Forces of Nature: The Black Sand Trail

Black Sand Trail

Embark on an unforgettable long-distance horseback adventure through the raw and rugged beauty of Iceland, where the rhythm of hooves carries you around glaciers and across some of the world’s most hauntingly beautiful volcanic deserts and coastal plains.

 

This is a rare 10-day horseback journey where we ride from the volcanic highlands to the Atlantic coast.

 

Much of this route is accessible only by horseback, far from roads and walking paths. We follow centuries-old riding trails through

Mælifellssandur, Hungurfit, and Þakgil,

 

Iconic and hidden natural wonders

The powerful Mt. Hekla,  the most famous volcano of Iceland.
The twin peaks of Tindfjallajökull Glacier rising above the valleys.
The moss-green Mælifell volcano in the middle of the black sand desert.
The secluded mountain gorge Þakgil, straight out of a fairytale.
The world-famous Reynisfjara Black Beach, Sólheimasandur, Eyjafjallajökull and Skógafoss.

 

The  Icelandic way

Travel like Icelanders did for centuries: riding with a free-running herd of Icelandic horses. Each rider has about 3-4 horses, changing mounts along the way while the rest run alongside.

 

For experienced and passionate riders

This is a demanding and deeply rewarding adventure suited for confident riders.

 

 

From the lava fields of Mt. Hekla and the shimmering ice of Tindfjallajökull glacier, the trail leads you over the vast black sands of Mælifellssandur, past the solitary beauty of Pétursey, and onward toward the dramatic sea cliffs and beaches near Vík. Then we continue across the windswept expanse of Sólheimasandur, a vast, windswept black sand plain stretching between the glacier Mýrdalsjökull and the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast of Iceland. It’s made of fine, dark volcanic sand, almost like powdered lava. Right in the middle of this emptiness rests the DC-3 plane wreck, the remains of a US Navy aircraft that crash-landed in 1973. The silver fuselage lies tilted and broken on the black sand, creating iconic and haunting sight.

Each stride takes you deeper into the elemental soul of Iceland, through braided glacial rivers, past ancient lava flows, and under snow-capped peaks where fire and ice have shaped the land for millennia. This is more than a ride, it’s an odyssey through time, nature, and the enduring spirit of Iceland itself.

 

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DURATION

10 nights - 10 riding days

RIDING SKILLS

Advanced riders only

MINIMUM AGE

16 years

DEPARTURES

2026: 8-18 August

ACCOMMODATION

Shared rooms in simple mountain huts and guesthouse at a farm. Please bring your own sleeping bag or let us know if you would like to rent one from us. Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

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 on request 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.

Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

ATTENTION

Flight to and from Iceland is not included

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

8 August:

Pick up at BSI at 17:30 and drive up to Rjupnavellir. We will all try rain gear and helmets and have a cozy dinner there.

9 August: Where lava shaped the Earth – Galtalækur – Foss (30 km)

Pick up early in the morning (or the night before?)

Starting from Galtalækur, our ride leads us south of Mt. Hekla volcano and shows both sides of Mt. Hekla eruptions: rocky lava fields and fertile farmland. We ride through lush green fields and cross the river Ytri-Rangá. For parts of the day we follow the well-known Hekla Trail and ride on good riding tracks where it is easy to enjoy the tölt and for parts of it we walk through rough lava. We stay in the mountain cabin Foss for the night.

10 August: Where the wild sheep roam – Foss – Hungurfit (25 km)

Our riding day leads us up North, with the infamous Mt. Hekla volcano to our left side. Hekla is one of the most active and most feared volcanos in Iceland, the lava fields in the South date back to the 12th century. Constant eruptions have not only destroyed human settlements throughout the centuries but also created fertile soil. Our ride takes us on the slopes of Tindfjallajökull  through lush farmland at the edge of lava fields, following Eystri-Rangá river upstream and crossing it. We stay in the hut Hungurfit for the night. This is a recently rebuilt, cosy cabin. It is bravely located in the proximity of Tindfjallajökull (easily recognizable by its two symmetrical peaks, Ýmir and Ýma, both over 1400 metres high)

11 August: Passing the Peaks: Hungurfit – Mosar – around Mosar (30 km)

We ride Eastwards through valleys and over mountains, with beautifull views towards Grænafjall mountain. We continue through the green Botnar valley and stop at a cave used in earlier times as a shelter for farmers when gathering their sheep until we reach our cabin Mosar.

After lunch we leave the herd behind and continue on individual horses to further explore this wonderful area some more. The highlight of this day will be looking down at the impressive Markafljotsglúfur, a gorge that is 200 meters deep.

12 August: Through the Black Sand Desert (50 km) Mosar to Holmsáa

The longest day of our tour lies ahead of us. Our ride will take us Northeast, between Mýrdalsjökull and Torfajökull Glacier. We follow the Fjallabak Trail across Mælifellssandur, a black sand desert named after the prominent cone shaped volcano Mælifell that rises above the black sand and provides great contrast with its’ moss green slopes. We ride past it and continue East. At the end of the path we turn South and get really close to the glacier on our way to the field for the night. We leave the horses and drive to our place for the night (Tungusel).

13 August: In Katla´s shadow (ca 25 km) Holmsáa to Hrífunes

Today we continue our ride down South. We follow Holmsá river and venture a bit into Merkigiljasandur, a small sander area of Myrdalsjökull. After our long day yesterday, we take it easier today and end the riding day in Hrifunes.

14 August: Let´s get our feet wet (Hrífunes –Höfðabrekka/Kerlingadalur) (app. 35 km)

We drive to meet with our herd in Hrifunes. Today we will cross the extensive black sand sander area Myrdalssandur and cross some glacial streams on the way. We will reach the mountain ranges before Vik and turn right into one of the valleys to end in Kerlingardalur.

15 August: Into the Wild mountains (Kerlingadalur – Þakgil – Heiði)

Today will take us deeper into the mountain ranges South of Myrdalsjökull. We cross a high plateau and venture deep into the gorges. From there, ride to Heiði through the gorges at Höfðabrekkuheiði, including Þakgil. This is a magical environment that will transport us straight into a Lord of the Rings movie. (app. 35 km)

16 August: The (in)famous Black Beach

We will ride out of the mountains and down to the infamous Black Beach (Reynisfjara). We will cross the lagoon and ride up to the cliffs of  Dyrhóley, and the sandbanks of Klifanda, and end in Pétursey. (app. 30km)

 

17 August: Between glacier and the ocean (Pétursey – Skálakot /Fornusandar) app. 40 km

We ride from Peturséy across Sólheimasandur and the famous plane wreck. In 1973 a transport aircraft operated by the US Navy crashed there during severe weather conditions and was left there. It has since become a popular tourist spots.  We follow the glacier river Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi upstream to the bridge and follow alongside the ring road for a bit to catch the sight of impressive Skógarfoss.

When we reach the mountain Lambafell we turn left towards the coast and to Eyjafjallasandur and around the Eyjafjöll lagoon, if the conditions allow.  We ride along the coast under the mountains Eyjafjöll and Eyjafjallajökull.  and end close to Seljalandsfoss.  (app. 40 km).

 

18 August: Winding down: Up the mountains in Skalakot

On our last day we take it easy, we take our favourite horse and our lunch pack and climb up the mountains towards Eyjafjallajoekull and enjoy the amazing views from up there, towards the glaciers, black beaches and the Westman islands. Perfect spot to let it all sink in.

In the afternoon we drive back to Reykjavik.