25 July – Across the Valley of Mountains to the Garden of Trolls
Grímstaðir → Heggstaðir (27 km)
We begin with an early pick-up in Reykjavík already in riding gear and head to the farm Grímstaðir in Snæfellsnes, where we meet our guides and horses. The adventure begins along a mountain ridge, offering sweeping views of Mt. Hafnarfjall and the valley below — once home to Egill, the fierce hero of the Icelandic Sagas.
Crossing the Hvítá River via a narrow bridge, built almost 100 years ago. We pass Hvitávellir, an ancient summer trading site, before reaching our resting place. Horses stay at a nearby farm while we unwind in cozy wooden huts at Fossartún — and perhaps visit its enchanting troll garden.

26 July– Over the Hestháls Pass to the Serpent’s Lake
Heggstaðir → Fitjar (28 km)
After breakfast, we reunite with our horses and ride into the mountains. Today’s trail winds through the scenic Hestháls Pass and follows the shores of Lake Skorradalsvatn — said in legend to be home to the Skorradalsormur, a mystical water serpent akin to Scotland’s Loch Ness monster.

27 July– The Land of Fire and Ice

Fitjar → Skógarhólar (37 km)
We venture deep into the Western Highlands, crossing the 9,000-year-old lava fields of Skjaldbreiður volcano. The horizon reveals Langjökull and Þórisjökull glaciers, and Ok — the mountain that lost its glacier in 2019. The barren lava gives way to lush birch forests as we arrive in Þingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s nature and history converge.

28 July – Riding Through Iceland’s Heartland
We begin the day with a ride through one of Iceland’s most storied landscapes — Almannagjá, where the nation’s history and the Earth’s geology intertwine. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart, and in 930 AD, Icelanders gathered to form the world’s first parliament. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this valley echoes with the spirit of the past. Our path leads us through the birch forests of Þingvellir, winding between ancient lava fields, open meadows, and vistas of Iceland’s largest lake. It’s a day to feel the rhythm of horse and rider in harmony with land and sky — a journey through the living heart of Iceland. We leave the horses in Kringlumyri and return to Skogarholar.

29 July – Towards the shield volcano

Today we turn back into the highlands and ride towards the majestic shield volcano Skjaldbreiður. We cross another heath and return to Skogarholar in the evening.

July 30 – Winding down: Skógarholar – Helgadalur (32 km)

The landscape shifts dramatically as we ride by Þingvellir National Park, known as the birthplace of the Icelandic Parliament, Alþingi, established in 930 AD. We continue our ride up on the high plain of Mosfellsheiði, through lava fields and past lakes with the view of the ocean to the front, Esja mountain range to the right and Hengill volcano to the left. This part of the tour is a showcase of the diverse natural beauty of Iceland.