Hveragerdi: The Siggi Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this two-hour outing is the chance to ride through real Icelandic countryside, not around a small indoor arena. You cross the Varmá River, pass lava fields and farms, and may get to try the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt gait. I especially like the changing scenery and the well-trained horses, which help beginners settle in.

I also like that the route changes with wind and weather, rather than forcing you onto one fixed trail. The main drawback is practical: you cannot bring a backpack or professional camera, and the tour is not suitable for children under seven, wheelchair users, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

• Real countryside riding: Follow trails through meadows, lava fields, farmland, and volcanic mountain views.
• A chance to try the tölt: Your guide can help you experience the Icelandic horse’s distinctive four-beat gait.
• Carefully trained horses: The horses are chosen and handled with rider safety in mind.
• Weather-based routes: Wind and conditions determine which trails you use on the day.
• Easy Reykjavík access: Pickup and return are available from BSÍ, selected hotels, and central bus stops.
• Useful riding gear included: Helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls are provided.

Riding Beyond the Arena in Ölfus

This is a countryside ride based at a farm in the Ölfus area, near Hveragerdi. The route takes you away from Reykjavík and into open farmland, where the setting changes from town streets to meadows, volcanic ground, river crossings, and views of Iceland’s mountains.

You ride for about 1.5 to 2 hours, while the full activity takes roughly two hours when transport and the farm visit are included. That makes it a manageable half-day addition to a Reykjavík stay, especially if you want an outdoor activity without committing to a full-day excursion.

I like the fact that the ride is built around the farm’s actual surroundings. You are not simply circling a paddock while looking at the same view. The route can cross the Varmá River, pass through a lava field area, and continue along riding paths in the meadows south of the farm.

The exact route depends on the day’s wind and weather. In Iceland, that is more than a polite disclaimer. Conditions can change quickly, and a route that is pleasant in calm weather may not be the right choice in strong wind. The guide’s ability to select suitable trails is an important part of the experience.

Meeting the Icelandic Horse

The Icelandic horse is small, sturdy, and well suited to the country’s rough ground and changing weather. The special feature you will hear about on this ride is the tölt, a smooth gait that can feel different from a standard walk, trot, or canter.

You should not assume that every rider will spend the whole tour at the tölt. Your guide will match the pace and route to the conditions and the group. Still, the pleasant riding paths around the farm offer a good chance to feel this famous gait if your horse and riding ability make it appropriate.

The horses are one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The available feedback gives particular credit to their training and their ability to look after riders. That matters if you are a first-time rider, or if you have ridden before but are not familiar with Icelandic horses.

The horses are not just scenery for the tour. You are paired with an animal that must handle a range of riders and outdoor conditions. That makes a calm, well-trained horse a practical safety feature, not simply a pleasant extra.

Crossing the River and Passing Lava Fields

The route’s most memorable sections are the natural ones. Crossing the Varmá River gives the ride a clear sense of place, while the lava field area shows how volcanic activity shaped the ground around the farm.

You will also ride through meadows and pass several farms. This part gives you a look at Icelandic agriculture and how farming has developed over the decades. It is a modest but useful layer of local context, especially if the rest of your Iceland trip focuses mainly on waterfalls, glaciers, and scenic roads.

The views include volcanic mountains and farmland. You will not get a packed list of famous landmarks, and that is part of the appeal. The experience is about seeing how people, horses, farms, rivers, and volcanic ground fit together in one local area.

Weather will affect how open and scenic the ride feels. On a clear day, the mountain views should have more impact. In wind, cloud, or rain, you will still have the farm, trails, and horses, but the outing may feel more rugged and less polished.

What the Two-Hour Schedule Looks Like

Pickup is offered at 8:00 and 13:00. You need to be at your chosen pickup point five minutes early and look for a white or grey vehicle with the Eldhestar logo.

The listed pickup points cover BSÍ main bus station, several Reykjavík hotels, and central bus stops. Options include Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, the Reykjavík Bus Terminal, Harpa, City Hall, Tjörnin, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Snorrabraut, Miðbakki, and other central stops.

This broad pickup network is helpful if you are staying in central Reykjavík but not near one particular hotel. Check your exact pickup point at booking, since the available locations and timing matter more than the general promise of city pickup.

After the transfer to the farm, you take part in the guided ride for about two hours. The included equipment helps reduce the amount you need to pack, and the return transfer brings you back to the same general pickup network.

The time on horseback can be listed as 1.5 to 2 hours. That difference may depend on the day’s operation, group needs, and conditions. If you want the longest possible ride, allow for the full two-hour riding estimate rather than assuming every outing will run at the upper end.

Gear, Clothing, and Small Practical Rules

The activity includes a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. This is useful in Iceland, where conditions can be cool or wet even when the forecast looks friendly.

You should still bring comfortable clothes and hiking shoes. Wear clothing that allows easy movement and that you will not mind getting dirty. The supplied information does not promise riding boots, so hiking shoes are the safer choice for what to pack.

Backpacks are not allowed. Small waist bags are allowed, so keep your personal items compact. A waist bag can hold the basics without getting in the way while you ride.

Professional cameras are also not allowed. That may disappoint anyone hoping to bring a large camera body or long lens, particularly because the river, lava fields, and mountain views offer good photo subjects. You can still focus on the ride itself, but plan for limited personal gear.

Because the route is outdoors and may cross uneven ground, this is not a suitable activity for wheelchair users. It is also restricted to people weighing no more than 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Children under seven cannot take part.

The Value of the $132 Price

At $132 per person, this is not a cheap short ride. The price needs to be judged against what is included: the riding experience, an English-speaking guide, riding and safety equipment, and transport from and back to Reykjavík.

If you are already staying in Reykjavík, the included transfer adds real value. You do not need to arrange a rental car or work out your own way to the farm. For a visitor without a car, that convenience can make the difference between booking and skipping the ride.

The price also covers access to trails through a rural area, not simply a quick mounted photo stop. You get substantial time on horseback and a route that can include the river, lava fields, meadows, farmland, and mountain views.

Still, the value depends on what you want. If your main goal is a long, fast ride, this may feel expensive for a two-hour activity. If you want a guided introduction to Icelandic horses, with transport and equipment handled, the cost is easier to justify.

I would compare it with the rest of your Iceland budget rather than with the price of a city attraction. You are paying for a specialized outdoor activity, a trained horse, staff, equipment, and transport. That makes it a better fit for someone who sees riding as a central part of the day, not a quick add-on.

Who Will Enjoy This Ride Most

This tour suits beginners who want a gentle introduction to riding in Iceland. The horses are described as well trained to care for their riders, and the guide provides safety support and instruction. You should still be comfortable sitting on a horse for a sustained period.

It also suits experienced riders who want to try the tölt and see the countryside from the saddle. The route is not described as a high-speed or advanced ride, so do not book it expecting a demanding gallop-focused outing.

The activity works well for couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want an organized outdoor experience. The minimum age is seven, but a child’s comfort around horses and ability to follow instructions still matter.

It is less suitable if you dislike variable weather, cannot ride for up to two hours, or want to carry a full camera kit. The route is selected according to conditions, so you need to accept some uncertainty in the exact scenery and pace.

What the Strongest Feedback Tells You

The clearest praise centers on the horses and the guide. One especially useful point is that riders learned about the animals and managed to get used to the Icelandic tölt. That suggests the tour is not only a scenic ride, but also an introduction to how these horses move.

The horses receive repeated credit for being lovely and well trained. I would give that more weight than a generic promise of beautiful scenery. A good view lasts a few minutes, while a calm horse shapes your entire experience.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 13 reviews. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. It does, however, match the practical strengths of the activity: trained horses, an attentive guide, and a route with more variety than a fenced riding area.

The experience does not promise a particular guide by name. You will have an English-speaking professional guide, but you should not book expecting one specific staff member.

Booking Details That Matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while your Iceland schedule is still taking shape.

Pickup and drop-off are available at the same general set of Reykjavík locations, though you should check the exact stop assigned to your booking. Be ready five minutes before pickup, and look for the white or grey Eldhestar vehicle.

The activity operates in English. That makes the safety briefing, horse introduction, and guidance during the ride easier to follow for English-speaking visitors.

The tour is available at set morning and afternoon transport times, 8:00 and 13:00. Check the current starting time when you book, particularly if you are connecting it with another excursion or an airport transfer.

Should You Book the Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a real countryside ride, not a brief horse encounter. The combination of trained Icelandic horses, the chance to try the tölt, river and lava field scenery, and included Reykjavík transport gives the $132 price a reasonable case.

I would especially recommend it to first-time riders who want professional support and to experienced riders curious about Icelandic horses. The farm setting and changing route add more substance than a simple arena lesson.

Skip it if you need a wheelchair-accessible activity, want to carry professional camera equipment, or prefer a long and fast ride. Also think twice if the weather forecast makes you miserable outdoors, since the route and views depend on conditions.

For most suitable participants, this is a practical way to add horses, farmland, and volcanic countryside to a Reykjavík itinerary without hiring a car. The horses are the main reason to go, while the river, lava fields, and mountain views make the ride feel distinctly Icelandic.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding activity last?

The full activity lasts about two hours, with approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of riding.

Where does the tour take place?

The ride takes place in the scenic countryside around the farm in Ölfus, near Hveragerdi. The route can include the Varmá River, lava fields, meadows, farmland, and views of volcanic mountains.

Is transportation from Reykjavík included?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation from BSÍ, selected hotels, and listed Reykjavík bus stops are included.

What time is pickup?

Transport for the tours starts at 8:00 and 13:00. Check availability for the exact starting time, and wait at your pickup location five minutes early.

What equipment is provided?

A helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls are provided. You should bring comfortable clothes and hiking shoes.

Can I bring a backpack or professional camera?

No backpacks or professional cameras are allowed. Small waist bags are allowed.

Who cannot take part in the activity?

The tour is not suitable for children under seven, wheelchair users, or people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.