TOUR 6A - The Beach Ride
For experienced riders
Experience the extraordinary, the volcanic beach, the river banks and islands of the Ölfusá delta and great views! We take the horses in the trailer to the small fishing town Thorlákshöfn where we start the tour with a ride on the long, black beach. We follow the scenic beach along the surf of the North Atlantic for a few kilometers, riding on soft black lava sand until we reach the beautiful area where the mighty glacial river Ölfusá meets the sea in a large delta. We then continue through shallow water at the edge of the river delta and ride on grassy river banks, along wetlands and meadows towards the farmland in the Ölfus area, where our farm Vellir is located. On our way we have plenty of opportunity to try the smooth gait of the Icelandic horse “tölt” on nice trails in beautiful scenery which seems to be far from civilization, and enjoy spectacular views of mountains and the volcanos Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull, weather permitting. We also have good chances to see sea- and wetland birds of various kinds living in the Flói Bird Reserve between the ocean shore and the river. After we have reached the old cemetery at Arnarbæli we ride along the river Gljúfurá and pastures with grazing horses back to Eldhestar.
The tour can also start at Vellir and end at Thorlákshöfn, depending on tides. During the tour you will take a break on a scenic spot to enjoy a light lunch out in nature.
Mininum number of participants are 2 people.
Myself and my husband booked the beach ride. I am an experienced rider and my husband an occasional rider. We were given horses appropriate to our abilities and both of us rode 2 horses during the day. The ride was a mix of walking and plenty of tolting, with 3 rests incorporated into the day for the horses to graze and for us to have lunch. . . We then rode along the beach, across rivers and through meadows back to the farm. The horses were forward going, very well behaved and good-natured, all looked well cared for and happy. Our guides Leah and Daniel, we’re both very friendly and helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them. I would highly recommend Eld Hestar for riding.
Duration
4,5 – 5,5 hours riding with breaks
Departure times
Daily at 09:00. Pick-up in Reykjavík at 08:00. The pick-up in Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær and Kópavogur starts at 7:45.
Return to Reykjavík at around 17:15.
Availability
15th of May – 15th of September
Included
English speaking guide, riding and safety equipment and hotel pick-up.
4.5 – 5.5 hours riding with stops (ca. 23 km), lunchbox (sandwich, cookies, water bottle, special sandwiches available on request) and coffee/tea/hot chocolate and home baked cake after the tour.
What to bring
Good shoes, comfortable pants (riding pants not necessary), gloves and a buff is recommended and if you want to bring a camera, please bring a small waist bag as backpacks cannot be taken on horseback. See more detailed information here.
Notes
The weight limit for participants is 120 kg.
This tour is for experienced riders who ride regularly and are capable of controlling a horse in all gaits in different terrain. If you do not consider yourself an intermediate, strong intermediate or an advanced rider, please choose a different tour instead.
The tour is subject to weather conditions and might be changed. The tour can also be ridden in the opposite direction, depending on tides.
The minimum age for this tour is 10 years old.
Mininum number of participants are 2 people.
Price
see at the end of the page
GALLERY
