Horseback Riding in Iceland
FJALLABAK TOUR |
The Fjallabak Tour takes place in the same part of Iceland as the Hekla-Landmannalaugar Trail. The guides and horses are the same, but this itinerary is 2 days longer, and is only for experienced riders who are in good physical condition. It is a more demanding ride than the Hekla-Landmannalaugar.
Check out our other rides around the world on gaited horses.
The Fjallabak Ride was fantastic, one of my best vacations ever. Scenery is unbelievable and food is divine. Horses are wonderful and have amazing temperaments.
- Cappy Hotchkiss
We saw the operations of other outfitters on the trail. Don't ever think about switching outfitters. This family, Joon(father), Nicole (mother), Anita (tour leader and daughter) and her friend and assistant, Klemie, exhibit love and kindness to each other and their horses and this attitude reflects itself completely in every aspect of the trip including the attention given to every participant. I can't speak highly enough about the entire experience. I call it "trip of a lifetime"!!
- John from Colorado
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Participants should make their own way to Hella the afternoon before the ride starts. Clients will be met at Hella and driven to the outfitter's farm for dinner, overnight at the farm. After final preparations the next morning and the assignment of horses, course is set through meadows and lava fields, alongside Ranga River, passing the historical lava sheep-fold Landrettir and the last farms before the highlands. Overnight in a newly built lodge at Merkihvoll which is close to the river. (4-5 hours riding)
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| Day 2: | Morning departure from Leirubakki to the wilds, crossing a desert of ashes and the lava fields of Sovahraun, close to the famous volcano Hekla (last eruption in 1991). Overnight in the mountain hut Landmannahellir, where the farmers used to stay in autumn when gathering their sheep in the mountains. (7-8 hours riding)
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| Day 3: | Morning departure from Leirubakki to the wilds, crossing a desert of ashes and the lava fields of Sovahraun, close to the famous volcano Hekla (last eruption in 1991). Overnight in the mountain hut Landmannahellir, where the farmers used to stay in autumn when gathering their sheep in the mountains. (7-8 hours riding)
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| Day 4: | Continue on the Fjallabak's trail through the highland, up and down small hills, crossing many rivers until coming to Eldgja, the largest eruptive fissure on the face of the earth. Overnight in a hut.
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| Day 5: | Ride from Lambaskardsholar to Hvanngil passing the "Swan" lake Alftavatn. In the afternoon, follow a track along the glacier Myrdalsjokull through a black desert of volcanic ash. Overnight in a hut.
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| Day 6: | Ride through varied soft and rough landscape where the scenery is astounding. After crossing a few rivers, ride to the unusual mountain formation Einhyrningur, surrounded by three glaciers. Overnight in a hut.
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| Day 7: | The track proceeds down to the historical Fljotshlid area along the Markarfljot river, the glaciers Eyjafjalla-Jokull and Myrdalsjokull still in the background. It will be a 5-6 hour ride to reach the farm Smaratun.
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| Day 8: | Ride from Smaratun over Vatnsdalur to Austvadsholt where the tour ends. The day's ride will be 6-7 hours before releasing the horses in the vast meadows of their home. Departure for Hella or for those who wish to wait until morning, a stay at the guesthouse on the farm at no additional expense.
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| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Hella |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 7 1/2 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-6 Maximum-14 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-8 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | Icelandic |
| Horses | Icelandic |
| Weight Limit | 225 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | July 21-28 |
| 2008 Price | €1840
Due to rapidly changing market please call for the current US dollar rate.
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