Ride and relax
Welcome to Varmahlíð, our home in Skagafjörður.
If you want to relax surrounded by beautiful nature, do plenty of horseback riding adjusted to your skills, and discover the diversity of the fjord Skagafjörður, Home at Hestasport is the right choice.
You will be staying in one of our charming cottages, with a natural hot tub at hand. Every day, you will be exploring a bit more of the breathtaking surroundings on horseback and soon you cannot imagine a single day without the great companionship of the horses.
When you are not on horseback, there are numerous activities and attractions close
Riding Experience
Suitable for riders of all riding experiences
Duration
5 days / 4 nights – 4 riding days
Departures
Departures 2025:
– 9th to 13th June 2025
– 23rd to 27th of July 2025
– 20th to 24th of August 2025
– 17th to 21st of September 2025
Daily riding distance
Around 5 – 15 km
Minimum age
8 years
Minimum number of participants
2 persons
Price per person (11% VAT incl.)
Euro 1.385,- for 2 and more participants, staying in one cottage
Weight limit
100 kg / 220 lbs
INFORMATION
Itinerary
On the first day we will meet you around noon in Varmahlíð, Skagafjörður at the bus station or you meet us (if you travel by car) in our office in Varmahlíð. You move into your private cottage for the next days and settle in. In the afternoon you will meet your companions for the next days, the horses. Your guide will show you how to saddle and then it‘s time to get on horseback for the first time. During this 1 h introductory trip you will get first impressions of the Icelandic horse and the way it moves.
On the next day we will adjust the trip to suit your abilities and skills and you will learn more about these fantastic horses. Usually, we plan for the second day a 2 to 3-hour ride. As there is a lot to do in our area, we are happy to assist you in planning and booking any other activities for the other half of the day.
The next two riding days are planned as full days on horseback with or without handhorses.
After saddling our horses, it´s time to explore our beautiful valley on horseback. During our rides we will make our way through green meadows, tölt on smooth riding trails, cross numerous rivers in the stunning river delta of Héradsvötn, ride past the beautiful waterfall Reykjafoss and admire panoramic mountain views of Skagafjörður. We will find peaceful spots to enjoy our lunch breaks together with the horses.
After the last day of riding, it´s time to say goodbye to your horses and you will be able to enjoy a last bath in the hot tub as well as the last night of your “Home at Hestasport” tour.
On your departure day we are happy to drop you off at the bus station in Varmahlíð. Of course, you are also welcome to extend your riding holidays and book some additional nights.
Included in the price
- Accommodation in one of our cottages for 4 nights
- All ground transportation throughout the
riding tour - English
and / or German speaking guides - Helmets, raingear, saddlebags
Not included in the price
- Transfer to and from Iceland
- Transfer to and from Varmahlíð
- Meals and drinks
- Riding breeches, boots, jackets, gloves
Practical Information
What to bring
Temperatures in the summer can range from freezing to 20° C, so be prepared for all kinds of weather. Pack warm clothes such as a wind-proof jacket, woollen or fleece sweaters, gloves, thick woollen socks, headbands/earmuffs, scarf, long underwear (thermals) and of course your riding breeches. We recommend riding boots and/or hiking boots for riding. If you are comfortable with walking in rubber boots, you can bring them too. Also, prepare for warmer weather and bring along lighter clothes and sunblock, and don’t forget your swimsuit (hot pools). If you need them, you should bring all personal medication. Our staff members are not allowed to give out medication except for emergency situations.
If you enjoy alcoholic beverages in the evening, we recommend that you buy them either at home or take advantage of the duty-free shop in Keflavík airport, because alcohol is rather expensive in Iceland and only sold in special state-run shops. Please find information regarding duty-free regulations here.
Riding in Iceland
Your riding clothes and boots must be disinfected before you arrive. It is prohibited by Icelandic law to bring used riding gear including saddles, bridles, etc. into the country, as well as used leather riding boots, other leather riding wear or riding gloves. Riding clothes, rubber riding boots and any other gear should be machine-washed (min. 40°) or dry-cleaned (chemically cleaned), and disinfected with VirkonS®. More detailed information can be found here.
On long riding tours, apart from Home at Hestasport, we ride 5-8 hours per day (on Wilderness Expedition sometimes even more) over plains, hills, rocks and rivers. We, therefore, recommend that participants have solid riding experience and are healthy and in good physical condition.
Note: We reserve the right to alter any itinerary in the guests’ best interest and for reasons of safety. This will not reduce the quality of our tours!
Insurances
We strongly recommend that you have your own personal insurance when joining a riding tour in Iceland.
Booking and cancellations
Booking
Please use the “Book now” button on the corresponding tour’s page to book a long riding tour or contact us by email or phone. We’ll contact you with the specifics and will be happy to answer all your questions.
Once you have decided to participate in the tour and we have agreed on the details, you are kindly asked to secure your booking by making a (down) payment. We require a down payment of a minimum 25% to reserve your place on the tour. The rest of the payment is due no later than 4 weeks prior to the agreed departure.
Cancellation
We only accept cancellations by email.
If you cancel your multi-day tour 4 weeks or more before departure, 25% of the total price of the tour will be charged as a cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 4 but more than 2 weeks before departure, the cancellation fee will be 50% of the total price.
If you cancel less than 2 weeks but more than 48 hours before departure, you will be charged 75% of the full price.
In case of cancellation within less than 48 hours of the scheduled departure or in case of no-show the full price of the reservation will be charged.
Terms and conditions
Safety rules
- The minimum age for long riding tours varies according to the level of difficulty, please refer to the individual tour for information.
- Pregnant women are riding at their own risk. In case of an accident, we do not assume liability for harm caused to the mother or the unborn child.
- People under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs are not permitted on the riding tours.
- Please note that the weight limit for our riders is 100 kg (220 lbs)
- All clients must participate in the riding tour by their own free will and they are obliged to inform the tour guide of any condition that might affect their ability to participate in the tour.
- Children who cannot communicate in English or German must be accompanied by their parents.
- All customers are obliged to listen to and acknowledge the safety instructions.
- Backpacks or bags cannot be taken on the ride.
With your security in mind, we have done everything in our power to ensure that these trips will be enjoyable and safe, and we ask you to confirm the following when making your booking:
- I am taking this trip of my own free will.
- I consider myself physically and mentally able to take part in this trip.
- I agree to follow the instructions of the guide in every respect.
- I am aware that this trip/these trips can involve some danger.
- I agree to notify the tour guide of any illnesses that could affect my ability to take part in this trip (i.e. epilepsy, asthma, diabetes) and the medication that I take for them.
- I am aware that the operator’s liability extends only to accidents that derive from defects in or incorrect use of equipment by the company’s employees and/or carelessness on their part. I myself bear all responsibility for damage caused by me due to my carelessness or failure to follow set/given/published instructions.
- I am liable for all personal property taken by me on this trip.
- I am not under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs.
Liability
Hestasport reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. We reserve the right to cancel the tour or exclude individual riders if we deem it in the person’s or group’s best interest. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Hestasport. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveller. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.
BOOK NOW
Please note that your tour has not been confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from Hestasport Riding Tours. When your tour has been confirmed you will receive payment information.
VSK: 94859
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Visit North Iceland
Contact information