoy not having to pack
and unpack every day yet experience a
challenging ride herding free running horses
alongside.
Day 1 Saturday:
Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport -
Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a
guesthouse in Reykjavík. We invite you to a
Welcome Meeting including traditional
Icelandic soup. Receive details of your tour
and meet your fellow riders.
Day 2 Sunday:
Reykjavík – Stóri-Kálfalćkur – Grímsstađir
Morning transfer to Stóri-Kálfalćkur Farm,
where horses and staff are waiting for us.
After an introduction to the Icelandic horse
and its special gaits we start our ride into
the mountains through fertile farmlands and
along good riding tracks to Grímsstađir Farm
with its proud history dating back to
medieval times. Overnight at
Stóri-Kálfalćkur in made up beds, Showers
and a hot tub on site. (30 km)
Day 3 Monday:
Grímsstađir – Hítarhólmur
The ride today leads through multi-coloured
mountains and along low bushy hillsides.
Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast
lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and
the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give
you the impression of taking a ride on the
moon! We leave the horses at the Hítarhólmur
mountain and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalćkur,
where the hot tub is waiting. (30 km)
Day 4 Tuesday:
Hítarhólmur – Kolviđarnes – Laugagerđi
Schoolhouse
We continue our ride through this mystical
volcanic valley. We stop at the sheep
gathering place Hítardalsrétt and if you
take a good look you can see the troll woman
Hít who was turned into stone returning late
from a date. We proceed west across Hítará
River and travel trough an area well known
as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous
outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviđarnes Farm we
leave the horses and spend the night at
Laugagerđi Schoolhouse where a swimming pool
heated with geothermal water awaits us. (45
km)
Day 5 Wednesday:
Laugagerđi Schoolhouse – Trađir – Hof Farm
After rejoining the horses we start our
beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse
trail on the seashores of the Snćfellsnes
peninsula. View majestic Snćfellsjökull
Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’
excitement and take part in their joy on
this extraordinary trail released by the
tide. Our horses spend the night at Trađir
Farm while we stay at Hof Farm with a
geothermal hot tub on site. (40 km)
Optional Tour paid locally
Price per person approximately $48
Drive along the coast towards the romantic
fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar.
Here we are right underneath magical Mt.
Snćfellsjökull. Visit the Information center
of the Snćfellsnes National Park and learn
about its mysterious powers. View beautiful
bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by
powerful waves. Meet giant Bárđur Snćfellsás
and hear about historic celebrities like the
far travelled Guđríđur Ţorbjarnadóttir and
mass murderer Axlar Björn!
Day 6 Thursday: Hof
– Trađir – Kolviđarnes – Stóri-Kálfalćkur
Another day´s ride on the yellow coloured,
sandy beach. Direction changes and we head
back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava
field. An unique experience for everyone
with lava-fields and mountains on one side
of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the
other. We leave the horses at Kolviđarnes
Farm and drive to Stóri-Kálfalćkur, where we
spend the last two nights. (40 km)
Day 7 Friday:
Kolviđarnes – Stóri-Kálfalćkur Farm
Last day on the beach and yet a new
experience. The sand turns black as we
follow the outline of Eldborgarhraun lava
field. Imagine the black lava still on the
move on your way back to dry land. The ride
ends at Stóri-Kálfalćkur Farm, where we
enjoy Ólöf’s farewell dinner. (30 km)
Day 8 Saturday:
Stóri-Kálfalćkur – Reykjavík
Transfer back to Reykjavík for an overnight
stay in a guesthouse. Approx. arrival in
Reykjavík at 11:00.
Day 9 Sunday: Dep.
from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time
for the flight back home.
Knee-high rubber boots are recommended
for the beach ride! |
