Wild Mountains and Hot Springs
Riding in Landmannalaugar - Fjallabak Nature Reserve
Date 2021
25. July - 2. August
25. July - 2. August
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This trail for experienced riders only takes you into one of Europe´s most wildest landscapes as you follow the ancient trails to Landmannalaugar, a hidden valley with colorful volcanic mountains and geothermal springs. It will feel like riding in another world as the sturdy horses take you on a fast tölt across lava fields, glacial rivers, desert like sand fields and valleys which seem to be a landscape worthy of the Lord of the Rings movies! As you follow the remote Fjallabak trail north of Mýrdalsjökull breathtaking glacier views will accompany you as you ride across the black sands. This is one of our most adventurous trails and exclusively for experienced riders in good shape that are able to spend up to 8 hours in the saddle on a fast and challenging ride. Accomodation is in basic mountain huts and your wonderful local guide Aníta will tell you about the historical and geological secrets in the back-country of her farm.
Shorter version of this trail: If this ride is too long or challenging for you we also offer a shorter 7 day/6 riding days trail into the region on a similar trek. Dates 2021 27.6.-3.7.2021 11-17.7.2021 22.-28.8. 2021 Price: ISK 368.000 per person for the 7 day/6 riding days trail. Please contact us for the detailed itinerary of this shorter version. |
Type: Multi days tour with free running herd of spare horses
Operated by: A trusted partner of Exploring Iceland Duration: 9 days / 8 nights/ 8 riding days Level of expertise required: Experienced riders in good physical shape only Area: South Iceland Highland Accommodation: Sleeping bag accommodation in guest houses and mountain huts. Accommodation in Reykjavik before and after the tour is not included but can be arranged. Meals included: Full board Included: Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve Fee Min: 6 Max: 16 guests Guide: English and French speaking. Group: International Maximum Weight: 110 kg 2021 Price per person: ISK 464.000.- Currency converter For more information or booking please contact us - we will be happy to help! |
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Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to the farm – tour preparations Pick up in the afternoon at BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík. If arriving on the same day, please make sure that your arrival time is no later than 2:30 pm/14:30 as you will have to transfer from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík. A flybus or taxi transfer can be arranged but is not included. The short drive from Reykjavík along the South Coast takes you right to the farm of your lovely host Aníta. At the welcome dinner at the farm you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow riders and your guides for the tour. The route will be discussed and first preparations for the first ride tomorrow are made. Day 2: Towards Rjúpnavellir underneath Mt Hekla After breakfast we get ready for our first ride. We set out on horseback along the green meadows of Rangá river to the beautiful sheep gathering paddock Landréttir, where the local farmers sort their sheep in the autumn after they have spend the summer in the mountains. We continue to Rjúpnavellir, a lodge near Rangá river where we spend the night. The mighty volcano Mt. Hekla towers over us, with its snowy cap that seldom disappears even during summer. Mt. Hekla is one of Iceland´s most famous volcanoes and it is easily understood why people are in awe of this beautiful mountain. Its last eruption was in the year 2000. We stay at one of Rjúpnavellir´s mountain huts right next to Rangá river. Wonderful area for an evening walk! (Riding for about 5-6 hours today). Day 3: Underneath Mt. Hekla and through the lavafield Sölvahraun Today´s ride will take you from Rjúpnavellir across the wide pumice fields in many colors ranging from creamy wide to dark red and brown. The pumice is a very light volcanic rock that is typical for Mt. Hekla eruptions. We also ride across the dark lavafield Sölvahraun and underneath Sauðleysur Moutain on the ancient trail Hellismannaleið to the beautiful valley Landmannahellir where a group of small mountain huts is sheltered amid high mountains. It is one of the places where the sheep gatherers have been camping for decades when they go into the mountains in September to collect their sheep. We stay in this beautiful place for two nights. (Riding for about 5-6 hours today). Day 4: Landmannalaugar After breakfast we saddle up and follow the famous Landmannaleið trail through the Dómadalur Valley and along Lake Frostastaðavatn. Our destination for today is the Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve, a place which seems from another world! Colorful Rhyolite Mountains, pitchblack lavafields and a steaming geothermal river make the settings for this breathtaking journey through an amazing landscape. Here we stop around noon, rest our horses and explore the valley by hiking and bathing in the hot springs. Afterwards we leave the horses in Landmannalaugar but return ourself to our cozy hut at Landmannahellir. (Riding for about 3-4 hours today). Day 5 Fjallabak Trail towards Eldgjá crater In the morning after breakfast we pack our luggage and drive to the horses at Landmannalaugar. Another adventurous part of our trail lies ahead of us as we follow the tracks along the Fjallabak trail towards Eldjá crater. The Eldgjá crater belongs to the same volcanic system as Katla Volcano underneath Mýrdaljökull glacier and is probably the largest known crater in the world. It was discovered in 1893 and is today considered the origin for one of the largest flood of basalt lava in historic times deriving from an eruption in 939. We ride through vast lavafields but also green meadows, clear spring rivers and ash fields to our next hut called Hólaskjól. (Riding for about 7 hours today). Day 6: Across Mælifellssandur Today´s ride takes us along Ófæra River across the mountains towards the Southern Fjallabak trail which takes us onto the huge dark sanderfields of Mælifellssandur north of mighty Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The barren desertlike sanderfields take their name from Mt. Mælifell, a dark palagonite ridge north of the glacierrim. We stay at the mountain hut Hvanngil south of Lake Álftavatn, the Swan Lake. This is one of the longest riding days with 7-8 hours in the saddle. Day 7: Towards Mt. Einhyrningur After breakfast we pack our bags and saddle up. Todays ride is a bit shorter but the scenery no less beautiful and stunning as we ride in between three glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull, Tindfjallajökull and the (in)famous Eyjafjallajökull! We ride towards picturesque Mt. Einhyrningur where we stay for the night at Bólstaður mountain hut. Riding today for 4-5 hours. Day 8 : Fljótshlíð Saga Land Now we descend into the Fljótshlíð Valley, a place considered by many as one of South Iceland most loveliest vallies and home to one of Iceland´s famous Sagas, the Njáls Saga. Her main character, called Gunnar, is made to leave his farm due to a dispute but prefers to die rather than leaving his home. „Never before have the farm fields appeared as beautiful and I shall not go“. We ride along the valley with its numerous beautiful farm steadings and with views to the glaciers and mighty glacier river Markarfljót. We stay at Smáratún guesthouse for our last night. We ride for approx. 6 hours today. Day 9 : Back to the farm and transfer to Reykjavík Watch out how spirited the horses are today as they „smell home“! Through rich green meadows along horse breeding and dairy farms we ride back to Aníta´s home farm. We cross Rangá River and our horses get their well deserved break in their home fields. (Final ride of approx. 6 hours). Arrival in Reykjavík in the late afternoon/early evening. Please note the accommodation in Reykjavík is not included but can be arranged! 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. |
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Included:
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Please note that there is a shorter version with 6 riding days with a similar route:
Dates 2021 27.6.-3.7.2021 11-17.7.2021 22.-28.8. 2021 Price: ISK 368.000 per person for the 7 day/6 riding days trail. Please contact us for the detailed itinerary of this shorter version. Please make sure you also read our Useful information and the information about the strict biosecurity measures regarding the import of used riding equipment published by MAST, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority |
