Fascinating North Iceland

FROM THE LAKE OF THE MIDGES TO THE ARCTIC FOXES PLAIN

In 2021, we offer three different itineraries under the name of this tour – our classic tour, the slightly more demanding tour to the peninsula Melrakkaslétta and back again.  With these tours we cover the area from Grýtubakki farmhouse to Goðafoss, Bárðardalur, lake Mývatn area and up to the very north, Melrakkaslétta, the arctic foxes plain.

 

TOUR DESCRIPTION – CLASSIC (June 22^nd, July 2^nd, August 1^st and 11^th 2021):

Day 1

In the late afternoon transfer from Akureyri to our farmhaus Grýtubakki. After dinner we provide details for the following days. Overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

Day 2

After breakfast we visit Goðafoss, the famous waterfall of the gods. According to the sagas, Þorgeir of Ljósavatn threw his statues of the gods into the falls when Iceland converted to Christianity in the year 1000, hence the name. We drive to Fremstafell farmhouse, where we catch the horses and saddle up. We ride into the valley Bárðardalur, following the river Skjálfandafljót. This river flows through the valley over the lava field Bárðardalshraun that probably came all the way from Trölladyngja in Ódaðahraun north of Vatnajökull more than 7,000 years ago. Today we will be five to six hours in saddle. Overnight stay at hotel Kiðagil.

 

  

 

Day 3

We leave Kiðagil, ride over the bridge at Stóruvellir to the other side of the valley and reach the old farmhouse of Stóratunga. Here we are very close to the entrance of Ódaðahraun, the enourmous lava field believed to have been the home of outlaws, elves and trolls in the old days. After the four to five hours lasting ride we leave the horses at Stórutunga and walk to the waterfall Aldeyrarfoss. Here we enjoy this wonderful nature paradise. Overnight stay at Stóratunga.

 

  

 

Day 4

Today we enjoy rides in the breathtaking surroundings of Stóratunga. In the morning we ride in a north-easterly direction alongside river Skjálfandafljót over to the old lava of Tunguhraun. We continue to Tunguhamri and south alongside river Svartá back to the farmhouse Stóratunga. Here we have our lunch. In the afternoon we ride over lava and sand towards the highland and south of the river Suðurá to the area of Réttartorfur and up to the waterfalls of Hrafnabjörg. In the morning we ride about 12 km, in the afternoon about 16 km. All in all, we are about five and a half hours in the saddle that day. Overnight stay at Stórutunga.

 

  

 

Day 5

We say goodbye to Stóratunga and ride over Landsmelar at Viðiker into the area of Mývatn. We ride over sandy hills and moorland. Reaching the highest point, a tremendous view awaits us. If we are lucky, we might see Herdubreið, the queen of the Icelandic mountains, in a distance. After about four hours of riding, we leave the horses at the farmhouse Stöng and start our sightseeing tour to the area of the lake Mývatn. We visit the pseudo craters of Skutustaðir, the bizarre lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the bubbling mud pools of Námaskarð. We stay overnight at the community center Breiðamýri.

 

  

 

Day 6

From Stöng we are heading south first and pass the old farmhouse Hörgsdalur. Then we ride along Myvatnsheiði to Reykjadalur, the valley of the smoke. Smooth tracks, adventurous tracks and a diversified landscape await us. If the weather is good enough, the mountains Kinnarfjöll and Gæsafjöll are visible to the west and to the east, respectively. We ride for about six hours today and stay overnight at Breiðamyri again, close to the little village Laugar.

 

  

 

Day 7

We ride along the wooded way Vatnshlið and have a wonderful view over the valley Reykjadalur and the lake Vestmannsvatn. After the hill Fljótsheiði a terrific and diversified ride along the river Skjálfandafljót and through the forest Fellskógur awaits us. On the way, the waterfalls Ullarfoss and Barnafoss are greeting us. After about six hours in the saddle we leave the horses at the farm Fremstafell and drive home to Grýtubakki. Dinner and overnight stay at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Day 8

After breakfast we bring our guests back to Akureyri and say goodbye.

   

 

 

TOUR DESCRIPTION – MELRAKKASLÉTTA (July 12^th, July 22^nd 2021):

On July 12th we ride from Fremstafell all the way to the north to the peninsula Melrakkaslétta.  Sveinungsvík, a farm close to Raufarhöfn is our travel destination. On July 22nd we ride the same way back to Fremstafell.

The weather and the conditions of the riding paths will decide about the exact way we will take. So there is a little bit of surprise every day!

Accommodation July 12th :The first night we stay at Grýtubakki (sleeping bag accommodation), once in Hliðarbær (sleeping bag accommodation) and four times in Lundur in the fjord Öxarfjörður (made-up beds). The last night is again at Grýtubakki.

 

  

 

Accommodation July 22nd: First and last night at Grýtubakki (sleeping bag accommodation) and five times in Lundur in the fjord Öxarfjörður (made-up beds).