Experience Countryside of Iceland by Horseback Riding

Iceland’s special horse makes this outing more than a standard trail ride. Near Þorlákshöfn, you may cross pasture, moor, lava fields, or ride with views toward the coast and mountains while learning about the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt gait. I like the relaxed, small-group format and the promise that the pace stays with the slowest rider. I also like that beginners get hands-on help, while experienced riders may have a chance to enjoy more from the saddle.

The main caution is that the route depends heavily on weather and season. You might see the beach and open countryside, or you might spend much of the ride near the farm and village. At $207, the value depends on the route, the quality of the horse time, and whether you use the included Reykjavik transfer.

Key points to know before booking

• The tölt is the star: Icelandic horses have a distinctive four-beat gait that can feel unusually smooth.
• A true small-group ride: The maximum is 12 people, with guides adjusting the outing to the group’s riding ability.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Guides help you control the horse and keep the group together.
• Þorlákshöfn adds variety: The setting can include beaches, grass banks, lava fields, moors, and mountain views.
• Magnus and Maggi are the same guide name: The owner is referred to as Magnus or Maggi, and Sigrún has also guided rides.
• Weather shapes the experience: Bring warm, comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, and do not assume the beach is guaranteed.

Why the Icelandic horse changes the ride

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and bred for the country’s rough ground and changeable weather. The experience here is not simply a gentle pony ride for children. You are on a real Icelandic horse, learning how to sit, steer, and respond to its movement.

The special treat is the tölt. This is a smooth, four-beat gait that keeps the horse’s body relatively steady. You may get to try it if your riding ability and the group’s pace allow. The experience is designed first for safety and control, so beginners should not expect a fast riding lesson or a long stretch at speed.

That approach makes sense. A group with mixed abilities cannot safely gallop across open ground. The guides promise to match the pace to the least experienced rider, which takes pressure off anyone who feels nervous. If you are new to horses, you can focus on balance and basic control instead of worrying about holding up the group.

Experienced riders should still find interest in the horses and setting. One account describes a rider getting a chance to ride at the tölt, and another says the varied ground, including beach, dunes, and lava fields, offered more useful practice than a short session in a stable. Just keep your expectations measured. The exact amount of faster riding depends on the people in your group, the horses, and the day’s conditions.

The 45-minute trip from Reykjavik to Þorlákshöfn

Þorlákshöfn is about 30 kilometers, or 19 miles, from Reykjavik. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes, making this one of the easier countryside outings to add to a Reykjavik stay.

Round-trip pickup is offered from central Reykjavik hotels. That matters in Iceland, where a taxi for an out-of-town activity can quickly become expensive. Pickup arrangements should be checked carefully at booking, especially if you are staying at an Airbnb or outside the central hotel area. One account describes an Airbnb pickup arranged for an extra fee, so do not assume every address is covered at no charge.

If you arrange your own transport, the meeting point is Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours at Faxabraut 6 in Þorlákshöfn. The activity ends there as well. This is not a city-center horseback ride, so allow time for the trip in both directions if you are planning another activity the same day.

The drive also helps explain the character of the outing. You leave Reykjavik’s urban center and reach a small fishing village with broad open ground around it. You are not heading to a polished resort or a staged attraction. The setting is practical and rural, with the weather and working horse farm shaping the day.

Getting settled with the horses and equipment

At the riding center, you can expect to meet the horses, receive riding equipment, and get basic guidance before setting out. Helmets and riding equipment are included. Snacks are also included, a modest extra that can be useful after time outdoors.

The tour is listed at about three hours. That total should be understood as the activity window, not necessarily three hours of continuous riding at the same pace. Time is needed to prepare, mount, receive instructions, and return the horses. The supplied information does not give a precise riding duration.

Guides such as Magnus, also called Maggi, are praised for helping nervous beginners understand how to control the horse. His calm approach is important here. Several accounts describe him making safety a priority, keeping the group together, and giving clear practical help even when language was limited.

English communication may not always be extensive. Some accounts describe Maggi using gestures and Google Translate, while still creating a friendly experience. If you want detailed discussion about Icelandic horse breeding, local history, or the route, language may be a limitation on some departures. If you are content with hands-on instruction and a good-natured guide, that may matter less.

The equipment deserves a realistic note. Most feedback is warm about the horses and personal care, but one account describes the equipment as old and the stable as untidy. I would not book this expecting luxury or a glossy equestrian center. The appeal is the horses, the open countryside, and the personal feel.

Riding through pasture, lava, and coastal country

Once you leave the center, the route changes with the season and weather. The possible scenery is unusually varied for a short ride: tall grass banks, pasture, moorland, lava fields, beaches, dunes, and mountain views.

The lava fields are a reminder that Iceland’s countryside is shaped by volcanic activity. From horseback, you see the dark, uneven ground at a slower pace than from a tour bus. The horse gives you time to notice the textures of the terrain, the open sky, and the contrast between black rock and green grass.

The coast can be the most memorable part. A ride beside or near a black-sand beach gives the outing a strong Icelandic sense of place. But this is an important booking detail: the beach is not guaranteed. Weather, season, and the guide’s route determine where you go, and some outings have remained on pasture behind the village.

That uncertainty is not necessarily a flaw. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and a safe route matters more than checking off a particular view. Still, at $207, you should know that you are paying for a guided Icelandic horse experience in a scenic area, not a guaranteed beach excursion.

The guides adjust the ride to the group. You may spend most of the time walking, with a chance to try the tölt if conditions and ability allow. The promise that nobody goes faster than the slowest rider is reassuring for beginners, though experienced riders seeking a demanding or fast ride may find the pace restrained.

The horses are the heart of the experience

The strongest reason to choose this tour is the relationship between the guides and the horses. Magnus is described as having lived on the farm since childhood and growing up with the animals. That background gives the ride a more personal feel than a large commercial operation where riders simply arrive, mount, and leave.

The horses are repeatedly described as gentle and well suited to different ability levels. You will still need to listen carefully and treat the animal with respect. A horse may be calm, but it is not a machine. Basic fitness is required, and sitting in a saddle for several hours can be tiring even at a walking pace.

This is also a good choice if you are nervous. The guide can help you learn how to control the horse and keep you with the group. Beginners should tell the staff about their experience before setting out, so the horse and pace can be matched sensibly.

At the other end of the scale, confident riders may have more flexibility. The outing has been used as a kind of extended riding lesson, with time across different surfaces. Still, the group format limits how much individual instruction you receive. If you want a private, technical lesson, ask about a private ride rather than assuming this standard tour will provide one.

What the personal welcome adds

A number of accounts describe coffee after the ride, sometimes at the farm or the owner’s home. It is not listed as a formal included feature, so treat it as a possible gesture rather than part of the guaranteed program. When it happens, it adds warmth and gives you a chance to spend a little time with the people behind the horses.

That personal touch is part of the appeal. The experience can feel less like a timed attraction and more like a visit to a working horse operation. Magnus is described as hospitable, humorous, and attentive to the group. Sigrún has also been mentioned as a welcoming instructor who helped different ability levels ride together.

The same informality may frustrate you if you prefer a tightly managed tour. One account reports a guide arriving 45 minutes late, limited English, and a ride ending early. That is a serious concern, even though it does not match the more positive accounts. Build in flexibility and confirm pickup and timing before the day begins.

Is $207 a fair price?

At $207, this is not a cheap add-on. The price makes more sense if you use the central Reykjavik transfer, value a small group, and want a guided ride on Icelandic horses rather than a brief photo opportunity.

You are paying for transport convenience, riding equipment, a helmet, snacks, staff time, and access to a countryside setting outside Reykjavik. A group maximum of 12 is useful, since you are less likely to be lost in a large line of riders. The guides also adjust the ride to the group, which is especially valuable if you are a first-time rider.

The value is weaker if you arrange expensive extra transport, receive only a short ride, or expect a guaranteed beach route. The experience is also less attractive if you want modern facilities, polished equipment, or extensive English-language interpretation.

I would compare this with the cost of getting to Þorlákshöfn independently. For a group, paid pickup may be practical. For a solo visitor, the transfer can be an important part of the price. Ask exactly where pickup is available and confirm any extra charge for an Airbnb or location outside central Reykjavik.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want patient help and a controlled pace
• Couples or small groups looking for an outdoor activity outside Reykjavik
• Experienced riders curious about the tölt and Icelandic horses
• People who prefer a personal farm setting over a large tourist operation
• Families or mixed-ability groups who can manage a moderate physical activity

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed beach ride, fast riding, spotless facilities, or a detailed English-speaking guide. You should also be comfortable with changing weather and the possibility that the route remains close to the village.

Wear warm, comfortable clothes and good shoes. The tour does not provide those items. Iceland’s weather can feel cold even when the calendar says summer, and you will be outdoors for much of the activity. A moderate level of fitness is expected, but the pace is adapted to the group.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or too few bookings force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

My call on the Þorlákshöfn horseback ride

Book this if you want time with Icelandic horses, a relaxed countryside outing, and guides who focus on keeping beginners safe and included. The tölt, open volcanic country, and chance of coastal views give the ride a real sense of place.

Do not book it as a guaranteed black-sand beach tour or a polished riding-school lesson. The route can be shorter or less scenic than hoped, and the equipment and communication may feel basic. At $207, I would make the booking after confirming the pickup point, expected ride time, and likely route for your date.

For the right visitor, this is a warm, informal way to meet Iceland beyond Reykjavik. For someone seeking speed, luxury, or fixed sightseeing stops, another activity will be a better fit.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour take place?

The ride takes place around Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Round-trip transfers are offered from central Reykjavik hotels. Pickup from other locations may require an additional fee, so confirm your address when booking.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours, Faxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn, Iceland. The activity ends back at this location.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The tour is designed for beginners and experienced riders. Guides adjust the ride to the group and do not go faster than the slowest rider.

Will I get to ride the tölt?

The Icelandic horse’s tölt is part of the experience, but the exact riding pace depends on the group, weather, season, and route. The tour does not guarantee how much tölt you will ride.

Is the beach included?

Beach views are possible, along with pasture, lava fields, grass banks, moors, and mountains. The route changes with weather and season, so the beach is not guaranteed.

What is included in the price?

The price includes fees and taxes, helmets and riding equipment, and snacks. You need to bring good shoes and warm, comfortable clothing.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few participants, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.