Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

Just outside Reykjavik, this ride trades city streets for Icelandic horses, forest trails, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar. I like two things especially: the horses are matched to your riding experience, so beginners can feel at ease while more practiced riders still have room to enjoy the ride; and the small group, capped at eight, gives the guide time to help you properly.

There is one practical catch: this is an outdoor ride in Iceland, and it goes ahead in rain or shine. Dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes, and be ready for the weather rather than expecting a sheltered outing.

What makes this ride worthwhile

• Rauðhólar’s red lava formations add a striking volcanic stop to a ride close to the capital.
• Icelandic horses have a distinct extra gait, the tölt, which you may get to try with your guide’s help.
• Groups are limited to eight, and the farm team adjusts horses and instruction to riders’ experience.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area, with pickup scheduled between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.
• Tea or coffee after the ride gives you time to warm up and chat at the family-run farm.
• The ride suits beginners and riders with little experience, but it is not for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

From Reykjavik to the family-run farm

The tour begins with pickup at your Reykjavik accommodation or the specified meeting point. Be ready between 9:30 and 9:45 AM, either in your hotel lobby or outside your accommodation, as instructed. The included transfer saves you from arranging a taxi or working out how to reach a farm beyond the city.

The farm is run by Viking Horses, a small family operation. The owner, Viggo, has personally welcomed and prepared riders on some tours; the guide on your date may differ. Past guides have included Monika and Adriána, among others. What matters more than a particular name is the approach: riders describe careful explanations, time spent fitting saddles, and attention to matching each person with a suitable horse.

This preparation is worth taking seriously, especially if you have never ridden. You’ll meet your horse, hear how to interact with it, and get a short riding lesson and safety briefing before setting off. The staff provide helmets and rain clothes, but you should still bring warm, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, and closed toes are the sensible choice around horses.

The tour is described as suitable for beginners and people with limited riding experience. That does not mean you need to arrive knowing how to ride, but it does mean you should be comfortable taking instruction and spending time on horseback. If you are nervous, tell the guide before you leave the stable. Guides have taken time to reassure first-time riders and keep less confident participants close.

Riding the volcanic ground near the city

Once everyone is ready, the group heads out over the hills around Reykjavik. The route passes through Hólsmheiði forest and open volcanic ground, with views toward mountains, lakes, and the city. You’re close enough to Reykjavik for the ride to fit into a morning, yet the surroundings quickly feel different from the capital’s streets.

The route is not simply a ride to one photo stop. It uses a variety of trails and makes several pauses along the way, giving you a chance to take pictures and look around. At Rauðhólar, the red lava rock formations make a vivid contrast with the darker volcanic terrain. The area is a special part of this tour: you get a close look at Iceland’s volcanic character without committing to a long drive out of town.

The path includes trees and bushes as well as more open views. That variety matters if you want more than a short circuit in a field, though this is still a guided ride rather than a rugged, remote expedition. The terrain and pace can feel lively to someone new to horses, but the horses are described as calm and accustomed to their work. The guide sets the group’s pace and helps riders who need extra support.

You may also be invited to try the tölt, the Icelandic horse’s distinctive fourth gait. It is often described as especially comfortable, and riders have had the chance to try it several times during the outing. Whether you get to ride it, and how much, depends on conditions, the group, and the guide’s judgment. You do not need to be an experienced rider to ask about it, but follow instructions and do not push for speed if you are uncomfortable.

The horses’ character is part of the pleasure here. They are small, friendly, and well trained, and the staff take time to choose a horse that suits your experience. An experienced rider and a first-timer can join the same group without being expected to ride in the same way. Still, horses have individual personalities, and one rider noted that some had more character than others. That is part of being around real animals, not a flaw to be ironed out.

A small group, with time for individual help

The group limit is eight, which is small enough to make a difference. On some departures, the group may be smaller still, but you should not book assuming you will get a private ride. With fewer riders, a guide can check that you are comfortable, help with your position, and keep an eye on how the group is moving.

The human side of the experience gets as much attention as the scenery. Guides have been described as warm, patient, and reassuring, with careful instruction before mounting. Some have also taken photos during the outing, though you should not count on that as a guaranteed service. If you want pictures, ask the guide what is practical before the ride begins.

A small group also means the ride can feel personal without requiring you to be a confident horse person. One useful detail: the horses may prefer to follow a set order. If you hope to change places or ride beside a companion, ask before setting off. The guide may need to keep the horses in a particular sequence for safety and handling.

The tour is offered in English, German, and Icelandic. If you have a question about riding or need an explanation repeated, speak up early. A calm, clear briefing is more useful than pretending you understood everything while perched in the saddle.

Coffee, tea, and a welcome pause

After the ride, you return to the farm for a hot drink. Tea or coffee is included, and the break offers a welcome chance to warm up and talk with your hosts before heading back to Reykjavik. The farm setting is part of the appeal: this is not a quick ride followed by a hurried drop-off, but an outing with time to meet the people who care for the horses.

The hot drink also gives you a moment to let the ride settle. If the weather is cold or wet, that simple pause can be especially welcome. Some riders have found the farm clean and the horses well cared for, and several have appreciated the owners’ evident affection for the animals. You can observe the horses and ask questions, but the tour does not promise a formal stable visit or a chance to feed them.

Hotel-area drop-off is included, and the outing lasts about three hours in total. That makes it an easy fit for a day when you want a distinctly Icelandic activity without giving up the whole day. The return is expected in the early afternoon, leaving time for another plan in Reykjavik.

What $191 buys you

At $191 per person, this is not a bargain-basement activity. The price includes hotel-area transport, a riding lesson and safety briefing, a helmet, rain clothes, the guided ride, and hot drinks. You are also paying for a small-group format and a family-run operation where staff spend time matching horses and fitting saddles.

The value depends on what you want from a horse ride. If your priority is simply the longest possible time in the saddle for the lowest price, compare other options and check what their duration includes. Here, convenience and personal instruction are part of the cost, along with a route through forest and volcanic ground close to Reykjavik.

For a first-time rider, the extra attention can be more valuable than a longer, less personal ride. If you have riding experience, the chance to meet Icelandic horses and try the tölt adds interest beyond a standard beginner circuit. The setting is accessible from the capital, but it still gives you a feel for the country’s volcanic terrain and a traditional way of getting around it.

The three-hour duration is the full activity time, not a promise of three hours riding. Pickup, preparation, instruction, and the hot-drink break are part of the outing. That is useful to know if you are comparing it with tours that advertise riding time separately.

Dress for Iceland, not the forecast

The ride takes place rain or shine, so check the weather and prepare for more than the best-case forecast. Warm layers, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes are the essentials. Helmets and rain clothes are provided, but your own warm layers still matter. Conditions can shift, and a wet or windy ride is less pleasant if you arrive underdressed.

There is no need to bring specialist riding equipment, based on the items included, but tell the provider if you have questions about what will fit or what you should wear. Avoid loose, awkward clothing that could interfere with riding, and choose shoes that feel secure. The farm can provide riding gear, but it cannot make an uncomfortable outfit comfortable.

Pickup is between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. Keep your phone available and wait in the lobby, outside your accommodation, or at the stated pickup point. That small bit of planning helps the group leave on time and keeps the morning from starting with a hunt for a missing rider.

Who should book this ride

This is a good choice if you want to meet Icelandic horses, see volcanic ground near Reykjavik, and try riding without needing much prior experience. It also works well for mixed-experience pairs or families with older children, since staff match horses and guidance to each rider. Children must be at least eight years old.

The outing is less suitable if you have mobility impairments, are pregnant, or want a dry, predictable indoor activity. It is also not the right pick if you want to ride entirely on your own or set the route and pace. You are joining a guided group, and the guide’s instructions come first.

You may particularly appreciate this farm if animal care matters to you. Staff prepare the horses, check equipment, and explain how to interact with them. Riders have noticed calm horses and attentive handling, but no tour description can guarantee that every horse will behave identically or that every participant will feel instantly confident. Be honest with your guide about your experience and comfort level.

FAQ

Is this horse ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience. It includes a short riding lesson and safety briefing, and the staff match horses to riders’ experience.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including pickup, preparation, the ride, and the hot-drink break. The riding portion is not specified as a separate duration.

What will I see on the ride?

The route goes through Hólsmheiði forest and volcanic terrain to the red lava rock formations of Rauðhólar. You can also see views toward mountains, lakes, and Reykjavik.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area. Pickup is scheduled between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warm, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Helmets and rain clothes are provided, and the tour runs in rain or shine.

Are there age or health restrictions?

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

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a small-group introduction to Icelandic horses with volcanic scenery, practical instruction, and transport from Reykjavik. The $191 price makes most sense if you value personal help and the convenience of pickup, not if you are shopping for the cheapest or longest ride. Dress for the weather, tell your guide how much riding you have done, and you’ll be set up for a memorable morning beyond the city.