Riding With The Elves

These enchanting rides take you through magical landscapes with breathtaking views over one of the longest fjords of Iceland and out to the sea and the island of Hrísey.

Delightful dark green valleys, rushing brooks and a fascinating coastland characterise this riding tour which consists of several day rides and a two-day ride. Ride to Fjörður, a mysterious and deserted countryside which has been cut off from the rest of the world for 40 years. Only about 4000 sheep spend the summertime here every year, together with the trolls and elves!

On the last day there is an excursion to see the wonderful Pearls of the North around Lake Mývatn by bus.

Lovely landscapes with breathtaking views, delightful dark green valleys, rushing brooks and a fascinating coastland characterize this riding tour which consists of several day rides and a two-day ride.

On the last day we show you the pearls of the North around lake Mývatn by bus.

Detailed tour description:

Saturday:

In the late afternoon transfer to our farmhouse Grýtubakki. We will have dinner together and talk about the program of the next days.

Overnight at Grýtubakki.

Sunday:

After a copious breakfast we saddle the horses. A short instruction brings you into contact with your horse and off we go! Our first ride goes up to the mountains from where we have a wonderful view over one of the longest fjords of Iceland – Eyjafjörður.

After lunch out in nature we ride around mountain Höfði and enjoy the nice view out to the sea and the island of Hrísey, Iceland’s second biggest island.

We ride close to the hill of the ravens “Hrafnabjörg” and under us is the vally of the cows – we tell you more about it!

Coffee and cakes await us at Grýtubakki.

We will be about 6 hours in saddle

Dinner and overnight.

Monday:

After breakfast we saddle up for a day tour. We will ride to Grenivik, the little fishing village, close to our farmhouse and from there along the coast Látrarströnd. The North Sea is greeting us! We ride above steep cliffs, through luxuroius meadows, clear brooks and impressive valleys. We will have our lunch close to the ruins of the farmhouse of Svínarnes: witnesses of formal life.

In this area the young horses of the farmers are spending the summer and they are very curious! They will probably have a look at our sandwiches!

We take the same way back to the farm. This was a 5 hour-ride.

Dinner and overnight at Grýtubakki

Tuesday:

Today we prepare for a two-day excursion.

We ride through the valley of Fnjóská. The river Fnjóská is the longest freshwater river in Iceland. For approx. 10’000 years ago there was a glacial lake in this valley. The shore of this lake is still visible in the slopes of the mountains.

We cross the river and ride to Laufàs, the famous turf houses. Here we will have lunch and visit the museum to learn about how life was in Iceland in formal days.

We go on and ride along the river, through wooden slopes and in the afternoon we reach farmhouse Hjarðarholt where we stay overnight. Close to this farmhouse is the church of Draflastaðir, a historical place. You are welcome to visit it.

We are about 5 hours in saddle.

Wednesday:

After breakfast we catch the horses and ride back home on a higher way along the slopes of Draflastadarfjall.

Today we have a beautiful view over the fjord Eyjafjörður where the river Fnjóskà flows into the sea. On our way home we ride to Helguholl, the holy hill. People in the area say that under the hill there is a ship full of gold from the old vikings. If somebody tries to get the gold, all churches which are visible from the hill will burn down.

Nobody has tried to dig, not yet!

Coffee and cakes will be ready for you at Grýtubakki.

Dinner and overnight.

Thursday:

Today we will ride up to the mountains into the area of Fjörður.

Fjörður is a mysterious and deserted countryside. It has been closed off from the rest of the world for 40 years. Only about 4000 sheep spend the summertime here every year, together with the trolls and elves. Names like Trölladalur, the valley of the trolls and Álfaborgir, the cities of the elves remind us of the existence of these invisible beings.

From the rise of Leirdalsheiði we have a wonderful view over to whole fjord of Eyjafjörður, the fishing village Grenivík and the surrounding farms. We ride through green valleys, along rushing rivers and over stony paths. Extinct volcanoes, silent glaciers and hidden waterfalls accompany us. At the highest point a tremendous view out to the polar sea awaits us. At the mountain hut of Gil we will have our lunch break, enjoying the silence of nature which is only interrupted by the roaring waters of river Vestur-Gilsá.

In the late afternoon we will be back at Grýtubakki.

We are about 6 hours in saddle.

Dinner and overnight.

Friday:

After breakfast we say good-bye to our guests.

2011 prices:

6 nights, full board, £1,090 pp

2012 prices:

6 nights, full board, £1045pp

2011 dates:

2nd July - 27th August

2012 dates:

23rd - 29th June

30th June - 6th July

7th - 13th July

14th - 20th July

21st - 27th July

28th July - 3rd August

4th - 10th August

11th - 17th August

18th - 24th August

25th - 31st August

Not Included: Flights and Travel Insurance

Accommodation: 6 nights full board, sleeping bag accommodation in farmhouses & huts

Meeting Point: Akureyi

Transfer: Included from Akureyi

Hours in the Saddle: 5-6

Max Weight: 95kg

Group Size: 4-10

Suitable for Non-Riders: No

Call us on +44 (0)1225 424413 or email contact@redlandsequestrian.com to check the ride availability and dates, once we have confirmed availability you can download and fill in a booking form:

• UK Rides Booking Form
• Worldwide Rides Booking Form

Each rider in the party must also complete a riding ability questionnaire before we can complete the final confirmation of your holiday booking.