
Iceland
Iceland - Horseback Riding Tour - Arctic North
Iceland - Horseback Riding Tour - Arctic North
Duration
8 days
Start/End
Keflavík
Tour type
Group
Level
Demanding
Accommodation
Dormitory room / cabin / guesthouse
Overview
In this sparsely populated part of Iceland you ride from the Öxarfjörður fjord across the Melrakkaslétta peninsula, a paradise for birdwatchers, to Langanes and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Between mid-June and mid-July the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light.
Few people live in this part of Iceland, most of them in small fishing villages along the coast or on farms. The ride here in the far north offers plenty of variety. We begin in the Öxarfjörður fjord, framed by a mountainous landscape, and ride across the Melrakkasletta peninsula, a paradise for birdwatchers. Here we are right on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge – at the border between North America and Europe. Between mid-June and mid-July, this area is the source of the Midsummer Sun, which sends its golden rays far across the fjords of the North Atlantic.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Day 1
Reykjavik – Akureyri – Bjarnastadir – Prestholar
We meet at 6:20 a.m. at Reykjavik's domestic airport for our flight to Akureyri and transfer to Bjarnastadir Farm, where we meet our hosts. After a brief introduction to the characteristics of Icelandic horses, we enjoy our first ride through the bushy terrain of Kerlingaskogur. From there, we have a good view of Öxarfjördur Fjord and Lake Skjalftavatn, which appeared virtually overnight 28 years ago after an earthquake. During the ride to Prestholar, we stop at the Tungurett horse paddock and the Kviar gorge. We return to Bjarnastadir Farm by bus, stopping for a break at the Lundur swimming pool along the way. (approx. 30 km)
Reykjavik – Akureyri – Bjarnastadir – Prestholar
Day 1
We meet at 6:20 a.m. at Reykjavik's domestic airport for our flight to Akureyri and transfer to Bjarnastadir Farm, where we meet our hosts. After a brief introduction to the characteristics of Icelandic horses, we enjoy our first ride through the bushy terrain of Kerlingaskogur. From there, we have a good view of Öxarfjördur Fjord and Lake Skjalftavatn, which appeared virtually overnight 28 years ago after an earthquake. During the ride to Prestholar, we stop at the Tungurett horse paddock and the Kviar gorge. We return to Bjarnastadir Farm by bus, stopping for a break at the Lundur swimming pool along the way. (approx. 30 km)
Day 2
Prestholar – Blikalon
We continue along the soft trails of the Melrakkasletta peninsula. The name Melrekki comes from an old, almost forgotten word for fox. This area is a paradise for birds and known for its natural beauty. At the end of the day's riding, we reach the Blikalonsdalur valley. There we leave the horses and drive back to Bjarnastaidir. (approx. 25 km)
Prestholar – Blikalon
Day 2
We continue along the soft trails of the Melrakkasletta peninsula. The name Melrekki comes from an old, almost forgotten word for fox. This area is a paradise for birds and known for its natural beauty. At the end of the day's riding, we reach the Blikalonsdalur valley. There we leave the horses and drive back to Bjarnastaidir. (approx. 25 km)
Day 3
Blikalon – Raufarhöfn
We ride along the coast to the Hraunhafnarviti lighthouse. In the evening, we reach our destination: the fishing village of Raufarhöfn, just 3 km from the Arctic Circle. The village has only about 250 inhabitants, almost all of whom live from fishing.
Blikalon – Raufarhöfn
Day 3
We ride along the coast to the Hraunhafnarviti lighthouse. In the evening, we reach our destination: the fishing village of Raufarhöfn, just 3 km from the Arctic Circle. The village has only about 250 inhabitants, almost all of whom live from fishing.
Day 4
Raufarhöfn – Flautafell
Today we continue our ride to the abandoned farmstead of Flautafell, named after the mountain of the same name that rises high above the sea. We ride over the mountains down into the Bistilfjörður valley, where the Viking Ketill Þystill once lived. Flautafell Farm is situated approximately 65 meters above sea level and is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. Our horses will stay here overnight while we drive back to Bjarnastaðir to relax after this eventful day. (approx. 35 km)
Raufarhöfn – Flautafell
Day 4
Today we continue our ride to the abandoned farmstead of Flautafell, named after the mountain of the same name that rises high above the sea. We ride over the mountains down into the Bistilfjörður valley, where the Viking Ketill Þystill once lived. Flautafell Farm is situated approximately 65 meters above sea level and is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. Our horses will stay here overnight while we drive back to Bjarnastaðir to relax after this eventful day. (approx. 35 km)
Day 5
Langanes
Our horses have the day off today, and after breakfast we'll embark on a sightseeing tour of the Langanes Peninsula. A must for bird lovers! You're sure to spot some seabirds you've never seen before. Along the coast, numerous bizarre rock formations rise from the sea.
Langanes
Day 5
Our horses have the day off today, and after breakfast we'll embark on a sightseeing tour of the Langanes Peninsula. A must for bird lovers! You're sure to spot some seabirds you've never seen before. Along the coast, numerous bizarre rock formations rise from the sea.
Day 6
Flautafell – Bjarnastaðir
We saddle our horses in Flautafell and ride towards Bjarnastadir across the highlands of Öxarfjördur fjord. We are now over 500 meters above sea level! Until 1850, many farms were located here, but the last ones were abandoned after a volcanic eruption in 1875. Today, you'll hardly encounter another soul. (approx. 30 km)
Flautafell – Bjarnastaðir
Day 6
We saddle our horses in Flautafell and ride towards Bjarnastadir across the highlands of Öxarfjördur fjord. We are now over 500 meters above sea level! Until 1850, many farms were located here, but the last ones were abandoned after a volcanic eruption in 1875. Today, you'll hardly encounter another soul. (approx. 30 km)
Day 7
Bjarnastadir – Glacier Gorge
Today our ride takes us past the majestic Jökulsa glacial canyon. This canyon is part of the Vatnajökull glacier national park. The Jökulsa is Iceland's longest glacial river. After this special day of riding, we continue to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. (approx. 30 km)
Bjarnastadir – Glacier Gorge
Day 7
Today our ride takes us past the majestic Jökulsa glacial canyon. This canyon is part of the Vatnajökull glacier national park. The Jökulsa is Iceland's longest glacial river. After this special day of riding, we continue to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. (approx. 30 km)
Day 8
Bjarnastadir – Akureyri – Reykjavik
Before saying goodbye to the horses and our hosts and heading to Akureyri Airport, we'll ride to the horseshoe-shaped, over 100-meter-high Ásbyrgi canyon. Legend has it that Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, left his hoofprint here. Afterward, we'll take a bus to Akureyri Airport and fly back to Reykjavík. (approx. 30 km)
Bjarnastadir – Akureyri – Reykjavik
Day 8
Before saying goodbye to the horses and our hosts and heading to Akureyri Airport, we'll ride to the horseshoe-shaped, over 100-meter-high Ásbyrgi canyon. Legend has it that Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, left his hoofprint here. Afterward, we'll take a bus to Akureyri Airport and fly back to Reykjavík. (approx. 30 km)
Services
What's included
Domestic flight Reykjavík-Akureyri-Reykjavík incl. Transfers
Accommodation in shared rooms
7 days of riding, covering approximately 190 km
Full board during the ride (not in Reykjavik)
Rain gear, saddlebag and riding helmet
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
personal equipment
Visa and vaccinations, if required
Tip
optional excursions/entrance fees
Character of the trip
Fitness
Demanding
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Pure nature
This horseback riding tour in northern Iceland is suitable for experienced riders. They are confident in the saddle, can easily control their horse at all gaits, and are comfortable spending up to 7 hours a day in the saddle, even at a fast pace over uneven terrain and on slopes.
Dates and prices
Group dates
01/07/2027 – 08/07/2027 · €3,130.00 per person
Notes on the trip
Notes
Itinerary subject to change. Information for travelers with reduced mobility: Generally, our trips are unsuitable for people with reduced mobility. In individual cases, we are happy to check whether we can still accommodate your travel wishes. Please contact us.
