Experience Countryside of Iceland by Horseback Riding

Iceland’s famous horse gives this outing its special rhythm: the smooth tölt gait, a four-beat ride that feels different from an ordinary walk or trot. Near Þorlákshöfn, you’ll ride through open countryside, lava fields, grass banks, and possibly along the coast, with guides adjusting the pace to the least experienced rider.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which leaves room for help and conversation, and I like the warm, informal welcome associated with guides Magnus, also called Maggi, and Sigrún. The main consideration is that the route depends heavily on weather and season, so you may not reach the beach, and the $207 price feels high if your ride is limited to nearby fields.

Key points to know before you book

• The tölt is the star: You may get to feel the Icelandic horse’s distinctive smooth gait during the ride.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides teach you how to handle the horse and keep the group together at the slowest rider’s pace.
• The route is flexible: Expect fields, moors, lava, mountains, and beach views, but no fixed route is promised.
• Pickup can simplify the day: Round-trip transfers are offered from central Reykjavik hotels, though the listed meeting point is in Þorlákshöfn.
• The welcome is personal: Magnus and Sigrún are associated with an easygoing, hands-on style, and coffee may follow the ride.
• Bring proper clothing: Helmets and riding gear are included, but warm, comfortable clothes and good shoes are your responsibility.

From Reykjavik to Þorlákshöfn

The tour takes place near Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast. It is listed as about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik, with a drive of roughly 45 minutes, so this is a manageable half-day outing rather than an all-day expedition.

Pickup is offered from central Reykjavik hotels. The listed riding base is Alhestar at Faxabraut 6 in Þorlákshöfn, and the activity ends back there. If you are staying outside the central hotel area, confirm the pickup details before booking. One account describes arranging pickup from an Airbnb for an extra fee, so hotel transfer and private accommodation pickup may not be handled the same way.

The drive matters because it moves you away from Reykjavik’s streets and into open country quickly. You are not spending hours on a bus to reach a distant attraction. After the ride, you return to the same base, making it easy to fit this experience around other Reykjavik plans.

Meeting your Icelandic horse

At the stable, you receive a helmet and riding equipment before mounting. The horses are prepared for the outing, and the guide helps riders get settled, particularly those who have little or no experience.

This is not presented as a fast trail ride. The staff adjust the outing to the ability of the group and do not go faster than the slowest rider. That rule is important for mixed groups, since one person may have years in the saddle while another may be nervous just getting on.

Magnus, known in some accounts as Maggi, receives especially strong praise for his calm approach and practical teaching. He is described as taking time to show beginners how to control their horses and making safety a priority. Sigrún is also associated with the operation, and some rides include more than one instructor.

Communication may require patience. Some accounts describe limited English from Magnus, with gestures and translation tools filling the gaps. That can make detailed questions harder, particularly if you want a long explanation of local history or riding technique. On the other hand, the hands-on instruction and close attention to the horses remain central to the experience.

Riding across fields, moors, and lava

The three-hour outing is the main event, not a quick photo stop followed by a short walk. Your route may cross open fields and moorland near the village, with tall grass, lava fields, mountains, and coastal views forming the setting.

I would think of this as a countryside ride with changing scenery, not a guaranteed beach excursion. The route changes with the season and weather. Several accounts describe beach or black-sand riding, while another describes a ride confined to pasture behind the village and no beach at all. That difference is not necessarily a contradiction. Icelandic weather can make the coastal route unsuitable, and the guide must keep the group safe.

The open country gives you a better sense of Iceland than a fenced riding arena. You see the terrain at horse height, move at a measured pace, and have time to notice grass, rock, distant mountains, and the broad sky. It is a quiet way to experience the country, though the scenery will feel less dramatic if you arrive expecting waterfalls, glaciers, or volcanic eruptions.

The riding surface may change during the outing. Accounts describe pasture, dunes, lava fields, moors, and beach terrain. That variety is part of the appeal for experienced riders, but it also means you should not expect a polished, uniform trail. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground and clothing that protects you from Iceland’s wind and changing temperatures.

Feeling the tölt

The Icelandic horse’s tölt is the experience’s most distinctive feature. It is a special gait associated with these horses, and the tour gives you a chance to experience it rather than simply ride at a walking pace.

Do not assume every group will spend long stretches moving quickly. The guide sets the speed for the whole party, and the slowest rider determines the pace. Experienced riders may get a chance to ride more actively, but the outing remains suitable for beginners and must work for everyone present.

Some accounts describe riders learning through the different surfaces and spending enough time in the saddle to improve their balance and control. Another describes seeing a rider demonstrate the horses’ movement. These details suggest that the outing can offer more than a basic mounted walk, but the exact amount of instruction or faster riding depends on the group and conditions.

If your main goal is to practice the tölt, tell the guide at the start. You should also be clear about your riding experience. A useful guide can match the horse and the instruction to your comfort level, but the experience will be better if you explain what you hope to do.

The human side of the ride

This operation has a personal, family-run feel rather than the polished setup of a large commercial attraction. Magnus is described as having grown up on the farm and around the horses, and several accounts emphasize his affection for the animals.

That connection shapes the outing. The horses are not just transport for a scenic loop. The guide spends time helping riders mount, settle, and understand how to handle them. Beginners who feel uncertain may value this calm attention more than a long list of facts about Iceland.

Coffee after the ride is another recurring part of the welcome. It is not listed as a formal inclusion, so you should not treat it as guaranteed. Still, the invitation into a warm setting for coffee gives the experience a friendly local touch, especially after a windy ride.

The casual style has a trade-off. You may not receive a formal, polished presentation in fluent English. If you want a highly structured tour with detailed commentary, precise timing, and newer-looking facilities, this may feel rough around the edges. If you prefer direct contact with the people who care for the horses, that same informality may be a strength.

What the $207 price includes

At $207, this is not a bargain activity. The price needs to cover more than the time on horseback, since the package includes riding equipment, helmets, snacks, and round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels. A three-hour ride also gives you a substantial block of time compared with short stable rides near major attractions.

The small group helps the value. A maximum of 12 people gives the guide a better chance to help a nervous rider, keep the horses in order, and adjust the pace. You are paying partly for supervision and transport, not only for access to a horse.

The value drops if your expectations are very specific. The route may stay near the pasture, the beach may not be possible, equipment has been described as dated, and the facilities may look more practical than polished. At this price, I would book for the horses, the personal instruction, and the countryside setting, not for luxury or guaranteed coastal scenery.

Snacks are included, but good shoes and warm, comfortable clothes are not. Pack for wet and windy conditions even if Reykjavik looks calm when you leave. You need moderate physical fitness, and the activity requires enough comfort with mounting, sitting in the saddle, and handling a horse for several hours.

Who will enjoy this most

This ride fits a first-time rider who wants a gentle introduction to horseback riding in Iceland. The guides adjust the pace, help with control, and keep the group together. A person who is nervous around horses may find the careful instruction reassuring.

It also suits experienced riders who want to try the Icelandic horse and its tölt. You should keep your expectations realistic, since the group will not move according to the strongest rider’s ability. Experienced riders may have a chance to ride more actively, but this is still a shared outing.

Families and mixed-ability groups may appreciate the flexible pace, provided everyone meets the moderate fitness requirement. The maximum group size is useful here, though the experience will not be private unless you arrange a separate booking.

I would be cautious about booking this as your only Iceland activity if your priority is dramatic scenery. The countryside near Þorlákshöfn is attractive and varied, but the route can change. If you want a guaranteed beach visit, ask before paying.

Practical details that affect your day

The activity runs year-round, but all-season availability does not mean identical conditions. Winter, summer, wind, rain, and changing ground conditions can all affect the route. The operator may cancel for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the choice of another date or activity, or a full refund.

Service animals are allowed. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the mobile ticket makes it practical to keep the details on your phone.

The central question is clothing. Do not rely on ordinary city shoes or a light jacket. Bring sturdy footwear and warm, comfortable layers. Helmets and riding gear are supplied, but your personal clothing must handle mud, wind, and temperature changes.

Should you book the Þorlákshöfn ride?

Book this tour if you want a close, unhurried introduction to Icelandic horses, especially if you are curious about the tölt or nervous about riding. The personal attention, flexible pace, small group, and chance to cross real countryside give it more character than a short arena circuit.

Think twice if you are paying $207 mainly for a guaranteed black-sand beach ride or a polished, English-language tour with modern facilities. Weather can shorten the route, the beach is not assured, and the operation’s informal style will not suit everyone.

For the best match, contact the operator before booking and ask about the likely route, pickup from your address, the condition of the trail, and the amount of tölt practice expected. If you value horses and personal instruction more than luxury, this can be one of the more memorable ways to spend a half-day outside Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour take place?

The ride takes place around Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast. The listed base is Alhestar, Faxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn.

How far is Þorlákshöfn from Reykjavik?

Þorlákshöfn is listed as about 30 kilometers, or 19 miles, from Reykjavik. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes.

Is pickup from Reykjavik included?

Round-trip transfers are offered from central Reykjavik hotels. Pickup from other accommodation, including an Airbnb, may involve an extra fee, so confirm the details before booking.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours. It ends back at the meeting point in Þorlákshöfn.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders. The guides adjust the pace to the group and do not go faster than the least experienced rider.

Will the ride include a beach?

Not always. The route depends on the weather and season, and may include beaches, lava fields, grass banks, moors, fields, and mountain views.

What is included in the price?

The price includes all fees and taxes, helmets, riding equipment, and snacks. Round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels are also offered.

What should I bring?

Bring good shoes and warm, comfortable clothes. Helmets and riding equipment are provided, but personal clothing is not.

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. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not met.