Living the Dream: Riding Löngufjörur on Horseback
The beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula stretches far into the Atlantic from Iceland’s west coast, showcasing many of the country’s natural wonders. Our ride will take us through lava fields and along hillsides, as well as on light-coloured Löngufjörur, one of the world’s most renowned beaches for riding. This long stretch of coastline is a dream for Icelandic horse enthusiasts. It offers a unique experience of tölting, with the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier standing proudly in the distance.
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 [email protected] 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.
DRIVING: Reykjavík – Stóri-Kálfalækur Stóri Kálfalækur – Grímsstaðir Pick up in the morning in Reykjavik and drive to Snæfellsnes (abot 1,5 hours). We arrive and drop off our luggage at the farm. We will get our equipment and get to meet our guides and horses for the next days. Today we’ll tölt and trot across grassy plains and walk through rocky terrain at the base of a mountain range. We’ll pause for lunch at a traditional sheep round-up site, offering a glimpse into Icelandic farming heritage. We’ll ride in the area of fertile farmlands, soaking in the peaceful colours of the surrounding landscape. We can celebrate the shortest night of the year with a relaxing soak in the farm’s hot pot - a perfect way to unwind and reflect on the adventure we’ve shared so far. Approx. 25 km / 5 hours to reach the destination
Grímsstaðir – Staðarhraun Today’s journey takes us through rocky terrain, so we’ll be moving at a more leisurely pace. After crossing a mountain pass, we’ll ride through colourful hillsides and alongside a fertile fishing river. This day is all about appreciating the varied landscapes of this magnificent region of the country. Approx. 22 km / 6 hours to reach the destination
Staðarhraun – Kolviðarnes We continue our ride through the mystical volcanic valley enjoying the scenery and local myths of trolls and outlaws. We cross rivers and enjoy great views over the grasslands against picturesque rocks and as far as the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you can even see the snowcapped Snæfellsjökull glacier at the tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Our destination today is a field at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Approx. 32 km / 6 hours to reach the destination
Kolviðarnes – Gaul Today’s adventure takes us along the magnificent Löngufjörur beach, following the coastline eastward. With the herd at the distance ahead of our group and the sound of the ocean as the backdrop, you’ll get to enjoy the landscape like a local rider. We’ll experience the smooth tölt gait of our horses as they splash through the shallow waters of the shore. This firm sand provides the ideal terrain for long-distance tölting. We follow the coast westerly direction on soft ground, splashing water under our horses hooves and with the view of majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of us. Our destination is a farm field located right by the Atlantic shore, where the horses will rest for the night. Approx. 35 km / 5 hours to reach the destination
Gaul We enjoy another day on the beach with a single horse ride. Carefree tolting with views of the glacier ahead. (app. 15 km or 3-4 hours) After the ride we go for a scenic drive with sightseeing stops on Snæfellsnes peninsula, including the famous “Arrow mountain” from Games of Thrones
After breakfast we head towards Reykjavik
Drop off at BSI around noon (12 pm)
Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, the home of our farmers Siggi and Ólöf is situated in rich farmland close to the ocean and the wonderful beaches of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s a renovated farmhouse with a sleeping up to 20 persons so it’s plenty of space for everybody. Large kitchen and a spacious dining room. Together with the well-known hospitality of your hosts this will make an excellent place to stay.
Number of rooms: 6 with 2-4 beds
Number of beds: 16
Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
Number of showers: 4
Phone connection: Yes, but not good
WiFi: No
Made up beds: Yes
Number of WC: 4
Airport Transfer
We recommend you to book with Flybus as they have the most frequent departures.
Terms & Conditions
If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.
Liability:
Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.
For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at [email protected]
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