Ride the Black Sand Beaches of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

2025 Dates:
June 21-26
June 26-July 1

Duration:
6 days / 5 nights

Difficulty:
Intermediate / Advanced

The beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula stretches far into the Atlantic from Iceland's west coast, showcasing many of the country's natural wonders. Our ride will take us through lava fields and along hillsides, as well as on light-coloured Löngufjörur, one of the world’s most renowned beaches for riding. This long stretch of coastline is a dream for Icelandic horse enthusiasts. It offers a unique experience of tölting, with the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier standing proudly in the distance.

Video: Black Sand Beaches of Iceland

Join us on a visual journey of the Snæfellsnes Tour.

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.

What's my riding level?

Distance: 10-20 miles/15-30 km per day

Ride Time: 5-7 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 Stóri-Kalfalækur Farm. Enjoy a nice hot tub to soak in after a day in the saddle.

X 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

  • The Ishestar minibus will pick you up in Reykjavík at around 5:30 p.m. for a two-hour drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur. On arrival, you’ll meet Halldór Ingi and the team, and be welcomed with a light dinner.

  • After breakfast, we’ll drive westward to Gaul, a farm by the ocean, where we will meet our herd. You’ll be riding a single horse today as we begin exploring the stunning Löngufjörur beach, one of the world’s most famous riding beaches. This long stretch of coastline is a dream for Icelandic horsemen, offering a truly special experience, with the Snæfellsjökull glacier standing tall ahead.

  • Today’s adventure takes us along the magnificent Löngufjörur beach, following the coastline eastward. With the herd at the distance ahead of our group and the sound of the ocean as the backdrop, you’ll get to enjoy the landscape like a local rider. We’ll experience the smooth tölt gait of our horses as they splash through the shallow waters of the shore. This firm sand provides the ideal terrain for long-distance tölting. Our destination is a farm field located right by the Atlantic shore, where the horses will rest for the night.

  • We’ll ride through volcanic valleys, rich in tales of trolls and outlaws from Icelandic folklore. Along the way, we’ll see expansive grasslands, lava-rock formations, rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. If the skies are clear, don’t forget to glance back for a final view of the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier.

  • Today’s journey takes us through rocky terrain, so we’ll be moving at a more leisurely pace. After crossing a mountain pass, we’ll ride through colourful hillsides and alongside a fertile fishing river. This day is all about appreciating the varied landscapes of this magnificent region of the country. We can celebrate the last evening with a relaxing soak in the farm’s hot pot - a perfect way to unwind and reflect on the adventure we’ve shared so far.

  • On our final day, we’ll tölt and trot across grassy plains and walk through rocky terrain at the base of a mountain range. We’ll pause for lunch at a traditional sheep round-up site, offering a glimpse into Icelandic farming heritage. From there, we’ll ride in the area of fertile farmlands as we make our way back to Stóri-Kálfalækur, soaking in the peaceful colours of the surrounding landscape.

    Before heading off for the drive back to Reykjavík, we’ll enjoy a farewell snack and a cup of hot coffee at Stóri-Kálfalækur. This final moment at the farm allows you to gradually ease back into everyday life after our extraordinary adventure together. We expect to arrive in Reykjavík at around 8:00 p.m.

Planning and Packing

Weather Forecast

Dates

June 21-26 2025
June 26-July 1 2025

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Price Includes:

  • All accommodations

  • All meals

  • All riding activities, including tack and equipment, riding helmet, rain gear, water bottle, and saddle bags

  • Transfer from Reykjavik to the farm

Does not include:

  • Airfare to and from Iceland

  • Accommodation in Reykjavik

  • Transportation to/from the airport

  • Travel Insurance

  • Visas

  • Gratuities and personal expenses

  • Additional excursions or activities not included in itinerary