Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

An Icelandic horse ride gives you a close look at the countryside that is hard to get from a bus window. Near Hafnarfjörður, you’ll ride through lava fields and moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes around you, while learning the special four-beat tölt that makes these horses so comfortable over rough ground.

I like the careful sorting by riding ability, and I like the practical gear provided for Iceland’s sudden rain and wind. The main drawback is that the first group can be large, and riders who want a fast, independent outing may find the pace limited until the guides divide everyone into smaller ability groups.

Key points to know before you book

• The Icelandic horse is the star: Learn about a sturdy breed descended from horses brought by Vikings in the 10th century.
• Your riding ability matters: Beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders are separated after the instructor watches you in the saddle.
• The scenery is close to Reykjavik: Ishestar’s stable is in Hafnarfjörður, about 15 to 20 minutes from Reykjavik by pickup.
• You get useful cold-weather gear: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are supplied.
• The tölt is the special touch: Stronger riders may get repeated chances to try this smooth four-beat gait.
• The ride ends warmly: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are available at the stable after the trek.

Riding an Icelandic horse near Reykjavik

This is not a city carriage ride or a short photo stop beside a stable. The main event is a roughly two-hour outing on horseback through the open country around Ishestar’s base in Hafnarfjörður.

Icelandic horses are smaller and sturdier than many people expect, but do not think of them as ordinary ponies. They are bred for rough ground and changing weather. Their famous tölt is a four-beat gait that can feel smoother than a normal trot, especially over uneven trails.

The horses are known for calm temperaments and strong personalities. You get a brief introduction to the breed before riding, which adds meaning to the trip. You are not simply placed on an animal and sent down a path. The instructor first asks about your experience, then watches how you handle the horse.

That early assessment is important. A rider who has never mounted a horse receives different help from someone who rides often. It also lets the stable match horses and riders more sensibly.

Arriving at Ishestar in Hafnarfjörður

The meeting point is Ishestar Horse Riding Tours at Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður. If you drive yourself, arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start.

Pickup can be added from selected points in Reykjavik, but it is not automatically included with every price option. Check that you have chosen the pickup version before booking. If your hotel does not appear on the pickup list, contact the operator to find the nearest approved stop. You may be sent to a nearby bus stop rather than collected directly at your hotel.

The drive from Reykjavik is short, around 15 to 20 minutes according to the supplied trip details. That makes this a useful half-day activity, especially if you want to combine it with other plans. Still, leave enough time for pickup and changing clothes. Icelandic weather can slow even a short drive.

At the stable, you meet the instructor, discuss your riding background, and watch a short safety video. You then put on the supplied equipment before heading to the horses.

Warm clothing and practical riding gear

The stable provides a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. This is a real advantage in Iceland, where a clear morning can turn wet and windy without much warning.

Several riders found the heavy outer gear useful in rain and chilly conditions. I would use it even if the forecast looks decent. The extra layers matter more on horseback, where wind reaches you quickly across open ground.

Wear clothes that can fit comfortably beneath the overall. Choose practical footwear and avoid anything you want to keep spotless. Mud, wet ground, and horse-yard conditions are part of the outing. One useful tip is to protect your ears or bring a hat, since strong wind can arrive quickly.

Used riding gear from elsewhere is not allowed on the tour or near the horses. That rule is designed to reduce the risk of bringing germs to the stable, so plan to use the equipment provided.

The first minutes in the saddle

The instructor helps you get settled and explains how to guide your horse. You then ride behind the instructor while the staff watches how everyone handles the first section.

This is where the trip becomes more than a standard group ride. Once the instructors see your comfort level, they split the riders into ability groups. Beginners travel slowly over easier ground. Intermediate and experienced riders can take more demanding routes and may ride at a faster pace.

You should tell the instructor if you want to slow down or go faster. That simple conversation matters. A nervous beginner should not feel pushed into a quick group, and a confident rider should not assume that every section will be fast.

Mounting is done from the ground. Every rider must be able to get onto the horse using their own strength. There is no promise of a mounting block, so this is an important requirement for anyone with limited mobility or strength.

Lava fields, moorland, mountains, and lakes

The route takes you through open Icelandic scenery rather than along paved roads. You may weave through lava fields and moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes forming the backdrop.

The lava fields are especially memorable from horseback. You move at a close, human pace, with time to notice the dark rock, rough ground, and broad views. The horse’s sure footing also gives you a different sense of the terrain than you get while sitting in a vehicle.

The guides provide information about the horses and the area as you ride. The scenic stops give you chances to take photographs, though you should expect the ride itself to remain the focus. This is not a dedicated photography tour with long stops at every viewpoint.

Weather will shape the feel of the route. On a clear day, the volcanic mountains and lakes can appear sharp and bright. In rain or wind, the mood becomes more rugged, but the supplied clothing helps. The operator can cancel for poor weather and offer another date or a full refund.

How the ability groups affect your ride

The ability sorting is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Beginners can stay at a relaxed walk instead of feeling pressured by stronger riders. Intermediate riders may have opportunities to trot and practice the tölt. Experienced riders may be placed in a group that can move faster, depending on the conditions and the instructor’s judgment.

Do not assume that choosing an advanced option guarantees a gallop. The actual pace depends on your ability, the horses, the trail, and the guide’s safety decision. Still, stronger riders have described several chances to ride at speed, and some groups have included cantering or galloping.

The split does not always happen instantly. The opening group may contain more than 20 riders, with several guides working together. Once the staff has watched everyone ride, the group becomes more manageable.

One practical issue is that a single inexperienced rider can slow a faster group. That is not a criticism of the stable. It is simply the nature of shared riding tours. If you want a private pace from start to finish, this group format may not suit you.

Learning the tölt

The tölt is the feature that sets this ride apart from many ordinary trail outings. It is a four-beat gait unique to certain Icelandic horses, and it is known for being smooth and comfortable.

Your instructor shows you how to encourage the horse into the tölt. You may not master it immediately, particularly if you are new to riding. The chance to try it, however, adds a real Icelandic element to the experience.

Intermediate and experienced riders are more likely to spend time practicing the gait. Beginners should focus on balance, steering, and feeling comfortable in the saddle. The guides can adjust the ride so that you get a pleasant outing rather than a lesson that feels too demanding.

The horses are well trained and accustomed to riders with different skill levels. Even so, a horse remains a horse. Listen carefully, keep your hands steady, and follow the instructor’s directions.

Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at the stable

After the ride, return to the stable for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small inclusion, but a useful one after spending time outside in Icelandic weather.

This is also a natural time to warm up, return the riding gear, and spend a few final minutes around the horses. The drink does not turn the trip into a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need more than a warm cup.

The hot drink is especially welcome after rain or wind. It also gives the outing a pleasant finish instead of sending you directly from the saddle into a waiting vehicle.

Price, duration, and what you get for $133.02

At about $133.02 per person, this is not the cheapest activity around Reykjavik. The price makes more sense when you consider the roughly two-hour ride, instruction, horse, helmet, boots, rain gear, warm overall, and hot drink.

The optional pickup adds convenience, but you need to select the correct package. If you can reach Hafnarfjörður on your own, compare the versions carefully before paying. The stable is close enough to Reykjavik that some people may prefer arranging their own transport.

For a first riding experience in Iceland, the value is strong because you get more than a short circuit around a paddock. You ride into volcanic country, learn about a distinctive local breed, and have a reasonable chance to try the tölt if your ability allows.

For a dedicated rider, the value depends on expectations. You may enjoy the ability-based groups and faster sections, but this is still a shared outing with safety limits. It is not a private training session or a long expedition.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want careful instruction and a gentle horse
• Families with children age seven and older
• Riders with mixed ability levels who want to stay together at the same stable
• Experienced riders curious about Icelandic horses and the tölt
• Nature lovers who want time in lava fields rather than another coach excursion
• Visitors looking for a morning or afternoon activity near Reykjavik

Children under 18 must ride with an adult. Up to two children or young people may travel with each adult, with each person paying the full fare.

You need moderate physical fitness and must be able to mount from the ground by yourself. Pregnant women cannot ride because of the possible harm to an unborn child. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

What could disappoint you

The biggest concern is group size at the beginning. Even though the staff divides riders by ability, you may spend the opening part of the outing with a fairly large group.

The pace also varies. A beginner-friendly ride can be exactly what one person wants and too slow for another. Tell your instructor plainly what feels comfortable, but accept that safety and the mixed group come first.

Staff interaction may also vary from one visit to the next. The riding instructors are described as patient, friendly, and attentive to the horses, but the welcome and administrative contact may feel less warm to some people.

Finally, Iceland’s weather is not a minor detail. Wind and rain can arrive quickly. The stable supplies protective clothing, but you should still expect an outdoor activity rather than a polished indoor attraction.

Cancellation and booking details

You receive confirmation when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Pickup must be pre-booked, and only selected Reykjavik pickup points are served.

Should you book the Ishestar ride?

Book it if you want a hands-on way to experience Iceland’s volcanic countryside and you like the idea of riding a special local breed. The well-trained horses, useful cold-weather gear, ability-based groups, and chance to try the tölt make this a strong choice for both beginners and capable riders.

Skip it if you cannot mount independently, dislike shared group rides, or want a guaranteed fast pace. For everyone else, especially families and riders with mixed experience, this is a practical and memorable outing close to Reykjavik. Bring warm layers, accept the weather as part of the deal, and tell the instructor exactly how fast you want to go.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

The tour begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Does the tour include pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup is available with selected tour options from approved pickup points in Reykjavik. It is not included unless you choose a package that specifically includes it.

Can I be picked up directly at my hotel?

Only selected pickup points are served. If your hotel is not listed, contact the operator to find the nearest pickup point, which may be a nearby bus stop.

How long does the activity last?

The horseback riding experience lasts approximately two hours.

What equipment is provided?

The stable provides helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are available after the ride at the stable.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The instructor assesses your ability, and beginners are placed in a slower group that follows easier terrain.

Can experienced riders ride faster?

Intermediate and experienced riders may take more challenging routes and ride at faster paces. The actual pace depends on ability, conditions, and the instructor’s decision.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is seven years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride because of possible harm to unborn children.

Do I need to be physically fit?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness and be able to mount the horse from the ground using your own strength.

What happens if the weather is too poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.