Riding routes

For centuries, the Þingvellir area has been a stopping place for people travelling around the country on horseback.

Routes to different parts of the country cross at Þingvellir, with the road through Uxahryggir and Kaldidalur leading to the Borgarfjörður inland and to Western-Iceland, while the road passing by Gjábakki leads to the east, to the rural districts of Southern-Iceland.

The Skógarhólar horse camp has long been a resting place for horsemen passing through
Þingvellir, providing sleeping-bag accommodation as well a grazing and stables.

A map of the riding routes can be found here.

Two designated horse trails run through the National Park. Starting at Gjábakki, a path takes you across the Hrafnagjáfault to the Skógarkot farm site, along the Skógarkotsgata trail. From Skógarkot you can then choose two paths to Skógarhólar.

One leads on along the Skógarkotsgata trail into the Stekkjargjá fault and up by way of Langistígur. The other path takes you north to the Hrauntún farm site and across the Sandskeið flat to mount Ármannsfell, and from there to the west along the National Park fence to Skógarhólar.

Both routes are particularly scenic and a highly recommended choice for people on horseback. Horse riding is not allowed on the automobile roads in the national park, because of the heavy traffic and frequent blind spots. Similarly, riders are not permitted to pass through the assembly site or the Almannagjá fault.

Thingvellir National Park does not operate any horse tours or rental but numerous companies around do so.  

Further information about the facilities at Skógarhólar can be obtained from The Icelandic Equestrian Associations, 5144030, skogarholar@lhhestar.is, see further on their website Landssambands hestamanna.