NEW FRONTIER 2025 

PIONEERING ICELAND’S NORTHWEST 

10 July – 18 July 2025
8 riding days, 8 nights 

Freshly designed for riders who love exploring new angles on Iceland’s beauty, this pioneering 8-riding-day tour will take us through diverse landscapes in the wild west. The trail links the stunning Snæfellsnes and Vatnsnes peninsulas in the northwest of the country – starting in Mýrar Wetland, weaving through a chain of beautiful valleys, and ending by Lake Hóp. The tour is led by Halldór Ingi (Days 1 - 2), and Kristín and Valtyr (Days 3 – 8).  

Day 1 
10 July

DRIVING: Reykjavík to Stóri-Kálfalækur
RIDING: Fíflholt to Grímsstaðir (approx. 18 km)
ACCOMMODATION (linen): Stóri-Kálfalækur   

The Íshestar bus will collect you from Reykjavík at around 10:00 a.m. for a scenic two-hour drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur, a working farm and guesthouse tucked away on the southern shores of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by Halldór Ingi and his team with a warm welcome, a light snack, and a steaming cup of tea or coffee to set the tone for the adventure ahead.  

Our herd will be waiting for us at Fíflholt, a paddock nearby. We’ll ride through rolling meadows and gentle hills, with views of the region’s iconic volcanic features. Our destination for the day is Grímsstaðir, a remote farmhouse with an antique touch, perched on a mountainside overlooking lush green fields. While our horses graze and recharge for tomorrow, we’ll hop back on the bus to return to Stóri-Kálfalækur for the evening.  

Day 2 
11 July
 
RIDING: Grímsstaðir to Seljaland (approx. 35 km)
ACCOMMODATION (sleeping bags): Seljaland   

The journey will take us through a stunning chain of valleys: Hraundalur, Langavaetnsdalur, Laugardalur and Hordudalur. As we ride, we’ll ford sparkling streams that eventually flow into the deep waters of Lake Langavatn.   

The valley Hordudalur, our today’s destination, is named after a crew member of one of the settlers, who gave him the valley for his own farm. We’ll spend this night, as well as the following one, at Seljaland - a perfect place to unwind, surrounded by the beauty of nature.   

Day 3
12 July  

RIDING: Seljaland to Leikskálar (approx. 28 km)
ACCOMMODATION (sleeping bags): Seljaland   

With Kristín and Valtyr leading the herd, we’ll traverse variety of landscapes, before setting our sights on the Haukadalur valley. While broad, it is also deep enough that the farms on its southern side endure a staggering 25 weeks of winter without a glimpse of the sun. Even so, the trout lake and salmon river add to its timeless allure.   

In centuries past, the valley floor was blanketed in lush forests, though only a few trees remain today. Erik the Red lived here at famed Eiríksstaðir until his exile led him to Greenland, where he founded a new settlement. His son, Leif the Lucky, born in Eiríksstaðir, later sailed westward to become the first European to set foot in North America around the year 1000.   

Day 4
13 July   

RIDING: Leikskálar to Óspaksstaðir (approx. 28 km)
ACCOMMODATION (sleeping bags): Laugabakkar Ásbyrgi  

We’ll follow Ormsá (Worm River), which meanders northwards through quiet valleys to Hrútafjörður - Ram’s Fjord. Right in the middle of the fjord sits Hrútey, or Ram Island (yes, the naming theme is strong here!). When we reach Óspaksstaðir, you’ll feel the pioneering spirit of Iceland’s earliest settlers, who braved these remote landscapes - virtually unchanged to this day.   

While our horses enjoy the grassy fields of Óspaksstaðir, we’ll spend the night at a nearby community centre - just like local horsemen do when passing through this area. Staying at these community centres is a true slice of Icelandic culture that you’ll get to experience first-hand. 
Day 5 
14 July  

RIDING: Óspaksstaðir to Dalgeirsstaðir (approx. 20 km)
ACCOMMODATION (linen): Túnfífill  

Today’s ride takes us over the windswept moors southeast of Hrútafjörður - a proper stretch of wild, open landscape. After hours in the saddles, we’ll arrive at Dalgeirsstaðir, where our horses will spend the night grazing peacefully in a lush field.  

As there’s no place for ourselves to stay out here in the middle of nowhere, the bus will whisk us off to Túnfífill, a cosy guesthouse with a sauna waiting to warm us up. Bliss!  

Day 6
15 July  

RIDING: Dalgeirsstaðir to Barkarstaðir (approx. 28 km)
ACCOMMODATION (linen): Túnfífill  

Once we’re back with our horses at Dalgeirsstaðir, we’ll set off into a landscape shaped by glaciers, dotted with post-glacial lakes and moraine hills. The highest of these (around 350 metres above sea level) will be our landmarks for the day. Today’s route takes the shape of a horseshoe. We’ll start southward by following the banks of Vesturá (West River). After weaving through a string of lakes, we’ll turn north to trace the banks of Austurá (East River), eventually arriving at Barkarstaðir.  

The horses will enjoy their peaceful overnight spot at Barkarstaðir, and we’ll be just as happy unwinding back at Túnfífill. 

 Day 7 
16 July  

RIDING: Barkarstaðir to Dæli (approx. 32 km)
ACCOMMODATION (sleeping bags): Laugarbakkar Ásbyrgi  

Heading north, we’ll follow the bridle path of Fitjárdalur valley, flanked by vast post-glacial moors. Once we leave the moors behind, it’s onward to Dæli, nestled in the wide valley of Víðidalstunga.  Our trusty horses will settle down for the night in a field at Dæli, while we’ll drive to Laugarbakkar Ásbyrgi – the welcoming community centre where we slept on Day 4. 

Day 8 
17 July  

RIDING: Dæli to Gottorp (approx. 21 km)
ACCOMMODATION (sleeping bags): Stóra-Ásgeirsá  

Our final day’s ride takes us to Gottorp - a farm with large fields where our horses can enjoy their well-earned week off. Perched at 66 degrees north, between the vast waters of Vesturhópsvatn and Hóp, Gottorp is the perfect grand finale for this trailblazing adventure.
 
As for us, we’ll head to Stóra-Ásgeirsá for our last night. It’s a cosy farm run by a musician who’s always up for a bit of a jam session. If the mood strikes, there might be live music, a singalong, and plenty of good vibes to wrap up the trip in style. 

Day 9 
18 July  

DRIVING: Stóra-Ásgeirsá to Reykjavík 

After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Reykjavík (BSI and Bus Hostel).