VOLCANO TRAIL - ICELAND
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This peninsula with a glacier covered volcano has recently been designated as a National Park. Many of the famous sagas involving trolls and elves originate from this region. This area is often called ‘Iceland in a nutshell’ because of the extreme diversity of its landscape. You ride in the traditional way, herding free horses and changing to a fresh horse at least once daily through the Snæfellsnes peninsula. This is named after the glacier-covered cone volcano, Snæfellsjökull, one of the most impressive sights in Iceland and recently designated a National Park. Its mystic ambience has become famous through Jules Verne´s novel “A Journey to the Centre of the Earth”! The area is home to elves and trolls and many famous Norse sagas originate from this specatcular region. Because of its extreme diversity of landscape, Snæfellsnes is called “Iceland in a nutshell” so you will ride through lava fields, craters and ashes of ancient eruptions and enjoy wide-open stretches of light-coloured sandy beaches. The better tracks allow memorable, fast rides in the soft tölt for which the Icelandic horses are renowned. Most of the nights are spent in made up beds and, at Stóri-Kálfalækur farm, you can enjoy an outside hot tub.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - VOLCANO TRAIL
Day 1
Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the trail ride and meet your fellow riders.
Day 2
Sunday: Reykjavík – Stóri-Kálfalækur – Grímsstaðir
Your horse riding holiday begins as you are transfered to Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where horses and staff are waiting for us. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride into the mountains through fertile farmlands and along good riding tracks to Grímsstaðir Farm with its proud history dating back to medieval times. Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur in made up beds, Showers and a hot tub on site. (5 - 6 hours)
Day 3
Monday: Grímsstaðir – Hítarhólmur
The ride today leads through multi-coloured mountains and along low bushy hillsides. Hítardalur is a geological paradise. Vast lava fields, soft tracks through ashes and the high palagonite (tuff) mountains give you the impression of taking a ride on the moon! We leave the horses at the Hítarhólmur mountain and drive back to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where the hot tub is waiting. (5 - 6 hours)
Day 4
Tuesday: Hítarhólmur – Kolviðarnes – Laugagerði Schoolhouse
We continue our ride through this mystical volcanic valley. We stop at the sheep gathering place Hítardalsrétt and if you take a good look you can see the troll woman Hít who was turned into stone returning late from a date. We proceed west across Hítará River and travel trough an area well known as the hideout of Iceland’s most famous outlaw, Grettir. At Kolviðarnes Farm we leave the horses and spend the night at Laugagerði Schoolhouse where a swimming pool heated with geothermal water awaits us. (7 - 8 hours)
Day 5
Wednesday: Laugagerði Schoolhouse – Traðir – Hof Farm
After rejoining the horses we start our beach ride on Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. View majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of you and feel the horses’ excitement and take part in their joy on this extraordinary trail released by the tide. Our horses spend the night at Traðir Farm while we stay at Hof Farm with a geothermal hot tub on site. (6 - 7 hours) Optional (available at an extra charge): Drive along the coast towards the romantic fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar. Here we are right underneath magical Mt. Snæfellsjökull. Visit the Information center of the Snæfellsnes National Park and learn about its mysterious powers. View beautiful bird cliffs along the shore, shaped by powerful waves. Meet giant Bárður Snæfellsás and hear about historic celebrities like the far travelled Guðríður Þorbjarnadóttir and mass murderer Axlar Björn! (Price per person: ISK 2.500)
Day 6
Thursday: Hof – Traðir – Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur
Another day´s ride on the yellow coloured, sandy beach. Direction changes and we head back towards mighty Eldborgarhraun lava field. An unique experience for everyone with lava-fields and mountains on one side of the trail and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. We leave the horses at Kolviðarnes Farm and drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur, where we spend the last two nights. (6 – 7 hours)
Day 7
Friday: Kolviðarnes – Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm
Last day on the beach and yet a new experience. The sand turns black as we follow the outline of Eldborgarhraun lava field. Imagine the black lava still on the move on your way back to dry land. The ride ends at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm, where we enjoy Ólöf’s farewell dinner. (5 – 6 hours)
Day 8
Saturday: Stóri-Kálfalækur – Reykjavík Transfer back to Reykjavík for an overnight stay in a guesthouse. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 11:00.
Day 9
Sunday: Dep. from Iceland – Reykjavík – Keflavík Airport Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the flight back home.
NOTES - VOLCANO TRAIL
Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for the beach ride. You may bring your own riding gear (eg helmet) but it needs to be dry cleaned or disinfected; officially, a written certificate is needed to prove at the airport that this has been done, but it is rarely asked for. Luggage is taken ahead every day by truck/trailer to the next night's stop. We recommend you bring bags, rather then hard cover suit cases, and pack light because transport space is limited.
GETTING TO Reykjavik-Keflavik
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. If you would like to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 20 st/275 lb/125 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers to and from Keflavik Airport
Horses, saddle bags, rain wear, safety riding helmet, sleeping bag and sheet (where necessary)
All meals on the trail days – breakfast only when staying in Reykjavik but there are many good restaurants to chose from in the town.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Dinner in Reykjavik on the last evening
Alcohol with dinner (though you can buy it at Keflavik airport and bring it with you)
Travel insurance is recommended and is a sensible precaution.
For the Volcano Trail, you’ll need to bring a small pillow with you.
Bottled water is not easily available in Iceland but the local water is excellent!
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