Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Iceland’s Icelandic horses are part of the appeal here, but the setting is just as memorable: you ride past lava fields and open moorland with volcanic hills and lakes in view. I like that the guides sort riders by ability, and that you can learn about the breed before setting off.

I also like the practical comforts: riding gear is supplied, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate waits at the stable afterward. The main consideration is that this is an outdoor ride in changeable weather, and you must be able to mount the horse from the ground without help.

Key points before you book

• The tölt is the special feature: Icelandic horses have a smooth, four-beat gait called the tölt. Your instructor can help you try it if your pace and ability allow.
• Riders are grouped by ability: Beginners can take an easier route, while more experienced riders may go faster on a more challenging route.
• The ride leaves from Hafnarfjörður: The stable is at Sörlaskeið 26, about a 15 to 20 minute drive from Reykjavik.
• Pickup is optional, not automatic: Choose a tour option that includes it and confirm the pickup point. Some hotels use a nearby bus stop.
• Warm gear and a hot drink are included: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are provided, followed by coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
• Check the restrictions carefully: Riders must be at least 7, weigh no more than 110 kg or 240 lb, and be able to mount independently. Pregnant women cannot ride.

Meeting the Icelandic horses near Reykjavik

The tour begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours in Hafnarfjörður, outside central Reykjavik. You can meet the group at the stable or arrange pickup from a selected point in the city. The drive is relatively short, but pickup arrangements need attention: it must be booked in advance, and your hotel may not be a listed stop. In that case, ask the operator which nearby bus stop to use.

At the stable, you meet your instructor and explain your riding experience. Be clear about how comfortable you feel, not just how many times you have ridden. A confident beginner and a cautious regular rider may want different paces, and the group divisions are meant to make room for that.

Before riding, you get a short introduction to Icelandic horses. Their ancestors arrived with Viking settlers in the 10th century, and the breed is known for its sturdy build and calm manner. The unusual feature is the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel smoother than an ordinary trot. Your guide introduces the gait and helps you understand how to ask for it.

The horses are a central part of the experience, not simply transport across the countryside. You have a chance to see them up close and learn about their temperaments and personalities. That can be especially appealing if you are new to horseback riding, or if you have ridden elsewhere and want to meet a breed with a distinctive gait.

Getting ready for the ride

Once the instructor has an idea of your ability, you watch a short instructional video and put on the provided riding equipment. The package includes a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. These practical layers matter in Iceland, where wind and rain can make an otherwise pleasant ride feel cold. Bring clothing that suits outdoor activity, and use the supplied weather gear if conditions call for it.

There is one important physical requirement: every rider must be able to mount from the ground using their own strength. A mounting block is not available, so this is not a minor technicality. If you have concerns about mounting or dismounting, contact the operator before booking rather than finding out at the stable.

The tour is listed at about two hours. That gives you time for the horse introduction, getting equipped, riding, and a drink afterward, though the exact time spent in the saddle may vary. The group can include up to 30 people, so the initial gathering may feel busy. Several guides can be present, and the group is divided after the instructors have seen how everyone rides.

Riding lava fields and open moorland

After you mount, the ride follows an instructor across terrain that includes lava fields and moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes along the way. The scenery is open and dramatic, and the contrast between dark volcanic ground and the horses makes for strong photographs. You may have chances to stop for pictures, but this is a guided ride, not a photography trip with long breaks at every viewpoint.

The instructor watches the group and divides riders by ability. Beginners take a slower route over easier ground. Intermediate and experienced riders can take more challenging routes at different paces, and you can tell the instructor if you want to slow down or move faster. This flexibility is one of the tour’s clearest strengths: a family or group with mixed experience does not have to force everyone into the same riding pace.

If you are comfortable and the conditions allow, you may have an opportunity to try the tölt. More advanced riders may be able to ride faster, while beginners can stay at a walk. The exact pace is not something to assume in advance; it depends on your confidence, the horse, the terrain, and the guide’s judgment. If speed matters to you, say so when you discuss your ability, but be ready to follow the instructor’s call.

The ride’s appeal is not only the gait or the scenery. It is the chance to cover the ground on a local breed, at a pace that lets you notice the volcanic terrain and the horses beneath you. For riders used to trail rides in other countries, the tölt can make this feel different from a familiar walk-and-trot outing. For a first-time rider, the guided pace and calm horses can make the experience approachable, though it remains a real outdoor activity with uneven ground and weather exposure.

Morning and afternoon departures are available. An early ride may suit you if you want to start the day outdoors, and timing can sometimes line up with a sunrise view in the right season and conditions. Do not book on the assumption that sunrise will be visible: weather, daylight, and departure time all affect what you see.

Warm drinks, changing weather, and the group

After the ride, return to the stable for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small inclusion, but a welcome one after time outside, particularly on a chilly or wet day. It also gives you a moment to warm up before heading back toward Reykjavik.

Weather deserves a little planning. Wind can rise quickly, and rain is possible, so do not treat the warm overalls and rain gear as decorative extras. Some riders have found the provided gear useful in wet conditions. Wear practical clothes beneath it, and avoid shoes you would be upset to get muddy or scuffed. The rubber boots are provided, but your own clothing still needs to work for an outdoor outing.

The group size limit is 30, which is not intimate by riding-tour standards. On the other hand, instructors divide riders by ability, and multiple guides may accompany a larger group. If a quiet, private ride is your priority, this may not be the right format. If you are comfortable sharing the trail and want a chance to ride with people at a similar level, the grouping is a useful compromise.

Staff interactions can vary. The instructors who lead the ride are often described as patient and helpful, and the horse handling is a major part of the experience. Still, service at the stable may not feel equally warm at every point. That is worth keeping in mind if attentive hospitality is as important to you as the ride itself.

Is $133.02 good value?

At $133.02 per person, this is not a budget trail ride. The price buys more than time in the saddle: you get a guided outing near Reykjavik, an introduction to Icelandic horses, riding equipment, and a hot drink afterward. The ability-based groups also help make the ride useful for mixed-experience parties, instead of limiting it to confident riders.

Pickup can add convenience, but it is included only with the appropriate tour option. Check the price and details of the option you select rather than assuming transport is part of the base fare. If you are already renting a car, you can drive to the stable, but you should arrive 30 minutes before your tour starts.

The strongest value is for someone who wants both a horse ride and a taste of Iceland’s volcanic countryside without arranging a full day away from Reykjavik. It is less compelling if you want a private ride, a long trek, or a guaranteed fast-paced session. The two-hour format is a manageable way to try Icelandic riding, but it is still a structured group activity with set safety rules.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits first-time riders who want a guided introduction, as well as experienced riders curious about the tölt. It can work well for families with different riding levels because instructors separate the group by ability. Children must be at least 7 and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Up to two children or young people may ride with each adult, with each paying the full fare.

The tour is not suitable for everyone. The weight limit is 110 kg or 240 lb, pregnant women cannot ride, and all participants must be able to mount from the ground independently. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. If any of those requirements might be an issue, contact the operator before paying.

The activity requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time.

Should you book?

Book this if you want a guided ride that pairs Icelandic horses with lava fields and open country, and you like the idea of trying the tölt at a pace suited to your ability. The provided gear and hot drink make the outing more comfortable, while optional pickup can simplify the trip from Reykjavik.

Skip it if you need assisted mounting, are pregnant, fall outside the age or weight limits, or want a private ride with a guaranteed pace. For most eligible riders, this is a practical way to meet the Icelandic horse and see the countryside on a short outing. Choose your pickup option carefully, dress for wind and rain, and tell the instructor honestly how much riding you have done.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The experience lasts about two hours, including the stable visit, preparation, ride, and hot drink afterward.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Is pickup from Reykjavik included?

Pickup is available only with a tour option that includes it, and it must be booked in advance. Pickup is from selected points, which may include a bus stop near your hotel.

What riding equipment is provided?

Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is available at the stable after the ride.

Do I need riding experience?

The tour accepts beginners as well as intermediate and experienced riders. Tell your instructor your ability level so the group and pace can be adjusted.

What is the minimum age?

Riders must be at least 7 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 110 kg or 240 lb.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride on this tour because of the possible risk to unborn children.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.