Not many Icelandic farmers follow the
tradition and drive their horses to summer
highland pastures. It is a privilege for us
being able to offer this great adventure to our
clients and a special highlight for our 25th
anniversary year. Haukur and Sonja from Hvammur
Farm, our partners for this unique tour, have
kept the tradition alive and drive their young
horses, mares and foals onto the remote summer
pastures in the highlands. Experience the
nurturing care of the mares making sure their
foals follow along. See the excitement of the
young horses who know already what awaits them
once they have left the farm. The herd controls
the speed of our ride, eagerly rushing away from
the farm, yet making sure that all foals follow
along and no horse is left behind. Men just show
direction to the herd which is driven by the
natural instincts of the Viking horse. The last
day of riding brings you back to Hvammur farm,
situated in the beautiful historic Vatnsdalur
Valley where we celebrate the successful drive
with a feast in the barn.
Another highlight of this tour is the drive over
Kjölur highland route when returning to
Reykjavík. Bathe in the heart of Iceland in a
natural warm pool at Hveravellir and enjoy the
beauty of Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir hot
spring area once your reach civilization again.
We spend all nights at Hvammur Farm, home to our
hosts, and enjoy made up beds throughout the
tour. Between two and four guests share a room
and the warm outdoor tub might be just the right
place to enjoy the bright nights of the North.
Sunday: Reykjavík – Hvammur –
Vatnsdalur
Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to
Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and
guides. After having gathered up the
horses we start our ride through
Vatnsdalur. This beautiful valley is the
setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride
past the historical farm Hof along the
banks of River Vatnsdalsá to Grímstunga
Farm, where we leave the horses and
return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight
stay. (30 km)
Monday: Grímstunga –
Grímstunguheiði - Hvammur
This will be our longest day
when we ascend towards the highland
plateau Grímstunguheiði and drive the
horses into their summer pastures.We
enjoy a good picnic lunch and coffee at
a mountain shelter before we return to
Grímstunga, change horses and, using a
different route, ride back to Hvammur.
(40 km)
Tuesday: Hvammur – Húnavatn –
Thingeyrar - Hvammur
Enjoying good riding paths we ride north
on the east side of the valley towards
Akur Farm where we cross the river
Húnavatn and enjoy riding on the black
sand, home of countless birds and not
far away from where the seals are
playing. Our ride ends at Thingeyrar
Farm, a place of great history and a
beautiful church. Return to Hvammer for
the overnight stay. (30 km)
Wednesday: Hvammur - Thingeyrar
– Hvammur
This is our last day of riding and we
bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm.
We follow good riding tracks, ideal for
the special gait of the Icelandic horse,
tölt. This time we ride on the eastern
side of Vatnsdalur valley, past
Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by
impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the
successful return in the evening during
a great barbeque feast in the barn –
“Icelandic style” !!! (20 km)
Thursday: Hvammur – Kjölur
Highland Route – Reykjavík
We drive over the Kjölur Highland Route
back to Reykjavík. The bus takes you
through the rugged wilderness of the
highland. Be amazed by natural hot water
pool at Hveravellir - enjoy a dip? View
the majestic glaciers Hofsjökull and
Langjökull, and powerful Gullfoss
waterfall, before reaching the well
known Geysir.Return to Reykjavik at
approx. 18:30.
