Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

Icelandic horses, red lava, and low evening sun make this a fine way to get out of Reykjavík without spending a full day on the road. I like the small group of eight and the warm finish at the family stable, where you get coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and the Icelandic sweetbread kleina.

I also like that beginners are welcome and that guide Monica has helped nervous riders settle in, even taking photos and videos along the way. The main drawback is the price: $202 per person is a serious spend for three hours, and the ride goes ahead in rain or shine.

Key points to know before booking

• Red lava at Rauðhólar: Ride beside striking volcanic formations close to Reykjavík.
• Small groups: A maximum of eight riders allows for more help and a calmer outing.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The tour begins with a short riding lesson and uses well-trained horses.
• Evening pickup: Hotel pickup in the Reykjavík area takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM.
• Warm finish: Return to the stable for hot drinks, chocolate, and kleina in the hosts’ home.
• Rain or shine: Bring warm clothing and expect Icelandic weather to remain part of the experience.

From Reykjavík to the Viking Horses stable

The stable is about 15 minutes from Reykjavík, so this tour gives you a taste of rural Iceland without a long transfer. Pickup is included from accommodations or a chosen pickup point in the Reykjavík area, with collection scheduled between 6:30 and 6:45 PM.

That timing is one of the tour’s attractions. In Iceland’s bright summer season, evening light can stretch across the hills and lava fields. The experience is designed around the special atmosphere of the Nordic summer solstice, when daylight lingers late and the countryside can feel calm even at the end of the day.

You should still watch the clock. Have your shoes on and be ready at your pickup spot before 6:30 PM. The supplied timing is a window, not a promise of an exact minute, so waiting outside or in an obvious place helps keep the small group moving.

The ride is operated by Viking Horses, a family-run company. That matters here because the tour is not built around moving a large crowd through a standard set of photo stops. The service is described as personal and warm, with a focus on the horses, the riding equipment, and the needs of less experienced riders.

Getting comfortable before the ride

At the stable, you receive a short riding lesson before heading out. This is useful even if you have ridden before, since it gives you time to meet your horse and understand the guide’s instructions before leaving the yard.

For a beginner, that short lesson is an important part of the value. You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider, and the horses are described as friendly, well trained, and suited to novice riders. One especially positive detail is the help given to riders with little experience. Monica, one of the guides, has been praised for clear instruction and steady assistance.

You should wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Warm clothing is essential, even in summer, since the tour takes place outdoors and the weather can change quickly. Riding helmets and rain clothes are included, which saves you from packing specialist riding gear.

Do not bring a backpack. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The restrictions are simple, but they are worth noting before pickup. Keep your personal items small and practical, and wear shoes that you can safely use around horses.

Hólmsheiði and Stallion Valley on horseback

Once the group is ready, the route leads through the green hills and forested area of Hólmsheiði. This is a very different setting from Reykjavík’s streets and harbor. You get open air, hills, and natural trails, but without committing to a long excursion far from the capital.

The route also passes through Stallion Valley. The supplied details do not promise a fast ride or advanced riding maneuvers, so you should think of this as a scenic outing rather than a technical horseback adventure. The focus is on enjoying the horses and the surroundings at a comfortable pace.

That makes the tour a good match for you if you want contact with Icelandic nature but do not want a demanding activity. The small group helps here. With no more than eight participants, the guide has a better chance of noticing if you need extra help or a slower explanation.

The horses are central to the experience, not just transport. Viking Horses places emphasis on friendly, happy animals and good riding equipment. You get time to form a connection with your horse, which can be especially memorable if this is your first ride in Iceland.

Still, horseback riding has limits. You are taking part in an outdoor activity, not sitting in a vehicle with a dry seat and a fixed view. The tour operates rain or shine, so a wet or windy evening may change your comfort even if it does not cancel the ride.

Red lava formations at Rauðhólar

Rauðhólar is the visual high point of the route. Its red volcanic formations give the ride a strong Icelandic character, with rough lava shapes contrasting with the green around Hólmsheiði.

You will see the area from horseback, which changes the pace of sightseeing. Instead of stopping at a roadside viewpoint for a few minutes, you move through the setting with the horse beneath you and the evening air around you. That slower pace is part of the appeal.

The volcanic setting also gives the tour variety. The route is not only green hills or only open lava. You get forest, valley, and red rock in one short outing. For a first introduction to Iceland beyond Reykjavík, that mix offers a useful snapshot of the country’s natural character.

Photo opportunities are another plus. Monica has helped riders by taking photos and videos during the outing, so you may not have to choose between holding your phone and paying attention to the ride. The tour details do not promise a set number of images or a formal photography service, so treat this as helpful guide support rather than a guaranteed package.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

Icelandic horses have a strong place in the country’s culture and daily identity, but you do not need to know anything about them before arriving. The practical point is simpler: you will ride horses described as friendly, well trained, and comfortable with beginners.

I like that the experience gives the horses room to matter. You are encouraged to bond with them, rather than simply climb on, follow a route, and leave. For many people, the quiet time spent near the animals will be as memorable as the lava formations.

The horses’ temperaments also affect the tour’s accessibility for new riders. One of the strongest details from the experience is the way a novice rider felt supported by a gentle horse and careful guidance. That does not remove all nerves, but it can make the first few minutes much easier.

You should be honest about your comfort and physical ability. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. If you have limited riding experience but can comfortably take part in a standard outdoor riding activity, the beginner-friendly instruction makes this a reasonable option.

Coffee, hot chocolate, and kleina at home

After the ride, you return to the Viking Horses stable and finish with light refreshments in the hosts’ home. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina are included.

This small ending gives the tour a personal feel. You can warm up, talk about the horses, and let the outing settle before heading back to Reykjavík. It also adds value to the price because the experience is more than the time spent in the saddle.

Kleina is a particularly nice touch. It is a familiar Icelandic treat rather than a generic packaged snack, and it fits the family-run setting. If the weather is cold or damp, a hot drink at the end may feel less like an extra and more like a welcome part of the plan.

Do not expect a full meal. The refreshments are light, so eat beforehand if you usually need dinner at this time. The exact start time can vary with availability, but the pickup window is in the evening, and the total activity lasts three hours.

Is $202 a fair price?

At $202 per person, this is not a budget horse ride. You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavík area, a three-hour activity, riding equipment, rain clothes, instruction, a small group, and hot refreshments.

The strongest value comes from the personal scale. A group capped at eight gives you more direct access to the guide than a large stable outing would. For a first-time rider, that support can be worth more than a cheaper ticket with less instruction.

The short transfer also helps. You are not spending most of your booking in a bus, and the stable is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavík. You get green hills, volcanic formations, and horse time within a compact evening plan.

Still, you should book it for the experience, not for transportation alone. If you only want a quick photo with an Icelandic horse, $202 will feel high. If you want a guided ride through Hólmsheiði and Rauðhólar, plus a small group and a warm local finish, the cost is easier to defend.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve now, pay later terms also give you some planning flexibility. The tour runs in all weather, so check the forecast for clothing decisions rather than assuming poor conditions will cancel the outing.

Who will enjoy this evening ride?

This tour suits you best if you want a close-to-Reykjavík nature experience with a gentle pace. It works particularly well for:

• First-time riders and people with limited riding experience
• Couples or small groups seeking a quiet evening activity
• Visitors interested in Icelandic horses and local volcanic scenery
• Families with children aged eight and above, provided everyone can ride comfortably
• People who prefer a personal tour instead of a large group outing
• Anyone with a free evening who does not want a full-day excursion

It is less suitable if you want speed, advanced riding, or a long wilderness journey. The experience is also a poor fit if you dislike being outdoors in uncertain weather or need step-free access and mobility support.

The tour is conducted in English. If you need a different tour language, this is not the right choice based on the available information.

Practical ways to prepare

Wear warm layers and comfortable clothes that allow you to move. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable footwear matters because you will be around horses and riding equipment.

Leave your backpack behind. The tour specifically does not allow backpacks, and the company provides helmets and rain clothes. You should still bring whatever small personal items you need, while keeping them easy to manage.

Arrive ready for a beginner lesson, even if you have ridden before. The instruction is not wasted time. It helps match you with the horse, sets expectations, and gives Monica or another guide a chance to explain how the outing will work.

Plan food around the timing. You receive light refreshments at the end, not a full meal. A small meal before pickup may help, especially since the activity lasts three hours and takes place in the evening.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. The countryside may be beautiful and the horses may be gentle, but the weather is not controlled. Rain clothes are provided, yet you should still dress for a proper Icelandic outdoor experience.

Should you book Viking Horses?

Book this tour if you want a friendly, small-scale introduction to Icelandic horses and nearby nature. The combination of Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, Rauðhólar, beginner instruction, and a family-style refreshment stop gives the evening more character than a simple stable ride.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to a first-time rider who values personal help. Monica’s patient guidance, the horses’ gentle temperaments, and the group limit of eight all work in your favor.

Think twice if $202 feels high for three hours, if you want a serious riding challenge, or if rain would ruin your evening. For everyone else, this is a convenient way to trade Reykjavík’s pavement for green hills and red lava without giving up your whole day.

FAQ

How long does the evening horse riding tour last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the riding experience, instruction, and refreshments.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM from your accommodation or chosen pickup location in the Reykjavík area.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for locations within the Reykjavík area.

How many people are in the riding group?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience, and it begins with a short riding lesson.

What equipment is provided?

Riding helmets and rain clothes are provided. You should bring comfortable clothing, warm layers, and closed-toe shoes.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine, so warm clothing is important.

What refreshments are included after the ride?

You receive hot beverages, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, along with deep-fried sweetbread called kleina.