Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Horses, lava, and a smooth gait. This 2-hour Icelandic horseback ride from Reykjavik lets you get up close to the horses and learn the tölt, a special four-beat rhythm that stays comfortable even on rugged ground. I especially like that you start with clear instruction, then you are split into groups based on ability so the ride pace actually matches your comfort level. You can also choose morning or afternoon timing, which is handy if you are trying to line up your day with weather.

One thing to keep in mind: check-in can feel hit or miss if you are picky about staff friendliness. Most of the time the guides on the ride are warm and encouraging, but you might run into a less enthusiastic interaction during booking or staging. Also, the tour requires you to be able to mount from the ground on your own, so bring your most practical shoes and don’t overthink it.

Key Points to Know Before You Ride

• You learn the tölt, not just trail riding: you get taught how to settle your horse into the gait.
• You get sorted into beginner, intermediate, and experienced groups: slower for newbies, faster options for stronger riders.
• The scenery route includes lava fields, moorland, volcanic mountains, and lakes: it is Iceland in motion for a short time.
• Gear is included for real weather: helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are provided.
• Small-group feel with a hard cap: up to 30 travelers keeps it from feeling like a cattle line.
• Warm drinks after the ride: coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at the stables to take the edge off.

Reykjavik Pickup and the Easy Stables Approach

This tour is based out of Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, and the activity starts at Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. If you add the pickup option, you pre-book your pickup point from the available list in Reykjavik. If your hotel is not listed, you need to reach out so they can find the nearest approved pickup spot.

In practice, this matters because Reykjavik traffic and weather can be annoying. A pre-arranged pickup takes the planning stress off your first Iceland day, and it also saves you from figuring out rural stables logistics on your own. The ride is short, about 2 hours, so having smooth transport helps you get the maximum fun per hour.

Meeting Your Instructor and Getting “Tölt Ready”

You meet your instructor on arrival and talk through your ability level: beginner, intermediate, or experienced. This is not just small talk. You get matched with the right kind of riding and the right pace for your confidence.

Then you watch a short instructional video, you put on the provided riding gear, and you climb into the saddle. The big moment is learning how to ease your horse into the tölt, that four-beat gait Icelandic horses are known for. Once it clicks, the ride feels calmer than you might expect, especially over uneven ground.

After that, your instructor watches how you ride and splits you into groups. Beginners tend to take it slow over easier terrain, while more advanced riders get routes and paces that match their skills. You can also tell your instructor if you want to go slower or faster, which helps if you feel good after a few minutes.

What the Ride Actually Feels Like on Lava, Moorland, and Lakes

This is not a long multi-hour expedition. It is a focused ride where you spend your time doing the one thing you booked for: riding Icelandic horses and taking in serious scenery.

You weave through lava fields and moorland, with views of volcanic mountains and lakes along the way. Those surroundings are part of the magic, but what makes the ride different is the horse itself. Icelandic horses are sturdy and good-natured, and the tölt helps you stay comfortable instead of white-knuckling the whole trail.

And yes, you will want good weather. Iceland can go from calm to windy fast. One practical tip I’d follow here is to bring something for your ears and head if you have it, like a hat or ear protection, because wind is common and your ride gear might not fully block it.

Beginner to Advanced: How the Group Splitting Works

One of the best things about this tour is that it does not treat everyone the same. You ride behind your instructor at first, then you are divided into ability-based groups after they see your comfort level.

Beginners typically ride slowly over easier terrain. If you are nervous, this setup helps because you are not thrown into a fast pace right away. Intermediates and experienced riders get different, more challenging routes at different speeds.

A key detail for riders: if the group you start in feels too slow or too quick, you can ask your instructor to adjust. That flexibility helps if your confidence changes once you are actually in the saddle.

Gear, Warm Drinks, and Iceland Weather Reality

The tour includes the basics you need to avoid a miserable, wet ride: helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls. That is a big value add in Iceland, where conditions can shift quickly. Even if it looks fine when you leave Reykjavik, you should assume you will need rain and wind protection.

After your trek, you get hot drinks at the stables: coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small thing, but it helps you recover before you head back into your day. The ride is short, so warm drinks are a nice reward that feels perfectly timed.

Two more practical notes from the tour info: used riding gear is not allowed on the tour or near the horses, and riders must be able to mount the horse from the ground by their own strength. If you have limited mobility or rely on steps, this could be a deal-breaker.

Also, avoid “pretty shoes” in the way you might in a city. You will have rubber boots provided, but you still do not want to ruin your nicer footwear waiting around on uneven or muddy ground.

Price and Value: Is $133 for Two Hours Worth It?

At about $133 per person for roughly 2 hours, you are paying for four things: trained Icelandic horses, the tölt instruction, safety gear, and a route that includes lava fields and moorland without wasting half your day commuting.

If you compare this to the cost of renting gear, paying for lessons later, and then spending time trying to find a place that matches your comfort level, this package can be a good deal. The ability-based grouping is a real value piece, because it reduces the chance you spend the ride struggling or bored.

It also helps that the tour caps at 30 travelers, which usually keeps the experience organized. When the group is too large, you lose the feel of personal instruction, but this one tries to keep it manageable.

The pickup option can be worth it too, especially if you want a low-effort start. Still, be sure you select the pickup included option you want, because pre-booked pickup and drop-off are not included unless you choose the right tour setup.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

I think this tour fits best if you want a genuine Iceland horse experience without signing up for a long day in the saddle. Beginners get a structured introduction, and more confident riders can opt into faster riding once they are sorted by ability.

It also works well for people who care about comfort. The tölt is taught for a reason, and that gait is often the difference between an exciting ride and a tiring one.

You should skip if any of these apply:

• You cannot mount the horse from the ground by your own strength.
• You are pregnant (pregnant women cannot ride).
• You are over the weight limit of 110kg/240lbs.
• Your child is younger than 7 years old.

For families, children under 18 must ride with an adult, and the tour allows up to two children or youth with each adult who pays full fare. If you are traveling with kids, this is worth confirming at booking so everyone knows the plan.

Should You Book This Icelandic Horseback Ride?

Book it if you want a short, high-reward Iceland activity that focuses on riding an Icelandic breed and learning the tölt, not just taking a slow photo walk. The included gear, warm drinks, and ability-based grouping make it a practical choice, even if it is your first time on horseback.

I’d hesitate if you need a totally quiet, ultra-personal vibe all the way through. The ride itself tends to be well run, but check-in staff friendliness can vary. I’d also avoid it if mounting from the ground is hard for you, since the tour does not use a mounting block.

If you want one clear “yes” decision: this is a strong pick for nature lovers who want to feel Iceland on horseback for about two hours, with the tölt making the ride feel smooth rather than rough.

FAQ

Do I get pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup is available as a pre-booked option. You must choose your pickup point from the selected list in Reykjavik. If your hotel is not listed, you need to contact the operator to find the nearest pickup point.

Where does the tour start and end?

The activity starts at Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The tour is approximately 2 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are included. You also receive helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls.

What is not included?

Pre-booked pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik pick-up points are not included unless you choose the tour option that specifies pickup.

What are the age and weight limits?

The age limit is 7 years old. The weight limit is 110kg/240lbs.

Are there any health or safety restrictions?

Pregnant women cannot ride. Riders must be able to mount the horse by their own strength from the ground. You should have a moderate physical fitness level.

Can I use my own riding gear?

No. Used riding gear is not allowed on the tour or near the horses.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled for poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.