Highland Ride South Iceland 2024
In the realm of the volcano Hekla
5 days riding with a small group (10-14 participants) 5 days / 5 nights
Dates:
Ride 1: Arrival July 9 (fully booked)
Ride 2: Arrival August 4
This year we are organising a ride to the very familiar area around the impressive volcano Hekla. The varied landscape in the South Icelandic highlands, the Thjórsárdalur valley and on the banks of the glacier river Thjórsá is one of our favourite areas. The tour is used with Dúna organised by Húsatóftir Farm. For 30 years she has been offering highland rides under the name of Land og Hestar and we have often worked with her. We charge 2-3 horses per rider and will therefore have a herd of free-roaming horses with us to swap along the way. An unforgettable experience!
Arrival days: Ride 1: July 9 and ride 2: August 4 (Pick up from bus terminal BSI in Reykjavík at 6 pm)
Departure days: Ride 1: July 14 and ride 2: August 9 late in the evening or the next day with an extra night in Reykjavik. Calculated arrival in Reykjavik on the last evening is approx. 6 pm.
Please inform us about your arrival time!
Tour description
Day 1 - Reykjavík - Húsatóftir
The journey to Iceland is individual. We pick up the participants at 18.00 from the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik and drive to the farm Húsatóftir (approx. 1.5 h driving time), where Dúna welcomes us.ßt. After a delicious dinner we get information about the next days. Overnight stay in the guesthouse Hestakráin.
Day 2 - Húsatóftir - Laxárdalur
After getting to know the horses, the tour begins with a ride across wide plains to the mighty glacier river Thjórsá, which at 230 km is the longest river in Iceland. We ride along the grassy banks on soft paths that invite a brisk tölt to the old showground Murneyri, where we change horses. We then continue to the Stóru-Laxá river and along the banks up into the green hills of the picturesque Laxárdalur valley, where the horses stay. Dinner and overnight in Hestakráin.
Day 3 - Laxárdalur - Hallarmúli
We ride from Laxárdalur farm up into the mountains, into the highlands, to the Hallarmúli hut. The landscape is varied - barren highlands interspersed with green areas adorned with cotton grass and other highland plants. We spend the night in the simple but cosy shaft driver's hut (bunk beds in a common room), far away from civilization.
Day 4 - Hallarmúli - Klettur
We ride further into the highlands. In this area we come across sheep that the local farmers are allowed to graze up there in the summer. Our destination is the remote valley with the Klettur cliff and a small mountain hut. There are several ways to get there. We choose the most beautiful route depending on the weather. In any case, we first ride through the Tjórsárdalur valley, which was covered in ash when the famous volcano Hekla erupted in 1104. From the edge of the mountain we have a wonderful view of Hekla, the volcanic mountains in the highlands and the glaciers in good weather. The route leads past the geothermal area of Reykholt and across wide, sandy plains to Stöng, a Viking farm excavated from volcanic ash. We visit the farm and ride on through a barren landscape to the unique natural oasis of Gjáin, a small valley with surprisingly diverse vegetation and many small waterfalls. We spend the night in the simple but cozy shaft driver's hut (bunk beds in the common room).
Day 5 - Klettur - Fossnes
We leave Klettur and ride along the slopes of Fagraskógahlíðar and down through sandy areas into the forest area of Thjórsárdalur valley, where reforestation has been going on since 1930. On soft sandy paths we ride at a brisk pace through the forest to the viewpoint Gaukshöfði, where we once again enjoy the view of the mighty glacier river, Hekla and the highlands.ßcan. The last stage takes us along the Thjórsá to the Fossnes farm where we spend the night. In the evening we can relax in the warm pool.
Day 6 - Fossnes - Húsatóftir - Reykjavik
From Fossnes we ride back to the banks of the river Þjórsá to the farm Húsatóftir. After a light dinner we return to Reykjavik by bus. Estimated arrival 6 pm.
We are happy to help with booking for those who would like to stay an extra night in Reykjavík.
Price: EUR 2,050* - deposit EUR 300
Payment info:
IBAN: IS15 0325387101234902091070, |
SWIFT (BIC): ESJAISRE (Arion Bank) |
Payment to: Klettahlid ehf, Klettholt, 803 Selfoss
Please state your name - especially if the transfer is sent from another name!
Included in the price:
- Horses with equipment.
- 5 days riding.
- 5 nights (2 nights in a double room, 3 nights sleeping bag accommodation in the common room in 2 mountain huts and 1 farm).
- Full board (breakfast, dinner and picnic) during the tour (light dinner on the last day).
- Transfer from and to Reykjavik (airport transfer from airport to Reykjavík is not included).
*Price subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations or number of participants: We reserve the right to change the price if the EUR / ISK exchange rate falls below 130 (1 EUR = 130 ISK). If this limit is reached, we will inform you and you will have the opportunity to pay early. These measures allow us to lower the price. We also reserve the right to adjust the price if there are fewer than 9 participants.
Please note: We reserve the right to make changes to the program, e.g. due to unfavourable weather conditions.
You can find the packing list and important information here!