The Brooke - Iceland Horse Trek

Entry has now closed for our Iceland horse trek for August 2010 but do keep an eye out for news about Brooke treks for 2011!

The Icelandic Horse Trek Challenge 14th - 21st August 2010

From snow capped mountains to volcanoes and geysers, from mighty lava fields to wide open stretches of beach and green valleys, you will see it all as you ride through the Snæfellsnes peninsula National Park. The ride culminates with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon where you can relax your aching muscles in the thermal pools.
You will ride Icelandic horses which with their unique tölt which can be fast so you need to be a confident rider able to adapt to different riding styles.

Itinerary

Saturday 14th August
We fly from Heathrow airport to Keflavik Reykjavik‘s International Airport. We will be met at the airport and transferred by bus to Stóri-Kalfalækur Farm for dinner. After a hearty dinner our guides will give a talk about the historical aspect of the challenge and the Icelandic horse. (Overnight at Stóri-Kalfalækur Farm.)

Sunday 15th August
After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we ride down to the shore, and on to Löngufjörur, the famous horse trail on the seashores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Ahead of us is Snæfellsjökull Glacier, known in literature to be the entrance to the centre of the earth! Our trail takes us through Eldborgarhraun lava field and its crater to Kolviðarnes Farm. (Approx. 28 km) Overnight at Laugagerði Schoolhouse where a swimming pool heated with geothermal water awaits.

Riders and ponies on an Icelandic beach © In the Saddle

Monday 16th August
This morning the herd stays at Kolviðarnes while we ride onto the beaches in front of Skógarnes. After two to three hours on the beach we return to Kolviðarnes, change horses and take the herd along the river Haffjarðará into Hnappadalur valley and on to Mýrdalur farm. We leave the horses at the farm overnight and return to Laugargerð. (Approx 35-40K) Overnight at Laugagerði Schoolhouse

Riders and ponies crossing a river in beautiful Iceland © In The Saddle

Tuesday 17th August
Today we head for the mountains and the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Riding west of Oddastaðavatn Lake across Rauðamelsheiði heath, past numerous lakes and mountains we come to our final stop Dunkur Farm. (Approx. 30km) Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm

Wednesday 18th August
This morning we continue our ride onto the beaches on the northern side of Snæfellsnes, overlooking Breiðafjörður Fjord with numerous islands. We head for Árblik in Haukadalur valley, using excellent riding tracks on the banks of Miðár River for the last 5-6km. (Approx 30K) Overnight at Árblik Community Centre.

Thursday 19th August
Today our trail takes us into Hörðudalur Valley, through Burstardalur Valley and over Svínbjúgur Mountain into the beautiful valley Hítardalur and Lake Hítarvatn. The views are amazing and you won't be short of photo opportunities on this last stretch. (Approx 35K) Overnight in a mountain cabin.

Riding through Iceland's beautiful landscape © In The Saddle

Friday 20th August
Our final day of riding takes us to the round-up place in Hítardalur and across Hítará River. The landscape changes to black ashes and lava covering an area well known as the hide out of Iceland’s most famous outlaw Gréttir. (Approx 45K) Overnight at Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm with outdoor hot tub.

Saturday 21st August We will be transferred to the airport but on the way we visit the famous Blue Lagoon and spend some time relaxing in the thermal pools before flying home.

Ponies in the unspolit beauty of Iceland © In The Saddle

This is a complex itinerary and may be subject to change. The itinerary is the copyright of In the Saddle.

Please Read the Important Information document, downloadable as a PDF in the left hand column of this page.