Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

Red lava, friendly horses, and cold-country calm. I like how this tour mixes real volcanic scenery with Icelandic horses that make even first-time riders feel steady, and I also love that you get wet-weather clothing plus a helmet so you are not scrambling for gear. The main drawback is simple: you are outdoors for a solid chunk of time, so you need to dress for serious Iceland weather and be in good physical condition.

What makes it extra appealing is the routing. Your distance and pace can vary (about 5 to 7 kilometers depending on experience), with options that lean more beginner-friendly on one route and more active riding on another, plus an English instructor who keeps the whole thing moving. Optional hotel pickup also makes the day low-stress, especially if you do not want to drive out yourself.

Key things I’d plan around

• Beginner-friendly routing, real riding time: You ride about 1.5 to 2 hours, not a quick photo stop and shuffle back.
• Redhills vs Rauðarvatn options: Your path can change based on your comfort level, including faster riding for advanced groups.
• Helmet and winter kit included: You wear a provided helmet and can get rainwear and winter jumpsuits when needed.
• Tea and coffee after: A warm drink break is included, which matters more than it sounds on a cold day.
• A red lava rocks photo moment: There is a mini photoshoot stop, and the guide helps take photos using your phone.

Meeting the White Stable, Getting Fitted, Then Hopping In

Most Iceland tours live or die by the start. This one starts cleanly: you either meet at the stables 15 minutes before ride time, or you use the optional Reykjavik pickup and get dropped right near the action.

At the stable, you will see a big white building with an orange sign, and there is free parking right in front. That is handy if you are renting a car and want the freedom to be there on your own schedule, within the meeting window.

Once you arrive, it is helmet time first. All riders must wear the helmet that is provided at the stable. Then comes the rest of the fit, where the tour really shows its practical side. You can get wet-weather clothing during the tour if required, and in winter conditions you are also given winter jumpsuits. People often underestimate how much this affects your comfort on horseback, but it can be the difference between enjoying the ride and spending the whole time thinking about your cold hands.

You do not want to show up overconfident either. The tour does not allow shorts, backpacks, open-toed shoes, or professional cameras. Pack warm layers and choose closed footwear you can keep dry.

The Ride Setup: How They Match Horses and Pace

This is not a one-speed ride. Your group is guided and supported, but the tour is designed so the route and pace can better match your experience.

You ride a total distance around 5 to 7 kilometers. The exact distance depends on your riding level, which matters because it changes how long you stay in the saddle and how much time you spend on different riding rhythms. In other words, the ride length is not a random number. It is part of the plan.

The route itself runs along red lava terrain through areas known as the Redhills and, for more experienced riders, by Rauðarvatn. Both are described as natural riding paths with excellent views for horseback riding, and you should expect lots of red tones, rock textures, and mossy ground where the terrain looks almost alien but still feels walkable under a horse.

You will not just be left to figure it out alone either. The tour includes an instructor in English, and they guide you so you feel safe and in control. Even in colder or windier conditions, the tone stays focused and friendly, with enough coaching that beginners are not overwhelmed.

Redhills and Rauðarvatn: What the Volcanic Terrain Feels Like on Horseback

This is one of those tours where the setting is the main character. The ride takes you through dramatic volcanic scenery, specifically red lava fields. If you picture lava as jagged and impossible, horseback riding will surprise you. The path they use is described as beautiful and smooth along Redhills, which helps you stay present and enjoy the view rather than bracing for every uneven step.

On the other route, Rauðarvatn is geared more toward experienced riders. That matters because it changes how much energy you will likely use and how long you may spend in a more active mode.

On both routes, the idea is the same: you get natural riding paths and Icelandic horse time in a setting that feels truly Iceland. You are not driving past lava, snapping a few quick shots, and calling it done. You are moving through it, slowly enough to notice details, but long enough that it feels like a real excursion.

A practical note: this is outdoors and weather-driven. You may get rain during your ride day, and you will be provided wet-weather clothing if required. Still, your comfort depends on layering. Bring warm clothing and weather-appropriate clothing, and dress for conditions, not for what the sky looks like at the start of the day.

When You Go Faster: Tölt Sessions and Ride Control

If you have ever watched Icelandic horses move, you know there is something special about their gait. Here, that shows up for more confident riders. The ride can include tölt sessions for the faster group, and the fast group can also take a longer way back to the stables.

What I like about this is that it gives you choice without turning the tour into a chaos contest. You are still guided. You are still following the plan. But if your confidence is higher, the guides can offer more riding variety.

If you are brand new, you will likely spend more time walking on paths and getting used to how your horse moves. Beginners still get a meaningful ride length, and instructors keep the experience controlled so you are not guessing.

One more small but meaningful thing: the tour includes helmets and safety gear, and it expects you to be in physical good condition. That combination is what keeps the faster moments fun instead of stressful.

Also, do not forget the basics. If you are planning for winter, gloves matter. One helpful reminder from riders is to prepare gloves and wool socks because it can be cold during wintertime. If you bring those, you will likely enjoy the ride more, even if conditions are windy or wet.

Photo Stop at Red Lava Rocks and the Tea-and-Coffee Payoff

You get a dedicated stop at red lava rocks for a mini photoshoot. The guide can even help take photos using your phone, which is great because you might otherwise be stuck trying to balance a phone with one cold hand while your horse shifts.

You should also plan for occasional stops where the group slows down for pictures and resets. In general, the ride does not feel rushed. That is important because on a tour like this, the timing is what lets you actually look around. If you are chasing views at 100 percent speed, you miss the textures that make volcanic terrain special.

After the ride, there is complimentary tea and coffee. It is included, and that small comfort is not trivial. When you have been outside, hands cold, face stung by wind, a warm drink turns the day from an endurance task into a genuine memory.

Then it is back to the stables or back to your Reykjavik accommodation, depending on whether you selected pickup.

Price and Value at About $142 for 2.5 Hours

At $142 per person for about 2.5 hours, you are paying for something that is more than transportation and a quick activity. You are paying for the horses, the instructor, the gear, and the fact that the tour spends real time outdoors on guided riding paths.

Here is how I think about the value:

• You get real saddle time: About 1.5 to 2 hours of horseback riding is a substantial chunk. That is where the money usually either makes sense or does not.
• Gear is included: Helmets are provided, plus wet-weather clothing and winter jumpsuits when needed. If you were hiring gear separately or buying it, the cost would creep up fast.
• The scenery is part of the product: You are riding through red lava areas, including routes for both beginners and more experienced riders. The scenery is not just a backdrop, it is the reason the ride exists.
• Optional hotel pickup reduces friction: If you are staying in Reykjavik, pickup can make the whole experience feel effortless, which is worth something if you do not want to drive in the cold.

So is it “cheap”? No. But for Iceland, it is fairly priced when you factor in time on horseback, guide support, and included clothing. If you love animals and you want a memorable Iceland experience that is not just standing on a viewpoint bus stop, this is the kind of price that can feel justified quickly.

What to Bring (and What Will Get You Turned Away)

This tour gives you a lot, but you still need to show up prepared. The big checklist is weather, footwear, and comfort.

Bring:

• Warm clothing
• Comfortable clothes suited to cold and possibly wet conditions
• Weather-appropriate layers you can move in
• Closed-toe footwear (open-toed shoes are not allowed)

Not allowed:

• Shorts
• Professional cameras
• Backpacks
• Open-toed shoes

And if you are riding in winter conditions, plan for cold extremities. Gloves and wool socks are a smart idea based on practical rider advice.

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

This tour is described as suitable for beginners and riders with more experience, and that matches what you would want if you are traveling with mixed skill levels.

It is a good fit if you:

• Want a guided riding experience that focuses on confidence building
• Like Icelandic horses and want to see volcanic terrain from the saddle
• Appreciate included gear like helmets and weather clothing
• Prefer a structured activity with an English instructor

It is not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users
• People over 110 kg (242 lb)
• People with recent surgeries
• People with low level of fitness

In plain terms, you need to be physically able to ride comfortably for the duration and to handle the outdoors. If that is you, great. If not, there are other ways to enjoy the lava country that do not require a full horseback commitment.

Should You Book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

I would book this if you want one of the most Iceland-feeling experiences you can do from Reykjavik without spending your entire day on the road. The mix of included winter gear, real riding time, and volcanic scenery is a strong combination. You also get routing that can adapt to your comfort level, including faster options like tölt sessions for more experienced riders.

I would hesitate only if you know you struggle with cold weather, or if you are not able to ride comfortably due to the stated physical limitations. Also, if you are the type who expects a quick photo-and-leave activity, you might find this tour better than you expect, or longer than you want, because the whole point is time in the saddle.

If you want a memorable, guided, animal-centered day with volcanic scenery you actually travel through on horseback, this one is easy to recommend.