Iceland Horse Riding

Given the range of riding tours that we offer, ‘a typical day’ is something that rather needs qualifying. Though certain elements remain constant throughout each tour, such as the quality of horses used and the expertise of the guides, other elements vary. You may choose to select your holiday based on the type of accommodation offered or most likely according to your riding skills.

SINGLE CENTRE HOLIDAYS
Though each of our holidays includes an additional night or two in Reykjavik, not having to pack and unpack during the trek itself is one advantage of our single-centre holidays. Both the sheep and the horse round-ups offer this simple convenience and are based in basic accommodation on local farms.

MULTI CENTRE TREKKING
The majority of our treks are multi-centre, incorporating at least two different overnight venues whilst on the trail. Your luggage will be transported by a separate vehicle together with additional items required for the trek. Sleeping bag accommodation is the basis for the Northern Exposure and Kjolur treks, while the Snaefellsnes trek makes use of both sleeping bag accommodation and made up beds. All other featured treks include overnight stays in made up beds.

ACCOMMODATION TYPES
The accommodation offered on the tours ranges from comfortable farmhouses to more basic dormitory style highland cabins. Facilities are mostly shared. In a country with such an abundance of geothermal activity, relaxing in a hot tub after a day in the saddle is the perfect way to relax and socialise. Several of the accommodation venues used on our tours have outdoor hot tubs.

THE RIDING
One of the main features of riding in Iceland is the tradition for a herd of free-running horses to accompany the ride. This allows riders to change mount on a regular basis and though these horses are not actually wild, offers an exhilarating experience and one unique to this country. There is something rather special about following a herd of 40 or 50 horses as they set the pace ahead.

At first the fast trot of the Icelandic horse may seem a little alien, however once you are shown how to sit in the saddle – quite far back with straighter legs than normal, you’ll soon get used to it and actually start to enjoy the amazingly smooth gait that allows the rider to virtually glide across the ground.

If you love horses and nature, Iceland is an ideal place to visit. You will see all the natural offerings of the country whilst travelling as Icelanders and the original Vikings did throughout the previous thousand years invoking quite an amazing feeling, especially as most of the countryside has little changed – except of course changes caused by the natural volcanic activity and plate movements, which are still occurring.

Indeed, there are moments during any ride when you realise that you could only be in Iceland, as bubbling hot springs punctuate green valleys whilst your horse grazes nearby.

It is because of the strength and adaptability of the Icelandic horse that the early settlers were able to prosper in an environment that is both harsh and beautiful. Riding this pure breed in this land is quite simply a unique privilege.

THE SIGHTS
It can’t be denied that much of the pleasure of riding in Iceland is the landscape, which is quite unlike anywhere else in Europe. Best known for its geothermal and glacial features, this is a land that is still being formed by the processes of nature, a fact that is evident all around. Possessing a wild beauty, moss clad lava fields give way to dramatic canyons and powerful waterfalls, while picturesque lakes and fertile pastures provide the softer side to a stunning island.

Our riding holidays aim to take in the major sights of the area, as well as incorporating the best riding trails available. Some of the sights visited cannot be reached on horseback due to practical reasons such as time and accessibility, yet a day out of the saddle to visit such awesome sights as Gullfoss and Geysir is an absolute must for any visitor to Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most well-known attraction and is rather conveniently located near to the airport.