MULTI-DAY TREK · NEW

Discovery Trek

Serious trail riding. Spectacular scenery. No loose herd. A week-long trekking vacation discovering Guðmar’s favorite routes through West Iceland.

FROM

$5,950 USD

DURATION

7 Days / 6 Nights

SKILL LEVEL

Confident Intermediate – Experienced

DISTANCE

12–15 km daily

HERD

No loose herd · horses by trailer

Discover Iceland from the saddle

The Discovery Trek was created for riders who want more than a traditional trail-riding vacation, but without the intensity of traveling with a large, free-running herd.

After spending the first part of the week getting to know our horses at Hestaland, we load up a small group of horses and set off to discover some of Guðmar’s favorite riding routes in West Iceland.

Rather than following one continuous trail, our horses travel with us by trailer. This gives us the freedom to ride simply because a route is worth riding, spectacular landscapes, beautiful trails and places Guðmar has discovered over a lifetime on horseback.

Each day brings somewhere new.

And after a day on the trail, you’ll return to Hestaland for a hot shower, dinner, a glass of wine or beer, and a comfortable bed.

Who is the Discovery Trek for?

Discovery is designed for confident intermediate and experienced riders.

Rider Experience

You should be comfortable riding independently at all basic gaits, controlling your horse outdoors and riding at a good pace over varied terrain. You should also be comfortable spending several hours in the saddle and riding approximately 12–15 km per day.

No Advanced Trekking Experience Needed

There is no large free-running herd, and the riding does not require the same level of confidence, stamina and experience as our Ultimate Trekking Adventure.

A Riding Vacation for Riders

But make no mistake: this is a riding vacation for riders. If you want beautiful Icelandic horses, serious trail riding and the opportunity to discover a different corner of West Iceland each day, this is your trek.

Your week at Hestaland

Day 1: Meet the horses

Your riding adventure begins at Hestaland, where we’ll spend time getting to know you as a rider and introducing you to our Icelandic horses. Matching horse and rider is an important part of every Hestaland trek. We’ll ride in and around the farm, giving you time to become familiar with your horse while our team gets a sense of your riding style, experience and preferences.

We’ll continue riding from Hestaland, heading out onto our local trails and spending more time in the saddle. This first day and a half gives riders and horses a chance to settle in together before we venture farther afield. It also gives our guides the opportunity to make adjustments to horse-and-rider combinations where needed. By now, the group is finding its rhythm — and we’re ready to explore.

After breakfast, we’ll load our horses into the trailer and travel to the starting point for our first Discovery route. From here, we’ll ride approximately 12–15 km through the Icelandic countryside, exploring one of Guðmar’s hand-picked routes. Without a loose herd to move from one destination to another, we have the freedom to choose our trails based on the riding, the landscape and the conditions. At the end of the ride, the horses travel back with us to Hestaland, where dinner and a comfortable evening await.

Each morning brings a new destination. We’ll load the horses and head out to explore another of Guðmar’s favorite routes, with rides of approximately 12–15 km each day. The terrain, scenery and character of the rides will vary depending on where we go. Some days may offer wonderful stretches for tölt; others may take us over more rugged terrain or through landscapes few visitors to Iceland ever experience from horseback. There is no rigid trail we have to follow and no herd that has to reach a particular destination. That flexibility is at the heart of Discovery. We go where the riding is good. Exact routes may change according to weather, trail conditions and what Guðmar believes will offer the best riding experience that day.

Enjoy your final breakfast, share last memories with your group, pack your bags, and depart for BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavík. Drop-off at BSI is around noon.

What’s Included

  • Transportation: Transfers to/from BSI Terminal (Reykjavík) and daily trailer transport to each route
  • Accommodation: 6 nights at Hestaland Guesthouse (double occupancy, hot tub)
  • Meals: Breakfast, packed lunches, and dinners (with wine/beer in evenings)
  • Riding Gear: High-quality Ástund saddles & helmets
  • Expert Guides: Led by Guðmar Pétursson

What’s Not Included

  • International flights to/from Iceland
  • Flybus transfer from KEF Airport to BSI Terminal
  • Personal travel & health insurance (strongly advised)
  • Riding boots and waterproof outerwear

PRICE

$5,950 USD / person

Airfare and travel insurance not included.

Dates 2027

June 18-24

Places fill quickly. A 50% deposit secures your spot.

Looking for the herd?

If you want to ride with a loose herd of 50–60 horses, see our flagship trek.

Ultimate Trekking Adventure

Have questions?

Not sure if this is the right trek for you? Contact us directly.

info@hestaland.net

Glimpse into the Trek