2025 Dates:

▪ March 16-19

Duration:

4 days / 3 nights

Difficulty:

All levels welcome

Spend your days riding and knitting! During the light hours, enjoy the Icelandic landscape in winter as seen through our horses’ ears; riding the trails around Saltvík farm along the coastline of the Arctic Ocean. When it gets dark and/or when the weather turns, gather in the cozy common area to (learn to) knit your own Icelandic sweater (or a scarf or blanket, or whatever you’d like to knit). As knitting is an important part of this tour, non-riding guests are welcome as well, if you have a friend who does not want to ride, but would like to enjoy Iceland in winter and join the knitting.

Additional activities will include a visit to Geosea, a geothermal hot pool in Husavik, a visit to a sheep farm to see their wool, and an optional whale watching tour.

Horses

The Icelandic horse is a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage. They are known for their surefootedness and gentle nature, and they are famous for the Tölt, a gait unique to the breed, which makes them incredibly comfortable over great distances and rugged terrain.

Riders will be accompanied by a loose herd, which adds a unique and exciting dynamic to the ride! Riders will change horses 1-2 times per day, giving them the opportunity to get to know a variety of horses over the course of the week.

Riding

All levels welcome

All riding levels can be catered to on this ride.

Tack

Horses will be in saddles developed specifically for the Icelandic horse, closely resembling Dressage saddles. Saddle bags will be provided.

Terrain

This tour encompasses remote areas only accessible on foot or by horseback, riding on mainly soft riding tracks, ideal for riding the tölt. The ride will travel through farmland, across rivers, winding through hills and mountains to alpine lakes, and across black sand deserts.

Accommodation

Riders are accommodated in shared rooms (2-4 people per room) in a cozy farmhouse where the group will also take meals, all homecooked.

Dining

Breakfasts and dinners are served family-style at the guesthouse. Home-cooked meals consist heavily of lamb and fish. Traditional Icelandic breakfasts include porridge, toast, cold cuts, and cheese. Riders make their own sandwiches in the morning to pack on the trail each day.

*We recommend bringing your own snacks for the trail, and any packets or condiments for adding to your sandwich (peanut or almond butter, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.)

Itinerary

Specific itineraries vary with the weather, and depend on rider ability. Contact us for an outline of what your trip might look like.

Planning and Packing

Rider Resources:

• Packing List: Iceland

• How to Survive an Icelandic Horse Trek

• Useful Words and Phrases in Icelandic

• What to See and Do in Iceland

Stories from the Saddle:

• Black Sand Beaches of Iceland

Dates

March 16-19 2025

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