Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

Horseback riding near Reykjavik beats most morning plans.

This small-group tour takes you just outside the city to meet friendly Icelandic horses, then heads into volcanic country where you can ride hills, forests, and the striking red lava rock field at Rauðhólar. You’ll also get warm drinks after, which is a bigger deal in Iceland than people think.

I love how the team matches horses to your riding experience and takes time with real safety basics, including helmets and rain gear. The only drawback is weather: the ride runs rain or shine, so you need solid warm layers and rain protection, and in rough conditions you might miss bits of the guide talk.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Small-group vibe (up to 8 riders) for a more personal pace and easier help on the horse
• Icelandic Tölt riding (the comfortable 4th gait) you can feel once you’re set up right
• Hólsmheiði forest plus Rauðhólar lava rocks in one smooth, photo-friendly route
• Thoughtful horse handling with saddle fitting and beginner-friendly guidance
• Warm tea or coffee at the end, in the hosts’ home/stable area

Reykjavik pickup to a family farm outside town

This tour is built for convenience. Pickup happens between 9:30 and 9:45 AM from your Reykjavik hotel area, and then you’re shuttled to a small family-owned farm just outside the city. The timing matters because you get a full morning experience, but you’re back early enough to keep the rest of your day flexible.

Once you arrive, you’re not dropped into a big arena and pushed out the gate. You get a real meet-and-greet, and the staff introduce you to your horse based on your previous riding experience. That matters for confidence. If you’re brand new, it reduces the chance of you getting on a horse that’s beyond your comfort level. If you already ride, it helps the guide place you where you can actually enjoy the gait changes instead of just holding on.

The lesson that makes or breaks a beginner ride

Before you head out, you’ll get a short riding lesson and a safety briefing. In plain terms, this is where the tour earns its good reputation. Multiple reviews mention how guides took time to adjust saddles properly and show you how to interact with the horse. That setup time is not wasted. A better saddle fit and a clearer routine can mean the difference between a tense ride and a calm one.

Helmets and rain clothes are included, which is great because Reykjavik weather can turn fast. Still, even with rain gear provided, you should plan to wear warm layers under it. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable shoes help with balance when you’re mounting and dismounting.

In the reviews, I saw names like Viggo (often mentioned as the welcoming owner), plus guides such as Monika, Adriána, Sarah, and Ingün. While each guide has their own style, the common thread is consistent: they check your comfort and adapt instructions to the group. For first-timers, that reassurance pays off.

Hills, city views, and the comfortable ride of Tölt

After the lesson, you’ll ride over the hills around Reykjavik. This part is both practical and scenic. Practically, it gives your body time to learn the basics on a moving mount. Scenically, it puts you in position for those broad views over the volcanic mountains, lakes, and the city.

Then comes the signature feature: you’ll ride Tölt. Tölt is the super comfortable 4th gait of the Icelandic horse, and the point is not just speed. It’s smoothness. Once your horse finds the right rhythm and your seat learns the feel, it can feel like the difference between jostling in traditional horse gaits and settling into a steady, rideable flow.

If you’re newer to horseback riding, focus on what the guide asks for instead of trying to over-control the horse. Reviews include notes about beginners feeling safe even without prior experience, largely because the horses are trained for this work and the guides keep a close eye on riders. If you’re more experienced, you might notice the staff also pair horses and routes in a way that still gives you chances to enjoy gait changes rather than being stuck in the slowest pace the whole time.

Hólsmheiði forest and Rauðhólar red lava rocks

This is where the tour becomes visually memorable. You’ll ride through Hólsmheiði forest, then reach Rauðhólar, a stunning red lava rock field.

The forest portion is useful, not just pretty. Trees and varied ground can slow the group slightly and make the ride feel more hands-on. It’s a good moment to relax into your posture and trust the horse. And since you get photo stops along the way, you’ll have breaks to switch from riding mode to scenery mode.

Then comes Rauðhólar. Red lava rock has a way of looking unreal in photos, and up close it’s even better because you can see textures and colors that don’t show up the same way on a phone screen. This is the kind of stop that makes your morning feel like a real Iceland experience, not just a basic farm ride.

There’s also a cultural learning component. During the journey, you’ll learn how Icelanders have traveled across their country for centuries. That context helps the ride feel connected to Iceland, not just an activity next to Iceland.

One small consideration: if the wind picks up, it can be harder to hear guide explanations while you’re riding. That showed up in a review from a small group where wind made it challenging to follow the talk at times. If you tend to rely on verbal instructions, bring a hooded layer you can pull up, and accept that photos and riding take focus in Iceland’s weather.

What happens after you ride, with tea and a cozy stable stop

The tour wraps early afternoon, and the end is warm in the literal sense. You’ll return to the stable area and relax with hot beverages like tea or coffee. For many people, this is the best part after a chilly morning, because you’re not just sightseeing anymore. You’re decompressing.

Several reviews highlight the hospitality, describing the stable area as clean and the hosts as welcoming. People also mention the horses being well cared for and friendly, which is exactly what you hope for on an ethical, animal-focused activity.

Some groups also reported extra horse time like feeding the horses after the ride, followed by sitting down with snacks and conversation. Feeding is not spelled out in every detail of the tour description, so I’d treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed step. Either way, the structure is clear: you finish on a happy note, not a rushing departure.

Value and pricing for a 3-hour Reykjavik horse volcano experience

At $191 per person for a 3 hour experience, this is not the cheapest thing you can do from Reykjavik. But it’s also not overpriced for what you get. You’re paying for four things that add real value in Iceland:

• Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik-area, so you don’t have to rent a car for a half-day
• A small group limited to 8, which usually means more attention and a calmer experience
• Gear and instruction: helmets, rain clothes, and a lesson before riding
• Time in genuinely scenic volcanic terrain close to the city, including Hólsmheiði and Rauðhólar

If you’ve compared options, the best deals often come with bigger groups or less time for setup and learning. This tour leans the other direction. Reviews repeatedly mention how the staff adjust saddles properly and give detailed guidance, which is exactly what you want in a beginner-friendly horse experience.

If you’re traveling with different ability levels, that small-group setup is also a practical advantage. Some riders are able to progress faster, while beginners need extra reassurance. The guide-to-rider ratio helps with both.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour is designed to be friendly for beginners and riders with little experience. The staff suit your horse to your riding background, and the lesson plus safety briefing helps you learn the basics quickly.

It’s a good fit if you want an active morning that still feels relaxing and manageable. You’ll ride for a bit, get comfortable with the Icelandic horse’s unique gaits, and then end with tea or coffee. It works well for couples and multigenerational groups too, and reviews include examples like taking teenage grandchildren and having everyone enjoy it.

That said, the tour has clear limits. It is not suitable for:

• children under 8
• pregnant women
• people with mobility impairments

If any of those apply to your party, pick a different activity that matches the safety requirements.

Also think about your weather tolerance. The ride takes place rain or shine. If you know you get miserable in cold wind, focus on dressing well, and take comfort that the tour provides rain clothes to help you stay warm.

Final call: should you book Viking Horses?

I’d book this tour if you want a short, well-run horseback ride that mixes real Icelandic horse culture with volcanic scenery near Reykjavik. The big reasons are the small-group feel, the beginner-friendly lesson and saddle setup, and the Tölt experience that’s the whole point of riding Icelandic horses.

I would pause and consider other options if you’re uncomfortable riding in rain or wind. The tour runs in foul weather, and while you’ll have rain gear, you still need to be mentally ready for Iceland conditions and for occasional sound issues when it’s windy.

If your goal is a memorable half-day with calm horses, a helpful guide, and a red lava rock photo stop, this is a strong match. Just pack warm layers, wear closed-toe shoes, and treat the morning like a calm ride with stops, not a race for viewpoints.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik small-group horse volcano riding tour?

The duration is 3 hours.

Is hotel pickup included, and when does it happen?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik-area. Pickup takes place between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.

How big is the group?

The tour is a small group limited to 8 participants.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

What’s included with the ride?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, riding helmets and rain clothes, a riding lesson, and hot beverages are included.

What should I bring and wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and closed-toe shoes, plus warm clothing and comfortable clothes suitable for outdoors.