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 The
Snćfellsnes peninsula is named after the glacier covered cone volcano
Snćfellsjökull, one of the most characteristic sights in Iceland which
was recently designated a National Park. Its mystic atmosphere has been
described in words and written language and became famous through Jules
Verne´s novel “A journey to the centre of Earth”!
The area is home to
elves and trolls. Many of the famous Sagas origin from this spectacular
area. Rich bird life attracts visitors from all over the world.
Snćfellsnes itself is often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of
its extreme diversity of landscape.
Ride through mighty lava fields,
craters and ashes of ancient eruptions and enjoy wide-open stretches of
light-coloured sand on the beaches where only the tide sets a limit to
the freedom of horses and riders.
Our hosts, Sigurđur (Siggi) and Ólöf
are proud of their large selection of well trained horses. Whether you
like the easy going horse or a more spirited one, you can be sure to
find the right horse to suite your liking.
We have now upgraded this
tour to overnight stay in made up beds and at the
farm Stóri-Kálfalćkur you can now enjoy the comfort of an outside hot
tub.
Itinerary
Day 1
: Arrival in
Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík
Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At 17:30 we invite you to a
Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of
your tour and meet your fellow riders.
Day 2
: 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. (5 - 6 hours)
Day 3
: 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. (5 - 6
hours)
Day 4
: 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. (7 - 8 hours)
Day 5
: 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. (6 - 7 hours)
Optional (available at an
extra charge):
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! (Price per person: ISK 2.500)
Day 6
: 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. (6 – 7 hours)
Day 7
: 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. (5 – 6 hours)
Day 8
:
Stóri-Kálfalćkur – Reykjavík
Transfer back to Reykjavík
for an overnight stay in a guesthouse. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at
11:00.
Day 9
: Dep. from
Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík
Airport in time for the flight back home.
Please note that the
beach ride is determined by the tide. Therefore the riding can start at
any hour of the day and even last into the night. Don't worry though,
the nights are bright at this time of the year.
Important: Knee-high (rubber) boots are necessary for this tour, since
we cross many rivers (all very easy and calm) and even ride into the
sea!
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