Icelandic Horse Riding Tour & Pickup Option from Reykjavik

This Reykjavík-area horse tour is a smart way to see Iceland’s dramatic terrain without booking a full-day excursion. You’ll ride from Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður, just about 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, with a guided route that gets you out to lava fields and green hills fast.

Two things I really like about this experience. First, the scenery is genuinely the point: lava textures under your horse’s hooves and mountain views all around. Second, the Icelandic horses are known for their smooth gait, the tölt, so even a short ride feels different than generic trail riding.

One possible drawback to plan around: you need to be able to mount the horse using your own strength, and the tour is not for children under 7, pregnant riders, or anyone above 110 kg. You also can’t bring a backpack on the ride, so you’ll want to travel light.

Key highlights to know before you book

• A fast Iceland fix near Reykjavík: You’re riding minutes from the capital, not hours away.
• Lava field trails on Icelandic horses: You’ll cross volcanic terrain with a guide who knows the area.
• Tölt and controlled speed options: Many riders get to try trotting or the tölt depending on group matching.
• Solid provided gear for cold weather: Helmets, rubber boots, and warm overalls or rain gear are included.
• Pickup is optional, but access can be limited: Hotel pickup works from selected places, with the closest point emailed if you’re elsewhere.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Icelandic horses, lava terrain, and the Reykjavík timing that works

If your days in Iceland feel tight, this is one of those tours that makes the schedule behave. You get a guided ride lasting about 1.5–2 hours (plus extra time if you choose transfer), and you’re back where you need to be in the city without losing an entire day to transport.

Hafnarfjörður is close enough that you can treat this like an afternoon plan. That matters in Iceland, where weather can change quickly and you may want something outdoors that still keeps your flexibility. Even on windy winter days, riders report that the ride length is well judged for the cold.

The setting at Íshestar Stables also helps. It’s not a random field with tack hanging on a wall. You start with kitting up, safety guidance, and a real base where you can warm up before and after.

Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður: where the comfort comes from

This tour runs out of Íshestar Riding Tours at the Íshestar Stables near Hafnarfjörður. Riders consistently mention the facilities as a big plus, and you can feel why: good stables mean better organization, better horse care, and fewer stress points on a cold morning.

You’ll be matched with a horse for your riding comfort level. That’s not just a nice touch. It’s a key part of making Icelandic horse riding work for first-timers and families, and it also keeps experienced riders from getting stuck in a slow group the whole time.

Before you ride, you get put in the proper gear. Many riders were grateful there was no need to bring a full wardrobe of Iceland-proof clothing, just the right layers under whatever they provide.

Getting there: pickup, meeting point, and why timing matters

You meet at Íshestar Riding Tours (Hafnarfjörður). If you want to use pickup, it starts about 60 minutes before the departure time. The schedule is straightforward: for example, pickup is at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM tour and at 1:00 PM for a 2:00 PM tour.

Pickup is available only from certain hotels or main guesthouses. If you’re staying in a private apartment, you’ll be told the closest pickup point by email before your tour. That’s worth watching for so you don’t end up wandering the city at the exact wrong moment.

After the ride, you’re dropped back at a set of Reykjavík-area locations. The list is broad enough that most travelers can find something reasonable near their hotel, but it’s still good to confirm where your drop-off will be so you can plan your next stop.

If you don’t want pickup, you can drive yourself. Several riders mention it’s an easy drive, roughly 15–20 minutes from central Reykjavík, depending on where you start.

The ride itself: lava fields, green hillsides, and mountain views

The core experience is the guided horseback trail ride. You’ll head out to Icelandic landscape that feels far more wild than “minutes from Reykjavík” might suggest.

Expect to ride through lava fields and along green hillsides with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Lava terrain gives Iceland its texture. On horseback, it also gives you a sense of scale: you’re not just looking at volcanic rocks, you’re moving across them.

A guide leads the group at a pace that works for mixed skill levels. You’ll also stop partway through for photos. That’s especially helpful in winter when you may not want to hold your camera at full arm-extension for long. It’s also a chance to reset before the second half.

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Tölt on Icelandic horses: why the gait is the real star

This tour highlights the Icelandic horse gait known as tölt. If you’ve only ever ridden at a walk or a canter, tölt feels like a third option: smooth, rhythmic, and designed to be comfortable over Iceland’s long distances.

The horses are well behaved and trained for visitors, so you’re not spending the whole time fighting reins and nerves. Riders frequently describe the ride as relaxing once you’re up to speed, even if it’s your first time.

Speed depends on how you’re matched and on how your group is handled. Many riders say the tour splits into groups so less experienced riders stay at a controlled pace, while more confident riders can trot and experience the tölt more fully.

Beginner vs experienced riders: how the group speeds up (or not)

One of the most praised parts of the tour is the way they handle different experience levels. Riders commonly report that the group starts together, then splits after the first 10–15 minutes.

The slower group focuses on comfort and confidence. The faster group often gets opportunities to trot and to experience Icelandic gaits like tölt in a more noticeable way. Some riders even describe faster movement, like cantering, when the conditions and rider matching align.

This matters because it’s easy for mixed tours to either go too fast for beginners or too slow for confident riders. Here, the splitting approach keeps the ride enjoyable for both.

It also helps if you’re traveling as a couple or family with mixed skills. You’re more likely to end up in a group that feels right rather than stuck with someone’s cautious pace or someone else’s overconfidence.

What you’re actually provided: helmets, boots, rain gear, and warmth

The tour includes practical gear: helmets, rubber boots, and rainwear or a warm outfit depending on conditions. You don’t need to gamble with your own Iceland clothing system, and you also don’t have to rent specialized footwear.

Changing facilities are well equipped. Riders mention that overalls and protective items are warm enough for real winter weather, though hands and feet can still be cold if you under-layer. One useful theme in the feedback: wear extra socks and consider additional warmth for extremities even with provided gear.

Safety guidance is also part of the setup. You’ll get clear instructions on how to ride and how to handle the basics before you head out.

Dress for Iceland: the cold truth about hands and feet

Even with warm overalls, Iceland can surprise your body. Winter riders note that the wind can bite and that hands and feet often feel colder than expected.

Here’s the practical advice that comes up again and again:

• Wear warm layers under the provided gear.
• Add extra socks.
• Bring hand warmers if you run cold.
• If it hints at rain or snow, take the rainproof gear seriously.

The tour’s included rainwear helps, but you’ll still want to dress like you’re going to be outside for a while. You are.

If you’re sensitive to cold, this is still doable, but you’ll feel better if you treat the temperature like it means business.

Mounting and luggage rules: the small constraints that matter

This is a short tour, but it has a few rules you should plan around.

• You must be able to mount the horse by your own strength.
• You cannot take backpacks or bags onto the ride, but they can be stored at the riding center while you ride.
• There are rider limits: no children under 7, no pregnant riders, and a maximum weight of 110 kg.

Also note the gear policy for travel to Iceland. If you’re bringing your own riding equipment, leather gear may not be brought into the country, and any riding gear needs proper washing or disinfection before arrival. For most travelers, it’s simpler to use the gear provided.

These rules are worth reading before you book. They don’t make the experience harder for the right traveler, but they do help you avoid last-minute surprises.

Timing: 2 to 4 hours in total and how the day stays manageable

The ride itself is 1.5–2 hours. The overall activity window is 2–4 hours, depending on whether you add pickup/transfer time.

If you’re using pickup, build in time for the pickup meet-up and the drop-off process afterward. If you’re driving yourself, the planning is simpler but you’ll still want to arrive early enough to get kitted and briefed.

This tour is also a good “buffer activity.” Iceland is famous for schedule shifts. A short, well-run ride is easier to keep on track than something longer that depends on perfect weather.

Price and value: why about $135 can make sense

The price is around $135 per person. For many travelers, that sounds like a splurge until you look at what’s included and what you’re getting.

You’re paying for:

• Experienced English-speaking guidance
• Helmet and rubber boots
• Warm overalls or rainwear
• A guided route through Icelandic volcanic terrain
• Horse matching based on riding ability
• Time outdoors that feels like more than a quick photo stop

In other words, you’re not just buying a ride. You’re buying a structured experience with safety, gear, and access to a high-quality stables setup.

Plus, the value feels stronger when you compare it to the cost of hiring private guiding time or booking longer transfers just to reach a horse trail. Here, you get Iceland outdoors close to Reykjavík.

The high overall rating also signals consistency. A lot of travelers mention friendly, guides and stunning views, which is exactly what you want in a paid activity like this.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

This fits best if you want a real taste of Iceland’s natural landscape with an activity that’s active but not exhausting.

It’s especially good for:

• First-time riders who want guided support and calm horses
• Families where kids are old enough (7+)
• Couples who want something scenic and different from the usual bus-and-blue-lagoon rhythm
• Travelers who care about horse welfare and like seeing well-cared-for animals and good facilities

It’s not a fit if:

• You cannot mount a horse using your own strength
• You’re pregnant
• You’re over 110 kg
• You’re traveling with young kids under 7
• You need to carry a backpack onto the trail

If you’re on the fence because you worry about cold or nerves, that’s normal. The included overalls and the way they split riders by experience are a big part of why many people end up saying this was their favorite part of their trip.

A simple checklist before you go

A few things will make your experience smoother:

• Choose the correct pickup option if you want pickup, and double-check your pickup location if you’re in an apartment
• Wear warm layers under the provided overalls
• Plan for cold hands and feet, even with winter gear
• Travel without needing a backpack on the ride
• Arrive early enough to get kitted, especially in winter

Also, if you’re thinking of bringing your own gear, remember the Iceland rules about leather and cleaning requirements.

Weather, cancellation, and flexibility

This tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That’s a comfort when Reykjavík weather is doing its unpredictable thing.

You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plan is still shifting around other bookings.

In practice, that means you can hold your place and still respond to conditions.

Should you book the Icelandic Horse Riding & Pickup from Reykjavík?

Yes, if you want a short, scenic, Iceland-real outdoor experience that’s easy to fit into your Reykjavík stay. This is a strong pick for travelers who care about the details: guides, a well-run stable setup, and views that genuinely feel like Iceland, not a staged attraction.

I’d book it especially if:

• You want lava field riding close to town
• You’d like to experience tölt on Icelandic horses
• You appreciate good organization and clear instructions
• You want a tour that splits groups so riders match their comfort level

I would skip or reconsider if:

• You fall outside the age, weight, or pregnancy limits
• You can’t mount the horse independently
• You’re counting on carrying a backpack on the trail

For most travelers, this is one of the best ways to turn a few hours near Reykjavík into an unforgettable ride across volcanic terrain.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The riding portion lasts about 1.5–2 hours.

How long is the whole experience?

The total duration is listed as 2–4 hours, depending on whether you choose transfer/pickup.

Is pickup from Reykjavík available?

Pickup is optional. Pickup starts 60 minutes before the tour departure time, and pickup availability depends on your hotel or main guesthouse location.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Íshestar Riding Tours at the stables in Hafnarfjörður.

What gear is included?

You’ll be provided with a helmet and rubber boots, plus rainwear or a warm outfit depending on conditions.

Are the guides available in English?

Yes. The live guide is available in English, and German and Icelandic are also listed as options (German upon request).

What are the age and rider limits?

Children under 7 are not suitable, pregnant women are not suitable, and riders over 110 kg are not suitable.

Can I bring a backpack or bag on the ride?

No. Backpacks or bags can’t go on the ride, but they can be stored at the riding center while you ride.

You can check availability for your dates here: