Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik horse ride is the setting: you move through mossy lava hills formed by a volcano about 5,000 years ago, not around a fenced riding arena. I like the small-group format and the way the route can be adjusted for first-time riders or people who already know their way around a saddle.

I also like the practical approach. Solhestar provides rain gear and winter overalls, pairs you with a suitable horse, and offers pickup from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus Terminal. The main caution is Icelandic weather. Rain, wind, sleet, and icy trails can change a pleasant ride into a cold or uneasy one, so use the supplied gear and consider the season carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• 5,000-year-old lava terrain: Ride among the Redhills and the volcanic ground of Heiðmörk Nature Reserve.
• A real Icelandic horse experience: You may get to try the smooth tölt, a special gait of the Icelandic horse.
• Good for beginners: Horses are matched to riders, and guides continue giving help during the ride.
• Two route options: Beginners usually follow a smooth path by the Redhills, while stronger riders may ride near Rauðavatn.
• Easy Reykjavik access: Pickup is available from hotels, guesthouses, and BSI Bus Terminal, with the stable also reachable at Surtlugata 19.
• Weather matters: Rainwear and winter suits are supplied, but you should still dress warmly and expect changing conditions.

Riding through Reykjavik’s red lava hills

This is a short drive from central Reykjavik, yet the surroundings quickly feel far removed from the city. The route runs through Hólmsheiði and the Redhills, where dark volcanic ground, moss, open riding paths, and low hills create a distinctly Icelandic backdrop.

The route covers about 5 to 7 kilometers. You spend roughly 1.5 to 2 hours riding, inside a total experience of about 2.5 hours. That leaves time at the stable to get fitted, meet your horse, adjust the tack, and receive instructions before heading out.

I like this balance. You get enough time in the saddle to settle into the horse’s movement, but the outing does not consume an entire day of your Reykjavik schedule. It fits neatly beside a city walk, a museum visit, or an evening meal.

The volcanic setting also gives the ride a clear sense of place. This is not simply horseback riding in an attractive field. You are crossing old lava hills and riding paths near Rauðavatn, an area linked with the first forestry work in Iceland at the beginning of the 20th century.

Getting ready at Solhestar

Your visit begins at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik at Surtlugata 19. If you arrange pickup, it begins 30 minutes before the stated departure time. Morning pickup begins at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour, and afternoon pickup begins at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour.

Pickup can take up to 20 minutes. Be ready at the correct point and check your voucher carefully, since the stable only collects from listed Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus Terminal. If you are not at the pickup point within five minutes after pickup starts, the booking may be canceled.

At the stable, you receive outer clothing suited to the conditions. Rain clothing and winter overalls are available, along with riding boots according to the practical details shared about the experience. I would use the offered gear even if the forecast looks mild. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and several riders found that wind and wet conditions felt harsher than expected.

You then meet the horses. The staff choose a mount based on your riding experience and the needs of the group. That matters for a first ride, since a calm, suitable horse can make the difference between relaxing into the experience and spending the entire time worrying about control.

The stable serves both beginners and stronger riders. Guides give instructions before departure and continue helping on the trail. If you feel unsure, say so early. The staff are used to adjusting the pace and helping riders who do not want to trot or try a faster gait.

Heiðmörk and the story beneath the hooves

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve provides the main natural setting for the ride. The route crosses volcanic ground shaped by an eruption around 5,000 years ago, with lava hills and open paths giving you a close view of Iceland’s rough, low-growing terrain.

The red and dark volcanic tones are especially striking around the Redhills. The scenery is not grand in the high-mountain sense, but it has the quiet, spare look that makes riding here different from riding in a managed countryside park.

At Rauðavatn, the route passes an area connected with the first steps of forestry in Iceland at the start of the 20th century. That small historical detail adds context to what you see. Iceland is often associated with treeless volcanic ground, so the presence of planted woodland near the lake is part of a longer effort to grow trees in a demanding climate.

You should not expect a formal history talk at every stop. The focus is riding, not a guided geology or forestry lecture. Still, the terrain itself gives you a useful introduction to the volcanic setting around Reykjavik.

Choosing the route that fits your riding ability

Solhestar uses two general route options. Beginners usually ride a beautiful, smooth path along the Redhills. This keeps the outing manageable and allows you to focus on posture, steering, stopping, and the rhythm of the horse.

More experienced riders may follow a route near Rauðavatn. The staff can choose the path based on the group’s ability, so the ride does not force a first-time rider into terrain or speed that feels uncomfortable.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. Families and mixed groups can ride together without requiring everyone to have the same level of experience. A confident rider may have chances to move at a livelier pace, while a nervous rider can remain at a walk.

The famous Icelandic horse gait is called the tölt. It is a smooth, four-beat movement that many people hope to experience. Guides may offer the chance to try it at a suitable speed, but you should not feel pressured. If balance is an issue, stay at a walk. One rider specifically found the English saddle less familiar and compared the balance to sitting on a basketball, a useful warning for anyone with limited riding experience.

You may feel sore afterward, especially if this is your first time riding. That is normal for a two-hour outing, but it is worth keeping in mind if you have a busy evening planned.

Icelandic horses, not just the scenery

The horses are central to the experience. Icelandic horses are known for their small size, sturdy build, calm nature, and distinctive gaits. On this tour, you get time to notice the horse’s personality instead of simply treating it as transport through the lava fields.

Many of the horses are described as gentle and easy to ride, making the tour suitable for first-time riders. At the same time, the horses have enough character to keep experienced riders interested. One horse named Spirit, for example, was described as lively but responsive, a reminder that calm does not mean every horse behaves in exactly the same way.

The staff also take care when pairing horses and riders. You should tell them clearly if you are nervous, have never ridden before, or want to keep to a walk. Guides continue to watch the group during the ride and may come over if someone looks unsteady.

There is one serious seasonal caution. On an October outing with snow and icy trails, one rider felt unsafe after a horse slipped and behaved unpredictably around other horses. That does not mean every ride is like this, but it shows why trail conditions matter. Ask staff about the footing if temperatures have dropped, and do not treat an icy ride as an ordinary dry-weather outing.

Weather gear, warm drinks, and what to wear

Icelandic weather can deliver rain, sleet, sunshine, wind, and even rainbows during one ride. The supplied rainwear and winter suits are a major practical benefit, especially for anyone arriving without proper outdoor clothing.

Wear warm socks. Bring or use waterproof gloves, since hands can become cold while holding the reins. A windproof outer layer is useful even when the temperature does not look severe on the forecast.

The safest choice is to use the rain gear offered at the stable rather than assuming your own coat will be enough. Some riders regretted skipping the proper rain jacket and became soaked. After the ride, tea and coffee may be available to help you warm up.

The outfit is not just about comfort. Cold fingers, wet clothing, and stiff muscles make it harder to follow instructions and enjoy the horse. Warm clothing lets you pay attention to the volcanic terrain and the rhythm of the ride.

Pickup, group size, and value at $139.13

The listed price is $139.13 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Reykjavik, but the value comes from the combination of transport, equipment, horse matching, instruction, and a long ride through a distinctive setting.

A comparable city activity may take you to a viewpoint and back in less time. This outing gives you a hands-on way to experience the countryside. You are not only looking at the lava fields from a bus window. You are moving through them at horse speed, with time to notice the ground, weather, and animal beneath you.

The tour accepts a maximum of 15 people. That is not an intimate private ride, but it is small enough for guides to give individual help, especially when the group is divided by ability. The small-group format also makes it easier to handle mounting, tack adjustments, and route choices.

Door-to-door pickup is an upgrade, according to the tour details, and pickup is limited to Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, and BSI Bus Terminal. If you are staying near one of those points, the transfer saves time and removes the need to arrange your own transport. If you are already at the stable, you can meet directly at Surtlugata 19.

The experience is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 41 days before departure. That suggests you should reserve early if your Reykjavik schedule is fixed, especially during a busy season.

Who should book this ride

This is a strong choice for first-time riders who want a guided introduction to Icelandic horses. The horses are selected for the group, the route can stay gentle, and instruction continues beyond the initial briefing.

It also works for families and mixed-ability groups. The stated age range is broad in practice, with the ride having suited younger adults through older riders. Still, comfort and balance matter more than age. One 85-year-old participant decided not to continue after feeling insecure on the horse, and the staff helped her return to the starting point.

Experienced riders should also find value here, particularly if they want to try the tölt and ride through volcanic terrain. Do not expect a long, fast endurance ride. This is a guided recreational outing with an emphasis on safety, scenery, and matching the pace to the group.

The 110-kilogram maximum weight limit is firm information to check before booking. Most people can participate, but the company states that the activity is subject to this limit.

Booking, cancellations, and practical timing

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The experience depends on suitable weather. If Solhestar cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. You should still plan for ordinary Icelandic rain and wind, since poor weather cancellation is different from simply having an uncomfortable day.

Provide a phone number that works in Iceland when booking. The company may need to contact you at short notice, and pickup timing depends on finding you at the correct location.

Should you book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a manageable half-day outing that combines Icelandic horses, volcanic ground, and easy access from Reykjavik. The strongest points are the gentle horses, careful matching, flexible routes, useful outdoor clothing, and the chance to experience the tölt.

Think twice if you dislike unpredictable weather, feel uneasy on icy trails, or want a fast, private ride. For the best chance of a comfortable outing, choose a season with more reliable footing, use the supplied rainwear, wear warm socks and gloves, and tell the guides exactly how much riding you have done.

At $139.13, the tour is a fair value for a guided 2.5-hour experience with transport options and equipment included. For many visitors, riding through 5,000-year-old lava hills on an Icelandic horse will be more memorable than another pass-by viewpoint.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour start?

The tour starts at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is available from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus Terminal. Check your voucher for the exact pickup details.

When does pickup begin?

Morning pickup begins at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour. Afternoon pickup begins at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes.

How long does the experience last?

The total experience lasts about 2.5 hours. You spend about 1.5 to 2 hours riding, and the route covers approximately 5 to 7 kilometers.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is adapted to different riding abilities, including first-time riders. The route and pace can be adjusted to suit the group.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The stated maximum weight is 110 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.