The Magic of Vatnajökull, Vestra Horn and Stafafell

The southeast of Iceland is a region where nature’s raw power meets breathtaking beauty. Here, you will experience Iceland’s elements in an intimate and profound way.

Dates 2025

  • June 19 - 25
  • August 20 - 26

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The southeast of Iceland is a region where nature’s raw power meets breathtaking beauty. Here, you will experience Iceland’s elements in an intimate and profound way. Dominating the landscape is Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, its icy expanse stretching as far as the eye can see. Our journey takes us along its mighty presence, weaving between glaciers, black sand beaches, and rugged mountains, offering a stunning contrast of fire and ice.

The first half of our adventure follows the glacier’s edge toward the remote district of Lón, a hidden gem nestled between the gabbro mountains of Vestra-Horn and Eystra-Horn. This area serves as a perfect interlude between the glacier and the wild Eastfjords. At the heart of this region lies the historic farm of Stafafell, which stretches from the ocean to the highlands.

Throughout our ride, we traverse colorful landscapes, from volcanic sand dunes to lush river valleys, experiencing the ever-changing beauty of Icelandic nature. We will stay each night at Stafafell Hostel, a charming lodge built by the last priest of the region in the late 20th century. Hearty Icelandic breakfasts and dinners will be provided, while snacks, sandwiches, and drinks will be available throughout the day. The host of this tour is the horse farmer Gunnlaugur at Silfur hestar Stafafelli.

The host of this tour is Gunnlaugur a well known horse farmer and known for great horses: He has been breeding wind-dappled horses for 30 years and ran a horse rental for 10 years. In recent years, he has focused more on horse tours. As the fourth generation of his family at Stafafell in Lón, he grew up in this remote countryside, attended secondary school at Laugarvatn, and later pursued university studies in Canada and the USA.

The Click here to see more about the accommodation.  

  1. Day 1:
    The meeting point is at 13:00PM at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik. From there we drive all the way to the south- east to Stafafell to meet our hosts. The drive is approx 6 hours long, but it’s absolutely worth it for the unforgettable experience of riding through this extraordinary landscape. We make a stop Skógarfoss one of the most famous attractions in the south on our way.  

  2. Day 2
    After breakfast we will start the day by driving the farm Lækjarhús, where our horses and gear await. From here, we ride up the mountain slopes toward the glacier, following trails that run along the edge of Fláajökull, one of Vatnajökull’s impressive outlet glaciers. With the glacier’s tongue close beside us, we continue through the river deltas behind Flatey, crossing this wild and remote terrain before reaching our destination at Holtasel. We go back to the cosy accommodation at Stafafell where we spend the rest of the night. Approx. 20-25km

  3. Day 3
    On this day we reunited with our horses at Holtasel. Our journey takes us toward the old bridge over Hornafjarðarfljót (majestic river), where we ride along the vast floodplains before turning toward the coastal lowlands of Skógey. We follow a newly built gravel road leading us to Dynjandi, a farm known for its stunning surroundings. Approx. 20-25km

  4. Day 4
    Today, we meet our horses at Almannaskarð. Here, our horses await as we set off toward one of Iceland’s most spectacular landmarks, Vestra-Horn. This iconic mountain, with its jagged peaks and dramatic black sand beaches, creates an awe-inspiring backdrop for our ride. We explore the Viking Village, a replica settlement nestled along the shore, before returning through the scenic Almannaskarð Pass. Approx. 20-25km

  5. Day 5
    We begin once more at Almannaskarð, heading deeper into the Lón district, where the mountain range opens up toward the interior. This remote and wild landscape leads us across the glacial river Jökulsá, a thrilling crossing that truly immerses us in Iceland’s untamed nature. We end the day riding into Stafafell, where we settle in for a well-earned rest. Approx. 20-25km

  6. Day 6
    Our final riding day takes us into the mesmerizing Hvannagil Canyon, a hidden jewel where golden-hued rhyolite mountains create a landscape unlike any other. From here, we follow a great road along the Jökulsá River (glacier river), before heading toward the wetlands and expansive deltas of the region. With the low tide revealing soft clay riding paths, we traverse the unique terrain before making our way back to our base at Stafafell, where we celebrate the journey’s end. Approx. 20-25km

  7. Day 7
    Today after breakfast we say goodbye to our hosts and head back to Reykjavík. On our way to make a stop at the most famous attractions in the south, Glacier Lagoon, Black beach and waterfalls. Arrival time approx: 17:00PM 

    – We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary –

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