Magical Snæfellsnes

Magical Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsnes

Living the Dream: Riding Löngufjörur on Horseback

 

The beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula stretches far into the Atlantic from Iceland’s west coast, showcasing many of the country’s natural wonders. Our ride will take us through lava fields and along hillsides, as well as on light-coloured Löngufjörur, one of the world’s most renowned beaches for riding. This long stretch of coastline is a dream for Icelandic horse enthusiasts. It offers a unique experience of tölting, with the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier standing proudly in the distance.

 

Tour Overview Highlights

 

-Ride from the northern Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the southern coast, crossing beaches, lava fields, rivers & mountain passes.

-Experience Löngufjörur, one of the world’s most famous golden sand riding beaches, with Snæfellsjökull glacier ahead.

-Enjoy long stretches of perfect tölting terrain along the ocean.

-Ride with a free-running herd, a signature Icelandic multi-day riding experience.

-Explore landscapes rich with troll stories, legends & Icelandic folklore.

-Relax in a traditional Icelandic hot pot at a countryside farm.

-Spend your days riding 22–35 km through diverse landscapes and your evenings enjoying Icelandic hospitality.

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DURATION

5 nights – 5 riding days

RIDING SKILLS

Intermediate
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DEPARTURES

Dates 2026: 13-18 July. 13-18 August

ACCOMMODATION

Beds with linens in shared (2-4 persons) rooms at Stóri-Kálfalækur

NOTE

Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for the beach ride. On the days we ride along Löngufjörur beach, the start time will depend on the ocean tides. This means we may set off early in the morning or wait until midday or even the afternoon.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

1) Bus transfer from Reykjavík to Stóri-Kálfalækur, and back

2) Full board
We have breakfast and dinner at our accommodation, while lunch is on-the-go (at a longer break during the ride). All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table. Vegetarian meals are available on request when booking.

3) Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

1) Individual travel insurance
We encourage tour participants to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

2) Flight to and from Iceland

3) Alcoholic beverages
You are welcome to bring your own drinks to enjoy in the evening. Alternatively, our chef typically offers a limited selection of beer and wine for purchase. You can pay in ISK (cash), or if needed, we can stop by an ATM after the tour. Riding under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

North to South 13-18 July 2026 and 13-18 August

Day 1

The Ishestar minibus will pick you up in Reykjavík at around 5:30 p.m. for a two-hour drive to Stóri-Kálfalækur. On arrival, you’ll meet Halldór Ingi and the team, and be welcomed with a light dinner.

 

Day 2               
RIDING: West of Gaul

After breakfast, we’ll drive westward to Gaul, a farm by the ocean, where we will meet our herd. You’ll be riding a single horse today as we begin exploring the stunning Löngufjörur beach, one of the world’s most famous riding beaches. This long stretch of coastline is a dream for Icelandic horsemen, offering a truly special experience, with the Snæfellsjökull glacier standing tall ahead.

Approx. 12 km / 3 hours to reach the destination

 

Day 3

RIDING: Gaul – Kolviðarnes

Today’s adventure takes us along the magnificent Löngufjörur beach, following the coastline eastward. With the herd at the distance ahead of our group and the sound of the ocean as the backdrop, you’ll get to enjoy the landscape like a local rider. We’ll experience the smooth tölt gait of our horses as they splash through the shallow waters of the shore. This firm sand provides the ideal terrain for long-distance tölting. Our destination is a farm field located right by the Atlantic shore, where the horses will rest for the night.

Approx. 35 km / 5 hours to reach the destination

 

Day 4

RIDING: Kolviðarnes – Staðarhraun

We’ll ride through volcanic valleys, rich in tales of trolls and outlaws from Icelandic folklore. Along the way, we’ll see expansive grasslands, lava-rock formations, rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. If the skies are clear, don’t forget to glance back for a final view of the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier.

Approx. 32 km / 6 hours to reach the destination

 

Day 5

RIDING: Staðarhraun – Grímsstaðir

Today’s journey takes us through rocky terrain, so we’ll be moving at a more leisurely pace. After crossing a mountain pass, we’ll ride through colourful hillsides and alongside a fertile fishing river. This day is all about appreciating the varied landscapes of this magnificent region of the country. We can celebrate the last evening with a relaxing soak in the farm’s hot pot – a perfect way to unwind and reflect on the adventure we’ve shared so far.

Approx. 22 km / 6 hours to reach the destination

 

Day 6

RIDING: Grímsstaðir – Stóri-Kálfalækur

DRIVING: Stóri-Kálfalækur – Reykjavík

On our final day, we’ll tölt and trot across grassy plains and walk through rocky terrain at the base of a mountain range. We’ll pause for lunch at a traditional sheep round-up site, offering a glimpse into Icelandic farming heritage. From there, we’ll ride in the area of fertile farmlands as we make our way back to Stóri-Kálfalækur, soaking in the peaceful colours of the surrounding landscape.

Approx. 25 km / 5 hours to reach the destination

Before heading off for the drive back to Reykjavík, we’ll enjoy a farewell snack and a cup of hot coffee at Stóri-Kálfalækur. This final moment at the farm allows you to gradually ease back into everyday life after our extraordinary adventure together. We expect to arrive in Reykjavík at around 8:00 p.m.

ACCOMMODATION

Stóri-Kálfalækur Farm

During the tour, we’ll be staying at Stóri-Kálfalækur, a working farm located on the south shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. While our horses spend the nights in fields at our daily destinations, we’ll return to the farm each evening. Stóri-Kálfalækur has kept its traditional countryside interior style. It offers hot showers and electricity, but no Wi-Fi. There’s a spacious common room where we can share stories from the day over a beer or a cup of coffee.
Number of rooms:  8 (2-4 beds in each)
Number of beds:  20
Outdoor hot-pot:  Yes
Number of WC:  5
Number of showers:  5
GSM connection:  Yes, but not strong
WiFi: No
Beds with linens: Yes

South to North: 8-13 July

Day 1              

DRIVING: Reykjavík – Stóri-Kálfalækur

Stóri Kálfalækur – Grímsstaðir

Pick up in the morning in Reykjavik and drive to Snæfellsnes (abot 1,5 hours).

We arrive and drop off our luggage at the farm. We will get our equipment and get to meet our guides and horses for the next days. Today we’ll tölt and trot across grassy plains and walk through rocky terrain at the base of a mountain range. We’ll pause for lunch at a traditional sheep round-up site, offering a glimpse into
Icelandic farming heritage. We’ll ride in the area of fertile farmlands, soaking in the peaceful colours of the surrounding landscape. We can celebrate the shortest night of the year with a relaxing soak in the farm’s hot pot – a perfect way to unwind and reflect on the adventure we’ve shared so far.

Approx. 25 km / 5 hours to reach the destination

9 July Day 2.
Grímsstaðir – Staðarhraun

Today’s journey takes us through rocky terrain, so we’ll be moving at a more leisurely pace. After crossing a mountain pass, we’ll ride through colourful hillsides and alongside a fertile fishing river. This day is all about appreciating the varied landscapes of this magnificent region of the country.

Approx. 22 km / 6 hours to reach the destination

 

10 July Day 3.
Staðarhraun – Kolviðarnes

We continue our ride through the mystical volcanic valley enjoying the scenery and local myths of trolls and outlaws. We cross rivers and enjoy great views over the grasslands against picturesque rocks and as far as the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you can even see the snowcapped Snæfellsjökull glacier at the tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Our destination today is a field at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Approx. 32 km / 6 hours to reach the destination

 

11 July Day 4.
Kolviðarnes – Gaul

Today’s adventure takes us along the magnificent Löngufjörur beach, following the coastline eastward. With the herd at the distance ahead of our group and the sound of the ocean as the backdrop, you’ll get to enjoy the landscape like a local rider. We’ll experience the smooth tölt gait of our horses as they splash through the shallow waters of the shore. This firm sand provides the ideal terrain for long-distance tölting. We
follow the coast westerly direction on soft ground, splashing water under our
horses hooves and with the view of majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier ahead of us.

Our destination is a farm field located right by the Atlantic shore, where the
horses will rest for the night.

Approx. 35 km / 5 hours to reach the
destination

 

12 July Day 5. Gaul

We enjoy another day on the beach with a single horse ride. Carefree tolting with views of the glacier ahead. (app. 15 km or 3-4 hours)

After the ride we go for a scenic drive with sightseeing stops on Snæfellsnes peninsula, including the famous “Arrow mountain” from Games of Thrones

13 July Day 6

After breakfast we head towards Reykjavik