Borgarnes: Horseback Riding Tour with Prep Lesson

The best part of this Borgarnes outing comes before the trail: you get time in a large indoor arena to learn the basics and settle in with your horse. Then you ride beside a small river and through wide Icelandic countryside, with time for photos and, when suitable, a taste of the Icelandic horse’s famous tölt.

I like the beginner-friendly preparation and the calm, personal feel of a small group capped at 10 people. I also like that guides such as Juna and Bára adjust the ride to the group, checking that everyone feels safe and, for more experienced riders, adding more tölting or even some galloping when agreed in advance.

The main limitation is time. At 1.5 hours, this is a pleasant introduction, not a full riding day. Weather can also change the mood quickly, and the short ride is best for people who want a first taste rather than a long expedition.

Key points at a glance

• Indoor practice comes first: You can get comfortable with your horse before leaving the stable.
• A scenic route near Borgarnes: The ride follows the countryside, with views toward open Icelandic terrain and a small river.
• Good for first-time riders: The shorter tour is designed for beginners and includes a helmet and guide.
• Tölt may be part of the ride: With the guide’s approval, suitable riders may try the smooth four-beat gait of Icelandic horses.
• Small groups keep things personal: No more than 10 people join the regular ride, and private tours allow more flexibility.
• Plan for the weather: Wear warm clothes, comfortable clothes, and sturdy, comfortable shoes.

A gentle introduction to Icelandic horseback riding

This is a smart choice if you want to ride an Icelandic horse but do not want to commit to a full day in the saddle. The short tour at Hestaland gives you a proper introduction, rather than placing you on a horse and sending you straight outdoors.

You begin by meeting your horse and getting familiar with the stable setting. The prep lesson takes place in a large indoor arena, which matters in Iceland. Wind, rain, and cold can make outdoor instruction harder, while the covered space gives you a calmer place to learn how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to basic directions.

The indoor session is also useful for testing your comfort level. If you have never ridden before, you can discover how the horse moves before dealing with open ground. If you have ridden in the past, the guide can see your ability and help set the right pace.

The horses used for the experience are described in the supplied details and firsthand accounts as gentle, well cared for, and pleasant to ride. That does not remove the need to listen closely to the guide, but it should make the first contact less intimidating.

Meeting your horse at Hestaland

Hestaland is about a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes, so you need your own transport or a separate way to reach the stable. Transportation to and from the activity is not included in the $109 price.

At the stable, you get to know your horse before the ride begins. One account describes grooming the horse together, a simple step that can help you relax and learn the animal’s personality. It also gives you something useful to do while the guide prepares the group.

The stable setting can add a bit of local character to the visit. You may see other horses, and one recent outing included a very young foal and a friendly stable dog. Those details are not promised as part of every departure, but they show that this is a working horse facility rather than a staged photo stop.

You are given a helmet, and the guide remains with the group. English, Icelandic, German, and Danish are available, which is helpful for mixed-language families and groups.

Why the indoor arena matters for beginners

The prep lesson is the feature that makes this tour more approachable than a basic trail ride. You are not expected to know how to mount, steer, stop, or keep your balance before you arrive.

The guide can explain the essentials in the arena and watch how each rider handles the horse. That is especially helpful when a family or group includes people with different levels of experience. Beginners can focus on control and confidence while more practiced riders receive instructions suited to their ability.

This preparation also gives you a chance to speak up. If you feel nervous, tell the guide. The experience is built around a short outdoor ride, so there is time to sort out basic concerns before leaving the arena.

The indoor lesson does not turn you into an experienced rider in 20 minutes. You still need to follow instructions and accept that the horse, not the rider, sets much of the rhythm. But it makes the activity far less daunting for a first attempt.

The 1.5-hour ride through the countryside

After the indoor session, you head outdoors for the trail portion. The route runs through the countryside near Hestaland, with wide views and a small river appearing along the way. The setting gives you a taste of rural Iceland without requiring a long drive into the island’s more remote areas.

This is not a sightseeing bus tour with a long list of landmarks. The attraction is the slow view from horseback. You notice the ground under the horse, the wind, the changing light, and the open space around the stable. A photo stop may be included, and guides have taken pictures for riders during the outing.

The terrain and pace are suited to the shorter ride, including beginners and people trying horseback riding for the first time. You should expect a guided ride rather than a free-for-all. The guide manages the group, checks that everyone is comfortable, and keeps the ride suitable for the least experienced person.

That last point is both a strength and a limit. A first-time rider can enjoy the route without being pushed too quickly. An experienced rider in a regular group may spend much of the outing at a slower pace than preferred. If you want a faster or more tailored ride, a private booking makes more sense.

Icelandic horses, tölt, and riding pace

Icelandic horses are known for the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that can feel different from an ordinary walk or trot. The shorter tour may give you the chance to try it, but this depends on the group, the horse, and the guide’s judgment.

Several outings included multiple short periods of tölting. Riders with more experience may also be able to gallop, but only after discussing it with the guide. You should not book this short experience assuming you will gallop or spend most of the ride at speed.

The guide’s approach is important here. Bára is described as patient with beginners, checking often that riders felt secure. Juna also helped adapt the outing to the people in the saddle. This kind of attention is more valuable than a promised riding speed, especially when the group includes people who have never handled a horse.

If you already ride regularly, tell the stable when booking and consider a private ride. The private option can better match your ability and interests. The full-day tour is recommended for intermediate and advanced riders, so strong riders seeking a longer outing should look at that instead of trying to stretch the 1.5-hour version into something it is not.

What the $109 price gets you

At $109 per person, the tour is not a cheap add-on, but the price includes more than a short horse ride. You get the indoor prep lesson, the guided trail ride, and a helmet. You also pay for the structure and supervision that make the activity workable for people with little or no experience.

I see the value mainly in the instruction. A simple outdoor ride without preparation might cost less, but it would give beginners less time to learn safely and feel comfortable. Here, the indoor arena reduces the chance that your first minutes on the horse will be spent feeling lost.

The price also suits visitors who want a compact activity between other plans in western Iceland. The total riding experience lasts 1.5 hours, though you should allow extra time around the scheduled start for arrival and preparation. Since Hestaland is a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes, include driving time in your day.

Lunch is not part of this short outing. It is included only with the separate five-hour day tour. Bring food or plan a meal elsewhere if you are building a longer stop around the stable.

Group or private ride?

The regular tour has a maximum of 10 participants. That is small enough for the guide to keep watch, but it is still a group activity. The pace will need to suit everyone, and riders with different skills may not get equal time at their preferred gait.

The group option is likely the better value for first-time riders, couples, and families who want a clear introduction. You get the reassurance of a guide and the chance to learn alongside other beginners.

A private ride costs more than the standard per-person rate, but it may be worth considering for specific needs. The stable recommends it if you have preferences about pace, route, or riding style. It is also the logical choice for a solo rider with experience who wants more tölting or possibly some galloping by prior agreement.

Do not confuse private with unsupervised. This remains a guided activity, and the guide still decides what is appropriate for the horse, the conditions, and your ability.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Icelandic weather can change fast, and the ride is outdoors after the indoor lesson. Wear warm clothing and comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, and you should avoid arriving in footwear that is loose, fragile, or difficult to use around horses.

Wind is worth taking seriously. One outing was made less comfortable by strong wind, even though the ride itself and the horse were fine. The open countryside offers the views you came for, but it also gives the weather room to reach you.

A rainproof outer layer is a sensible practical choice, although the stated requirements only specify warm and comfortable clothing. Dress in layers so you can adjust after the arena session. You may feel warm while preparing indoors and much cooler once you are outside.

Smoking is not allowed. Children under six cannot take part, and the maximum listed rider weight is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. These restrictions are important to check before booking, both for safety and for the comfort of the horses.

Families, first-timers, and experienced riders

For a family with older children, this can be a good shared activity if everyone meets the age and weight requirements. The indoor lesson gives a nervous family member a fair chance to get comfortable, while the short duration keeps the outing manageable.

For complete beginners, I would choose this over a longer trail ride. You get enough time to learn and enjoy the countryside, but not so much time that a sore back or tired legs can spoil the rest of your day.

For riders with some experience, the answer depends on what you want. If you mainly want to see Iceland from horseback and enjoy a relaxed outing, the short tour should work well. If you want a serious riding session, longer stretches of tölt, or galloping, book a private ride or consider the five-hour option.

The full-day tour is specifically recommended for intermediate to advanced riders. Lunch is included with that five-hour activity, but it is a different choice from this compact introduction.

Practical booking details near Borgarnes

Hestaland is reached by a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes, and transportation is not included. Check the starting time carefully and leave enough time to reach the stable without rushing.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That flexibility can help when your Iceland route depends on weather or road conditions, but it does not remove the need to arrive on time.

If you miss your scheduled departure, do not count on a change. One person was kindly moved to a later ride after missing the original start, but that was a courtesy rather than a stated guarantee. Contacting the provider as soon as possible is the sensible move.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the information does not explain which parts of the stable or mounting process are adapted. If you need specific assistance, ask Hestaland before booking.

Should you book this Hestaland ride?

Book it if you want a short, guided introduction to Icelandic horses near Borgarnes, especially if you are a beginner or are traveling with people who have different levels of riding experience. The indoor lesson, gentle horses, patient guides, and small group make the activity more approachable than a bare-bones trail ride.

Choose the private option if you have a clear riding preference or want the guide to match the outing to your ability. Choose the longer tour if you already ride well and want a substantial day in the saddle.

Skip it if you are looking for a full-day wilderness ride, guaranteed galloping, or an activity with transport from Borgarnes included. For everyone else, $109 buys a well-structured first step into Icelandic riding, with enough countryside, horse time, and instruction to make the short visit worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour start?

The tour starts at Hestaland, which is about a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes.

How long does the activity last?

The horseback riding experience lasts 1.5 hours, including the prep lesson and scenic trail ride.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The shorter trail ride is suitable for all experience levels, including people riding for the first time. Beginners practice in a large indoor arena before going outside.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. A helmet is included with the activity.

What languages are available?

The live guide can provide the tour in English, Icelandic, German, or Danish.

Can children join the ride?

Children under six years old are not permitted to take part.

Is transportation from Borgarnes included?

No. Transportation to and from Hestaland is not included. The stable is about a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes.