Autumn Highlands Round-Up in Northwest Iceland

Great authentic experience! We ride from Kárdalstunga and into the Highlands with a stunning view of the glaciers. We will meet sheep farmers on their way back to civilization after many days in the saddle, herd a big flock of sheep. 

It is for sure a unique sight to witness 14 thousand sheep on their way back home after spending the summer up in the highland followed by over 30 shepherds with 100 horses!  You can feel the joy and the excitement as this is their last day and everyone is on their way back home.  

We end our day in the Auðkúlurétt corral where we leave the sheep and horses and go back to Haukur's Farm and continue our singing. (8 – 9 hours)

We drive from the farm to Auðkúlurétt Corrall where a number of people have shown up to help the farmers sorting out their sheep. We can also give a helping hand to Haukur´s grandfather, who is 86 years old and a sheep/horse farmer at Röðull farm.

Auðkúlurétt is the largest Sheep corral in Iceland (and possibly in the world) with up to 14,000 sheep. This is also where you can get really deep into the Icelandic culture and it does not get more authentic than this! 

When our job is done at the corral we continue with our riding tour. We ride from the farm, Reykir, across lake Húnavatn. We also look at the remarkable stone church at Þingeyrar built in 1877. After this cultural stop, we continue our ride on lowland countryside to Sveinsstadir farm where the horses rest overnight. (6 – 7 hours)

Optional (not included in the tour price): ”Réttardansleikur” dance at a nearby community center, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful roundup. On special occasions like this, our guide and farmer, Haukur, put his best dancing shoes on!

Today is our last riding day and of course, we finish the tour in style! We ride from Sveinsstadir towards Lake Hóp (one of the biggest lake in Iceland).  On our way we pass the historical place, Þrístapar, where the last execution in Iceland took place in 1830. Haukur will tell us the dramatic story which will leave no one untouched. 

We then ride alongside the lagoon Hóp. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse as well as feeling the joy in the horses when they are running in the shallow water. The lake is a reservoir (lagoon) because it is connected with these. The view and the movement of the horses give us an unparalleled sense of freedom. 

We spend the last evening at the farm enjoying good food and of course, we sing along and share entertaining stories of men and horses. (6 – 7 hours)

Breakfast will be served and after we say goodbye the bus will take us back to Reykjavík BSÍ.