Horse Round up Laufskálaréttir

Intermediate to Advanced riders

Laufskálarétt is one of the most famous round ups in Iceland. The round ups track guests from all over Iceland and travelers from all over the world as well. We combine riding with a free running herd which is an amazing experience in the beautiful north vest countryside, with a fun horse show in Sauðárkrókur and the popular horse roundup at Laufskálarétt.

The highlight of the trip is the unique Day 2 experience of crossing Lake Hóp on horseback, where the horses happily glide through the shallow water, followed by an optional evening visit to a local horse show in Skagafjörður. The core event occurs on Day 3, as the group participates in the famous Laufskálarétt horse round-up, riding alongside farmers to witness the huge herds being gathered from the mountains and sorted, concluding with a traditional celebratory evening. The final riding day involves returning the horses and herd from Þingeyrar through the beautiful hills and riverbanks of Vatnsdalur back to Hvammur farm before the transfer back to Reykjavík.

Víðidalur Adventurous Riding Tour

Advanced Riders only

Join the farmers in this great autumn adventure. Ride along when they drive the herd, sort the horses and celebrate the successful return of horses and men. The varied terrain includes the highland moors, green valleys just turning into their autumn colors of burning red and yellow, deep blue lakes and rivers and Kolugljúfur gorge where a troll woman resided in the old days.

From Hvammur Farm in the North, we follow good riding tracks until we meet the Icelanders who have been gathering horses already for some days. We join them and help driving the herd down to the Víðidalstungurétt corral. When this task has been fulfilled the locals celebrate the successful round-ups with a ball “réttardansleikur” and we are welcome to join in the fun. The next day the horses get sorted. Experience the excitement of horses and men when the horses and foals are selected from the herd and returned to their rightful owners.

Horse Round Up in Skrapatungurétt

Advanced Riders only

Imagine hundreds of free and spirited horses cantering down from their highland summer pastures to be reclaimed by their owners. Mares and their foals, young horses and geldings traverse the rough terrain, not yet quite willing to surrender their freedom before the onset of winter. The ancient tradition of rounding up horses is only kept alive in the North of Iceland.

From the Vatnsdalur area, we ride through beautiful valleys and mountains to Laxárdalur valley. Here we team up with the Icelanders and help round up the horses and drive them down from the mountains to Skrapatungurétt communal corral.

When this task is complete the locals celebrate with a special round-up dance or “réttardansleikur”. We are of course more than welcome to join in the fun. The round-up continues the next day when the horses get sorted at the corral and we help in returning some of them to their home meadows.

When you participate in the Round-Ups you are experiencing the Real Thing! You will be one of the group to herd and sort the animals. Of course, that means long hours outside in the sometimes cold weather. Iceland in autumn has many colors and types of weather. Anticipate to be in golden sunshine one moment and to ride in the rain and even sleet during the next.

Note

• We recommend to dress well during these tours, to bring long woolen underwear and lots of woolen socks and gloves. Knee-high rubber boots are recommended.

• Please do not bring used riding boots or other gear, that can not be disinfected.

• It is also good to bring some snack like chocolate for a quick energy boost.\