1+ hour Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík/Mosfellsbær

Icelandic horses bring something special to a ride near Reykjavík: a smooth, distinctive gait called the tolt, plus the chance to explore open countryside with a guide who can adjust the pace to your ability. This is a private outing, so you ride only with your own group and guide, not a mixed group of strangers.

I like the personal start, where you meet your horse and help groom it before setting off, and the flexibility to suit first-time riders as well as people who already ride. The guide can also take photos, leaving you free to focus on the horse and the views.

The main consideration is the price: at $144.82 per person, this is a short ride, not a full-day horseback adventure. You’ll also need to be able to mount and dismount without a mounting stool, and the tour is not suitable for riders over 110 kg.

• Private from start to finish: Your group rides with its own guide, giving the instructor room to match the pace and advice to your experience.
• A practical introduction to Icelandic riding: Learn the basics, then get a chance to feel the horse’s tolt if conditions and ability allow.
• A horse-first start: You prepare your horse at the stable, including grooming, before heading outdoors.
• Close to Reykjavík, but in the countryside: The stable is in Mosfellsbær, with views toward Mt. Úlfarsfell and the surrounding area.
• About two hours door to door at the stable: Expect roughly one to one and a half hours in the saddle, with preparation and refreshments included in the visit.

A private ride on Icelandic horses near Reykjavík

This outing is less like joining a large trail-riding group and more like taking a riding lesson outdoors. Your guide first asks about your experience, then chooses a horse and gives you guidance suited to your comfort level. That matters if you are new to riding, but it is useful for experienced riders too: you can work on technique and ask for a livelier pace when appropriate.

The private format is one of the tour’s strongest features. You ride with only your own party and the guide, which can make instruction easier to hear and give the guide more control over the pace. It is also a good setup for a family group with different levels of confidence, as long as everyone meets the age and riding requirements.

The horses are Icelandic, a breed closely tied to the country’s riding culture and history. Your guide can introduce you to their role in Icelandic life, while also showing you how to handle your mount. The particular gait many riders look forward to is the tolt, a smooth, four-beat gait that can feel quite different from a conventional trot.

The ride is offered in English. The guides who have led this experience include Lily, Jonina, Linnea, and Snjoprinsessa. The guide’s role is more than leading a horse down a path: you can expect practical help with mounting, basic riding technique, and getting comfortable with your horse.

Grooming and getting settled in the saddle

Your visit begins at Icelandic Riding, at Akrar 2 in Mosfellsbær. A guide meets you at the stable, talks through your riding background, and helps match you with a horse that fits your needs. You then prepare for the ride, including grooming the horse, which gives you a chance to get used to one another before leaving the stable.

This unhurried start is valuable, especially if you have never ridden before. You are not simply handed reins and sent onto a trail. You get an introduction to the horse and a chance to learn how to respond to it, then work through basics such as mounting, dismounting, and riding gaits.

First-time riders can benefit from the instructor’s close attention, but keep in mind that this is still a horseback ride, not a ride where you sit back without having to participate. You need to follow the guide’s instructions and be able to mount and dismount without a mounting stool. If you are unsure about either requirement, check with the operator before booking.

Experienced riders have room to get more out of the introduction, too. You can ask about the Icelandic way of riding and focus on the gaits rather than spending the whole session learning how to hold the reins. One experienced rider’s account describes going through the tolt and galloping on varied ground, but the actual pace depends on your ability and the guide’s judgment.

Riding toward Mt. Úlfarsfell

Once the horses and riders are ready, you head out to explore the area around the stable. The advertised route takes in Mt. Úlfarsfell and the countryside around it, with sweeping views over the mountain and surrounding area. The exact route and the time spent riding can vary with the group’s riding level.

The riding portion usually lasts about one to one and a half hours. The full visit, from arrival to departure, is around two hours. That distinction helps when planning the rest of your day: allow for the stable introduction and horse preparation, rather than counting only the time in the saddle.

The setting is a useful contrast to Reykjavík’s streets and museums. You get out into open country without needing to plan a separate long excursion, and the guide can point out the surroundings as you ride. The horse’s sure-footedness and the chance to experience its different gaits are part of what makes this more than a standard scenic trail ride.

Expect the weather to shape the day. Iceland can be windy or chilly, and the ride takes place outdoors. The activity requires good weather; if conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Dress for the forecast, and choose footwear that is comfortable for riding. Good sneakers or walking shoes are recommended.

What makes the tolt worth trying

The tolt is a distinctive Icelandic horse gait and a memorable part of this ride. If you are new to riding, your guide can introduce the basics at a pace that feels manageable. If you have experience, you may have a chance to explore the gait more fully, depending on your ability and conditions.

The guide tailors the ride rather than assuming every rider wants the same thing. That flexibility is one reason this can work for a beginner and an experienced rider in the same private group. It does not mean every pace or gait is guaranteed, though. The guide’s first job is to keep the ride suitable and safe for the people in the saddle.

Some riders have also enjoyed trotting or faster riding on the hills and through streams. Those details give a sense of what may be possible on the right outing, not a promise of a particular route or speed. If you hope to ride faster, be clear about your experience when the guide asks, and follow their assessment on the day.

The value of a two-hour private outing

At $144.82 per person, this is a meaningful spend for a relatively short activity. The price makes the most sense if you value private instruction, a smaller and more personal setting, and the chance to ride Icelandic horses rather than simply see them. Since only your group joins the guide, you are paying for more individual attention than you would get on a large shared ride.

The visit includes light refreshments after the ride, which gives you a little time to wind down at the stable before heading back. The stated duration is around two hours total, with about an hour to an hour and a half in the saddle. If your priority is a long ride, look for a longer trip; if you want a focused introduction close to Reykjavík, this format is easier to fit into a busy itinerary.

This is also a good way to try horseback riding without committing to a full day. First-timers have time to learn the basics and get comfortable, while experienced riders can enjoy the horse and countryside. Group discounts are available, which may help if you are booking for more than one person.

The activity is popular enough that it is booked an average of 70 days ahead. That is not a guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a sensible reason to reserve early if you have a fixed travel schedule. Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Getting to the stable and what to wear

The meeting point is Icelandic Riding, Akrar 2, 271 Mosfellsbær, and the ride returns there. Bus number 15 from downtown Reykjavík is given as the best public-transport option. The stable is near public transportation, but make sure you have the correct stop and route details for your date before leaving town.

A taxi has been arranged for one party from a Reykjavík hotel, but that should not be treated as standard included transport. If you need a pickup, ask the operator directly rather than assuming it comes with the ride. The stable can sometimes be difficult to locate on Google Maps, so confirm directions and the meeting point in advance.

Wear comfortable riding shoes, walking shoes, or good sneakers. There is an important Icelandic biosecurity rule: used horse or equestrian equipment cannot be brought into the country, and riding gear that cannot be washed cannot be taken to Iceland. Check with the operator about any equipment you are considering bringing, rather than packing used gear and hoping it will be accepted.

Who should book this ride

This tour suits first-time riders who want a patient introduction, couples or families who prefer a private activity, and experienced riders who are curious about Icelandic horses and the tolt. The minimum age is 12, so it can work for a family with a confident older child. One family’s children, aged 11 and 12, enjoyed the ride, but the stated minimum age is 12, so the younger child would not meet the listed requirement.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness and be able to mount and dismount without a stool. Riders must weigh less than 110 kg. The guide may cancel the ride without a refund if a participant cannot ride, does not follow instructions, or causes the guide to feel unsafe taking them out. That is a firm condition, not fine print to ignore.

The private format can make the outing feel more relaxed, but it does not remove the need to listen and ride responsibly. If you are nervous, tell the guide about it at the start. If you are an experienced rider, be equally clear about your level, while understanding that the guide decides what is suitable on the day.

Should you book the private horse ride?

Book this if you want a personal introduction to Icelandic horses, a countryside ride near Reykjavík, and a guide who can adjust the instruction and pace to your group. The grooming, horse matching, and chance to learn about the tolt give the outing more substance than a quick photo stop on horseback.

Skip it if you want a long ride, need transport included, are under 12, weigh 110 kg or more, or cannot mount and dismount without help from a stool. For everyone else, it is a memorable way to spend a couple of hours outdoors, with the best value going to riders who care about the horse and the learning as much as the views.

FAQ

How long is the horse ride?

The full visit takes around two hours from arrival to departure. Riding time is usually about one to one and a half hours, depending in part on the group’s riding level.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Icelandic Riding, Akrar 2, 271 Mosfellsbær, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, along with the guide.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The guide tailors the instruction to your experience, including help with mounting, dismounting, and basic riding technique. You must be able to mount and dismount without a mounting stool and follow the guide’s instructions.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for anyone weighing 110 kg or more. Riders must weigh less than 110 kg.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.