Northern exposure

10TH BEST RIDING TRAILS IN THE WORLD

This tour was nominated by the Sunday Times as one of the 10th best trails in the world.

The North of Iceland is known for its spectacular natural sights and diverse landscape. Our tour goes from Bjarnastaðir Farm near Húsavík to the Lake Mývatn area, famous for its volcanic features and rich birdlife. Ásbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall, and the strange rock formations at Hljóðaklettar are just some of the gems of nature we´ll be seeing on this amazing tour.

An optional whale watching tour concludes the selection of natural attractions on and off shore.
We ride along soft riding tracks ideal for “tölting”, the unique extra gait of the Icelandic Horse. The first day we spend in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and visit both Dettifoss Waterfall and Ásbyrgi Canyon.
From rich green pastureland, we head towards the Gæsafjöll Mountains and spend a night in a mountain cabin at Theistareykir. Through an area scarred with cracks and fissures from earthquakes and volcanic activity, the route takes us to Lake Mývatn where bubbling mud pools and eerie lava formations are a reminder of the powerful energy right beneath our feet. We have the opportunity to bathe in the warm geothermal water of the outdoor pool at the Mývatn Nature Baths.
The next two days take us through Laxárdalur Valley to Heiðabær for an overnight stay and relaxation in the swimming pool on site. From there we continue across Reykjaheiði heat towards the coast and back to Bjarnastaðir Farm.
After this amazing tour in an ever-changing landscape, we can soak away our cares in the hot tub at Lundur Swimming Pool before sitting down to a hearty farewell dinner at the farm.

ACCOMMODATION
Sleeping bag accommodation in shared rooms during the ride. Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Flight from Reykjavík to Húsavík and bus drive to the farm.
During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty-Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

ATTENTION
Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour
Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
Flight to and from Iceland is not included
Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases
Pack light because transport space is limited.

Day by Day itinerary

1. Monday: Reykjavík – Húsavík – Ásbyrgi – Dettifoss – Bjarnastaðir
   Departure from pick up points in Reykjavik www.busstop.is to the Domestic Airport for the flight to Húsavík and transfer to Bjarnastaðir Farm. Pick up between 06:30 – 07:30. Please dress already in riding clothes and bring your passport or other identification for your domestic flight. At Bjarnastaðir, we have lunch and start our ride with a short introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits.This is truly a day to remember when we ride on the east side of the National Park Jökulsárgljúfur. On this day we have a sightseeing tour by bus to Europe’s largest waterfall, Dettifoss, and the famous Ásbyrgi Canyon, one of the wonders of nature, a wide, horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliff faces up to 100 m high. Overnight at Bjarnastaðir Farm. (Approx. 20 km)
2. Tuesday: Bjarnastaðir – Kelduhverfi – Theistareykir Mountain CabinAfter breakfast, we drive to Kelduhverfi and start our ride from there. We ride into the mountains and see a magical landscape over Öxafjörður Fjord. We ride to the geothermal area of Theistareykir. Overnight at Theistareykir Mountain Cabin. (Approx. 35 km)
3. Wednesday:  Theistareykir – LaxárdalurEnjoy today’s ride from the Theistareykir area to Halldorstaðir in Laxárdal. Over the rough landscape and riding through the geothermal area and lave fields up to the desert area of Hólasandur. Then we ride down to Laxárdalur Valley and over the Laxá river to Halldórstaðir. We then drive to Bjarnastaðir farm, where we stay the night with a hot tub on the premises. (Approx. 35 km)
4. Thursday: LaxárdalurWe saddle up again and head of through a black sand desert along the colorful Laxárdalur valley with the glittering Salmon River Laxá in the middle on our side. A true day of contrasts in the ever-changing Icelandic nature. We stop at the very special Hraunsrétt – made of lava. We ride to Skógarhlíð, where we leave the horses before we head back to Bjarnastaðir farm where we spend the night. We will enjoy a nice hot bath in Jarðböðin, an outdoor lagoon with geothermal water.  (Approx. 30 km)
5. Friday: Geldingadalur – ReykjaheiðiToday we set out through Geldingadalur Valley and Reykjaheiði heath. At one point we will practically cross over from one continental plate to another as we ride over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge! It is a fascinating area with deep earthquake fissures, multi-colored mountains, and geothermal energy. With all this volcanic activity going on here, it is easy to understand that Iceland is still under “natural construction”. We ride into Öxarfjörður Fjord to Bjarnastaðir Farm, where the hot outdoor tub is waiting and we spend our last night. (Approx. 40 km)
6. Saturday:  Bjarnastaðir – Húsavík (optional: whale watching) – ReykjavíkIn the morning return to Húsavík by bus and a whale-watching cruise for those interested. (Price per person EUR 80). Others can enjoy the town‘s swimming pool with its hot tubs or just go for a stroll in this beautiful town. Afternoon flight back to Reykjavík Domestic Airport and a transfer to your accommodation.– We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary –

Accommodation

Bjarnastaðir farm

Bjarnastaðir Farm, home of Halldór Olgeirsson and Elín Maríusdóttir is situated in the low bushy area of Kerlingaskógur, close to the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss Waterfall. You will enjoy great view over the Fjord Öxarfjörður and the famous Lake Skjálftavatn which suddenly appeared over night after a strong earthquake 28 years ago. Halldór and Elín, breeders of both horses and sheep will welcome you with open arms and their warmth and hospitality is indeed second to none.

• Number of beds: 23
• Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
• Number of showers: 4
• GSM connection: Yes
• WiFi: Yes

Þeistareykir Mountain Hut

Þeistareykir is known as a geothermal area, with colorful mud pits, tabletop mountains, hills and lava fields, you will find the earth constantly at work. The mountain hut stays warm all year round due to the geothermal activity of the area. The area is great for hikers and those who want to enjoy nature in the “raw.”

• Number of rooms: 1
• Number of beds: 30
• Outdoor jacuzzi: No
• Number of showers: 0
• GSM connection: No
• WiFi: No
• Made up beds: No
• Number of WC: 2
• Website with photos: No

Useful informations

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket

Liability:
We reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of our partners. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions