Cream Tour

This is a Special Tour in terms of the many riding days offered; custom made for riders that come frequently, even yearly to ride with Íshestar. The routes take us from the South to the West and back, where the highlights are the Löngufjörur Estuary, a dream come true for every rider that loves the breeze in the hair, the salt on the lips and wet feet up to the knee.

This tour is operated by Hreinn.

8.8. Arrival day

Pick up at BSÍ at 17:30. Bus transfer to Torfastaðir Guesthouse, for dinner and a cosy evening. Made-up beds in rooms of 2-4. Showers. Hot tub.

9.8. Day 1 .. Torfastaðir - Kringlumýri

The paths take us towards lake Þingvallavatn, up to a sheep paddock and down good tölting paths to river Sogið, which we cross on a dam. Then we ride old paths in the heathland created by Þrasaborgir volcano. We will visit the Cave People who tell us the story of the people that lived in the caves early in the last century. We stay the night at the mountain cabin Kringlumýri. No showers. Shared sleeping quarters. 34 km. 5-6 hours.

10.8. Day 2 .. Kringlumýri - Gatfell

We ride the path through the lava field in the direction of Lake Þingvallavatn. At Gjábakki farm we’ll ride into the woods towards Mt. Ármannsfell, where we change horses. We pass through Hofmannaflöt and by Meyjarsæti, which are names from our parliamentary history. We leave the horses at Gatfell hut, and take the bus to Skógarhólar guest-cabins. Showers. Rooms for 5-6, sleeping bags. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

11.8. Day 3 .. Gatfell - Oddsstaðir

From Gatfell we take the paths to Borgarförður area in the western part of Iceland. We ride up Uxahryggir hills and then descend down to valley Lundarreykjadalur, riding along the river Tunguá. Accommodation in Brautartunga community center. Sleeping bags in a shared hall. Swimming pool and showers. 36 km. 5-6 hours. 

12.8. Day 4 .. Oddsstaðir - Eskiholt

This day takes us through the fertile countryside of Borgarfjörður. Along the banks of Grímsá river and over the old bridge over Hvítá river and to the farm Eskiholt. Accommodation in cottages. Hot tub and showers. 25 km. 5-6 hours.

13.8. Day 5 .. Eskiholt - Grímsstaðir

In the morning we are still in the countryside, but we head to the mountains along the banks of the precious salmon river Langá. We get great views towards the ocean and the edge of the highlands, majestic mountains and a glimpse of the glacier. We find farm Grímsstaðir at the edge of the highland, on the slopes of Mt. Grímsstaðamúli. Sleeping bags in rooms of 4.  Showers. 34 km. 5-6 hours.

14.8. Day 6 .. Grímsstaðir - Kálfalækur

Today's direction is set towards the beaches and the ocean. We ride through woody lava fields and farmlands to Guesthouse Køalfalækur where we’ll bunk for the next 6 nights. Made up beds in rooms of 2-4. Hot tub. Showers. 26 km. 5-6 hours.

15.8. Day 7 .. Kálfalækur - Kolviðarnes

Since the tides control our time schedule we don’t start riding until afternoon.
We have leisure time on our hands, these days in Kálfalækur and we’ll take the bus for some kind of sightseeing. We haven’t made a plan yet, but trust us on this one. You can of course also choose to lay around or hit the hot tub, instead of driving around.
When we have mounted the horses the ride takes us to the beach. The long, endless, glorious beach. Through the muddy, clayish, wet but firm estuary. Crossing rivers, some shallow, some deeper ensuring wet feet, at least for the long legged riders. What kind of footwear to wear, hmmm? We will experience paths through various types of land and landscape. Smiling. Feeling happy. Heart pounding in sheer joy.  Kolviðarnes farm is the destination for the horses. Riders take the bus to Kálfalækur. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

16.8. Day 8 .. Kolviðarnes - Staðarstaður

This day we continue the adventure sought for in a Snæfellsnes tour, enjoying the beach ride. We might even be lucky enough to see an eagle or two. There is also the Saltnesáll channel to cross. That can be deeper than the rivers, maybe too deep to cross. What will we do then?? The answer: We will think safety first.

The day comes to completion at Staðarstaður church farm, where the horses rest overnight. Riders take the bus to Kálfalækur. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

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17.8. Day 9 .. Staðarstaður - Kolviðarnes

Today we’ll do yesterday’s ride in reverse. Experiencing the landscape so differently that we might imagine we were in a totally different location. Destination Kolviðarnes. Riders take the bus to Kálfalækur. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

18.8. Day 10 .. Kolviðarnes - Kálfalækur

Another happy day, the last one on the beach. Surely a great ride with different views. Due to ever later departure times we will do this day a little bit differently than before, obeying the tides  Destination Kálfalækur. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

19.8. Day 11 .. Kálfalækur - Hítarhólmur

We ride towards the mountain valley of Hítardalur, through farmlands and lava fields, finally departing on a daytime schedule. Views to the edge of the highland and to the great Snæfellsjökull in the west. We leave the horses at Hítahólmur and take the bus to Kálfalækur, for our last night there. 30 km

20.8. Day 12 .. Hítarhólmur - Brekka

After packing all our stuff in the trailer, and driving to Hítarhólmur, we ride the seldom taken paths through Þórarinsdalur into a valley where lake Langavatn resides in the peaceful mountain surroundings. By cabin Torfhvalastaðir we’ll change horses and munch on our lunches. On we ride through mountain valleys until we reach farm Brekka, where the horses rest for the night. Riders take the bus to Þverárrétt community center. Showers. Sleeping bags in shared quarters. 35 km. 5-6 hours.

21.8. Day 13 .. Brekka - Kópareykir

Riding through the farmlands all day today. Destination Kópareykir farm for the horses. Riders take the bus for the short drive to Logaland community center. Showers. Sleeping bags in a shared hall. 42 km. 6-7 hours.

22.8. Day 14 .. Kópareykir - Brunnar

From Kópareykir we ride up the valley through farmlands at first, but then we head south up to the mountain paths in the slopes of Ok glacier. Destination Brunnar cabin, where we leave the horses for the night. Riders take the bus to Skógarhólar guest-cabin. Showers. Rooms for 6, sleeping bags. 43 km. 6-7 hours

23.8. Day 15 .. Brunnar - Heiðarbær

As we are in the near vicinity of Þingvellir we ride the paths that chieftains and priests rode in the past, when going to and from parliament meetings. We ascend up to the heathland and then descend to farm Heiðarbær, by the great lake of Þingvallavatn. It is a sheep farm that also relies on the trout in the lake to make a decent living. Here we leave the horses, but the riders take the bus to Skógarhólar. Rooms of 5-6. Showers. 30 km. 5-6 hours.

24.8. Day 16 .. Heiðarbær - Torfastaðir 

Through the wood clad lava fields we ride along the banks of the lake. Ascending the heath to change horses and have lunch at a sheep paddock. Descending the hetahland again on excellent paths with views to the big lake, rivers and volcanos and mountains of various sizes, near and far. Destination Torfastaðir Guesthouse. Made-up beds in rooms of 2-4. Showers. Hot tub. 35 km. 5-6 hours.

25.8. Departure day .. Torfastaðir - Reykjavík

Departure at 9:00 after breakfast, to BSÍ bus center in Reykjavík

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary

ACCOMMODATION 

A mix of shared rooms in simple mountain cabins and cozy guesthouses with made up beds. Please bring your own sleeping bag

NOTE - This is a multidays, special/private riding tour for experienced riders, since the idea of it came up by some riders in the group on the SPRENGISANDUR TOUR 2021. It goes without saying that the group is an excellent one, friendly and considerate of each other.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Bus transfer or a flight 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 if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table. 
• Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price.
• Rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, a riding helmet is included
• Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland. 

ATTENTION

• Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
• Flight to and from Iceland is not included
• Please bring your own sleeping bag with you on the tour
• Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases.
• Pack light because transport space is limited.

For more information please visit our website www.ishestar.is