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Trail of Hope

On this trail we ride through diverse nature, on black sandy beaches perfect for the famous gait Tölt to the highlight of the tour when we glide over the lake Hope.

Dates 2025

  • June: 7 - 11 & 13 -17 & 21 - 25 & 27 - 1th July
  • July: 7 -11 & 13-17
  • August: 3 - 7 & 25 -29

Horseback riding in North Iceland!

This tour is an ideal opportunity for everyone who wants to enjoy a exceptional ride in different types of landscape. We ride through diverse nature and get an excellent insight into Icelandic history when listening to stories from the Saga ages. Riding the horses on smooth sandy grounds is a joy for the rider and his mount. There is plenty of time to enjoy the unique gait “tölt” while exploring nature and the history of this outstanding area.

We start the ride at Hvammur Farm in Vatnsdalur valley. It is a thrilling experience riding on the black sandy beaches, through rivers, fields and the great lagoon called Lake Hóp (e. Hope). A visit to a seal colony on the North-Atlantic coast and the majestic Hvítserkur monolith is a wonderful thing to see.

Our well-known farmer Haukur Suska, his family and wonderful staff at Hvammur farm operate 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.

Tour Highlights

Vatnsdalur

A beautiful grown valley. The salmon and trout river Vatnsdalsá enters the valley and turns to numerous waterfalls and a canyon.  Vatnsdalshólar, the uncountable hills, are a well known feature in Iceland and the area is a setting of Vatnsdæla-Saga

Borgarvirki

a natural basalt strata feature and a fascinating fortress of the Vikings that was renovated by locals in 1949. It contains ruins and a well inside and stands 177 meters above sea level 

Víðidalsá River

A generous salmon and trout river that runs towards Lake Hóp

Thirteen horses drinking and walking through a river

Þverárétt

a sheep pen used by local farmers to sort the sheep in the autumn

Hvítserkur

a unique basalt rock formation and a nesting place to many seabirds

Vatnsnes peninsula

the area is one of the best known seal colony in Iceland

Sigríðarstaðasandur

a black sand area with dunes in the north west of Iceland

Nesbjörg

75 meters ridge above sea level in northwest Iceland

Hóp

a lake or a lagoon with a wonderful soft ground. Its the 5th largest lake in Iceland. 

Þingeyrar Church

The first stone church in Iceland, built in 1877. It was replaced by an old turf church. The most valuable piece in this church is the alabaster altarpiece from the 13th century.  

Lake Húnavatn

Ingimundur the old, a the first settler in Vatnsdal named the lake after a polar bear that he found with her two cubs

Horses running through water

Hvammsfoss waterfall

situated in Vatnsdalur surrounded by impressive basalt columns

  1. Day 1: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Vatnsdalur – Sveinsstaðir

    Pick up at 08:30 at BSÍ bus station. Please be ready at the earliest pickup time and be ready in your riding clothes. Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga.  Our ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (Approx. 14 km)

  2. Day 2: Hvammur – Sveinsstaðir – Hóp – Borgarvirki – Þverá – Hvítserkur

    We leave Sveinsstaðir Farm and ride alongside the lagoon Hóp. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. This trail along the shore gives us an idea of the beautiful lagoon we are going to cross tomorrow. We ride along the banks of Víðidalsá River and cross over it. We take a break at Stóra-Borg where our lunch break is and drive to Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking ages. Then we continue our ride to the sheep pen Þverárétt. It is used by local farmers to sort the sheep in the autumn. Before returning to the guesthouse we take another excursion to the shore where we see Hvítserkur, a basalt rock formation, nesting place to many seabirds. This area is home to large numbers of seals and hopefully, we see many of them resting and playing on the beach. We spend the night again at Hammur Farm. (Approx. 30 km)

  3. Day 3: Hvammur –North Atlantic – Thingeyrar

    Today we explore the beauty of the Vatnsnes peninsula and follow black dunes on Sigríðarstaðasandur towards the North-Atlantic. We have our lunch break on top of the ridge Nesbjörg where we enjoy the great view. Today we cross the lagoon Lake Hóp and follow a safe trail through the water on our way to Thingeyrar Farm, once the site of a monastery founded in the 12th century. For sure this day is one of the highlights of this ride. Relax in the outdoor hot tub at Hvammur Farm before a hearty dinner. (Approx. 40 km)

  4. Day 4: Hvammur – Thingeyrar – Húnavatn – Hvammur

    We start the day with a visit to historic Thingeyrar Church. This is our last day of riding and we bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm. We cross Lake Húnavatn on a save trail in the water and enjoy the excitement of the horses once they have returned to the black sand on dry land. We ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the successful return in the evening with great farewell dinner. (Approx. 25 km)

  5. Day 5: Hvammur – Reykjavík

    It is time to say goodbye to our guides and drive back to Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at 12:30 in Reykjavík BSÍ.

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

  • 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.

Please be ready at the earliest pick up time.

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 Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact us at [email protected]

Reviews

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

  M.O. Germany.

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.

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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