Around the Volcano & Beach Ride

After an early lunch, we follow the old route from Hveragerdi to Hellisheidi. After reaching the moor, we continue to the Hengill volcano along the Kristnitökuhraun lava field. This lava came from the eruption of Hengill in the year 1000, the same year Iceland officially became Christian. The old folktales say that the eruption was the revenge of the old gods Thór, Ódinn and Freyr. 

We continue on the track between lava and hills down to Kolvidarhóll, where people have stopped to rest for hundreds of years. We spend the night at the farm Vellir.

Riding time and distance: 21 km and 4 hrs.

We continue North below the Húsmúli and Hengill mountains. We dismount and lead the horses through a narrow cleft to Marardalur (Valley of Horses). We ride through Dyrfjöll (Door-Mountains), and when we reach the mountaintop we have a view over Lake Thingvallavatn. The lake is by the cleft where Icelanders had their democratic meetings called Althing for hundreds of years. The track continues to Nesjavellir, where the tour ends. We will drive the horses and participants to Vellir for overnight.

Riding time and distance: 30 km, 6-7 hrs.

We first ride along the slopes of Reykjafjall mountain and continue on nice riding trails surrounding the small village Hveragerði. The path then takes us through a green forest to a colorful geothermal valley with hot springs, an area which expanded dramatically during an earthquake in 2008. 

On our way towards the green hills surrounding the volcano Hengill we have good opportunity to try the “tölt”, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. The horses then take us on a leisurely pace following narrow trails up into the valley Reykjadalur. On the way, we encounter the captivating Djúpagilsfoss waterfall and several hot springs before arriving at the Reykjadalur valley. Here, a warm stream invites us to enjoy a soothing bath. As we journey back down the valley, we're treated to captivating panoramas, including the village of Hveragerði, picturesque farmland, and even the possibility of spotting the Westman Islands along the coastline, if the weather permits. 

Riding time and distance: 19 km, 5 -6 hrs.

We follow the scenic beach along the surf of the North Atlantic for a few kilometers, riding on soft black lava sand until we reach the beautiful area where the mighty glacial river Ölfusá meets the sea in a large delta. We then continue through shallow water at the edge of the river delta and ride on grassy river banks, along wetlands and meadows towards the farmland in the Ölfus area, where our farm Vellir is located. On our way we have plenty of opportunity to try the smooth gait of the Icelandic horse “tölt” on nice trails in beautiful scenery which seems to be far from civilization, and enjoy spectacular views of mountains. The tour can also start at Vellir and end at Thorlákshöfn, depending on tides. After a short stop at the farm the bus takes you to Reykjavik, where the tour ends (around 17:30).

Riding time and distance: 25 km, 5-6 hours.