Explore Northern Iceland on Horseback
2025 Dates:
June 30-July 5
July 7-July 12
July 14-July 19
July 21-July 26
Duration:
6 days / 5 nights
Difficulty:
Intermediate / Advanced
The landscape of northern Iceland is known for its vastness and beauty. The tour begins and ends at Saltvik Farm near Húsavík. From there we trek to Lake Mývatn through volcanic features and picturesque landscapes, from the shores of the river Laxá, over Hvammsheiði Heath, along the forested hillsides in Laxárdalur, towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains, and across the black sand deserts of Hólasandur. All the while we are accompanied by a loose herd - riders rotate horses throughout the tour, experiencing the full range of the Icelandic horse.
Visit Húsavík, the oldest settlement in Iceland, the largest town in Þingeyjarsýsla district, and the whale capital of Iceland. Whale watching can also be added as an additional activity for which Skjálfandi Bay is famous. Spend one night in a mountain hut, surrounded by natural geysers and the vast, open landscape. Enjoy hot pot soaks after long days in the saddle, and a visit to a local geothermal hot pool.
Horses
The Icelandic horse is a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage. They are known for their surefootedness and gentle nature, and they are famous for the Tölt, a gait unique to the breed, which makes them incredibly comfortable over great distances and rugged terrain.
Riders will be accompanied by a loose herd, which adds a unique and exciting dynamic to the ride! Riders will change horses 1-2 times per day, giving them the opportunity to get to know a variety of horses over the course of the week.
Riding
Intermediate to Advanced
Riders should be capable of spending long hours in the saddle, tacking and untacking their own horse, and controlling the horse at all paces, even though rides will mainly consist of the walk and tölt.
Distance: 10-25 miles/15-35 km per day
Ride Time: 3-5 hours/day
Tack
Horses will be in saddles developed specifically for the Icelandic horse, closely resembling Dressage saddles. Saddle bags will be provided.
Terrain
This tour encompasses remote areas only accessible on foot or by horseback, riding on mainly soft riding tracks, ideal for riding the tölt. The ride will travel through farmland, across rivers, winding through hills and mountains to alpine lakes, and across black sand deserts.
Accommodation
Riders are accommodated in single or shared rooms (2-4 people per room) at the guesthouse on Saltvik Farm, which offers stunning views out over Skjálfandi Bay and a nice hot tub to soak in after a day in the saddle.
Guests spend one night in the mountain cabin at Þeistareykir, a quaint bunkhouse surrounded by bubbling natural steam vents.
√ WiFi
√ Hot tub
X Laundry
Dining
Breakfasts and dinners are served family-style at the guesthouse. Home-cooked meals consist heavily of lamb and fish. Traditional Icelandic breakfasts include porridge, toast, cold cuts, and cheese. Riders make their own sandwiches in the morning to pack on the trail each day.
*We recommend bringing your own snacks for the trail, and any packets or condiments for adding to your sandwich (peanut or almond butter, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.)
Itinerary
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Direct flight from Reykjavik to Husavik, then a five minute drive to Saltvik Farm. A short afternoon ride to introduce the Icelandic horses and their special gaits, riding along the arctic coastline with fantastic views of Skjálfandi Bay. Dinner at the guesthouse.
Distance: 15km
Optional in the afternoon (80 euros which includes transport from/to Saltvík): A whale watching tour starting from the harbor in Húsavík can be offered. Húsavík and the bay of Skjálfandi is known to be one of the best places in the world to find and see some of the gentle giants of the ocean. Humpbacks, Minky Whales, Dolphins and even Blue Whales are some of the creatures you can expect to see!
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We ride across Hvammsheiði heathlands following excellent soft “tölttrails” and riverbanks of Mýrarhvísl river towards the big Laxá river which we cross at a passing were the river spreads out over 100 m wide riverpath! During the ride we enjoy great view over the green valleys of the north, Aðaldalur and Reykjadalur.
Distance: 30km
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We saddle up at Aðalból farm and ride up along Laxárdalur before we leave the countryside and head up to the higher grounds of Hólasandur desert and the lava fields of Þeistareykjahraun. If lucky with the weather we enjoy amazing view to the Volcanoes all around. We ride through huge lupine fields and trough the lava on great riding tracks towards Þeistareykir geothermal area with hot springs all around. After the ride we head back with our little bus to Saltvík farm for staying overnight.
Distance: 35km
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We start with a sightseeing tour by bus and visit some nice places around like the waterfall Goðafoss and the lava formations Dimmuborgir at lake Mývatn. Then we drive up to Þeistareykir where our horses are waiting and ride for a day in the wilderness. We ride to the craters Litla Víti and Stóra Víti which are huge craters in the mountains with lava fields all around.
This night we stay over at Þeistareykir mountain cabin and enjoy the evening at this amazing place in the highlands with our horses grazing outside.Distance: 20km
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The last day of our journey we ride home to Saltvík farm crossing the lavafields of Bóndhólshraun. Then following nice riding trails through the valley Geldingadalur and along Skarðaháls with a great view over the bay of Skjálfandi north of Iceland. The last track leads across Reykjaheiði back home to our farm Saltvík where we celebrate our adventures in the evening with a cheerful farewell party!
Distance: 35km
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Group breakfast, depart for flight back to Reykjavik.
Optional farewell dinner in Reykjavik for those staying an extra night.
Planning and Packing
Rider Resources:
Stories from the Saddle:
Dates
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Price Includes:
All accommodations
All meals
All riding activities, including tack and equipment, riding helmet, rain gear, water bottle, lunch box, and saddle bags
Sleeping bag for night in mountain hut
Domestic flights between Reykjavik and Akureyri
Does not include:
Airfare to and from Iceland
Travel Insurance
Visas
Gratuities and personal expenses
Whale watching (book upon arrival)
Additional excursions or activities not included in itinerary