Skagafjörður Adventure
The old breeding line of the north
Dates
Upon request
Only for private groups of min 6 riders
This tour can also me tailor-made upon group´s wishes
Upon request
Only for private groups of min 6 riders
This tour can also me tailor-made upon group´s wishes
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Ride in Skagafjörður - the mecca of horse breeding in Iceland
During this riding tour under the Icelandic midnight sun you get the exceptional opportunity to ride in a small group to the old breeding farms of the historic bloodlines of the North, lead by our local experts Ingólfur and Unnur Erla from Dýrfinnustaðir farm. Their farm is home to the famous stallion Hágangur frá Narfastöðum and lies in Skagafjörður, above the Héraðvötn - a lake like river formed by the glacial rivers Austari- and Vestari Jökulsá. During this tour our local expert guides take us to the farms of the old bloodlines such as Kolkuós, Svaðastaðir, Viðvík, Vatnsleysa and Hofsstaðir. They will tell us all the facinating facts about the origin of the bloodlines, their interbreeding and their famous offsprings – their merits and disputes! At Hindisvík farm on the remote and beautiful Vatnsnes peninsula we are met by breeders that honour the old lines of Hindisvík and Hornarfjörður and also breed the beautiful blue eyed splashed white horses. This tour is highy recommended to all the Icelandic Horse enthusiasts who take interest in breeding and especially in the famous old bloodlines of the North. This tour is only appropiate for experienced riders that feel comfortable riding in all gaits over rough terrain and are happy to follow the speed of the herd over long distances. |
Type: Multi days tour with herd of loose running horses.
Duration: 5 days / 4 riding days – Thursday – Monday. Operated by: Exploring Iceland Level of expertise required: Only experienced riders in good physical shape. Area: Skagafjörður, North Iceland. Accommodation: 4 nights in made up beds in double rooms with shared facilities and hot tub. Please note that single rooms are few and only available upon request. A single supplement surcharge may apply. Accommodation in Reykjavik not included but can be arranged. Meals: Full board during the ride. Included: All the museums and visitor centers in Hólar. Max: 12 guests. Guide: English speaking. Group: International Maximum Weight: 110 kg Price: Depending on group size. Please ask us for a special price for your group! info@exploringiceland.is |
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Day by day itinerary
Day 1 Thursday: Reykjavík – Sturlureykir – Hraunfossar – Dýrfinnustaðir – Svaðastaðir - Bakki Meet & Greet with your Exploring Iceland guide at 8 am at BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík. If preferred we can arrange a pick up at your accommodation in the capital area between 7 and 8 am. We head out of town to meet our first breeders at Sturlureykir in the beautiful Borgarfjörður area. Their horses have done very well in recent years, for example Vörður frá Sturlureykjum who is now breeding successfully abroad. We stop for a visit at the lovely lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Deildartunga Hot spring before continuing to Skagafjörður, the Mecca of Icelandic Horse Studs! At Dýrfinnustaðir we meet up with Ingólfur and his wife Unnur Erla, who will be our local experts on this tour. After some coffee and cake we meet our horses and start our first ride towards Bakki, where we leave the horses for the night. Along the way we stop at Svaðastaðir, one of the columns of Icelandic Horse breeding. From this breeding line come many other lines such as the Kolkuós, Hofsstaðir og Kirkjubæjar bloodlines. Organized breeding started in 1788 with Þorkell Jónsson and was continued by his descendants. The stallion Sörli 71 frá Svaðastöðum born in 1916 was probably the most influencial one of this line. We return to Dýrfinnustaðir farm for a hearty dinner and enjoy the midnight sun over the Skagafjörður from the cozy outside hotpot! Riding distance: ca. 15 km. Accommodation Dýrfinnustaðir: Made up beds in double rooms with shared facilities and hot tub. Day 2 Friday: Bakki – Kolkuós – Unastaðir Our first long riding day awaits us! Today we will follow the herd and help our hosts to direct the horses towards our first stop at Kolkuós where we hear about this historic breedingline that has influenced Icelandic Horse breeding like almost no other. The first horse that comes to mind in connection with Kolkuós is actually „Fluga“ and she was the treasured mare of settler Þórir dúfunef as mentioned in the Settlement book Landnáma. But ambitious horsebreeding started with Hartmann Ásgrímsson who lived at Kolkuós from 1900 to 1948. Hörður 112 frá Kolkuósi was one of the stallions that formed the bloodlines at that time. The origin of the Kolkuós horses comes from Svaðastaðir, the farm we visited yesterday. Sigurmon, Hartmanns son, continued the stud and from 1960 to 1980 it had its golden age with horses such as Hörður 591 frá Kolkúósi, one of the most popular stallions of his time. Although there is no organized breeding at the farm anymore, the Kolkuós horses have formed many of the modern bloodlines in Iceland and abroad such as the Hólar í Hjaltadal horses. From Kolkuós we continue to Unastaðir, where the horses stay while we go back to Dýrfinnustaðir for dinner and overnight stay. Riding distance: ca. 25 km. Day 3 Saturday: Unastaðir – Kolbeinsdalur – Laufskálar – Hólar Horse University – Nautabú Look forward to a day of breathtaking landscape when we leave Unastaðir and ride with the herd through beautiful Kolbeinsdalur Valley. We stop at Laufskálar, where the farmers sort the young horses in autumn after they have spend the whole summer in complete freedom in the uplands. At Hólar Horse University the Landsmót 2016 was held and it is a state of the art place for Icelandic Equine Studies as well as a very important historic place since it was the episcopal see for northern Iceland and a cultural and educational centre for almost seven centuries (1106-1798). Here we will visit the Hólar Cathedral, the historic Auðunarstofa Museum and the Museum of the Icelandic Horse History before riding on to Nautabú. Dinner and hot tub at Dýrfinnustaðir. Riding distance: ca. 25 km. Day 4 Sunday: Nautabú - Viðvík – Enni - Vatnsleysa – Hofsstaðir - Dýrfinnustaðir Today´s ride is taking us along many breeding farms that will sound like church bells in the ears of the Icelandic Horse enthusiast! We will pass Viðvík (Viðar and Safír frá Viðvík) and Enni (Sproti frá Enni), Vatnsleysa (Glampi and Lydía frá Vatnsleysu) and Hofsstaðir (Gammur frá Hofsstöðum). All places of superior breeding that have influenced the bloodlines in Iceland and abroad. While we cannot stop at each and every place our guides will keep us well informed about the famous breeding horses and breeding aims of each stud. Back at Dýrfinnustaðir we sit down to a farewell dinner feast and some singing Skagafjörður style! Riding distance: ca. 30 km. Day 5 Monday: Vatnsnes Peninsula – Hvítserkur – The horses of the Hindisvík blood line – Seal & Eider duck colonies - Reykjavík After a good and sumptious breakfast we make our picnic lunch from the buffet and say goodbye to our lovely local hosts Unnur and Ingólfur. By bus we drive around the Vatnses peninsula known for the Hindisvík bloodline. On the way we will stop to view the majestic Hvítserkur monolith and the many seal colonies that call Vatnsnes their home. At the historic farm of Hindisvík we meet the breeders who honour the ancient Hindisvík and Hornarfjörður breeding lines. They give us a fascinating insight into these historic bloodlines that would be almost extinct without their breeding effort. Hanný, Tobbi and Heiða also breed the beautiful blue- eyed splashed white horses. The herd of young horses roams about 30.000 hectars (300 square kilometers) of upland during summer so we will need a little luck and of course the superior knowledge of their owners to find them! Hanný will also take us to the field where the Eider ducks nest in from May to June and tells uns everything about the silky soft and incredible warm eider duck down and the symbiosis of men and bird. Arrival in Reykjavík in the afternoon at BSÍ bus terminal to connect with the flybus for those who have international evening flights or drop off at your Reykjavík accommodation. We are more than happy to arrange your Reykjavík accommodation for you. Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions |
Included:
Great add-on to this tour:
Meet the breeders
For all the horse lovers who would like to visit some of Iceland´s famous modern breeding farms in South Iceland! Great opportunity to meet the breeders and trainers behind some of the most famous stallions Icelandic Horsebreeding has produced in recent years. At least two visits to breeding farms such as Vesturkot, Fellskot, Blesastaðir, Kjarr, Áuðholtshjáleiga and many others. We will try to fullfill any wishes.
Optional:On the way back stop at the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring for a relaxing bath in the wonderful geothermal water and/or a truly Icelandic Langoustine feast.
Group size: Min. of 6 guests
- Transfer from Reykjavík to Skagafjörður and back.
- 4 nights in made up beds in double rooms with shared facilities and hot tub.Please note that single rooms are few and only available upon request. A single supplement surcharge may apply.
- Full pension during the tour starting with coffee and cake on the first day and ending with picknick lunch on the 5 th day.
- 4 riding days according to program.
- English speaking guide.
Great add-on to this tour:
Meet the breeders
For all the horse lovers who would like to visit some of Iceland´s famous modern breeding farms in South Iceland! Great opportunity to meet the breeders and trainers behind some of the most famous stallions Icelandic Horsebreeding has produced in recent years. At least two visits to breeding farms such as Vesturkot, Fellskot, Blesastaðir, Kjarr, Áuðholtshjáleiga and many others. We will try to fullfill any wishes.
Optional:On the way back stop at the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring for a relaxing bath in the wonderful geothermal water and/or a truly Icelandic Langoustine feast.
Group size: Min. of 6 guests
