Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall

Reykjafoss is the star here: you ride an Icelandic horse toward a waterfall where water drops down stone steps into Brandgil canyon. The best photo is not a posed portrait, but the view framed between your horse’s ears, with the mountains of Skagafjörður beyond.

I like the small maximum group of eight, since a guide can give beginners more attention. I also like the short format, which lets you meet Icelandic horses and see a strong natural viewpoint without giving up half a day. The main drawback is the timing: the tour is advertised at about 30 minutes, but one detailed account described roughly an hour from start to finish, so leave extra room in your schedule.

Key points to know before you ride

• Reykjafoss and Brandgil: The ride heads toward a waterfall that rushes down stepped rock into a canyon.
• Excellent photo angle: You can take pictures between the ears of your Icelandic horse as you approach the canyon edge.
• Small group size: The tour accepts no more than eight people.
• Beginner-friendly setup: Guides explain basic riding, and most people can take part.
• Short commitment: The stated riding time is about 30 minutes, though the full visit may take longer.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Riding from Hestasport toward Reykjafoss

Your visit begins at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, at Vegamót in Varmahlíð. The tour information places the experience in the Akureyri area, but the actual meeting point is in Varmahlíð, so check your route carefully before booking. The meeting point is also where the activity ends.

This is a useful stop for a road trip because you do not commit to a long trail ride. You come to Hestasport, get ready, receive basic instruction, and set out toward Reykjafoss. The compact format works well if you are fitting several sights into one day or if you want to try horseback riding without making it the main event.

The horses are Icelandic, a breed closely tied to the country’s rural identity. Here, the horse is not just transport to a waterfall. It shapes the entire view. Instead of approaching Reykjafoss on foot or from a roadside lookout, you see the water with a horse’s head in the foreground and open country behind it.

The ride is guided, which matters if you have only ridden a few times. One guide, Ellen, is specifically praised for explaining the basics and creating a safe place for a little faster riding. Amrei has also led the outing, including a private-feeling winter ride for a very small party. Guides can vary by date, but the important point is that instruction is part of the visit rather than an afterthought.

What the short ride feels like for a beginner

The tour is designed as a quick introduction, not a long expedition into the countryside. You learn the essentials, meet your horse, and follow the guide toward the waterfall. The information provided says most people can participate, and several details point to a welcoming setup for first-time or occasional riders.

That does not mean you should expect a riding lesson with lots of technical practice. A 30-minute activity leaves little time for advanced instruction. If you already ride, you may find the outing too brief for serious saddle time. If you are new to horses, though, its modest length may be reassuring.

The guide’s role is especially important during a short ride. You need clear directions at the start, a sensible pace, and a safe spot if the group is allowed to trot. One account describes exactly that arrangement: the guide covered riding basics, then offered a chance to trot in a safe area. Treat that as something the conditions and guide may permit, not as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The small group limit helps here. With eight people or fewer, the guide can watch how everyone is handling the horse and respond to nerves. A family with a six-year-old found the horses and setting especially exciting, but age alone does not tell you if the ride is right for every child. The information only confirms that most people can participate, so ask Hestasport directly if you have a specific age, mobility, or riding concern.

Reykjafoss, the reason to bring your camera

The route leads toward Reykjafoss, where water runs down a series of steps before entering Brandgil canyon. This is not simply a quick stop beside a generic waterfall. The combination of falling water, canyon walls, horses, and the Skagafjörður mountain panorama gives the outing its visual appeal.

The planned photo view is distinctive. You can point your camera forward between the ears of your horse, with the trail and scenery ahead. It is a simple idea, but it gives your pictures a sense of place. You are not just standing in front of a waterfall. The horse becomes part of the frame and reminds anyone looking at the image that you reached the viewpoint in a very Icelandic way.

The canyon edge is also why you should listen closely to the guide. The description places the horses safely near the edge of the steep canyon, not in the canyon and not at an unrestricted viewpoint. Keep your attention on the guide’s instructions rather than focusing only on your phone. The best photograph is not worth stepping outside the safe area.

Weather will affect the view and the ride. On a clear day, the mountain panorama should be a major part of the appeal. In poor conditions, Hestasport may cancel the activity, offer another date, or provide a full refund. That policy protects you from spending money on a short ride that cannot deliver the scenery it promises.

How much time should you allow?

The published duration is approximately 30 minutes. That makes this one of the easier horse-riding activities to fit into a busy Iceland itinerary, especially if you are already passing through the region.

Still, do not plan your day as if you will arrive and disappear exactly 30 minutes later. You need to check in, receive basic guidance, get matched with a horse, and finish back at the reception. A detailed account described the whole outing as closer to one hour, even though the listed duration is shorter.

That difference may reflect preparation and return time rather than a longer ride. Either way, I would leave a comfortable buffer before your next fixed booking. This is particularly important in Iceland, where weather can change plans and road travel often takes longer than a quick map estimate suggests.

The tour ends at the same Hestasport meeting point. That makes the logistics simple, but it also means you need to arrange your own way there and onward. No transport from Akureyri is included in the supplied details, so do not assume a pickup service.

Is $90.12 a fair price?

At $90.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall. You are paying for more than a viewpoint, though. The price covers a guided introduction to Icelandic horses, a short ride through the countryside, instruction for less experienced riders, and access to a photo setting that would be difficult to recreate on foot.

Value depends on what you want from the stop. If your priority is maximum time in the saddle, the short duration may make the price feel high. A longer riding tour could offer more riding for the money, though no longer option is described here.

If your priority is a memorable Iceland photo and a low-commitment horse ride, the calculation improves. You can see Reykjafoss, enjoy the Skagafjörður scenery, and meet the horses without giving up several hours. The group cap of eight is another quiet part of the value. A very large riding group can feel impersonal, while this format gives the guide a better chance to help each person.

The strongest case for the price is convenience combined with character. You are not buying a standard photo stop. You are buying a brief, guided encounter with Icelandic horses in a setting that includes a waterfall and canyon. For a family, a couple, or a first-time rider, that can be worth more than a longer but less personal outing.

Who will enjoy this Hestasport outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want three things at once: horses, scenery, and a short schedule. It suits people who have always wanted to ride an Icelandic horse but do not want to commit to a full-day trek.

It is also a good fit for families, based on the positive experience of a six-year-old, provided Hestasport confirms that your child can take part. The warm staff and calm horses were repeatedly praised, and one person who had ridden only a few times found the ride easy to manage with the guides’ help.

You should think twice if you are an experienced rider looking for a long, challenging route. The supplied details focus on the waterfall, photos, and basic riding rather than advanced riding, a remote trail, or a full exploration of the region.

This is also not ideal for a tightly timed itinerary. The stated 30 minutes is short, but preparation and return time can add to the visit. Book it when you can allow some breathing room.

Staff, horses, and the feel of the visit

The human side of this stop receives unusually strong praise. The Hestasport team is described as friendly, accommodating, and helpful from check-in through the end of the ride. That matters when you are handling an unfamiliar horse or wondering if you have enough riding experience.

The horses themselves are another major attraction. The grounds are described as clean, and the Icelandic horses as beautiful and well suited to the outing. A nervous rider became enthusiastic by the end, which suggests that the calm, supportive approach can make a real difference.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the guide if you are nervous or inexperienced. The point of a small guided ride is that the staff can adjust their help, explain the basics, and keep the group together.

The activity is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket after booking. Confirmation is provided at booking, which makes the planning straightforward. The practical details are simple, but the location deserves attention: use Hestasport Reception in Varmahlíð as your navigation point, not just the broader Akureyri label.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The tour requires good weather. If Hestasport cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is a useful safeguard for an outdoor activity whose main appeal depends on safe riding and clear views.

The activity is often booked ahead, with an average booking lead time of 22 days. That does not guarantee that every date fills early, but it is a good reason to reserve ahead if your Iceland schedule is fixed. A maximum of eight people also limits capacity.

Should you book this short ride?

Book it if you want an easy introduction to Icelandic horses, a waterfall with a strong photo angle, and a tour that fits into a half-day plan. The friendly staff, small group size, beginner support, and Reykjafoss setting give the ride more character than its short length suggests.

Skip it if you want a long trail ride or if you cannot spare extra time beyond the stated 30 minutes. Before paying, confirm the route from your base to Varmahlíð and ask Hestasport about any age or riding concerns.

For the right schedule, this is a compact, memorable stop: saddle up, follow the guide toward Reykjafoss, frame the waterfall between your horse’s ears, and return with a real Iceland story rather than just another roadside photograph.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride begin?

It begins at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The ride ends back at the Hestasport meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The advertised duration is approximately 30 minutes. You should allow additional time for check-in, basic instruction, preparation, and returning to the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum group size of eight people.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Most people can participate, and the guide explains the basics of riding. A guide named Ellen has also provided basic instruction and allowed trotting in a safe area. Ask Hestasport directly about any individual concerns.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.