Fjallabak Tour

Meet at the BSI bus station in Reykjavik at 6PM on the first day for the group transfer to the outfitters farm Austvadsholt for final preparations for the tour, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and the assignment of horses, course is set for the lodge at Rjupnavellir. Ride through meadows and lava fields, alongside Ranga river passing the historical lava sheep-fold Landrettir. 5 hours riding. Overnight at Rjupnavellir.

Morning departure from Rjupnavellir to the wilds, crossing a desert of ashes and the lava fields of Solvahraun, close to the famous volcano Hekla (last eruption in 2000). It will take 6 hours to reach the Fjallabak Nature Reserve and the historical area of Landmannahellir, where the farmers used to stay in autumn when gathering their sheep in the mountains. 7-8 hours riding. Overnight in a lodge at Landmannahellir.

In the morning, a ride of 3 – 4 hours through the valley Domadal and alongside the magnificent lake Frostastadavatn to Landmannalaugar, in the grandiose setting of old craters, glaciers and rainbow-streaked mountains. Afternoon at leisure for exploring the surroundings of the fabulous region or bathing in a natural open-air hot-water pool. Drive back to Landmannahellir for overnight.

Drive back to the horses at Landmannalaugar in the early morning. Continue on the Fjallabak’s trail through the highland, up and down small hills, crossing many rivers until coming to Eldgja, the largest eruptive fissure on the face of the earth. Overnight in a hut. 7-8 hours riding. Overnight in the lodge of Holaskjol.

Ride from Holaskjol to Hvanngil passing the “Swan” lake Alftavatn. In the afternoon, follow a track along the glacier Myrdalsjokull through a black desert of volcanic ash. Overnight at Hvanngil. 7-8 hours riding.

Ride through varied soft and rough landscape where the scenery is astounding. After crossing a few rivers, ride to the unusual mountain formation Einhyrningur, surrounded by three glaciers. Overnight in a shepherds lodge at Bolstad. 4-5 hours riding.

The track proceeds down to the historical Fljotshlid area along the Markarfljot river, the glaciers Eyjafjalla-Jokull and Myrdalsjokull still in the background. It will be a 5-6 hour ride to reach the farm Smaratun where you will overnight.

Ride from Smaratun over Vatnsdalur to Austvadsholt where the tour ends. The day’s ride will be 6-7 hours before releasing the horses in the vast meadows of their home. Take the late afternoon (5PM) transfer back to Reykjavik.