Location: Lofoten Islands, Norway

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Dates: Set dates

Riding Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Group Size: 2-8 riders

Embark on a thrilling adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Lofoten. Designed for experienced riders in good physical condition, this itinerary features demanding rides across varied terrain, including steep mountain trails where you’ll need to dismount and lead your horse. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views and the raw beauty of Norway’s coastal wilderness. Your base will be the charming Hov Gård Guesthouse, where you’ll enjoy hearty breakfasts and delicious dinners at the renowned Låven restaurant. This is the perfect trip for those seeking adventure, stunning scenery, and a true test of horsemanship. 

Hov is one of the oldest places in Lofoten.  Many historical monuments have been found here including burial sites of two Viking ships, a huge amphitheater that was likely used for sacrifices and pagan rituals, and various Norse Viking graves. We believe that the resident Viking chieftain, Tore Hjort, was located here over 1000 years ago. He is mentioned in the Viking sagas and was killed by King Olav Tryggvason during the Christianization of Norway.  

The horses of Hov Gård Horse Farm are Icelandic, descendants of the horses from the Viking Age in Norway. Icelandic horses are known worldwide for their docile demeanor, sure-footed agility on mountainous terrain, and lovely gait: the tölt. 

Riding Level: Intermediate to Advanced

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Riders should be capable of spending long hours in the saddle, tacking and untacking their own horse, and controlling the horse at all paces.

The Guesthouse at Hov Gård features twin/double or single rooms. The Guesthouse at Hov is newly and beautifully renovated and specially made for riding guests. It has 6 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and 3 bathrooms to share. The house is situated 50 meters from the stable and Låven restaurant.

The excellent Låven restaurant serves dishes with fresh local ingredients. Meals will be taken overlooking the beautiful view to the north and the white beach at Hov.

Transfers are provided to/from Leknes or Svolvær when you arrive and when you leave Hov Gård between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Earlier and later transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. For environmental reasons, several transfers may be combined, so you may have to wait some time before you are picked up at the airport. This will be coordinated in advance so that you can use the time for some sightseeing in Leknes or Svolvær. We recommend Evenes (EVE) airport and the bus shuttle to Svolvær. There are direct flights to Evenes from several cities in Europe.  

Check in after 4PM at the Guesthouse at Hov Gård. Settle in and soak in the scenic views and take a walk on the white sandy beach just a 100 meters from our guest house before dinner and meet our horses at the pasture nearby. 

Dinner at Låven restaurant, where you will be introduced to traditional Norwegian cuisine crafted from fresh, local products. You will meet your guide for the week. We go through the week’s program together and you will get to know the history of Låven restaurant. 

After dinner, take a 1.5 hour midnight sun ride. Get introduced to our horses and stable and learn more about the history of Hov Gård and the old ancient Viking settlement here.  We aim for a hidden beach where you can try different gaits with your horse. At midnight we make a break with some hot drink and midnight snack.  

After a late breakfast, start the ride at noon towards Storknubben and Trolltjønna (Troll Lake) with an open view towards the north of Lofoten (300 meters above sea level). After a lunch in nature, you can join a guided hike by foot to the top of Storknubben (600 meters above sea level). You can also just relax by the fire and enjoy the views, silence and solitude at our mountain basecamp. After the hike we ride down to Gjendalen where we leave our horses for the night. We get transported back to the farm.  Enjoy a delicious dinner at Låven.

Distance: 20 km/12 miles

Breakfast at Låven. After breakfast we drive up to collect horses in Gjendalen. We stop at Vinjedalen and ride down to Vinje beach and test different gaits at the beach. We enjoy an easy lunch with our horses in-hand outside our local, little Gimsøy shop and enjoy the local atmosphere.  Back at Hov, enjoy the hot sauna and a potential swim in the arctic sea. Later in the evening you can enjoy dinner at Låven. 

Breakfast at Låven and then depart for Vestvågøy. We start at Tjønndalen where our horses are waiting for us. We ride up the mountains and end up on the top of Veten (400 meters above sea level). A spectacular view meets us at the top. We ride down to enjoy a lunch at Aaland gård goat cheese farm. After lunch we ride back to Tjønndalen to leave our horses for the night before we head back to Hov Gård. Enjoy dinner at Låven. 

Breakfast at Låven. After breakfast we head back to Tjønndalen and meet our horses again. This time we head more west and ride towards Vendalsjord before we ride up Slydalen and towards Vårliheia, up to Kamman (400 meters above sea level) and Djupdalen. We enjoy the views and ride down back down to Tjønndalen after lunch in the mountains. Nice dinner at Låven. 

After a very active week we suggest a later breakfast at Låven. After breakfast we suggest a guided hiking tour to a nearby mountain or a visit to Henningsvær and spend the day at this picturesque fishing village after lunch. Enjoy a delicious dinner at Låven.

Breakfast at Låven. After breakfast we leave to Tjønndalen and meet our horses. We ride down Løvdalen and towards Bøstad where we cross the mountains to Saupstad. We enjoy a great lunch at Lofoten Gårdsysteri before we ride the last stretch up and down the old road to Unstad where the tour ends by the beach. Back at Hov we enjoy a tasting menu at the boathouse at the farm. 

Enjoy a final breakfast at Låven. Check-out at 12 PM. Depart from the Lofoten Islands, taking home unforgettable memories of gastronomical delights and breathtaking horseback adventures.