Hekla Volcano Ride – Iceland
Ride Description:
This tour gives the chance to explore the area between the volcano Hekla and Tindafjallajökull Glacier. This area is known for its soft and nice riding paths and very special and beautiful nature, for example green-grass-covered sandy ground and different formations of lava from the many eruptions of Hekla through the centuries. Some of the eruptions destroyed the habitation in certain areas, for example at the farm Keldur, to where we pay a visit. We can feel the presence of the natural force and the mystique that surrounds the volcano Hekla, together with elements from the old sagas. Our riding path follows the road that the Viking Gunnar from Hlíðarendi in Njál´s saga was riding when he ended up in one of his many battles. The combination of beautiful nature, very nice horses, fantastic riding paths and pleasant accommodation makes our new tour a memory for life!
Departure Dates – June 19 | July 13 | 24,
Prices From – £1250.00 Per Person
- Day 1 Tour members arrive at Keflavík Airport, Iceland. They take the Flybus from Keflavík to Reykjavík (BSÍ). You will be greeted by our representative at 17.30 – 18.00, who will arrange your transfer to the farm in the neighborhood of Hveragerði . The first evening we all have dinner together and discuss the details about the next few days.
- Day 2 We go by bus to the farm Fellsmúli in the beautiful area Landssveit. From there we first ride northwards to the farm Leirubakki, and then eastwards to the Vestri-Rangá River. The tour continues southward along the river to the farm Hrólfsstaðahelli, where the horses will stay overnight. We spend the night in the old parish house Brúarlundur. 20 km, 4 hrs.
- Day 3 We start the day by crossing the Vestri-Rangá River and continue over the lava field Botnahraun, which was created many hundreds of years ago in one of Hekla´s many eruptions. We follow a riding path over the lava field to the farm Kot, and later on we continue over another lava field, called Axarhraun, to the farm Foss. This day we ride in the area south of Hekla. The horses stay overnight at the farm Foss, while we stay in a cosy cottage in Ásgarður, just outside the village Hvolsvöllur. Here we will have the opportunity to visit the swimming pool in the village in the evening. 35 km, 7 hrs.
- Day 4 From the farm Foss we ride northwards towards an area west of the Torfafjallajökull Glacier, southeast of the volcano Hekla. Here we have nice riding paths in a very special area of nature. We follow the road to a pasture where we will leave the loose horses and continue on our best tölters to experience beautiful valleys with special formations of clefts. On our way back to the farm Foss, we will pass the abandoned farms Þorleifsstaði and Reynistaði. We spend the night in Ásgarður. 37 km. 7 hrs.
- Day 5 Today we yet again ride over the lava field Axarhraun to see the area west of the volcano Hekla, and on the way we will pass the so-called farms of Hekla. We will reach and cross the Vestri-Rangá River, before we continue to Rjúpnavellir – a new cottage situated close to Hekla. In these areas the landscape is imprinted by natural forces such as hard wind and volcanic eruptions. 40 km, 8 hrs .
- Day 6 Today´s ride is shorter, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinarily beautiful nature west of Hekla. We ride towards Áfangagil, a place the farmers use as an overnight stop during the sheep round-up in the autumn. From Áfangagil we start in the direction towards Landmannalaugar, but we will later on turn southwards back to our stopping place at Rjúpnavellir. There are many nice riding roads in this area. 33 km, 7 hrs .
- Day 7 We urge the horses on towards the glacial river Þjórsá, where we will reach the Waterfall of the Thieves, Þjófafoss. We follow soft sandy paths through a low forest of birch to the old farm Skarfanes. The horses are on their way home now, and it usually gets fast on these paths. We end the tour where it started, at the farm Fellsmúli. In the afternoon we will be driven back to Reykjavík, where we can spend the evening together and stay in a Bed and Breakfast. 45 km, 7 hrs .
- Day 8Tour members take their flight back home or to travel further to see more of the country.