Saddle up for the ride of a lifetime across Iceland’s untamed frontier, where ancient glaciers loom like sleeping giants and endless black sand beaches stretch to the edge of the world.
Embark on an unforgettable long-distance horse ride through Iceland’s raw and rugged beauty where the rhythm of hooves carries you around a glacial giant and across some of the world’s most hauntingly beautiful black sand beaches.
From the lava fields of Hekla and Tindfjallajökull through the vast black volcanic plains of Mælifellssandur to the windswept shores near Vík and the endless expanse of Sólheimasandur, this journey is a deep dive into Iceland’s elemental soul. Ride
beneath ice-capped peaks, through deep and rugged gorges, across braided rivers, and over shimmering black sands that whisper tales of fire and frost.
This is more than a ride, it’s an odyssey into the heart of a land shaped by nature’s fiercest forces.
Day 0 – Arrival
Pick-up at BSI at 17:30, transfer to Rjúpnavellir, gear fitting and welcome dinner.
Day 1 – Lava & Hekla
Ride through lava fields and farmland, crossing Ytri-Rangá and following the Hekla Trail.
30 km
Day 2 – Wild Sheep Country
Ride along Tindfjallajökull through farmland and lava landscapes to Hungurfit.
25 km
Day 3 – Passing the Peaks
Cross valleys and mountains, visit an old sheep shelter and explore the Markarfljótsglúfur gorge.
30 km
Day 4 – Black Sand Desert
Cross Mælifellssandur between Mýrdalsjökull and Torfajökull glaciers.
50 km
Day 5 – Katla’s Shadow
Follow the Holmsá River south through the landscapes beneath Mýrdalsjökull to Hrífunes.
25 km
Day 6 – Glacial Rivers
Cross Mýrdalssandur and glacial streams before riding into Kerlingadalur.
35 km
Day 7 – Wild Mountains
Explore the mountains, high plateaus and spectacular gorges around Þakgil.
35 km
Day 8 – Black Beach
Ride to Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey and Klifanda before finishing at Pétursey.
30 km
Day 9 – Glacier & Ocean
Cross Sólheimasandur, pass the plane wreck and Skógarfoss, then ride along the coast to Seljalandsfoss.
40 km
Day 10 – Farewell Ride
Enjoy a final mountain ride with views of glaciers, black beaches and the Westman Islands before returning to Reykjavík.
We reccomend that you bring warm gloves and a thin hat that can fit under the riding helmet. Included in the price is that you can borrow a helmet, warm overall or rain coat and rain pants as well as rubber boots.
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000
We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.
Included in all Day Tours:
Day 0:
Pick up at BSI at 17:30 and drive up to Rjupnnavellir. We will all try rain gear and helmets and have a cozy dinner there.
Day 1: Where
lava shaped the Earth – Rjupnavellir – Foss (30 km)
Starting from Galtalækur, our ride leads us south of Mt. Hekla volcano and shows both sides of Mt. Hekla eruptions: rocky lava fields and fertile farmland. We ride through lush green fields and cross the river Ytri-Rangá. For parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt and for parts of it we walk through rough lava. We stay in the mountain cabin Foss for the night.
Day 2: Where
the wild sheep roam – Foss – Hungurfit (25 km)
Our riding day leads us up North, with the infamous Mt. Hekla volcano to our left side. Hekla is one of the most active and most feared volcanos in Iceland, the lava fields in the South date back to the 12th century. Constant eruptions have not only destroyed human settlements throughout the centuries but also created fertile soil. Our ride takes us on the slopes of Tindfjallajökull through lush farmland at the edge of lava fields, following Eystri-Rangá river upstream and crossing it. We stay in the hut Hungurfit for the night. This is a recently rebuilt, cosy cabin. It is bravely located in the proximity of Tindfjallajökull (easily recognizable by its two symmetrical peaks, Ýmir and Ýma, both over 1400 metres high)
Day 3: Passing
the Peaks: Hungurfit – Mosar – around Mosar (30 km)
We ride Eastwards through valleys and over mountains, with beautifull views towards Grænafjall mountain. We continue through the green Botnar valley and stop at a cave used in earlier times as a shelter for farmers when gathering their sheep until we reach our cabin Mosar.
After lunch we leave the herd behind and continue on individual horses to further explore this wonderful area some more. The highlight of this day will be looking down at the impressive Markafljotsglúfur, a gorge that is 200 meters deep.
Day 4:
Through the Black Sand Desert (50 km) Mosar to Holmsáa
The longest day of our tour lies ahead of us. Our ride will take us Northeast, between Mýrdalsjökull and Torfajökull Glacier. We follow the Fjallabak Trail across Mælifellssandur, a black sand desert named after the prominent cone shaped volcano Mælifell that rises above the black sand and provides great contrast with its’ moss green slopes. We ride past it and continue East. At the end of the path we turn South and get really close to the glacier on our way to the field for the night. We leave the horses and drive to our place for the night (Tungusel).
Day 5: In
Katla´s shadow (ca 25 km) Holmsáa to Hrífunes
Today we continue our ride down South. We follow Holmsá river and venture a bit into Merkigiljasandur, a small sander area of Myrdalsjökull. After our long day yesterday, we take it easier today and end the riding day in Hrifunes.
Day 6: Let´s get our feet wet (Hrífunes –Höfðabrekka/Kerlingadalur) (app. 35 km)
We drive to meet with our herd in Hrifunes. Today we will cross the extensive black sand sander area Myrdalssandur and cross some glacial streams on the way. We will reach the mountain ranges before Vik and turn right into one of the valleys to end in Kerlingardalur.
Day 7: Into
the Wild mountains (Kerlingadalur – Þakgil – Heiði)
Today will take us deeper into the mountain ranges South of Myrdalsjökull. We cross a high plateau and venture deep into the gorges. From there, ride to Heiði through the gorges at Höfðabrekkuheiði, including Þakgil. This is a magical environment that will transport us straight into a Lord of the Rings movie. (app. 35 km)
Day 8: The (in)famous Black Beach
We will ride out of the mountains and down to the infamous Black Beach (Reynisfjara). We will cross the lagoon and ride up to the cliffs of Dyrhóley, and the sandbanks of Klifanda, and end in Pétursey. (app. 30km)
Day 9: Between glacier and the ocean (Pétursey – Skálakot /Fornusandar) app. 40 km
We ride from Peturséy across Sólheimasandur and the famous plane wreck. In 1973 a transport aircraft operated by the US Navy crashed there during severe weather conditions and was left there. It has since become a popular tourist spots. We follow the glacier river Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi upstream to the bridge and follow alongside the ring road for a bit to catch the sight of impressive Skógarfoss.
When we reach the mountain Lambafell we turn left towards the coast and to Eyjafjallasandur and around the Eyjafjöll lagoon, if the conditions allow. We ride along the coast under the mountains Eyjafjöll and Eyjafjallajökull. and end close to Seljalandsfoss. (app. 40 km).
Day 10:
Skalakot – Torfastaðir or up the mountains in Skalakot
On our last day we take it easy, we take our favourite horse and our lunch pack and climb up the mountains towards Eyjafjallajoekull and enjoy the amazing views from up there, towards the glaciers, black beaches and the Westman islands. Perfect spot to let it all sink in.
In the afternoon we drive back to Reykjavik.
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