Between the Fjord and the Valley of the Elves

ENCHANTING RIDES AND A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC

Lovely landscapes with breathtaking views, delightful dark green valleys, rushing brooks and a fascinating coastland characterise this riding tour, which consists of several day rides. Additionally to the rides, we visit the turf houses of Laufás and go for a whale watching tour on the fjord Eyjafjörður.

 

DETAILED TOUR DESCRIPTION (2021):

Day 1

In the late afternoon transfer to our farmhouse Grýtubakki. We have dinner together and talk about the programme of the next days. Overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

Day 2

After a copious breakfast we saddle the horses. A short instruction brings you into contact with your horse and off we go. We ride around the hill Höfði and enjoy the nice view out to the sea and to Hrísey, the second biggest island of Iceland. It is quite common to see minke whales, harbour porpoises, northern bottlenose whales as well as humpback whales and dolphins in the clear water of the fjord. We pass the hill of the ravens, Hrafnabjörg, with the valley of the cows situated underneath, about which there is an interesting story to tell. We will be in the saddle for about four hours.

After our coffee break at Grýtubakki we drive to the fishing village Grenivík and enjoy a warm bath in the swimming pool. Dinner and overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Day 3

After breakfast we saddle up for a day tour. We ride towards Grenivik, the little fishing village close to our farm, and from there along the coast Látrarströnd. We ride above steep cliffs, through luxurious meadows, clear brooks and impressive valleys. We have our lunch break close to the ruins of the farmhouse Svínarnes, which are witnesses of bygone times. In this area the young horses of the farmers are spending the summer. They are very curious and will probably try to steal our sandwiches. We take the same way back to the farm and are back home after four to five hours of riding.

At Grýtubakki farmhouse we enjoy coffee and cakes and afterwards you are welcome to relax or start a minigolf competition. Dinner and overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Day 4

We ride into the valley of Fnjóská, the longest freshwater river in Iceland. About 10,000 years ago there was a glacial lake in this valley. The shore of this lake is still visible in the slopes of the mountains. We ride on wide sheep tracks, over gurgling brooks, through moorland and into the amazingly green woods of Skuggabjörg. We will be in the saddle for about five hours.

After coffee and cakes at Grýtubakki we go for our whale watching tour on an authentic oak boot. Dinner and overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Day 5

Today we ride in the area around the river Gljúfurá and the rise above Grýtubakki. The tour leads us over sandy paths, marshy country and over moorland. Birdwatchers get their money´s worth as whimbrel, golden plover, common snipe and a variety of ducks are very likely to be seen. We have a beautiful view over the fjord Eyjafjörður and pass Helguholl, the holy hill. People in the area say that under the hill there is a ship full of gold from the old vikings. If somebody tries to get the gold, all churches which are visible from the hill will burn down. Nobody has tried to dig, not yet. Over soft sheep tracks and continuously changing landscapes we reach the rise above Grýtubakki farmhouse. From here we have a tremendous view in all directions. With a ride close to the idyllic valley of the elves our four to five hours lasting trip today comes to an end.

Coffee and cakes will be waiting for us at Grýtubakki. Dinner and overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Day 6

After breakfast we say goodbye to our guests. Transfer back to Akureyri.