8 minute read
Travel: Fire And Ice
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The land of ice and fire
Defined by its volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs and lava fields, KRISTEN FLEET has already added an Icelandic holiday on horseback to her bucket list.
ANordic island nation, Iceland is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and wealth of unforgettable attractions, many of which run all year round: from nature and wildlife walks, whale watching, music festivals, and incredible restaurants, through to more extreme adventures such as glacier hikes, snowmobiling and cave diving. If you are very lucky you may even see my favourite bird, the Atlantic Puffin.
Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National Museum of Iceland and the Saga museum, where you can explore Iceland’s intriguing history, interwoven as it is with epic tales of Vikings and the unique Icelandic horse. Immortalised in Norse mythology, the Icelandic horse (and despite its somewhat diminutive size, it’s never referred to as a pony) can be traced all the way back to the late 9th Century when Vikings arrived on the island’s shores. With them they brought horses of mostly Germanic descent – horses that proved to be indispensible to early settlement and have served the human population faithfully ever since. These horses were vital to all aspects of life, transporting people and goods across glaciers and inhospitably rugged terrains in all kinds of weather. Although their role has changed quite dramatically in the last 100 years, they are still an important part of Icelandic culture, and experiencing Iceland on horseback is truly an adventure of a lifetime. Today, the Icelandic, as it’s commonly referred to, is known for being surefooted, and despite their pony-sized stature, exceptionally strong, agile and with huge personalities. They’re friendly, quick to learn, usually very easy to handle, and cooperative both on the ground and while ridden.
Interestingly, they are a so-called gaited breed, meaning that in addition to walk, trot, canter and gallop, they have two extra gaits: the tölt and the skeið, also known as the flying pace. By lifting only one foot at a time, a tölting horse can keep the rider comfortable over considerable distances, so there’s no need to worry about booking a two, three (or possibly more) day riding tour if you haven’t been in the saddle for a while. The tölt is so comfortable and relaxing you’ll want to take an Icelandic home with you! Their other pace, the skeið, is fast and smooth, with some horses able to reach up to 50 kilometres an hour. It’s not a gait for long-distance travel, but it is something you might want to experience.
Horse riding is a great way to explore any country and Iceland’s unspoiled panoramic landscapes certainly won’t disappoint. There are many different riding tours on offer, many of which are only a few minutes outside of Reykjavik. The tours suit all levels of experience and can last anywhere from a half day to nine days. For obvious reasons, some riding tours may not be offered during winter, but to be absolutely sure, check with your chosen tour operators.
General tips
Australian citizens do not require a visa if their visit is for 90 days or less. You’ll fly into Keflavik International Airport, located on a peninsula around 50 kilometres south of Reykjavik, with flights from Sydney taking approximately 22 hours.
The Icelandic currency is the króna (sometimes called the Icelandic crown), but the card is king with cash
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rarely used even for tipping. Although English is widely spoken, it always helps to learn a few words relevant to your riding holiday. You never know when ‘Hér er gulrót vinsamlegast ekki peninga’ (Here is a carrot, please don’t buck) might come in useful!
Doing your pre-trip research
There are so many tour options and so many extraordinary things to see and do, extensive pre-trip research is a must. Most horse tour operators allow you to book in advance, which is advisable, particularly if you’re planning to visit during the height of the season. Weatherwise, from May through to August you can expect pleasant temperatures and long days. April and September are reasonable alternatives with decent weather, shorter days, fewer visitors, and cheaper prices.
Where to go
With so many different tours available, you’re likely to find making a decision quite difficult - so here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Fosshestar: One of the newest tour operators is Fosshestar, which translates to ‘Waterfall Horses’, the perfect name for a company close to the river Fossá (Waterfall River) and Lake Fossavatn (Waterfall Lake).
Located in the beautiful Engidalur Valley, just five minutes’ drive from the town of Isafjordur in Iceland’s Westfjords region, Fosshestar specialise in short riding tours designed for
MAIN: Lingering evening light and spectacular scenery (Image courtesy Viking Horses).
FACING PAGE: The land of fire and ice (Image courtesy Unsplash).
beginners and the inexperienced, but advanced riders are also welcome. The guided tour meanders through the Engidalur Valley, with its majestic mountains and abundance of rivers and waterfalls. At the bottom of the valley you’ll find the Fossavatn, Isafjordur’s first hydroelectric power station. But while that might sound a bit industrial for the average nature-lover, don’t worry! With sheep roaming free throughout the valley, extraordinary birdlife and beautiful scenery, you’re guaranteed a wonderful experience.
Fosshestar provide all the equipment you’ll need, including helmets (a non-negotiable requirement), and offer a variety of delightful accommodation options. Plus, the
welfare and care of their horses is a top priority - good to know.
And so you can share your adventure with the folks back home, Fosshestar will send you a film and photos of your tour within two weeks of your visit. Íslenski Hesturinn: Translating to ‘Icelandic Horse’, this is a horse rental and tour company located on the outskirts of Reykjavík.
They offer a variety of packages, most of which are available all year round, while some are season specific. The Volcanic Landscape, their basic tour, is included in all their other packages. So, would you like to add on the option of seeing whales, or puffins, or enjoy a summer’s evening ride across a scenic lava landscape complete with pseudo craters and mountain views? Alternatively, there’s the Horses and Spa package that yes, offers scenic landscapes and the opportunity to experience the tölt, but adds to the experience a fabulous spa visit after you finish your ride (we like!).
Viking Horses: This is a family owned and operated tour company located
“Don’t call me pony!” The Icelandic may be small in stature, but they’re big on personality (Image courtesy Íshestar Riding Tours).
LEFT: The company’s friendly and the landscape wild and free (Image courtesy Íshestar Riding Tours).
BELOW LEFT: Rugged up and enjoying the ride (Image courtesy Íshestar Riding Tours).
BELOW RIGHT: The very best way to see the countryside (Image courtesy Viking Horses).
just 15 minutes from Reykjavik. They’re proud of their happy horses, high-quality riding equipment, professional service, and the unique riding adventures they offer for small, private groups. Mountains, abundant nature and the not to be missed volcanic red hills of Rauðhólar are all within easy reach of their stables.
Choose their Sleipnir Tour if you fancy an evening ride through the Hólmsheiði Hills, Stallion Valley and spectacular Rauðhólar. The tour begins with a short riding lesson and ends with a light meal of traditional Icelandic snacks such as flatbread with smoked lamb, kleina (a deep fried sweetbread), beverages and coffee. Or there’s the Volcano Tour,
a relaxing, fun morning ride that includes stunning views over mountains, lakes, Reykjavík city and volcanic formations, followed by a light meal.
They also offer an afternoon ride, or you might like the sound of their tailor made private riding tours for individuals, closed groups or families. Íshestar Riding Tours: After running riding tours for more than 30 years, Íshestar’s focus is on exceptional service, excellent horses, a safe ride, and sustainability. Essentially their operation is divided into day tours and multi-day tours. Day tours are run out of their stables in Hafnarfjörður, which is around 15 minutes from Reykjavík and surrounded by lava, lakes, and wilderness. These rides are for beginners to experienced riders and range from one to seven hours in length. Their multi-day tours, which can be up to nine days long, are operated out of farms located all over Iceland. Depending on which tour you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the stunning Icelandic Highlands, volcanos, glaciers, beaches, a traditional sheep round up, or the magic of the Northern Lights. And if you plan to see the Northern Lights book from September through to March when the sky is at its darkest - but that’s also winter, so you’ll need to rug up.
And finally ...
Many tour companies will help you to plan your adventure and assist with bookings. If you’re thinking of visiting during the May to August peak season, hotels, tours, and flights should be booked many months in advance to avoid disappointment. The colder weather from April through to September usually means that demand isn’t as high - but don’t leave it until the last minute. Plan your trip and book accordingly! You might even want to consider hiring a camper or car before setting out on a self-drive holiday so you can experience riding adventures in all parts of the country.
But no matter what you decide, you can be pretty sure ég sé þig þar fljótlega (I‘ll see you there soon)!
For more information visit www. fosshestar.is, www.islenskihesturinn.is , www.vikinghorses.is, and www.ishestar.is
