Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Iceland 2027
Join us for a seven-day journey through the magic of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, riding over waterfalls, across black sand beaches, ancient lava fields, wild mountains, and dramatic coastlines, surrounded by lupines, puffins, and the mystical presence of Snæfellsjökull.
About this trip
AN IMPACTFUL ADVENTURE
This seven-day Riding Wild journey through Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula includes six days of riding through one of the country’s wildest and most varied landscapes. Often called “Iceland in miniature,” the peninsula brings together black sand beaches, ancient lava fields, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, dramatic sea cliffs, fields of lupines, and the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull. Traveling through this landscape on horseback offers an intimate way to experience the raw beauty of Iceland while connecting with the remarkable horses that have carried people across this land for centuries.
Over six days of riding, we will travel from the southwestern reaches of the peninsula to its northeastern coast, crossing dramatically changing terrain each day. The first four days follow the southern coastline, where stretches of firm black sand create extraordinary riding conditions for extended periods of tölt and opportunities to gallop along open beaches. From the coast, our route carries us through ancient lava fields, across rivers and waterfalls, along towering ocean cliffs, through fields of lupines, and over rugged mountain terrain. On the fifth riding day, we cross a long mountain pass to the northern side of Snæfellsnes before spending our final day riding through the landscapes of Helgafellssveit. This is a fast-paced and physically demanding ride, balanced by slower sections as the terrain requires.
Each day in the saddle is complemented by the grounding practices woven into a Riding Wild journey, creating space for both adventure and restoration. Meditation, somatic practices, and time to unwind in Stóri Kambur’s sauna and hot tub offer opportunities to rest and integrate after long days of riding. Surrounded by horses, ocean, mountains, and Iceland’s vast open landscapes, this journey is an invitation to experience Snæfellsnes through movement, presence, and a deep connection to the land.
Highlights
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Ride across the extraordinary landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “miniature Iceland,” from its wild southern coast to the northern side of the peninsula
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Gallop along expansive black sand beaches and experience long stretches of Iceland’s smooth, flowing tölt
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Ride over waterfalls and rivers, through ancient lava fields, across rugged mountain passes, and along dramatic ocean cliffs
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Journey beneath the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull, a place steeped in Icelandic folklore, legends, and mysticism
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Ride through fields of blooming lupines beneath the midnight sun and look for puffins and seabirds along the coastline
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Return each day to Stóri-Kambur to unwind with nourishing meals, a sauna, and hot tub after long days in the saddle
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Experience the warmth of a small, family-run Icelandic horse farm where the horses are deeply loved and individually cared for
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OUR OFFERINGS
01 Mindful Riding
Mindful riding is the practice of riding in a state of meditation through developing a present connection of mutual trust with your horse. Riding in this state of trust, presence and openness allows the rider to receive countless somatic benefits by being held by an intuitive, pure, and grounded sentient being. The rider will learn about their own energy through slowing down enough to see how they communicate and in turn receive messages from their horse’s body language. They will tap into the naturally meditative energy of horses and sensitize their intuition, the ability to energetically communicate, and connect with their true nature.
OUR OFFERINGS
02 Horse Guided Somatic Healing®
We offer horse-guided somatic healing through present-moment connection, guided meditation, and attuned observation—inviting deep embodiment, spiritual remembering, and intuitive healing alongside horses. Inspired by Equine Guided Empowerment®—a unique approach developed by The Reflective Horse®—this work honors the horse as an energetic mirror and guide. Through relational presence and the healing energy of horses, participants are gently led back to their innate wisdom, authentic connection, and a sense of grounded wholeness.
OUR OFFERINGS
03 Trauma Informed Breathwork
This ceremonial, trauma-informed breathwork practice integrates the science-backed benefits of conscious breathing with the depth of a spiritually grounded healing journey. The approach reflects influences from various trainings, including work with Taren Maroun, particularly in the way scientific understanding and spiritual inquiry are woven together, while the practice itself remains rooted in modern somatic frameworks and ancestral wisdom. Through intentional breath, the body’s innate intelligence is gently reawakened, supporting the safe release of stored energy and trauma held within the body, restoring nervous-system regulation, emotional resilience, and embodied presence.
OUR OFFERINGS
04 Somatic Yin Yoga
Somatic Yin Yoga is a trauma-informed, embodied practice that reconnects you with the body’s innate wisdom. Rooted in nervous system regulation and somatic awareness, this slow, intuitive approach supports the release of tension, emotional stress, and energetic blockages. Through long-held postures and deep listening, it nourishes connective tissues, enhances flexibility, and fosters resilience. Its meditative quality soothes the mind and strengthens the body's capacity for deep repair, renewal, and integration.
OUR OFFERINGS
01 Mindful Riding
Mindful riding is the practice of riding in a state of meditation through developing a present connection of mutual trust with your horse. Riding in this state of trust, presence and openness allows the rider to receive countless somatic benefits by being held by an intuitive, pure, and grounded sentient being. The rider will learn about their own energy through slowing down enough to see how they communicate and in turn receive messages from their horse’s body language. They will tap into the naturally meditative energy of horses and sensitize their intuition, the ability to energetically communicate, and connect with their true nature.
OUR OFFERINGS
02 Horse Guided Somatic Healing®
We offer horse-guided somatic healing through present-moment connection, guided meditation, and attuned observation—inviting deep embodiment, spiritual remembering, and intuitive healing alongside horses. Inspired by Equine Guided Empowerment®—a unique approach developed by The Reflective Horse®—this work honors the horse as an energetic mirror and guide. Through relational presence and the healing energy of horses, participants are gently led back to their innate wisdom, authentic connection, and a sense of grounded wholeness.
OUR OFFERINGS
03 Trauma Informed Breathwork
This ceremonial, trauma-informed breathwork practice integrates the science-backed benefits of conscious breathing with the depth of a spiritually grounded healing journey. The approach reflects influences from various trainings, including work with Taren Maroun, particularly in the way scientific understanding and spiritual inquiry are woven together, while the practice itself remains rooted in modern somatic frameworks and ancestral wisdom. Through intentional breath, the body’s innate intelligence is gently reawakened, supporting the safe release of stored energy and trauma held within the body, restoring nervous-system regulation, emotional resilience, and embodied presence.
OUR OFFERINGS
04 Somatic Yin Yoga
Somatic Yin Yoga is a trauma-informed, embodied practice that reconnects you with the body’s innate wisdom. Rooted in nervous system regulation and somatic awareness, this slow, intuitive approach supports the release of tension, emotional stress, and energetic blockages. Through long-held postures and deep listening, it nourishes connective tissues, enhances flexibility, and fosters resilience. Its meditative quality soothes the mind and strengthens the body's capacity for deep repair, renewal, and integration.
Join us
Available to strong intermediate - advanced riders
Must be confident, experienced, and in control riding at all gaits and terrains in open country. Should be able to spend up to 7 hours per day in the saddle.
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
June 29th - July 5th, 2027
PRICING
$4,995 / (€4,326)
If paying in two installments, your second payment will be due on December 1st, 2026. Both buttons will take you to the payment info. Additional payment plans available. View our terms here.
Price includes: Shared accommodations, all meals, the complete riding program, experienced guides, and round-trip transportation from our designated meeting point at BSI Bus Station in Reykjavík.
Price doesn’t include: Alcoholic beverages. Mandatory travel insurance, flights to and from Reykjavik, and airport transfers. Group size: 14 riders. Weight restriction: For the well-being of our horses, there is a weight limit of 190 lbs (85 kg) for riders.
Please note: To protect the integrity of the group schedule, we ask that all guests arrange flights that arrive the day prior to the ride and depart the day after it concludes.
Itinerary
Day 1:
We’ll pick you up from BSÍ bus station in Reykjavík and begin our journey toward the wild Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where mountains, ocean, lava fields, waterfalls and the immense Snæfellsjökull glacier shape the landscape around us. After arriving at our accommodation and settling into our rooms, we’ll gather for our opening circle. We’ll then enjoy a light snack before meeting our horses and guides for the first time. Our horses will be thoughtfully matched to us based on riding experience, and we’ll set out on a 1–2 hour introductory ride, time to connect with our horses, experience the unique rhythm of the Icelandic tölt, and settle into our partnership before beginning our journey across the peninsula. As evening settles, we’ll gather for a restorative yin yoga practice, allowing us to soften into our bodies and attune to the land before sharing a nourishing dinner together.
Day 2:
After breakfast, we’ll begin our morning with a guided meditation before preparing our lunches for the trail and meeting our horses for our first full day in the saddle. Today we’ll spend approximately 4 hours riding through the extraordinary landscapes of Snæfellsnes, following dramatic cliffs, crossing rivers and open fields, and riding above cascading waterfalls with expansive views unfolding around us. The varied terrain invites a slightly slower rhythm as we deepen our connection with our horses, with plenty of opportunities to experience the tölt, canter and gallop as the land opens beneath us. We’ll pause in the wild to share lunch alongside our horses before continuing onto quiet dirt roads where we can experience the incredible power and freedom of the Icelandic horse. After returning to our accommodation, we’ll gather for a restorative yin yoga practice, allowing tired muscles to soften and our bodies to integrate our first full day of riding before sharing dinner together.
Day 3:
After breakfast, we’ll begin with our morning meditation before returning to our horses for one of the most exhilarating days of the journey. Today we’ll spend approximately 5–6 hours in the saddle, riding toward the mountains with the great Snæfellsjökull glacier rising above us before the landscape suddenly opens onto an immense stretch of wild beach and the North Atlantic. After pausing to rest our horses, we’ll set out across Iceland’s longest beach, riding for nearly an hour and a half along the water’s edge, tölting, cantering and galloping across seemingly endless sand with the mountains and glacier behind us. Leaving the ocean, we’ll ride through open fields to the pasture where our horses will spend the night, untacking and turning them loose together before returning to our accommodation. As the day softens, we’ll gather for restorative yin yoga, grounding back into our bodies and creating space to integrate an exhilarating day immersed in horse, ocean and land before dinner.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 4:
After breakfast and our morning meditation we’ll spend approximately 3–4 hours in the saddle, continuing our journey along the wild Atlantic coast and returning once more to the expansive beach for long stretches of tölting, cantering and galloping across the open sand before turning inland along quiet tracks toward the horses’ pasture for the evening. After several days held in the rhythm of our horses and the elemental Icelandic landscape, we’ll return home and gather for a guided breathwork journey, creating space to soften, release and listen more deeply to what has been moving within us throughout our time together. We’ll then have some time for integration, allowing the experience to settle into the body before sharing a nourishing dinner together.
Day 5:
After breakfast and our morning meditation, we’ll return to our horses for the most adventurous riding day of our journey. Today we’ll spend approximately 6–7 hours in the saddle as we ride into the mountains and cross the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from one coast to the other. This is a technical and fast-paced day, carrying us over rugged terrain, quiet dirt roads, through forests and high into the mountains. Wherever the landscape allows, we’ll tölt, canter and gallop, experiencing the remarkable sure-footedness, strength and spirit of our Icelandic horses. The scenery transforms around us throughout the day as we ride past ancient volcanoes and lava fields before descending toward the opposite coast. In June and July, sweeping fields of purple lupines blanket the landscape, carrying us toward one final long gallop before reaching a beautiful farm on the rugged coastline where our horses will rest for the night. Returning home after this immense day in the saddle, we’ll gather for nourishing dinner.
Day 6
After breakfast and our morning meditation, we’ll return to our horses to explore the other side of the peninsula, with our route chosen according to the weather, trail conditions and what feels best for our horses and riders. We’ll spend approximately 2–5 hours in the saddle, riding through another beautiful and distinctly different side of Snæfellsnes and savoring these final hours with the horses who have carried us across this wild landscape. At the end of our ride, we’ll untack and turn the horses loose into their pasture for a well-earned rest before gathering at the farm to taste local Icelandic beverages and celebrate the journey we’ve shared. Back at our accommodation, we’ll come together for our final yin yoga practice, offering a quiet space to ground and integrate the week before sharing our last dinner together.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 7:
After breakfast, we’ll gather for our final morning meditation, offering a quiet moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared before beginning our return to Reykjavík. After seven days immersed in the rhythm of our horses and the wild beauty of Iceland, riding from waterfalls and mountains to black-sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and open coastline, we’ll return to BSÍ bus station in Reykjavík for drop-off at 2 p.m., carrying home the memories and connections made along the way.
End of trip
Please Note: This itinerary is intended as a guide and may be adjusted at any time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our horses, guests, crew, and local communities. Changes may also be made due to weather, trail or road conditions, environmental factors, horse health or welfare, local regulations, unforeseen logistical circumstances, or any other situation beyond our control. While we always strive to deliver the experience as outlined, flexibility is an essential part of adventure travel, and any modifications will be made with the best interests of both our guests and our horses in mind.
Itinerary
Meet your guides
Aniela Gottwald
CALIFORNIA, USA
Aniela Gottwald is the founder of Riding Wild, a 1% For The Planet nonprofit organization that takes women on transformative wilderness expeditions, com- bining personal and collective healing with intersection- al environmentalism. With over 20 years of experience in horsemanship, Aniela is a certified Equine Guided Empowerment® facilitator specializing in integrative somatic trauma and attachment therapy. Aniela’s lifelong connection with horses began in childhood, but it was her solo 1,300-mile backcountry expedition with wild horses she trained herself that deepened her understanding of the mirroring power of these animals in the healing process. Her work with Riding Wild stems from this understanding, offering equine-guided journeys that foster empowerment, personal sovereignty, and a sense of freedom. Through these immersive experiences, Aniela helps women, especially BIPOC and Indigenous communities, reclaim their voices and rediscover their inner strength. Guiding horse-riding expeditions throughout the world, Aniela has created a powerful program that seamlessly integrates tools for nervous system regulation and therapeutic practices into each journey. Her approach is grounded in the belief that individual healing contributes to collective well-being, creating a ripple effect of generational healing and transformation. Riding Wild’s purpose is to make these healing experiences accessible through scholarships, providing safe spaces for adventure, connection, and the discovery of new possibilities. Through her work, Aniela invites women to step into a journey of personal growth and resilience, supported by the essential connection between humans and nature. She believes that empowering women to heal, we also open pathways to advocate for the healing of nature - recognizing that personal and environmental restoration are deeply interconnected.
Heidrun Maria
Reyjavik, Iceland
Heiðrún María, a gentle force of Icelandic nature who will guide you into the magical ways of unconditional love and grace. Heiðrún specializes in reclaiming connection to the self through the heart working with the spirit of cacao in cacao ceremonies, through sound and energy healings, reconnecting to our true nature with the raw force of Icelandic nature, through wholesome vibrant living and yoga. Heiðrún María is a certified practitioner of The Emotion Code ® and currently studying The Body Code™. Teaching and facilitating healing spaces since 2018. She has traveled the world to study and expand her awareness and knowledge in yoga, qi gong, sound healing, energy healing, ceremonial cacao facilitation and breathwork with respected master teachers and healers in Iceland and Guatemala.
HORSES
The Icelandic horse is deeply woven into the history and culture of Iceland. Small but remarkably strong and sure-footed, these horses are perfectly suited to the country’s wild terrain. Known for their intelligence, resilience, and distinctive tölt, they offer an incredibly smooth and powerful way to travel across Iceland’s vast landscapes.
At Stóri-Kambur, horses are considered part of the family, with great care placed on their individual personalities, temperaments, and wellbeing. The horses live in large, open fields where they have space to graze, move, and socialize naturally, and their workload is carefully managed to prioritize their physical and emotional health. The herd is wonderfully diverse, from powerful, forward-going horses to smaller, gentler characters, allowing riders to be thoughtfully matched with a horse suited to their experience and riding style.
Spending long days in the saddle with these horses offers an intimate way to experience the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, traveling through volcanic landscapes, mountains, open countryside, and stretches of coastline in the way Icelandic horses have carried people across this land for centuries.
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY
You should be a strong intermediate - advanced rider, comfortable navigating varied terrain at all gaits. Be ready to embrace the tölt—a fast, smooth gait requiring a different riding style—and prepared to maintain it athletically for extended periods. Please consult our riding ability guide here. The weight limit of our riders is 190 lbs/85 kgs.
PACE
This is a fast-paced ride, primarily at the tölt across varied terrain, with opportunities to canter and gallop along the way.
TACKING ABILITY & PARTICIPATION
You’ll be expected to help groom, tack, and untack your horse each day. This hands-on involvement allows you to build a closer bond with your horse and become an active part of the experience.
TRIP CONDITIONS & REQUESTED EXPERIENCE
You need to be fit and have good stamina to handle long hours in the saddle, including extended periods of tölt. The terrain can be rough and the weather unpredictable, so riders must be resilient, confident, and comfortable dismounting when necessary and leading their horse on foot across sections of challenging terrain.
EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
Typically, the Icelandic horses are ridden with simple snaffle bits and one-piece reins. The Icelandic saddle combines elements of dressage and endurance saddles and is used for long rides due to its comfort and stability.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
To ensure a smooth start to the journey and keep our group schedule on track, all guests are required to arrive in Iceland at least one day before the ride begins and depart no earlier than the day after it concludes.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Comprehensive travel insurance is required for all Riding Wild journeys. Please arrange coverage before your trip, including protection for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and activities related to horseback riding.GETTING THERE
Our group will be picked up at 10:00 AM from the BSI Bus Station in Reykjavik and dropped off at the same location at 6:00 PM on the final day of the trip.
VISAS
Most countries do not require visas to enter Iceland, please check the country you’re entering Iceland from to see the visa requirements.
CLIMATE
With nearly 20 hours of daylight, May offers long, mild days perfect for outdoor activities like horseback riding or hiking. It’s a vibrant time with blooming wildflowers, fewer tourists, and an awakening landscape—ideal for exploring Iceland's beauty. Dress in layers to stay comfortable in variable conditions. In May, temperatures range from 1°C to 12°C (34°F to 54°F), and you can expect a mix of sun, clouds, rain, and occasional wind. Snow may linger in the highlands but is rare at lower elevations.
STÓRI KAMBUR’S GUESTHOUSE
Guests will stay at Stóri-Kambur’s beautiful guesthouse, surrounded by the wild landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Stay in comfortable twin-shared rooms with private bathrooms and a warm, rustic great hall overlooking Snæfellsjökull glacier and the nearby coastline. After long days in the saddle, guests can unwind in the sauna and outdoor hot tub.
Meals are simple, hearty, and deeply rooted in the local landscape, designed to nourish you throughout long days in the saddle. Each morning begins with a generous breakfast, while lunches are packed to enjoy out on the trail alongside the horses. In the evenings, we gather around the table for homemade, nourishing dinners featuring traditional Icelandic dishes.
Much of the food is locally sourced from small family-run farms and fishermen throughout the peninsula, including free-roaming local lamb, freshly caught fish, dairy and beef from a nearby farm, and seasonal vegetables. Meals are shared together, with a new menu each day and vegetarian options available with advance notice. Fresh, wholesome and delicious, the food is an integral part of experiencing the land and culture of Iceland.
You’re welcome to bring anything else you feel called to — though we always suggest keeping things simple and packing light.
CLOTHING
Upper body
- long sleeved shirts (provide protection from the sun or extra warmth)
- warm sweater (wool or fleece)
- warm long underwear
Lower body
- riding pants
- casual clothes for the evenings
- yoga pants
- warm long underwear
Outerwear
- waterproof jacket/waterproof rain pants to wear over riding pants
- warm jacket or overcoat
Footwear
- comfortable riding boots (we recommend short boots with half chaps)
- hiking boots, rubber boots (bring a pair of these in case your riding boots get wet)
- warm socks, at least a few pairs
Headwear
- riding helmet
- sunhat
- warm hat for cold evenings
OTHER ITEMS
- gloves for riding
- scarf/bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun, wind or rain
- sunglasses with a cord attached so they don’t fly off when riding
- swimsuit
- toiletries
- hand sanitizer
- pair of slippers to wear in the accommodation
- water bottle
- camera & accessories
- rechargeable power bank
- notebook/journal
- eye mask that can help with the 24hr daylight
MEDICAL KIT
- high uv sunscreen
- aquaphor (for dry lips)
- insect repellent, gnat head cover
- any medication you regularly take
- band aids and second skin plasters for chafing
- antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- electrolytes
- ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- water purifier or purification tablets
ICELAND
- All the Horses of Iceland - Sarah Tolmie
- On Time and Water - Andri Snær Magnason
- The Little Book of the Hidden People - Alda Sigmundsdottir
- Land of Love and Ruins - Oddny Eir
- Icelandic Folktales - Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson
The Sagas of the Icelanders - Jane Smiley
CLIMATE
- All We Can Save - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katherine K. Wilkinson
- Rooted - Lyanda Lynn Haupt
- The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle
of Oppression to Protect People + Planet - Leah Thomas- The End of Eden: Wild Nature in the Age of Climate Breakdown - Adam Weltz
HORSE
- Tao of Equus - Linda Kohanov
- Riding Between Worlds - Linda Kohanov
- Sacred Spaces: Communion with the horse through science and spirit - Dr. Susan Fay
HEALING
- Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
- Healing Collective Trauma - Thomas Hübl
- Attuned - Thomas Hübl- If Women Rose Rooted - Sharon Black
- Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times - Katherine May- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine
- The Power of Now - Ekhart Tolle
- Being Peace - Thich Naht Hahn
- One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder - Brian Doyle
- The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief - Francis Weller
- Gender(s) - Kathryn Bond StocktonRELATIONSHIP
- Us - Terrence Real
- Perfect Love, Imperfect relationships - John Welwood
- Conscious Loving: The Journey to Co-Commitment - Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendrick
- The Conscious Heart - Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendrick
- Nonviolent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg
- The Power of Attachment - Diane Poole Heller
- Eight Dates - John Gottman
please note, this is an optional reading list for your enjoyment
Stóri Kambur
Stóri-Kambur is a small, family-run horse farm on Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, founded by Eygló and Hjörtur in 2013 and now lovingly carried forward by Siggi and Kim. With a connection to horses fostered over generations, the family has created an intimate riding experience rooted in their love for the Icelandic horse, the surrounding landscape, and the history and traditions of Snæfellsnes. The horses are an integral part of family life at Stóri-Kambur, each with their own unique character, temperament, and personality. They are given individual care and attention and live year-round in large, open fields where they have the freedom to graze, run, play, and socialize naturally. Through riding, Stóri-Kambur invites guests to experience the wild beauty of West Iceland in a deeply personal way. Their knowledge of the land and their horses, combined with generations of horsemanship, offers a special opportunity to discover Snæfellsnes from the back of the remarkable Icelandic horse.
