Horse Round Up in Víðidalstungurétt

Join the farmers in this great autumn adventure. Ride along when they drive the herd, sort the horses and celebrate the safe return of horses and herders.

Dates 2024

  • Oct: 2-6

Join the Farmers of Víðidalur in Adventurous Riding Tour

Join the farmers in this great autumn adventure. Ride along when they drive the herd, sort the horses and celebrate the successful return of horses and men. The varied terrain includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colors of burning red and yellow, deep blue lakes and rivers and Kolugljúfur gorge where a troll woman resided in the old days.

From Hvammur Farm in the North, we follow good riding tracks until we meet the Icelanders who have been gathering horses already for some days. We join them and help driving the herd down to the Víðidalstungurétt corral. When this task has been fulfilled the locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “réttardansleikur” and we are welcome to join in the fun. The next day the horses get sorted. Experience the excitement of horses and men when the horses and foals are selected from the herd and returned to their rightful owners.

Our well-known farmer Haukur Suska operates 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.

  1. Wednesday: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Sveinsstaðir – Hvammur Farm

    Pick up from BSÍ  bus station in Reykjavík at 08:30 for a transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We visit a factory outlet with woolen goods on our way. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsá before crossing over to the western side of the valley. Our ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (25 km)

  2. Thursday: Sveinsstaðir – Dæli – Hvammur

    This long and exciting riding day takes us alongside the Hóp and across the Gljúfurá River. Through the friendly countryside of Vestur-Hóp and into the beautiful valley Víðidalur. We follow Víðidalsá River to Dæli Farm where we will leave the horses. We return to Hvammur farm for our overnight stay. The outdoor hot tub is waiting, as well as a hearty dinner. (40 km)

  3. Friday: Dæli – Kolugil – Víðidalstungheiði – Hvammur

    Today we ascend towards the highland plateau Víðidalstunguheiði and meet the horses coming down from their pastures in the highlands. We enjoy a warm lunch at a mountain shelter before we join the farmers in driving the herd down from the mountains. Before ending our ride at Dæli Farm we stop at Kolugili Farm for refreshments. (32 km, during 8-9 hours including lunch and coffee breaks)

  4. Saturday: Víðidalstungurétt – Lake Hóp – Hvammur

    Our day starts at the roundup place Víðidalstungurétt, where horses are sorted out. An auction is held right on the spot and we can join the farmers in their joyful singing, celebrating the return of their horses. In the afternoon we join up with our horses close to Borgarvirki and ride towards Lake Hóp. Feel the excitement of the horses as they reach the open plain. Our trail leads us right across Lake Hóp, Iceland’s fifth biggest lake, on a safe track across the water. We ride past Thingeyrar, a place of great historic importance and into Vatnsdalur valley. It is time to say goodbye to the horses and we return to Hvammur. (30 km)

     

    Optional (not included in the tour price):

    “Stóðréttardansleikur” dance at Víðihlíð, where everybody relaxes after the excitement of the day and celebrates yet another successful roundup.

  5. Sunday: Return to the South – Reykjavík

    Departure from the North and return to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at BSÍ at approx. 14:00.

  • 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.

Hvammur farm

Hvammur farm is situated in the beautiful Vatnsdalur Valley which is so full of the old Sagas and has the famous salmon fishing river Vatnsdalsá running down the middle. The farmhouse was renovated 4 years ago and has a hot tub in the garden with a view over the river.

  • Number of rooms: 6 rooms
  • Number of beds: 2-4 beds in each room, altogether max 19
  • Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
  • Number of showers: 2
  • GSM connection: Yes
  • WiFi: Yes
  • Made up beds: Yes
  • 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:

If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested. If you book via e-mail or phone we request a 30% confirmation payment upon booking to be able to confirm a seat. When we have received the confirmation payment the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due six weeks before the tour starts. Children’s under 12 years receive a 25% discount on our multi-day tours.

Our cancellation terms are as follows:

  • A cancellation made with more than 42 days – deposit paid by the client.
  • A cancellation made with more than 21 days but less than 42 days’ notice is subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
  • A cancellation made with less than 21 days’ notice means that the full price will be collected.

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.

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