Horseback riding in Iceland Shorts, Iceland

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- Horse Round Up in Iceland
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Equestrian tours in Iceland, Iceland Shorts
Horse Round Up in Iceland


Itinerary for Horse Round Up in Iceland



Sample Itinerary: Skrapatungurétt Horse Round-Up - subject to changes

Day 1 (Thursday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up between 07:30 - 08:30 am from pick up points in Reykjavik (www.busstop.is). Please be ready at the earliest pick up time and be ready in your riding clothes. Transfer by bus to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. On our way to the north we visit a factory outlet for woollen goods.
We start our ride in Vatnsdalur valley, a beautiful valley that is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. The horses rest close to Stóra - Giljá Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm, home of our host Haukur, for our overnight stay.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 2 (Friday): Stóra-Giljá Farm to Björnsólfsstaðir Farm
After rejoing with our horses, we start our ride along the shore of Lake Húnavatn, following the expensive salmon fishing river Laxá á Ásumm on our way to Blönduós village. Here, we cross the glacier fed river Blanda on a bridge and continue to Björnsólfsstaðir Farm in Langadalur valley. This farm belongs to Haukur’s grandfather who is known for his storytelling and warm personality.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 3 (Saturday): Gathering horses in Skrapatungurétt
We meet up with our horses again at Farm Strjúgsstaðir. Today we meet the farmers coming down from the mountains where they already spent some time gathering the horses in their summer pastures. Hundreds of horses are coming down from the highlands and we participate in herding them to the round up place: Skrapatungurétt. Join in the singing of the farmers, celebrating this great event of the fall during this long riding day.
Riding approx. 45 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Optional (not included in the tour price):
"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Blönduós, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.

Day 4 (Sunday): Sorting of the horses and driving the herds to their home pastures
Our day starts at the round up place Skrapatungurétt where horses are sorted out. Experience the excitement and view beautiful horses while joining in this great event. When the horses are sorted, we participate in returning some of them to their meadows at their home farms. Dinner at Hvammur Farm and time to share our personal experience on this riding adventure with our fellow riders.
Riding approx. 25 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 5 (Monday): Departure
Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival in Reykjavik for 1:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Víðidalstungurétt Horse Round-Up - subject to changes

Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up between 07:30 – 08:30 am from pick up points in Reykjavik (www.busstop.is). Please be ready in your riding clothes. Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley, a beautiful valley that is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsá before crossing over to the western side of the valley. Our ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay.
Riding approx. 25 km
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 2 (Thursday): Sveinsstaðir Farm to Dæli Farm 
This long and exciting riding day. We go alongside the Hóp lagoon and across the Gljúfurá River, through the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. We follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Farm where we will leave the horses. We return to Hvammur farm for our overnight stay. The outdoor hot tub is waiting, as well as a hearty dinner.
Riding approx. 40 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 3 (Friday): Gathering the horses at Víðidalstungheiði
Today, we ascend towards the highland plateau (Víðidalstunguheiði) and meet the horses coming down from their pastures into the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before we join the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments.
Riding approx. 32 km (8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 4 (Saturday): Víðidalstungurétt Horse Round Up
Our day starts at the round up place, Víðidalstungurétt, where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses.
In the afternoon, we join up with our horses close to Borgarvirki and ride towards Lake Hóp. Feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. Our trail leads us right across Lake Hóp, Iceland’s fifth biggest lake, on a safe track across the water. We ride past Thingeyrar, a place of great historic importance and into Vatnsdalur valley. It is time to say goodbye to the horses.
Riding approx. 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Optional (not included in the tour price):
"Stóðréttardansleikur" dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful round up.

Day 5 (Sunday): Departure
Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at Reykjavik for 2:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: Laufskálarétt Horse Round-Up - subject to changes

Day 1 (Thursday): Arrival & Introductory Ride
Pick up between 07:30 – 08:30 am from pick up points in Reykjavik (www.busstop.is). Please be ready in your riding clothes. Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides.
On this exciting day, we will ride by Lake Hóp, in a very beautiful area. We will pass the place where the dramatic story of the last execution in Iceland took place and was made famous in the bestseller book “Burial rights”. We cross the rivers Gljúfurá and Víðidalsá on our way to our friends' farm Stóra Borg where we leave the horses for the night.
On our way back home, we will visit Borgarvirki, an old basaltic cliff which was used as a fortification by Vikings.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 2 (Friday): Lake Hóp crossing
Today our path leads us to the cliffs of Nesbjörg and to a place called Vaðhvammur. This is where we enter the lake Hóp to cross it. It is an extraordinary experience to glide through the biggest lake of Iceland on the back of a horse. The horses are very happy running in the shallow water with the tight sand underneath. For sure one of the most special horse tracks in Iceland.
The horses then rest on the fields of Þingeyrar farm while we go together to the horse show in Skagafjörður. The locals and special guests entertain us by showing their best horses for competition and breeding as well as singing and having fun.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 3 (Saturday): Round Up
Now it is time for the round up action at Laufskálarétt in Skagafjörður, close to the Hólar the University of horsemanship. When we arrive, we saddle up and ride with the farmers to witness the free running horses being gathered from their summer pastures in the beautiful mountain area and the deserted valley Kolbeinsdalur.
We visit Laufskálarétt (the round up) where the mares, foals and youngsters are sorted by their owners and brought home to the farms for the winter. The roundup is a festival for the farmer and their families as well as the many guests that visit the event. Some of the best breeding farms of Iceland have their horses at Laufskálarétt and some are offering horses for sale. Tonight, we enjoy the evening together with great traditional lamb meat, stories and singing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 4 (Sunday): Ride to Hvammur Farm
Today, we will meet our horses at Þingeyrar and ride home to Hvammur farm with our herd, through the hills of Vatnsdalur. Perhaps we will make a stop by our friend Dóra who is an artist on the farm Vatnsdalshólar.
We cross the river Vatnsdalsá and enjoy the ride on our happy horses on the riverbanks.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Farm


Day 5 (Monday): Departure
Departure from Hvammur after breakfast. Drop off in Reykjavík at BSÍ. Arrival Approx. 14 in Reykjavík.
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Horse Round Up in Iceland
Tour Code: IT-ICRT24
5 days / 4 nights
Dates : September/October

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Basic
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
B 2024 09/12 - 09/16 5d / 4n 5 day trip, Skrapatungurétt 8 /20 Reserve
C 2024 09/26 - 09/30 5d / 4n 5 day trip, Laufskálaréttir 8 /20 Reserve
A 2024 10/02 - 10/06 5d / 4n 5 day trip, Víðidalstungurét... 8 /20 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Icelandic
Horses: Icelandic
Pace: Daily rides are 4-6 hours - Approx 120...

Airport: Keflavik Airport
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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