Tour 3B – Soft River Banks

On this tour experienced riders enjoy a brisk ride on an Icelandic horse in an extraordinary environment. We get to know the horses during a few rounds in the paddock and start the tour on nice trails along our vast meadows. We soon speed up and you get the opportunity to try the special, comfortable gait of the Icelandic horse, “tölt”. We continue riding through grassland, following the river Gljúfurá to scenic landscape at the delta of the mighty glacial river Ölfusá. We stop at an old cemetery with a great view of the river before continuing further down to the soft river banks, enjoying a short ride on black lava sand. This area is close to a bird sanctuary and known for many species of wetland- and sea birds. Weather permitting, we might even catch a glimpse of the famous volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. We proceed through the grassy plains before returning to our farm Vellir.

Minimum number of participants is 2 people. If we do not reach the minimum number of participants, a different tour will be offered instead.

Availability

All year around on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Duration

2,5 – 3 hours riding

Departure times

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 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 around 13:00.

Included

English speaking guide, riding and safety equipment, raingear and warm overalls if the weather calls for it, hotel pick-up.

BOOT

What to bring

Sturdy shoes, good sneakers or hiking boots that are not very broad are fine.

Comfortable pants (riding pants are not necessary).

Gloves and a thin hat under the helmet (“buff” is well suited). You can buy a “buff” at Eldhestar.

Warm clothes in layers (long underwear, woollen socks, scarf, gloves, woollen sweater or fleece, wind- and waterproof jacket). Eldhestar provides good rain gear.

If you would like to bring small items such as a camera you should bring a small waist bag, backpacks cannot be taken on horseback.

For summer days, we recommend sun lotion, sunglasses and a fly net. You can buy a fly net at Eldhestar.

On rainy days and during the winter season, we recommend bringing extra clothing such as socks, gloves and hat in case you get wet during the ride.

You might experience temperatures close to 0°C as well as”T-shirt weather”, please be prepared! You find more information about climate in Iceland here.

Notes

The weight limit for participants is 110 kg(242lbs).

The minimum age for this tour is 12 years.

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 a strong intermediate or an advanced rider, please choose a different tour instead.

Minimum number of participants is 2 people, if we do not reach the minimum number of participants, a different tour will be offered instead.