NEW FRONTIER 2025 – PIONEERING ICELAND’S NORTHWEST

Freshly designed for advanced riders who love exploring new angles on Iceland’s beauty, this pioneering 8-riding-day tour will take us through diverse landscapes in the wild west. The trail links the stunning Snæfellsnes and Vatnsnes peninsulas in the northwest of the country – starting in Mýrar Wetland, weaving through a chain of beautiful valleys, and ending nearby Lake Hóp. We invite you to join us on this fantastic tour! Click here for details.

Our herd will be waiting for us at a paddock nearby Stóri-Kálfalækur, a working farm and guesthouse tucked away on the southern shores of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We’ll ride through rolling meadows and gentle hills, with views of the region’s iconic volcanic features. Our destination for the day is Grímsstaðir, a remote farmhouse with an antique touch, perched on a mountainside overlooking lush green fields.  

The journey will take us through a stunning chain of valleys: Hraundalur, Langavatnsdalur, Laugardalur and Hordudalur. As we ride, we’ll ford sparkling streams that eventually flow into the deep waters of Lake Langavatn.  The valley Hordudalur, our today’s destination, is named after a crew member of one of the settlers, who gave him the valley for his own farm.

We’ll traverse variety of landscapes, before setting our sights on the Haukadalur valley. While broad, it is also deep enough that the farms on its southern side endure a staggering 25 weeks of winter without a glimpse of the sun. Even so, the trout lake and salmon river add to its timeless allure.

In centuries past, the valley floor was blanketed in lush forests, though only a few trees remain today. Erik the Red lived here at famed Eiríksstaðir until his exile led him to Greenland, where he founded a new settlement. His son, Leif the Lucky, born in Eiríksstaðir, later sailed westward to become the first European to set foot in North America around the year 1000.

We’ll follow Ormsá (Worm River), which meanders northwards through quiet valleys to Hrútafjörður – Ram’s Fjord. Right in the middle of the fjord sits Hrútey, or Ram Island (yes, the naming theme is strong here!). When we reach Óspaksstaðir, you’ll feel the pioneering spirit of Iceland’s earliest settlers, who braved these remote landscapes – virtually unchanged to this day.

While our horses enjoy the grassy fields of Óspaksstaðir, we’ll spend the night at a nearby community centre – just like local horsemen do when passing through this area. Staying at these community centres is a true slice of Icelandic culture that you’ll get to experience first-hand.

Today’s ride takes us over the windswept moors southeast of Hrútafjörður – a proper stretch of wild, open landscape. After hours in the saddles, we’ll arrive at Dalgeirsstaðir, where our horses will spend the night grazing peacefully in a lush field.

Once we’re back with our horses at Dalgeirsstaðir, we’ll set off into a landscape shaped by glaciers, dotted with post-glacial lakes and moraine hills. The highest of these (around 350 metres above sea level) will be our landmarks for the day. Today’s route takes the shape of a horseshoe. We’ll start southward by following the banks of Vesturá (West River). After weaving through a string of lakes, we’ll turn north to trace the banks of Austurá (East River), eventually arriving at Barkarstaðir.

Heading north, we’ll follow the bridle path of Fitjárdalur valley, flanked by vast post-glacial moors. Once we leave the moors behind, it’s onward to Dæli, nestled in the wide valley of Víðidalstunga.

Our final day’s ride takes us to Gottorp – a farm with large fields where our horses can enjoy their well-earned week off. Perched between the vast waters of Vesturhópsvatn and Hóp, Gottorp is the perfect grand finale for this trailblazing adventure.