Ride Iceland With Us: The Trail of Hope, July 15-19, 2027

North Iceland. Black sand. A lake you ride across. Yes, across.

July 15-19, 2027. One private departure. Up to 19 riders. You, us, and a herd of Icelandic horses.

This ride is ours

Charlotte and I are riding the Trail of Hope with Íslandshestar next summer, and we reserved a whole departure for our people. You won't find July 15-19 on the Íslandshestar booking calendar. The only way in is through IamGlytja or CharlotteGuernsey.com. Consider this your invitation.

Never ridden in Iceland? Start here.

Good. That's who this page is for. Read it once, top to bottom, and you'll know if this trek is your trek.

The trek

Five days, four nights, four riding days, based at Hvammur Farm in the Vatnsdalur valley. You ride through saga country: river crossings, a Viking fortress at Borgarvirki, the seal colonies of the Vatnsnes coast, the Hvítserkur sea stack, and long stretches of black sand made for tölt. Day three is the showstopper. You cross the lagoon Hóp on horseback. Your horse crosses the water like her ancestors have been doing for 1,000 years.

• Day 1: 8:30 AM pickup at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavík. Bus to Hvammur, meet the horses, ride Vatnsdalur. About 14 km.
• Day 2: Black sand along Hóp, the Víðidalsá river, Borgarvirki, and the coast at Hvítserkur. About 30 km.
• Day 3: Dunes to the North Atlantic, lunch on the Nesbjörg ridge, then across Lake Hóp to Thingeyrar. About 40 km.
• Day 4: Thingeyrar Church, across Lake Húnavatn, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, home to Hvammur and a farewell dinner. About 25 km.
• Day 5: Bus back to Reykjavík. You're at BSÍ around 12:30 PM.

How riding in Iceland works

You don't ride one horse all week. The group travels with a herd of loose horses running alongside, and you switch horses at least once a day so every horse stays fresh. You'll ride several and you'll pick a favorite on the last day of the trek.

The tack is close to English: a flat, dressage-style saddle, a simple snaffle, and long stirrups. If you ride English, you'll settle right in. Western riders adjust fast too. The guides teach tölt as we ride, the smooth four-beat gait that makes a 30 km day feel like a Sunday drive.

The requirements

• Riding level: intermediate to advanced. You're comfortable and in control at every gait, you have a secure seat, and you can spend up to 7 hours a day in the saddle. Expect long, fast stretches over open country. If you ride regularly, you're in the right place. If you're not sure, ask before you book. Honest answers make happy rides.
• Weight limit: 110 kg / 242 lb. This is Íslandshestar's rule, set for the welfare of the horses, and it's firm.
• Your gear gets clean before it flies. Iceland has no contagious horse diseases, and the horses aren't vaccinated, so they take this seriously. Riding clothes must be washed at 40°C or dry cleaned. Boots must be cleaned and disinfected at least five days before you land. Used gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps, and other used leather gear can't come into the country at all.
• Knee-high rubber boots. You are crossing a lake. Trust us on this one.

The cost

• Price: €2,436 per person (about $2,780 USD, depending on the exchange rate). Paid directly to Íslandshestar.
• Included: Bus from Reykjavík to the farm and back, four nights at Hvammur Farm, full board on the ride, horses, tack, guides, rainwear, helmet, saddle bag, and water bottle.
• Not included: Flights, travel insurance (get it), lodging in Reykjavík before and after, the Flybus from Keflavík airport, and alcohol. Buy wine and beer at Duty Free when you land. It's hard to find on a farm.
• Deposit and cancellations: A deposit holds your saddle. Cancel more than 42 days out and you lose the deposit. Cancel 21 to 42 days out and you pay 50%. Inside 21 days, the full price is due. Íslandshestar handles all payments under their own terms.

Where you'll sleep

Made up beds in shared rooms at Hvammur Farm, 2 to 4 beds per room. The farmhouse sleeps 19, which is why our group caps at 19. There's a hot tub in the garden overlooking the river. You will have earned it.

Meals are hearty and Icelandic: breakfast, then fish or lamb for dinner. You pack your own trail lunch from the breakfast table. Vegetarian meals are available if you ask when you book.

Getting there

Fly into Keflavík. The Flybus leaves 35 to 40 minutes after each arrival and drops you in Reykjavík. Book a room in town for the night before, because pickup is 8:30 AM sharp on July 15 and you'll want to be wearing your riding clothes. Plan your flight home for the afternoon of the 19th or later.

What to pack

Iceland does four seasons before lunch. Bring layers.

• Warm jacket, wool or fleece sweater, long underwear (it helps with chafing too)
• Riding pants, a sports bra, two pairs of warm gloves, lots of wool socks, a hat and scarf
• Knee-high rubber boots, plus a second pair of shoes for when the first pair gets wet
• Slippers for the farmhouse. Icelanders take their shoes off inside.
• Swimsuit and towel for the hot tub
• Blister plasters, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm, bug spray, a head net for the gnats, and chocolate for the long days

Save your saddle

Booking goes straight to Heiðdís at Íslandshestar. Tap the button, tell her you're riding with the IamGlytja group on July 15-19, and she'll follow up with availability and payment. Nineteen saddles. That's it.

Email Heiðdís to Book →

Button not opening your email? Write to heiddis@islandshestar.is and put "IamGlytja Group, July 15-19" in the subject line.

Still deciding? Join the herd on our email list for updates, and read our prep guide on the Iceland Trek blog.

Disclaimer: The Trail of Hope is organized and operated solely by Íslandshestar. IamGlytja® and Charlotte Guernsey® are not the tour operator, are not affiliated with Íslandshestar, and assume no responsibility or liability for any damages, injuries, losses, accidents, cancellations, or expenses arising before, during, or after the trek. Your booking, payment, and participation are solely between you and Íslandshestar and are subject to their terms, conditions, and cancellation policy. Tour details, requirements, and itinerary are provided by Íslandshestar and may change; Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter routes and itineraries if necessary. Horseback riding and travel carry inherent risks. Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance and to ride within their ability.