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Horses crossing the river by Landmannalaugar Book Now
A herd of horses calmly cross a river near Landmannalaugar Book Now
Horses fenced up next to a mossy lava field Book Now
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One man horseriding by the rhyolite monuntains of Landmannalaugar Book Now
Horseriding over a river in the vicinity of Mt. Hekla Book Now
Thirteen horses in a row pass a lake on their left in stunning Landmannalaugar. Book Now

Landmannalaugar – Mt. Hekla

On this exciting tour, we see the mountain Hekla towering over the region and every day we see evidence of its numerous devastating eruptions throughout the ages.

Dates 2025

  • June 30 - 6th July
  • July 7 - 13 & 28 - 3 Aug
  • August 4 - 10

Horseback riding in the spectacular volcanic area

This highland adventure is perfect for advanced riders who love a challenge. Mount Hekla is a highly active volcano often titled the “Queen of Iceland”. The mountain towers regally over the region and every day we see evidence of its numerous devastating eruptions throughout the ages. In the old times, people actually believed it to be the gateway to hell. Landmannalaugar is a geothermal wonderland in the Southern Highlands. It’s natural bathing pools are only one of the highlights which make this area one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for nature lovers.

Our ride starts along the river banks of the mighty glacial river Thjórsá, with a magnificent view on glacier Eyjafjallajökull and Volcano Hekla. The beautiful area Landmannahellir is a fitting outpost in the central highlands before going on to enjoy the colorful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by black lava fields.

Our way back to civilization leads us down from the mountains and into black lava and green valleys. The spirited and sure-footed horses make this tour an experience of a lifetime for anyone seeking a challenging highland adventure.

Hannes and family at Kálfhóll farm offer this tour.

Attention

  • Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
  • Flight to and from Iceland is not included
  • Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour
  • Bring bags rather than hardcover suitcases
  • Pack light because transport space is limited.

Tour Highlights

Þjórsá

a glacier river with its source in Hofsjökull. It is longest river in Iceland around 230 km

Eyjafjallajökull

glacier is located in south Iceland. Under its small ice cap rests a caldera of an active volcano that famously erupted in 2010. Despite its relatively small eruption it caused a massive air traffic disturbance in Europe for a week

Hekla volcano

Mount Hekla often titled the “Queen of Iceland” is a highly active fissure vent and a stratovolcano in South Iceland. Its numerous and frequent eruptions have produced a massive amount of lava and a big coverage of tephra layers. In the middle ages it was referred to as the Gateway to hell by Europeans

Sandá

a river that runs beside Þjórsá and a good salmon river. The name translates sand river

Þjórsárdalur

The valley takes its name from the river Þjórsá. It is rather flat and marked from Hekla’s numerous eruptions both with fields of lava and tephra. Famous sites of interest are The common wealth farm, Stöng, the waterfall Háfoss 122 m, the waterfall Hjálparfoss and Vegghamrar

Mt. Dímon

around 200m high located in the forest Skriðufellskógur surrounded by birch and spruce forest

Stöng

the ruins of a medieval farmhouse excavated in 1939. In 1104, Mt Hekla erupted for the first time in the recorded history of Iceland. The eruption destroyed at least 20 farms in the valley Thjórsárdalur, among them the farm Stöng

Gjáin

a mystical canyon with lots of small waterfalls and famous setting for Games of Thrones

Hólaskógur

the cozy cabin Hostel with a beautiful view of volcano Hekla. It is located near Háifoss waterfall, Gjáin and Hjálparfoss waterfall

Lambaskarð

 mountain passage

Sauðleysuvatn

is an unusually deep lake in a walking distance to Landmannahellir. It is not accessible by car

Landmannahellir

A cave that was formerly a well known resting place for travellers of Landmannaleið and farmers rounding up their sheep. Later the mountain hut next to it was built

Landmannalaugar

Breathtaking landscape and geology. Famous for its colourful rhyolite mountains, natural hot pool to bathe in and lava field from 1480. There are plenty of short and long interesting hiking trails with breathtaking scenery. The beginning of the famous hiking trail Laugavegur that ends in Þórsmörk or Skógar

One man horseriding by the rhyolite monuntains of Landmannalaugar

  1. Day 1. Reykjavík – Kálfhóll

    Pick up at BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik at 18:00, where our bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Kálfhóll farm where horses and staff are waiting for us. After a lovely introductory meal where we get to know each other, we relax and rest so we are well prepared for the adventure ahead of us.

  2. Day 2.  Kálfhóll – Glacier river Thjórsá – Réttarholt
    We ride on fantastic riding paths along the mighty glacial river Þjórsá, with views of the glacier Eyjafjallajökull and the volcano Hekla. We leave the horses at Sandlækjarmýri field and drive to Réttarholt. This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. We stay at Kálfhóll and relax in the hot tub outdoors. (approximately 20 km)

  3. Day 3.  Réttarholt – Mountain hut Hólaskógur

    Today we ride along the lovely river Sandá through the National Forest Skriðufellskógur into the beautiful and famous valley of Thjórsárdalur. The volcano Hekla towers over the vast lavender-blue lupine fields along the sandy tracks. We stop at Stöng,  the ruins of a medieval farmhouse excavated in 1939. In 1104, Mt Hekla erupted for the first time in the recorded history of Iceland. The eruption destroyed at least 20 farms in the valley Thjórsárdalur, among them the farm Stöng. After a short stop at Gjáin, a mystical canyon with lots of small waterfalls and famous setting for Games of Thrones, we head for the cozy mountain hut Hólaskógur with a prime view of Volcano Hekla. (approximately 35 km)

  4. Day 4.  Mountain hut Hólaskógur – Landmannahellir Mountain hut

    We ride over narrow tracks through black lava north of Valafell mountain. Our surefooted horses carry us comfortably through rough terrain through the Lambaskarð mountain passage. We continue on sandy paths close by lake Sauðleysuvatn and through the moonlike desert towards Mountain hut Landmannahellir, where we will spend two nights. (approximately 30 km)

  5. Day 5. Landmannahellir – Landmannalaugar – Landmannahellir Mountain hut

    Today we ride to the famous Landmannalaugar, with its natural hot pool, surrounded by colorful mountains and lava from 1480. Our horses rest in a paddock and we have a good part of the day to relax in the hot pools or visit the numerous sights, before returning to Landmannahellir.  This day will be without a doubt, one of the highlights of this tour. (approximately 40 km)

  6. Day 6.  Landmannahellir – Mountain hut Hólaskógur

    We leave the beautiful area of Landmannahellir and ride on towards the Herbjarnfell mountain. Today´s route takes us over the varying landscape. We ride across sanders, sharp lava, huge pumice fields in many colors and over green grazing fields where the farmers drive their sheep during summer. We stay overnight in the solitary mountain hut Hólaskógur with a perfect view of the Hekla volcano. Here we get the feeling of being “on top of the world”. (approximately 40 km)

  7. Day 7. Mountain hut Hólaskógur – Réttarholt Guesthouse – Kálfhóll – Reykjavík

    Today we ride over the rich green mountain fields over Seljamýri to Fögruskógar and Þrengslasandur towards Réttarholt Guesthouse. Here we have to say goodbye to horses and staff. The bus will take us back to Kálfhóll farm for coffee & cake. We then drive back to Reykjavík BSÍ. (approximately 35 km)

  • Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.
  • During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty-Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.
  • Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

River Cabins

Kálfhóll Farm

River Cabins summerhouses at Kálfhóll farm

  • Number of cabins: 5
  • Number of rooms per cabin: 3
  • Number of beds per cabin: 5
  • Outdoor jacuzzi:
  • Number of showers per cabin: 1
  • GSM connection: Yes
  • WiFi: Yes
  • Made up beds: Yes
  • Number of WC per cabin: 1

Click here to see photos!

Landmannahellir Mountain Cabin

Landmannahellir is located in a peaceful area in Fjallabak and has for many years been one of the main dwelling place for sheep gatherers when they round up the sheep each autumn that have been grassing in this area during the summer.

  • Number of rooms: 1
  • Number of beds: 24
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: No
  • Number of showers: 2 in separate building
  • GSM connection: No
  • WiFi: No
  • Made up beds: No
  • Number of WC: 2 (in the building)

Réttarholt Guesthouse

Is located on the edge of the highlands in the small village Árnes. There are nice cabins to sleep in.

  • Number of rooms: 5
  • Number of beds: 24
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: No
  • Number of showers: 3 in separate building
  • GSM connection: Yes
  • WiFi: No
  • Made up beds: No
  • Number of WC: 4

Hólaskógur

Is a big mountain cabin in Þjórsárdalur, close to the glacier river Þjórsá. It is used in the autumn for the sheepherders but is open for travelers during the summer.

  • Number of rooms: 1
  • Number of beds: 50
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: No
  • Number of showers: 2
  • GSM connection: yes
  • WiFi: No
  • Made up beds: No
  • Number of WC: 2

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket.

Terms & conditions:
Íslandshestar requests a confirmation payment upon booking of minimum 30% of the tour price. When the confirmation payment is received the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the tour departs. If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested. Children’s under 12 years receive 25% discount on our multi-day tours.

Liability:
Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íslandshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at [email protected]

Reviews

I really wish I would have done this trip sooner, this is truly a life changing experience and one you can´t describe until you try it your self! The horses, nature, hosts, and helpers were amazing. I 100% recommend all riders to ride with them!

 L.E. Germany.

Perfect tour! Great staff, beautiful landscapes. Amazing horses, good food. I would definitely recommend it!

  M.O. Germany.

Excellent trip in Iceland, the best way to discover the country and its traditions! Fantastic and very professional team!

 D.C. France.

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