Experience Countryside of Iceland by Horseback Riding

An Icelandic horse can move in a smooth, distinctive gait called the tölt, and riding one gives you a close-up view of the country’s open countryside. This small-group outing heads to Þorlákshöfn, where the route may pass grassy banks, lava fields, mountains or the coast.

I like that guides adjust the ride to the group’s ability and keep the pace suited to the slowest rider. I also like the chance to try the tölt and the personal touch associated with guide Maggi, whose care for both horses and riders comes through in accounts of the outing. One caveat: the route changes with the weather and season, so a beach ride is not guaranteed, and the price is high if your ride stays on nearby fields.

• The tölt is the special feature: Icelandic horses have a smooth gait that you may get to experience on the ride.
• The route varies: Beaches, grass banks, lava fields and mountain views are possible, but conditions decide the day’s path.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides adjust the outing to the group and do not ride faster than the slowest person.
• Small group size: The maximum is 12, which can make it easier to get individual guidance.
• Allow about three hours: The outing is listed at approximately three hours, with the ride based near Þorlákshöfn.
• Bring warm clothes and good shoes: Helmets and riding equipment are supplied, but clothing and footwear are your responsibility.

Riding Iceland’s countryside at horse height

This is a good choice if you want to experience Iceland beyond a bus window. From a horse, the countryside feels close and tactile: grassy ground, open sky, volcanic terrain and, if the day’s route allows, views of the shore. You are not covering a large region or ticking off famous sights. The pleasure is in moving at a slower pace through the surroundings of a small fishing village.

Þorlákshöfn sits on Iceland’s South Coast, about 30 kilometres, or a 45-minute drive, from Reykjavík. The ride is run by Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours, and the experience is listed as a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people. That size matters for a beginner. It gives the guide room to keep an eye on the group and adapt the pace without turning the ride into a procession of strangers.

The activity is offered year-round, but Icelandic weather has a say in what you see and where you go. The route depends on the season and conditions. You may ride past beaches, grassy banks, lava fields and mountains, but you should not book expecting a specific stretch of coast. One account of the outing describes a ride that stayed on pastureland rather than reaching the beach. Think of the countryside ride as the promise, and the exact scenery as a daily variation.

Meeting the horses and finding your seat

Expect the experience to begin at Alhestar’s meeting point at Faxabraut 6 in Þorlákshöfn. Round-trip transfers from central Reykjavík hotels are offered, and the drive gives you a practical way to reach the riding area without arranging a separate car. Check the pickup details when booking: the listed meeting point is the stable in Þorlákshöfn, while the tour information also describes transfers from central hotels.

At the stable, helmets and riding equipment are included. Good shoes and warm, comfortable clothing are not, so arrive dressed for the weather rather than assuming the riding gear will keep you warm. Iceland can feel cold and windy even when the calendar says summer. The practical rule is simple: wear layers you can move in and shoes suitable for time outdoors.

This tour is described as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. That does not mean every participant gets the same ride. The guide is meant to adjust the outing to the abilities of the group and keep it no faster than the slowest rider. If you are nervous, that promise is reassuring: you are not expected to keep up with a confident rider or prove anything on horseback. If you have experience, you may find the group pace gentler than you would choose on your own.

The physical fitness requirement is moderate. Riding asks you to sit steadily and follow instructions, so it is not a passive sightseeing trip, even if the horses do much of the walking. The supplied information does not give an age limit, weight limit or detailed accessibility guidance. If any of those details affect your decision, ask the operator before booking rather than guessing.

Learning the tölt on an Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is the main reason to choose this ride over a standard countryside walk. The advertised highlight is the tölt, a distinctive gait that riders may get to experience during the outing. Some accounts describe seeing a horse demonstrate its movement, while others praise how comfortable the horses felt to ride. The experience can be especially interesting if you have ridden before and want to compare the tölt with familiar gaits.

For a first-time rider, the value is less about mastering a technique and more about being introduced to a horse in a controlled setting. Maggi, also called Magnus, is named repeatedly in accounts of the rides. He is described as calm and patient with nervous beginners, helping them learn how to control the horse and taking care to keep the group safe. Other riders mention Sigrún as an instructor. The tour’s guiding approach, rather than technical riding instruction, is the key point: your guide adjusts to the people in the saddle.

One practical wrinkle is communication. Some descriptions of the guides are warm and personal, but accounts also note that English may be limited. People have managed with gestures and translation tools, but that is not the same as being able to ask detailed questions about local life or riding technique. If clear spoken instruction in English is essential for your comfort, contact Alhestar in advance to confirm what will be available on your date.

Following the route around Þorlákshöfn

Once mounted, you head out into the countryside around Þorlákshöfn. The precise route is not fixed. Depending on conditions, the ride may take in beaches, grassy banks, lava fields or mountain views. That flexibility makes sense in a place where weather and ground conditions can change, but it also means you should not treat any one feature as guaranteed.

The coast is the most tempting possibility. A ride near a beach can give you a very different feel from a forest trail or an urban park, and some descriptions of the outing include black sand and dunes. But another account says the route stayed in a field near the village and never reached the beach. If your main reason for booking is a shoreline ride, ask about the likely route before paying. If you are happy to ride through open countryside, you are less likely to be disappointed by a weather-driven change.

The lava fields offer a different kind of interest. Iceland’s volcanic ground is often striking even without a dramatic landmark, and a horse lets you take it in at a slower pace. You may also pass tall grass and open moorland. Do not expect a guided geology tour, however. The supplied details focus on riding and scenery, not a narrated lesson about volcanic formations or local history.

The maximum group size is 12, and the guide keeps the group together at a pace appropriate for its least experienced rider. This is a thoughtful arrangement, but it comes with a trade-off. Confident riders may not get a fast or challenging outing, and a mixed-ability group may spend time waiting while everyone gets settled. For a relaxed ride, that is a sensible price to pay for a safer, more inclusive pace.

What three hours and $207 buy you

The tour costs $207 and is listed at approximately three hours. The price includes fees and taxes, helmets, riding equipment and snacks. Transfers from central Reykjavík hotels are offered, though it is worth confirming exactly what your booking includes. One account describes a pickup arranged for a group at an additional fee, so do not assume every transfer arrangement is identical.

At this price, value depends on what you want from the outing. You are paying for access to Icelandic horses, a guided ride in the countryside and the convenience of reaching Þorlákshöfn from the capital. If you are eager to ride an Icelandic horse and appreciate a small group, that combination may justify the cost. If you are mainly after guaranteed beach scenery or a long, technically challenging ride, the value is less certain.

The listed three hours describes the overall activity, not necessarily three hours in the saddle. One account describes a ride of about two hours, with the rest of the outing involving the practical parts around the ride. Treat the duration as a useful block of time to reserve, not a precise measure of riding time. Snacks are included, and some riders have been welcomed in for coffee afterward, but coffee is not specified as a standard inclusion. Regard that hospitality as a pleasant possibility, not part of the package you are buying.

The operation sounds personal rather than polished or luxurious. That can be a real plus if you value a direct connection with the horses and a friendly guide. It can also mean expectations should stay grounded: do not book for a resort-style stable, elaborate facilities or a scripted cultural presentation. The strongest appeal is the horses and the chance to ride through open country.

Dressing for Icelandic weather and a safe ride

Bring warm, comfortable clothing and good shoes. Those are explicitly not included, while riding equipment and helmets are supplied. Dress for time outside and for changing conditions, since the route is weather-dependent and the tour runs throughout the year. The information does not specify waterproof gear, so if rain protection matters to you, ask the operator what to bring.

The guide’s pace policy is one of the most useful features for new riders. The group is not meant to go faster than its slowest rider, and accounts describe Maggi taking care to explain how to control the horse and help nervous participants feel secure. That does not remove the ordinary risks of horseback riding, but it does suggest a measured approach rather than a race.

Alhestar allows service animals, according to the activity details. The experience also calls for moderate physical fitness. For any specific health or mobility concern, the published information does not offer enough detail to answer the question, so check directly before you commit.

Booking terms are straightforward: cancellation at least 24 hours before the start time qualifies for a full refund. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would consider this ride if you are curious about Icelandic horses, want time outdoors and are comfortable with an itinerary that can change with the weather. It is particularly well suited to a beginner who wants a calm introduction, since the group pace is set for the slowest rider and the guides can adjust to ability. It can also appeal to experienced riders who are interested in the tölt, provided they are content with a group ride rather than a private or fast-paced outing.

The small-group cap and personal guiding are the strongest parts of the experience. Maggi’s name comes up often, especially in connection with patient instruction, safety and a friendly manner. Accounts also describe conversations and coffee after the ride, which points to a more personal farm visit than a quick, anonymous activity. Still, the quality of your outing depends in part on who is guiding that day and how well you can communicate.

I would pause if you need a guaranteed beach route, expect detailed English-language interpretation, or judge value mainly by time in the saddle. The route may stay inland, the ride can be shorter than the full three-hour booking window, and the price is substantial. Ask about transfers, likely ride time and the expected route before booking, especially if one of those details will determine whether the outing suits you.

Should you book this Þorlákshöfn horse ride?

Book it if riding an Icelandic horse is high on your Iceland wish list and you want a manageable, guided outing near Reykjavík. The chance to try the tölt, the small group and a patient introduction for beginners make the experience appealing. Go in with flexible expectations about scenery, language and exact riding time. If a beach ride is essential, confirm the day’s likely route first. If you want a personal encounter with the horses more than a luxury stable experience, this could be a memorable use of a half-day.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. The riding portion may be shorter than that total, so ask the operator if saddle time is especially important to you.

Where does the tour take place?

The ride is in the countryside around Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast, about 30 kilometres and a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is described as suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. Guides adjust the outing to the group and keep the pace no faster than the slowest rider.

Will the ride include a beach?

Not necessarily. The route depends on weather and season and may include beaches, grassy banks, lava fields or mountain views.

What is included in the price?

Fees and taxes, helmets, riding equipment and snacks are included. Good shoes and warm, comfortable clothing are not.

Is transportation from Reykjavík included?

Round-trip transfers from central Reykjavík hotels are offered. Confirm the pickup arrangements for your booking, since transfer details may vary.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the tour is canceled due to poor weather.