A five-day Riding Journey for experienced riders, travelling with a free-running herd through the diverse landscapes of South Iceland, from the volcanic foothills of Hekla into the Highlands and back.
Our Journey begins at Minni-Vellir beneath Hekla, where we set out across the volcanic countryside with our horses. Following old riding routes, we gradually leave the farmland behind and head into the Highlands, travelling through lava fields, open mountain landscapes and remote valleys.
As we continue south, the landscape changes around us. We ride beneath Þríhyrningur and towards the greener country of Fljótshlíð, with its rivers, woodlands and sheltered valleys. Along the way, we spend a night together with the horses at Foss mountain hut, experiencing a different side of life on a Riding Journey.
On the final day, we turn towards Hekla and ride through the countryside of Landsveit, completing our Journey where it began. Five days after setting out, horses and riders arrive home together at Minni-Vellir.From beneath Hekla into the Highlands and through the Rangá valleys, each day takes us further along the highlands before the Journey eventually turns towards home.
Day 1 – Minni-Vellir to Næfurholt · approx. 25 km
We pick you up in Reykjavík before lunch and travel to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. After a light lunch and time to settle in, we meet our horses and prepare for the first stage of the Journey.
We set out from Minni-Vellir, riding towards Næfurholt at the roots of Hekla. It is our first day travelling with the herd, changing horses along the way as we leave the farmland around Minni-Vellir behind.
As we ride closer, Hekla becomes an increasingly impressive presence in the landscape, rising ahead of us as we approach the roots of the volcano
At the end of the ride, the horses remain at Næfurholt while we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for the evening
Day 2 – Næfurholt to Foss · approx. 27 km
We rejoin the horses at Næfurholt and continue our Journey towards the Highlands. As we climb higher, the farmland gradually falls behind and the landscape becomes wilder and more open.
Part of our route takes us along narrow trails through extensive lava fields. Here the rough terrain slows our pace, but opens up impressive views across the surrounding landscape as we make our way deeper into the wilderness.
By the end of the day we reach Foss mountain hut beneath Þríhyrningur. Tonight there is no return to Minni-Vellir – horses and riders stay together on the trail, with dinner and a night at the mountain hut before we continue our Journey the following morning.
Day 3 – Foss to Völlur · approx. 28 km
We leave Foss and continue towards Völlur by the Eystri-Rangá river. The landscape changes noticeably today as our route takes us through mountain country and across streams on our way towards the river valley.
After the rougher lava fields and open landscapes of the previous day, the increasingly green surroundings bring a different character to the riding. As the day progresses, we descend towards the Eystri-Rangá and the farmland around Völlur.
At the end of the ride, the horses remain at Völlur while we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for the evening.
Day 4 – Völlur to Gunnarsholt · approx. 20 km
We rejoin the horses at Völlur and begin by riding upstream along the Eystri-Rangá until we reach the suitable place to cross the river. From the river, our route takes us across open sands towards the farm at Kirkjubær before the landscape changes once again as we continue towards Gunnarsholt. Here, woodland and extensive fields of grass replace the open sands of the earlier part of the day. At the end of the ride, the horses remain at Gunnarsholt, ready for the final stage of our Journey, while we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for the evening.
Day 5 – Gunnarsholt to Minni-Vellir · approx. 31 km
We rejoin the horses at Gunnarsholt for the final stage of our Journey and ride towards the Ytri-Rangá river. At Árbæjarhjáleiga, we are met by the local farmer, who knows the river well and helps us navigate the ford across the river. After the crossing, we set out on the final part of our Journey. From Árbæjarhjáleiga, we ride through Landsveit, our home country beneath Hekla, making our way across familiar riding country towards Minni-Vellir.
Back at Minni-Vellir, there is time to relax in the hot tub before gathering for our final dinner together – a chance to celebrate the Journey and our return home. We spend our final night at Minni-Vellir before our departure the following morning.
Five days after setting out, horses and riders arrive home together at Minni-Vellir – completing our Journey across the Southern Highlands.
Please note: The itinerary describes our planned route, but conditions in the Icelandic Highlands can change quickly. Weather, trail conditions and water levels in rivers may require us to adapt the route. Our guides will always make these decisions with the safety and wellbeing of our guests and horses in mind.
Smaller Groups. Bigger Herds.
We deliberately travel with a generous number of horses for the size of the group. This allows riders to change horses regularly and experience their different characters and abilities, while sharing the work between the horses throughout the Journey.
Riding with a free-running herd brings its own rhythm to the Journey. The horses travel together through the landscape, and as the terrain changes, so does the pace and character of the riding.
Over five days, you will ride a number of different horses, getting to know the versatility of the Icelandic horse while becoming part of the movement of the herd across the Southern Highlands.
Long days in the saddle. Varied terrain. A Journey for experienced riders.
Across the Southern Highlands is designed for experienced, riding-fit riders who are comfortable spending several hours a day in the saddle.
We typically ride for 4–6 hours each day, covering around 25–30+ km. The terrain varies considerably along the Journey, from smooth riding trails and open country to rougher lava fields, mountain trails, river crossings and other demanding sections where the terrain naturally slows our pace.
Riding with the herd can be fast and exhilarating when conditions allow, but this is not a Journey defined by speed. What makes the riding more demanding is the combination of five consecutive days of riding, changing terrain, long hours in the saddle and the dynamics of travelling with a free-running herd.
Riders should be confident and balanced at all paces, comfortable riding different horses and physically prepared for consecutive days in the saddle.
Minni-Vellir is our home base, with one night together on the trail.
For most of the Journey, we return to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. While the horses remain at the destination reached that day, we transfer back to Minni-Vellir for dinner and the night.
On Day 2, the Journey takes us to Foss mountain hut beneath Þríhyrningur, where horses and riders stay together overnight before continuing along the route the following morning.
Accommodation is in sleeping bags throughout the Journey. At Minni-Vellir, we sleep in proper beds in the Riders’ Loft, while Foss offers simple, shared mountain-hut accommodation.
Back at Minni-Vellir, there is time to relax after the day’s riding, enjoy dinner together and make use of the outdoor hot tub. After completing the Journey on Day 5, we spend our final night at Minni-Vellir, with time to relax, enjoy dinner together and celebrate riding all the way home.
Good food after a day in the saddle
Each morning begins with a breakfast buffet, where you can also prepare sandwiches and snacks to take with you for the day. Lunch is carried in our saddlebags or brought to us along the route where access allows.
In the evening, we come together over a chef-prepared dinner, with an emphasis on Icelandic food and locally sourced ingredients. It is a chance to relax, talk about the day and enjoy the company of the group.
On our night at Foss, our chef travels with us, bringing the same Íshestar hospitality to the mountain hut and preparing dinner for us there.
On our final evening back at Minni-Vellir, we gather for dinner one last time and celebrate completing the Journey together.
The Journey continues after we leave the saddle
Across the Southern Highlands is first and foremost a riding Journey, but some of its most memorable moments happen when the riding stops.
There is the night together at Foss mountain hut, evenings around the table, time to relax in the hot tub at Minni-Vellir and encounters with the people and places along our route.
These moments are not separate excursions from the Journey. They are part of travelling through this part of Iceland on horseback.
We reccomend that you bring warm gloves and a thin hat that can fit under the riding helmet. Included in the price is that you can borrow a helmet, warm overall or rain coat and rain pants as well as rubber boots.
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
Arrival & First Ride
Our Journey begins with a pickup in Reykjavík and a transfer to Minni-Vellir, our farmhouse beneath Hekla. After arriving and settling in, we prepare the horses and set out on the first stage of our riding Journey.
Final Day & Return to Reykjavík
On our fifth day, we complete our Journey back to Minni-Vellir, arriving home together with the horses. We spend one final night at the farmhouse before departing the following day.
Support Along the Way
Our support team meets us at accessible points along the route, bringing supplies and lunch and arranging transfers between Minni-Vellir when a day’s ride finishes away from the farmhouse.
Some sections of the Journey take us beyond vehicle access. Here, we carry everything needed for the riding day in our saddlebags.
For our night at Foss, our support vehicle brings our overnight luggage and supplies to the mountain hut. We recommend packing lightly and bringing only what is needed for the night.
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