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Kjolur Ride - Between the Glaciers


Itinerary for Kjolur Ride - Between the Glaciers




Sample Itinerary (North to South) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik or at one of Reykjavik's official bus stops near your accommodation (see: www.busstop.is) around 6:00pm. Our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Hvammur farm in northern Iceland where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm


Day 2 (Sunday): Hvammur to Forsæludalur Farm
Today is our first riding day. Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur, we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge and love. The horses stay at Forsæludalur farm which is the last farm in the valley before we enter the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse, where the hot tub offers a nice relaxation after today's ride.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur farm


Day 3 (Monday): Forsæludalur Farm to Áfangi Mountain Cabin
As we ride up the valley, the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears with some its numerous waterfalls. Today, we go uphill to the mountain plateau Auðkúluheiði . The fertile valley with its farms is left behind as our horses run freely over the soft riding paths of the northern highland. We enjoy the splendid view over the impressive highland mountains and glaciers around us. We stay overnight at the mountain cabin Áfangi, beside the huge man-made lake Blöndulón.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Áfangi Mountain Cabin


Day 4 (Tuesday): Áfangi Mountain Cabin to Hveravellir Geothermal Area
On today's ride, we pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell. It is easy to see that we follow a historical route. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. Our route leads us further to the south over the beautiful river Seyðisá. The horses run happy with us on the soft paths of this free and mystical highland area. The destination of today's ride is Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Here, in this rough but extremely beautiful nature, the most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. A natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hveravellir Mountain Hut


Day 5 (Wednesday): Hveravellir to Árbúðir Mountain Cabin
We start the day by riding through the Valley of Thieves (called Thjófadalir), a remote grassy valley surrounded by high mountains. From the entrance of the valley, we have a splendid view over the fertile landscape. Our ride leads along the vast lava fields of Kjalhraun, where we hear a tragic story about two brothers who froze to death, in October 1780, on their way to Skagafjörður, with a flock of sheep. Following the glacial river Fúlákvísl we enjoy the view of the mighty glacier Langjökull.
Riding approx. 50 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Árbúðir Mountain Cabin


Day 6 (Thursday): Árbúðir Mountain Cabin to Fremstaver Mountain Cabin
We follow the river Svartá for a while, before crossing the river Hvítá. Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. During the last centuries, traveling through the remote Highland was a dangerous trip due to outlaws waiting to rob the riders.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin


Day 7 (Friday): Fremstaver Mountain Cabin to Myrkholt Farm
We saddle up again and ride by the canyon of Hvítá river heading southwards to the lowlands. Our horses bring us in their soft and strong gaits to the last part of the journey. We explore the famous natural wonders of Geysir and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. We say good-bye to our horses as they get their rest on some of the farm's fertile fields. We celebrate a successful tour with a great farewell dinner, storytelling and singing.
Riding approx. 25 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Myrkholt Farm


Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
We say good-bye to the farmer and his crew and return back to Reykjavík. On our drive back to Reykjavík, we visit the historical site Thingvellir, Iceland’s first National Park. Approx. arrival in Reykjavik for 1:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample itinerary (South to North) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik or at one of Reykjavik's official bus stops near your accommodation(see: www.busstop.is) around 6:00pm. Our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Myrkholt Guesthouse, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Myrkholt Farm


Day 2 (Sunday): Myrkholt Farm to Fremstaver Mountain Cabin via Gullfoss
The ride starts off towards the majestic glacier Langjökull and our first stop is at the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. Our ride today leads us to a mountain called Bláfell. There, we spend the night and rest the horses at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin.
Riding approx. 25 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fremstaver Mountain Cabin


Day 3 (Monday): Fremstaver Mountain Cabin to Árbúðir Mountain Cabin
Our ride continues along the slopes of Mt. Bláfell. This area was roamed by outlaws in the old days. We cross River Hvítá and enjoy the view to the glacier fed lake Hvítárvatn. Tonight we stay at Árbúðir, situated right on the banks of river Svartá.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Árbúðir Mountain Cabin


Day 4 (Tuesday): Árbúðir Mountain Cabin to Hveravellir Geothermal Area
We ride along the glacier fed river Fúlakvísl. through the huge and rugged lava fields of Kjalhraun where we hear a tragic story about two brothers who froze to death, in October 1780 ,on their way to Skagafjörður, with a flock of sheep. During the ride, we enjoy magnificent views of the glacier Langjökull. We continue into the world of Thjófadalir (Valley of Thieves), a grassy valley surrounded by high mountains: a true oasis in the wilderness. The destination of today's ride is Hveravellir, a very unique geothermal area between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Here, in this rough but extremely beautiful nature, the most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur survived for years. At the mountain cabin a natural hot pool invites us to a deserved relaxing bath.
Riding approx. 50 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hveravellir Mountain Cabin


Day 5 (Wednesday): Hveravellir to Áfangi Mountain Cabin
Our route today leads us further to the north over the beautiful river Seyðisá. The horses run free with us on the soft paths of this mystical highland area. We pass the mountains Sandkúlufell and Sauðafell before reaching our destination. It is easy to see that we follow a historical route. All the way back to the early settlement of Iceland, people travelled on horseback on exactly the same trails as we do today. Our well-equipped cabin for the night has a hot tub next to it. It is named after the hill Áfangafell wich offers great views of the big glaciers behind us and towards the high mountains of the North ahead of us. Up to mid-July the sun hardly sets in this part of the country.
Riding approx. 35 km

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Áfangi Mountain Cabin

Day 6 (Thursday): Áfangi Mountain Cabin to Forsæludalur Farm
We continue our ride over the Auðkúluheiði Moor. The valleys with the farms in the north are getting closer as our horses run freely over the soft riding paths of the northern higland. It is impressive to see the fertile valley Vatnsdalur with all its fields and vegetation. As we ride down to the valley, the canyon of the Vatnsdalsá river appears, with some of its many beautiful waterfalls. Our horses stay at Forsæludalur Farm which is the first farm you reach in this area, when you come from the highland. We stay overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse. The hot tub offers a nice relaxation after todays ride.
Riding approx. 35 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse


Day 7 (Friday): Forsæludalur Farm to Vatnsdalur
Great riding tracks along the banks of Vatnsdalsá river give us the opportunity to enjoy a fast ride in the soft tölt! Vatnsdalur is one of the most beautiful valleys in Iceland and the setting of one of the ancient sagas, Vatnsdælasaga. On our ride to Hvammur, we hear tales from Iceland´s heroic past of bloody conflict, revenge and love. We say good-bye to our horses as they get rest in the green fields of the valley. We celebrate a successful tour with a great farewell dinner, storytelling and singing.
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hvammur Guesthouse


Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
We say good-bye to our farmer and his crew. Transfer back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. Approx. return at 2:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Kjolur Ride - Between the Glaciers
Tour Code: IT-ICRT07
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : June to August

Trip Rating :
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 06/19 - 06/26 8d / 7n 8 day trip (Low) 8 /20 Reserve
A 2024 06/26 - 07/03 8d / 7n 8 day trip (High) 8 /20 Reserve
A 2024 07/05 - 07/12 8d / 7n 8 day trip (High) 8 /20 Reserve
A 2024 07/12 - 07/19 8d / 7n 8 day trip (High) 8 /20 Reserve
A 2024 08/07 - 08/14 8d / 7n 8 day trip (High) 8 /20 Sold Out
A 2024 08/14 - 08/21 8d / 7n 8 day trip (High) 8 /20 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Icelandic
Horses: Icelandic Horses
Pace: Daily rides are 4-7 hours (24-35 km). ...

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