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 In north-eastern Iceland, the
"Trails of the Deserted Inlets" extend over an area where coastal
mountains plunge abruptly into the sea. This isolated region is
considered to be the central province of "the Hidden People" - the
elves. The elf queen resides in her fortress at Álfaborg, near the
village of Bakkagerði in Eastern Borgarfjörður Bay, with its 130
inhabitants and thousands of puffins breeding in a sheltered rock just
outside the village.
The imposing colourful massif of the area displays the entire colour
spectrum of volcanic rocks of rhyolite. Underneath lies the ocean, with
the noise from crashing waves and the cries of thousands of nesting
seabirds – a truly stunning location. The ocean changes colours with its
moods - from the most exotic opal to turquoise to oil-black. Almost
systematically when the evening comes a lid of mist descends on the
landscape, adding to the mystery of the bright night.
You will be sure to bring home with you the memory of one of those
magical evenings around a bonfire on the inlet bank, a most serene
feeling in this extreme corner of the world. As nearby fulmars soar over
the surf, a curious seal comes for a glance. And on the mountain above
the cliffs, where the smoke of our fire meets the evening haze, the
invisible elves will be observing you.
We spend the days riding in the vicinity of Borgarfjörður – by many
considered to be one of Iceland’s most beautiful areas. Bird-watching is
a frequent pastime on our routes, and side-tracks take us to deserted
inlets that tell us the story of the past. You also have the advantage
of being in a group of maximum 12 guests. Our first and last night will
be spent at Útnyrðingsstaðir Farm, the home of our tour guide Stefán and
the other nights will be spent in a cosy private guesthouse in eastern
Borgarfjörður. Accommodation is in double rooms. Stefán has been running
tours in this region for 15 years and knows it better than most.
We will get to know the local people, their tradition and way of life,
and enjoy their hospitality, knowledge of the area and its culture and
their fresh local food. Meet them in their homes; listen to traditional
singing and local history. Share the Icelandic passion for life and land
– and feel that you are part of it all.
Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport – Hafnarfjörður -
Egilsstaðir
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to our Riding Centre where we invite you
to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive
details of your tour and meet your fellow riders. After the meeting we
transfer you to Reykjavík airport and you fly to Egilsstaðir in the
East, where our hosts will greet you.
Monday: Kóreksstaðir Farm – Borgarfjörður Eystri
After breakfast we drive to Kóreksstaðir Farm where we meet horses and
staff. After a short introduction we start our ride towards the ocean.
Do not be surprised to meet a herd of reindeers on your way. We stop in
Njarðvík Bay and continue through Njarðvíkurskriður to the beautiful
area Borgarfjörður Eystri. Here we stay for 4 nights in a private
guesthouse. (25 km)
Tuesday: Borgarfjörður Eystri – Höfn - Brúnavík
We start the day with a walk through the small village Bakkagerði which
features among other things; the well known stone-factory Álfasteinn,
the museum of Iceland’s most famous painter Kjarval and the residence of
the queen of the elves - the fortress Álfaborg. We saddle up and ride to
the beautiful harbor area. Here we visit a colony of 20.000 puffins or
more living in a sheltered rock. We continue through Hofstrandarskarð
mountain pass to Brúnavík bay and onto the beaches before we head home
through the valleys, Engidalur and Hrafndalur. After dinner we build a
bonfire by the ocean (weather permitting) and enjoy singing with our
hosts. (30 km)
Wednesday: Borgarfjörður – Breiðuvík - Hólaland
This will be an adventurous day when we ride over Gagnheiði highland
trail into the breathtaking area of Breiðuvík with black sandy beaches.
Here we spend some time, enjoying the smooth ground, perfect for riding
“tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. We continue to Hólaland
Farm where the horses stay behind and drive back to our overnight stay.
(35 km)
Thursday: Hólaland – Hvítserkur - Húsavík
After gathering our horses we ride across Húsavík heath to a deserted
bay, enjoying the endless variations of the Icelandic nature. On a clear
day we can enjoy a far reaching view over the eastern part of the
country. Our trail leads underneath the colorful mountain Hvítserkur, a
unique example of nature’s creativity. We enjoy some time in the area
before returning to Hólaland, choosing a different route this time. This
will be our last night at the guesthouse and our hosts invite us into
their home for dinner and a dip into their hot tub. Our guide Stefán
will without doubt take out his accordion and lead the singing. (30 km)
Friday: Hólaland - Kóreksstaðir - Útnyrðingsstaðir
Our last day of riding brings us along the mountains towering above
River Lagarfljót. We ride through green valleys, along bushy hillsides,
across glittering rivers and through Sandaskörð pass into the fertile
farmland. Our horses return to Kóreksstaðir Farm and we drive to
Útnyrðings¬staðir farm, where we spend the night. On our way to the farm
we stop at the Egilsstaðir swimming pool. (35 km)
Saturday: Útnyrðingsstaðir – Egilsstaðir – Reykjavík
Flight back to Reykjavík in the morning with arrival at approx. 10:30 at
Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Overnight stay in a hotel in Reykjavík.
Sunday: Departure from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.
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