Iceland

Iceland - Horseback Riding Tour - Hekla Volcano & Landmannalaugar

7 days · Group · from €3,422.00
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Duration
7 days
Start/End
Keflavík
Tour type
Group
Accommodation
Dormitory room / cabin / guesthouse
Price from · per person
€3,422.00
Dates & prices ›
Price from · per person
€3,422.00
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Iceland - Horseback Riding Tour - Hekla Volcano & Landmannalaugar

Duration

7 days

Start/End

Keflavík

Tour type

Group

Level

Demanding

Accommodation

Dormitory room / cabin / guesthouse

Overview

This riding tour takes you to Hekla, the queen of Iceland's mountains, and on to Landmannalaugar. You follow the herd at every pace, with daily stages of about 20 to 35 kilometres. Besides riding there is time for hikes and a hot bath; you stay in mountain huts and on farms.

The Helka & Landmannalaugar Volcano Horseback Riding Tour leads to the Hekla volcano, the Queen of the Mountains in Iceland. The ride offers some of the most beautiful views in Iceland, and in addition to horseback riding, there is the opportunity to go hiking and enjoy a hot spring bath. According to "Discover the Horse" founder Alyssa Mathews, this tour is one of the four best horseback riding tours in the world.

Horse riding

Tour Code

ISKEF039

Tour language

EnglishEnglish

Itinerary

  • Day 1
    Arrival

    Individual arrival in Keflavik, arriving no later than 4 pm (flight optionally bookable). Pick-up at BSI, the central bus station in Reykjavik, at 6 pm for transfer to the Kalfholl guesthouse. Your tour guide and the other guests will be waiting for you there, and you can meet them at dinner afterwards.

    Arrival

    Day 1

    Individual arrival in Keflavik, arriving no later than 4 pm (flight optionally bookable). Pick-up at BSI, the central bus station in Reykjavik, at 6 pm for transfer to the Kalfholl guesthouse. Your tour guide and the other guests will be waiting for you there, and you can meet them at dinner afterwards.

  • Day 2
    Kalfholl – Glacier River Thjorsa – Rettarholt

    Fire and ice. Today we ride along soft trails by the banks of the mighty glacial river Thjorsa, with the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and the Hekla volcano always in view. Our horses remain in the Sandlaekjarmyri pastures while we return to Kalfholl by bus. Afterwards, we enjoy the hot water in the hot pot at the Kalfholl Guesthouse. (approx. 20 km)

    Kalfholl – Glacier River Thjorsa – Rettarholt

    Day 2

    Fire and ice. Today we ride along soft trails by the banks of the mighty glacial river Thjorsa, with the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and the Hekla volcano always in view. Our horses remain in the Sandlaekjarmyri pastures while we return to Kalfholl by bus. Afterwards, we enjoy the hot water in the hot pot at the Kalfholl Guesthouse. (approx. 20 km)

  • Day 3
    Rettarholt – Holaskogur mountain hut

    We begin our day on the banks of the Sanda River, which flows through the Skridufellskogur Forest into the beautiful Thjorsardalur Valley. The Hekla volcano looms over fields of dark blue lupins that frame the sandy bridle paths. During a rest stop, we can visit the ruins of the Stöng farmstead, which was buried under the ash of Hekla in 1104. This massive eruption destroyed at least 20 farmsteads in Thjorsardalur. We make another stop at the Gjain Gorge, famous from scenes in the Game of Thrones series. We spend the night in the cozy Holaskogur mountain lodge. (approx. 35 km)

    Rettarholt – Holaskogur mountain hut

    Day 3

    We begin our day on the banks of the Sanda River, which flows through the Skridufellskogur Forest into the beautiful Thjorsardalur Valley. The Hekla volcano looms over fields of dark blue lupins that frame the sandy bridle paths. During a rest stop, we can visit the ruins of the Stöng farmstead, which was buried under the ash of Hekla in 1104. This massive eruption destroyed at least 20 farmsteads in Thjorsardalur. We make another stop at the Gjain Gorge, famous from scenes in the Game of Thrones series. We spend the night in the cozy Holaskogur mountain lodge. (approx. 35 km)

  • Day 4
    Holaskogur mountain hut – Landmannahellir mountain hut

    Today, our sure-footed horses carry us along mystical, narrow paths, past the black lava north of Mount Valafell and the wild landscape of the Lambaskard mountain trail. We continue along sandy paths by Lake Saudleysuvatn and finally through a lunar-like desert to the Landmannahellir mountain hut, where we will spend two nights. (approx. 30 km)

    Holaskogur mountain hut – Landmannahellir mountain hut

    Day 4

    Today, our sure-footed horses carry us along mystical, narrow paths, past the black lava north of Mount Valafell and the wild landscape of the Lambaskard mountain trail. We continue along sandy paths by Lake Saudleysuvatn and finally through a lunar-like desert to the Landmannahellir mountain hut, where we will spend two nights. (approx. 30 km)

  • Day 5
    Landmannahellir – Landmannalaugar

    Today we ride to the renowned Landmannalaugar area with its natural bathing area, surrounded by colorful mountains. Our horses rest in a corral, and we have time to relax in the naturally warm waters of the river before returning to Landmannahellir. This day is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this tour. (approx. 40 km)

    Landmannahellir – Landmannalaugar

    Day 5

    Today we ride to the renowned Landmannalaugar area with its natural bathing area, surrounded by colorful mountains. Our horses rest in a corral, and we have time to relax in the naturally warm waters of the river before returning to Landmannahellir. This day is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this tour. (approx. 40 km)

  • Day 6
    Landmannahellir – Holaskogur Mountain Hut

    We leave the beautiful Landmannalaugar area and ride towards Mount Herbjarnfell. Today's trails reveal many facets: deserts of black ash, bizarre lava flows, and pumice stone bear witness to the many eruptions of Hekla. We continue across green pastures where sheep graze during the summer. We spend the night at the Holaskogur mountain hut, which offers a magnificent view of Hekla. (approx. 40 km).

    Landmannahellir – Holaskogur Mountain Hut

    Day 6

    We leave the beautiful Landmannalaugar area and ride towards Mount Herbjarnfell. Today's trails reveal many facets: deserts of black ash, bizarre lava flows, and pumice stone bear witness to the many eruptions of Hekla. We continue across green pastures where sheep graze during the summer. We spend the night at the Holaskogur mountain hut, which offers a magnificent view of Hekla. (approx. 40 km).

  • Day 7
    Holaskogur Mountain Hut – Rettarholt Guesthouse – Kalfholl – Reykjavik

    We saddle our horses for one last ride and tölt across the green highland pastures, over the Seljamyri bog to Fögruskogar and Threngslasandur, and on to the Rettarholt guesthouse. Here we say goodbye to the horses and our tour guides before the bus takes us to Kalfholl farm, where we enjoy coffee and cake before returning to Reykjavik. (approx. 35 km) Optional: Arrival, Departure & Extra Nights You have the option to book a flight and an extra night in Reykjavik before or after your trip. Simply select your preference when making your booking request. Single room accommodation is available in Reykjavik. Info: Horse riding tour Suitable for: Experienced and resilient riders: You can easily control the horse at all gaits, have a secure seat, and are comfortable riding for up to 7 hours a day. You are able to ride at a fast pace over uneven terrain and up and down slopes. Experienced riders can keep up with the herd at any speed. Accommodation: Sleeping bag accommodation in shared rooms in simple mountain huts during the ride (please bring your own sleeping bag). Duration: 7 days - 6 nights - 6 days of riding - approx. 200 km Dates for 2027: July 06. - July 12 July 13. - July 19 August 03. - August 9th August 10. - August 18

    Holaskogur Mountain Hut – Rettarholt Guesthouse – Kalfholl – Reykjavik

    Day 7

    We saddle our horses for one last ride and tölt across the green highland pastures, over the Seljamyri bog to Fögruskogar and Threngslasandur, and on to the Rettarholt guesthouse. Here we say goodbye to the horses and our tour guides before the bus takes us to Kalfholl farm, where we enjoy coffee and cake before returning to Reykjavik. (approx. 35 km) Optional: Arrival, Departure & Extra Nights You have the option to book a flight and an extra night in Reykjavik before or after your trip. Simply select your preference when making your booking request. Single room accommodation is available in Reykjavik. Info: Horse riding tour Suitable for: Experienced and resilient riders: You can easily control the horse at all gaits, have a secure seat, and are comfortable riding for up to 7 hours a day. You are able to ride at a fast pace over uneven terrain and up and down slopes. Experienced riders can keep up with the herd at any speed. Accommodation: Sleeping bag accommodation in shared rooms in simple mountain huts during the ride (please bring your own sleeping bag). Duration: 7 days - 6 nights - 6 days of riding - approx. 200 km Dates for 2027: July 06. - July 12 July 13. - July 19 August 03. - August 9th August 10. - August 18

Price

€3,422.00

Phone: +43 512 209071

Services

What's included

  • Full board including breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner during the ride (not in Reykjavik)

  • 6 days of riding, covering approximately 200 km

  • Sleeping bag accommodation in simple mountain huts or on farms during the ride (you must bring your own sleeping bag)

  • Rain gear, water bottles, 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

  • Sleeping bag (please bring your own)

Character of the trip

Fitness

Demanding

Altitude

Low

Culture / nature

Pure nature

This riding tour is suitable for experienced and fit riders. You should be a confident and secure rider, able to control your horse easily at all gaits, and comfortable spending up to 7 hours a day in the saddle, even at a fast pace over uneven terrain and slopes. You will follow the herd at any pace, with daily stages ranging from approximately 20 to 35 kilometers.

Accommodation is in simple mountain huts and on farms, mostly in shared rooms with sleeping bags.

Dates and prices

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Group dates

    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.