Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

Red lava, green hills, and Icelandic horses make an unusual evening outing just 15 minutes from Reykjavik. This three-hour ride with Viking Horses follows trails through Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the vivid formations of Rauðhólar, with a short lesson before you set off.

I like the small group of no more than eight, which leaves room for personal help, and the warm drink and kleina at the end, a homey finish after time outside. One consideration: the tour runs rain or shine, so you’ll need warm clothing and a willingness to ride in changing weather.

At a glance

• Red lava at Rauðhólar: The route pairs the area’s striking red volcanic formations with green hills and woodland.
• A small riding group: No more than eight participants ride together, with instruction suited to beginners and people with little experience.
• An evening start: Reykjavik-area pickups take place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. The ride is designed around the distinctive evening light of the Nordic summer.
• A family-run stable: Viking Horses is based about 15 minutes from Reykjavik and provides helmets, rain clothes, and a short riding lesson.
• A warm finish: Return to the stables for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina.
• A $202 outing: The price includes pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area, riding equipment, instruction, and hot drinks.

From Reykjavik to the stable

The ride begins with pickup at your accommodation or chosen location in the Reykjavik area, scheduled between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. That included transfer makes this easier than arranging your own transport to a stable outside the city, especially if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

Viking Horses’ stables sit about 15 minutes from the capital, with mountains, green surroundings, and the volcanic formations of Rauðhólar nearby. The short drive is a useful change of scene: you can leave the city behind without committing most of an evening to travel.

The activity is listed as three hours, but the exact amount of time spent in the saddle is not specified. The overall visit includes pickup, preparation, the ride, and refreshments, so don’t assume all three hours are riding time. Check the available departure details when you book.

The group limit is eight. That is small enough to make it easier for the guide to offer help and for you to ask questions, but it is still a group outing rather than a private ride. If you are nervous around horses or haven’t ridden before, that balance can be reassuring.

A short lesson before the trail

Before heading out, you get a short riding lesson. The tour is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience, and instruction is part of the experience rather than something you need to arrange separately. The horses are described as friendly, well-trained, and well cared for, with temperaments suited to novice riders.

That beginner-friendly setup is valuable, but it is not a promise that riding will feel effortless. You will still be on horseback, outdoors, and expected to follow your guide’s directions. If you have never ridden, arrive ready to listen and ask for help when you need it. The small group makes personal guidance more practical than it would be on a large trail ride.

Helmets are provided, as are rain clothes. Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing, with warm layers you can adjust. Icelandic weather can shift, and this outing goes ahead in rain or shine. The provided rain gear helps, but it is sensible to dress for a cool, damp evening rather than counting on sunshine.

Leave your backpack behind: backpacks are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited. These are simple rules, but they matter when you are riding and need to stay comfortable and attentive.

Hólmsheiði’s green trails

Once you set out, the route takes you through the Hólmsheiði hills, where green nature provides a softer counterpoint to the volcanic terrain later in the ride. The tour also passes through Stallion Valley and uses a variety of riding trails, giving the outing more range than a short loop around a stable.

The setting is part of the appeal. You are not just taking a lesson in an enclosed arena; you are riding out into the countryside near Reykjavik. For visitors with limited time, that mix of accessible location and open-air riding can make a half-evening feel like a real excursion without requiring a long journey.

The evening timing adds a different mood from a daytime ride. In the Nordic summer, the late light can stretch the sense of the day, and the tour is built around that softer evening atmosphere. The exact light depends on the season and weather, so think of the evening setting as a feature, not a guarantee of a glowing sunset.

You won’t find a detailed pace or riding-gait description in the tour information. If you have a strong preference about speed or are worried about keeping up, ask the operator before booking. The stated suitability for beginners is encouraging, but your own comfort level matters too.

Rauðhólar’s red volcanic formations

The route’s visual high point is Rauðhólar, known here for its red and striking lava formations. The contrast between the red volcanic ground and the green surroundings gives this ride a strong sense of place. You see Iceland’s volcanic character from the saddle, rather than from a roadside viewpoint.

The changing terrain is one reason this outing may appeal even if you are not an experienced rider. Hólmsheiði offers green hills and wooded surroundings; Rauðhólar brings a more unusual, rugged scene. Together, they make the ride feel varied, though the tour does not promise particular viewpoints or a set amount of time at each location.

This is not a technical geology tour, and you should not expect a long stop for explanations. The guide can share information along the way, and one guide, Monica, has been praised for answering questions about the horses and Iceland while helping less experienced riders. Guide assignments can vary, so treat her name as a useful point of reference, not a guarantee that she will lead your departure.

Icelandic horses and personal guidance

The horses are central to the outing, not just a way to cover ground. You have time to meet and ride friendly Icelandic horses, and their calm, well-trained nature is especially relevant if you are new to horseback riding. The stable is family-run, and the tour emphasizes personal service rather than moving a large crowd through a standard route.

The group cap of eight supports that approach. It gives the guide a better chance to notice when someone needs a hand, explain what to do, or help a less confident rider settle in. It also means the experience can feel more conversational than a busier ride, though the group is not private and your attention will be shared.

For a first riding experience in Iceland, this combination of instruction, equipment, and a scenic route makes sense. If you already ride regularly, you may want to ask about the route’s pace and riding time before deciding. The information focuses on beginner accessibility and scenery, not advanced riding or a particular gait.

Tea, coffee, and kleina at the stables

After the ride, the group returns to the Viking Horses stables for light refreshments. You can warm up with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, along with kleina, a deep-fried sweetbread. It is a modest but thoughtful ending: you get a moment to sit, talk about the ride, and come back indoors before heading to Reykjavik.

That finish also helps the outing feel more personal. Instead of simply dismounting and leaving, you spend a little time at the family-run stable where the ride began. For an evening activity, a hot drink is practical as well as pleasant, particularly if the weather has turned cool or wet.

Is $202 good value?

At $202 per person, this is not a low-cost activity. The price makes more sense when you consider what is bundled: hotel-area pickup and drop-off, helmets, rain clothes, a riding lesson, a small group, the guided route, and hot drinks afterward. You also avoid arranging transport to a stable outside the city.

The strongest value is for a beginner or occasional rider who wants support and equipment included, and who would otherwise need to organize a separate trip. The family-run setting and group limit add to the appeal if personal attention matters to you. The ride combines several settings near Reykjavik, rather than offering only a short lesson in one place.

If you are an experienced rider mainly looking for a long or fast ride, the value is less certain. No precise riding duration or pace is provided, and the tour is framed as accessible to beginners. Compare it with other rides if your priority is saddle time rather than convenient pickup, scenery, and a guided introduction.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours ahead is eligible for a full refund. Those terms offer flexibility if your plans are still shifting, but check the booking details for the specific departure you choose.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits you if you want to try Icelandic horses without needing much riding experience, prefer a small group, and like the idea of an evening outdoors close to Reykjavik. It is also a good fit if you value a complete outing: transport, instruction, equipment, several distinct riding areas, and a warm drink at the end.

It is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. If you are unsure whether horseback riding is appropriate for you, contact the operator before booking. The tour runs in all weather, so it is best for people who can dress warmly and stay comfortable outdoors even if the evening is wet.

I would choose it for the setting and the easy access from the capital, especially as a first ride. I would pause if the $202 price stretches your budget, or if you need a guaranteed sunny evening, a private outing, or a clearly specified amount of time in the saddle.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three hours. The exact riding time within those three hours is not specified.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup in the Reykjavik area takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. Wait at your accommodation or chosen pickup location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience, and a short riding lesson is included.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable, warm clothing and closed-toe shoes. Helmets and rain clothes are provided.

Does the tour run if it rains?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

What refreshments are included?

After the ride, you can have coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, with deep-fried sweetbread called kleina.

Who cannot join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.