Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

Here’s a practical review of the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour from Reykjavik, a 2.5-hour small-group ride built for beginners and returning riders alike. You get pickup options, winter and rain clothing at the stables, and guided time in places like Heiðmörk Nature Reserve with views of lava hills.

What I like most is how much help you get before you ever mount up, plus how well the guides match you with an appropriate horse. You’ll also appreciate the real Iceland payoff: red-hills scenery, calm Icelandic horses, and chances to experience the Icelandic tölt gait along the route.

One thing to keep in mind: this tour is weather-dependent, and if conditions are icy or rough, the ride can feel more demanding even with safety-focused guides.

Key Points Before You Go

• Small group size (max 15) means more attention while you’re getting outfitted and riding
• Horse matching first: you’ll be paired to your comfort level before the trail
• Beginner-friendly routes plus an option for more experienced riders to vary the pace
• Gear is provided (rainwear and winter overalls), which helps you pack lighter
• Heiðmörk lava landscapes and a route around red hills make the views the main event
• Tölt moments are common, and guides encourage you to try it at a pace you can handle

Why This Reykjavik Red Lava Horse Ride Gets Good Reviews

This is the kind of activity that fits neatly into a Reykjavik trip: not a half-day drive into the wild, just a short hop from the city to stables and then out across the lava-and-moss landscapes that make Iceland look like nowhere else. It’s also priced at $139.13 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes total, and that total matters because you’re not only buying riding time. You’re buying staff time for fitting you, pairing you with a horse, and guiding you safely through changing terrain.

It’s also hard to ignore the repeat praise: travelers consistently highlight guides and the simple fact that the scenery is stunning even on a gray day. The overall rating is 4.8 from 386 reviews, with 96% recommended, which usually means people felt it was worth the money, not just fun once.

The tour is run by solhestar, with a maximum group size of 15 travelers. That cap is a big deal. In Iceland horse tours, the bottleneck is often outfitting and controlling the line of riders. Smaller groups make it easier to get everyone mounted with less waiting and more individual coaching once you’re on the horse.

Price and What You’re Actually Paying For ($139.13)

At $139.13 per person for roughly 2.5 hours, you’re paying for more than the trail itself. You’re covering:

• the guided prep and horse pairing at Solhestar Horse rental
• provided clothing for bad weather (rain gear and winter overalls)
• round-trip logistics from Reykjavik via offered pickup
• guided riding time that can run 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your group and route

For many travelers, that mix is the value. If you’ve ever tried to piece together your own “horse + guide + gear + transport” plan on short notice, it’s rarely cheaper once you add time and hassle. Here, it’s bundled, and the structure is clear.

Pickup, Timing, and the Small-Group Logistics You Must Get Right

This tour offers pickup from Reykjavik hotels/guesthouses or the BSI Bus terminal. Pickup starts 30 minutes before departure, and you should plan on up to 20 minutes for pickup itself. Morning tours run with pickup at 9:00 for a 9:30 departure, and afternoon pickup at 13:00 for 13:30 departure.

A key operational detail: if you’re not at the pickup point latest 5 minutes after pickup starts, there’s a chance the booking could be canceled. That’s not unique to this company, but it’s worth treating seriously. If you’re staying far from pickup streets or you’re relying on a taxi to arrive close to the start time, pad your schedule.

Also note: you’ll be asked to check your voucher for pickup instructions, and you should include a reachable phone number in your booking details (with an Iceland-reachable contact number) so they can reach you last-minute.

Where the Ride Starts: Solhestar Stables in Reykjavik

Your meeting point is Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Why that matters: you get a simple start and finish. No confusing transfers at the end of your ride. You also return at a time that lets you keep exploring Reykjavik afterward without waiting around forever.

Stop 1: Getting Ready and Finding Your Horse at Solhestar

The first chunk is about prep and matching. You’ll arrive at the stables and get ready for the tour. This is where the biggest comfort win happens, especially if you’re new.

You’re provided:

• rain clothing
• winter overalls

Then you’ll find a horse that fits you. That pairing step is a major reason beginners often rate this tour highly. Riders who were nervous say the staff took time to make sure they were comfortable before leaving the barn.

If you’re planning what to wear: reviews consistently suggest using the provided layers, and bringing practical socks for warmth. Some winter riders mention ski gloves can help if you run cold or if your hands get wet in windy conditions.

Stop 2: Heiðmörk Nature Reserve and 5,000-Year-Old Lava Hills

After you’re ready, you head to Heiðmörk Nature Reserve. This stop is about lava landscape plus the story of Iceland’s volcanic past. You’ll see lava hills and history tied to a volcano said to be about 5,000 years old.

What makes this more than scenery-browsing is that the reserve is part of the tour’s “route logic.” You’re not just pulling up to a viewpoint and then leaving. You’re moving through the landscape on horseback, which changes how you experience the terrain. On foot, lava feels jagged and close-up. On horseback, you get a steadier view of how the red rock and mossy patches spread out.

Potential drawback: if you’re sensitive to wind, this is the kind of area where weather can feel more intense once you’re out of Reykjavik’s shelter. Bring the layers the tour provides and dress for cold, not for what the forecast says in the warmest hour.

Stop 3: Rauðavatn, Forestry Origins, and the Iceland Story in Small Pieces

There’s also a stop near Rauðavatn, where the first forestry steps in Iceland began in the early 20th century.

You’ll likely notice the tour is intentionally made of short “story stops” rather than one long lecture. That’s good for travelers because it keeps the experience moving. You also get a sense of Iceland as more than volcanoes and waterfalls. It’s a landscape shaped by human choices too, even in the early forestry era.

Stop 4: Hólmsheiði and the Red Hills Ride (The Main Event)

This is the tour’s most popular riding section. You ride in small groups and get personal and friendly service, and the trail distance is typically about 5 to 7 km, depending on experience.

Here’s the key: route choice can vary.

• If you’re a beginner (or prefer slower terrain), you’ll often ride on smoother paths along the Redhills
• For more experienced riders, the route can go by Rauðarvatn

Total tour duration is listed as 2.5 hours, with 1.5 to 2 hours riding. That means there’s enough time to settle into the horse rhythm and actually feel like you did something outdoors, not just a quick spin around a paddock.

The Icelandic horse and the tölt moment

Many riders specifically call out the chance to experience tölt, the signature Icelandic gait. The guides encourage it at varying speeds, and you may get multiple tölt opportunities during the ride.

Even if you don’t aim for tölt, you still benefit. You’ll learn how to hold the reins, move with the horse, and keep your balance through uneven lava terrain. Riders in reviews say instructions continue during the ride, not just at the start.

How Hard Is It, Really? Beginner Comfort vs. Active Riders

This tour is described as suitable for beginners and for those with more experience. Riders who felt their first time was smooth often mention calm horses and ongoing help if they looked unsure.

For more active riders, the route options and varying paths keep it from feeling repetitive. Also, the small group limit helps avoid the “slowest rider drags everyone down” effect.

One caution: if you have significant mobility concerns, you should think carefully about balance and cold. There’s at least one review where a rider with knee replacement returned early, and staff were kind and accommodating about bringing them back. That’s not something you should assume without asking, but it’s a sign the operation can adapt when needed.

What the Guides Are Like (And Why That Matters)

The standout theme is guide quality. Reviews repeatedly mention guides who are:

• knowledgeable about Icelandic horses
• friendly and patient, especially with first-timers
• attentive during the ride

Some guests mention specific guide names. Claudia and Klara come up in reviews as especially helpful and attentive. That gives you a sense of the staff culture: they’re not just driving a van and letting you figure it out.

Practical tip: pay attention to the safety and riding tips at the start, then keep using them mid-ride. Several riders mention that the coaching doesn’t stop once you’re mounted.

Weather, Clothing, and Staying Warm on a Windy Lava Trail

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Even when weather isn’t perfect, the company provides rain clothing and winter overalls. That’s a big advantage because Iceland weather changes quickly, and you don’t want to blow your time wrestling with your own rain setup.

Still, reviews show one theme: dress warm even if conditions look mild. Winter riders talk about wind and wet cold. People also mention that provided warm drinks help afterward.

Packing advice that matches what travelers actually report:

• Wear good socks
• Consider gloves (some suggest ski gloves if you get cold)
• Expect you may get wet in wind-driven rain or sleet

Photos, Warm Drinks, and the End-of-Ride Feel

One of the small but valuable perks: guides take photos during the tour using travelers’ phones, often at lava rocks from different angles. If you want a clear “proof you were there” set of images without playing tourist with your own camera at awkward moments, that’s a nice add.

After the ride, many travelers mention warm tea or coffee to warm up.

And because you return back at the meeting point, you can head out to lunch or coffee in Reykjavik without needing a second transport plan.

Cancellation and Changes: Your Backup Plan

Good news on flexibility. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, it’s not refunded.

Changes within 24 hours aren’t accepted. Cut-off times are based on local time.

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll either get a different date or a full refund, which is exactly what you want when you’re spending time and money on winter gear and tight travel schedules.

Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Think Twice)

You should book if:

• you want Icelandic horses close to Reykjavik without a long day trip
• you’re a beginner or returning rider who wants hands-on guidance
• you care about a small-group feel (max 15) and a more personal guide approach
• you want a red lava landscape experience with real riding time (about 1.5 to 2 hours)

You might think twice if:

• you know you struggle with balance on uneven ground
• you hate cold or wet and you’re not willing to rely on provided layers
• you’re traveling on a day when weather is very likely to be icy, since footing can be more challenging in rough conditions

That last point is not about refusing adventure. It’s about choosing your risk level. This tour can feel magical when conditions are supportive, and more stressful when ice hits the trails.

Quick Checklist Before You Go

• Check your voucher for exact pickup instructions
• Be at the pickup point on time, with a buffer for Reykjavik streets and parking
• Bring a phone number that they can reach in Iceland
• Dress for wind and cold, even if it looks okay in the morning
• Wear practical socks and consider gloves for winter rides
• Keep your expectations realistic: you’re riding through lava terrain outdoors, not doing a flat arena trot

Should You Book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

Overall, I’d call this a strong pick if your priority is a guided Icelandic horse ride with great service. The combination of guides, consistent scenery praise, and what looks like real value in the package (gear + pickup + time on horseback) is what drives the high recommendation rate.

Book it if you can dress for weather and you’re ready to treat the ride as a true outdoor experience. If you’re booking during late-season cold and expecting icy trails, plan to be flexible about how it feels on the horse. The experience can be fantastic either way, but your comfort depends on conditions and how your body handles slippery footing.

If you want an Iceland horse moment that’s close to Reykjavik and not overly complicated, this one is worth your time.