From Reykjavík: Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields

Iceland’s volcanic ground looks even more striking from the back of a small, sturdy Icelandic horse. This ride takes you through lava fields and green hills near Hafnarfjörður, only about 20 minutes from Reykjavík, so you can get a taste of the countryside without giving up most of your day. The horses follow well-used trails, and the guides keep the pace friendly for beginners.

I like the calm, well-cared-for horses and the way the staff match riders with suitable animals. I also like the practical setup: warm overalls, rain gear, rubber boots, and helmets are supplied, which matters in Iceland’s changeable weather. The main consideration is that the actual ride lasts about 1.5 hours, while the full outing can take two to four hours with pickup, changing, and preparation.

At a glance

• Ride across volcanic ground: Look for unusual rock shapes, moss, and plant life in the lava fields around Hafnarfjörður.
• Meet Iceland’s special horses: The breed is known for the smooth tölt, a gait you may try if your riding group and confidence allow.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides explain the basics, help you mount, and keep beginners with calm horses and a manageable pace.
• Gear is supplied: Helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm clothing are available in the changing room.
• Groups can suit different skill levels: Riders may be divided by confidence, with a slower group for beginners and a livelier option for experienced riders.
• Easy to add to a Reykjavík stay: Choose your own transport to the Íshestar Riding Tours center, or arrange pickup from eligible hotels and main guesthouses.

Riding through Hafnarfjörður’s lava fields

The setting is the star of this outing. Íshestar’s riding center sits just outside Hafnarfjörður, a short drive south of Reykjavík, where old volcanic flows create a rough, dark base for bright green hillsides and low vegetation.

From horseback, you notice details that are easy to miss from a bus window. The trail passes rock formations in the lava, open patches of greenery, and the wide Icelandic sky. The scenery changes with the season. In snow, the black lava may disappear under a white covering, but the ride still has a striking, quiet quality. In clearer weather, the contrast between dark rock and green ground is easier to see.

This is not a remote wilderness expedition. You are close to the capital and riding on established paths at a professional center. That makes the experience practical for a short Reykjavík visit, but it also means you should not expect a full-day backcountry ride or total solitude.

The horses and the famous tölt

Icelandic horses are smaller than many people expect, but they are sturdy, sure-footed, and well suited to the local ground. You will have time to meet your horse and get settled before heading out. Staff take care when assigning horses, with attention to rider needs and experience.

The breed is famous for the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that can feel more comfortable than a standard trot. You may get the chance to try it if you are in a suitable group and the guide feels it is appropriate. Beginners should not feel pressured to do more than they want. Several riders with little or no experience found the horses easy to handle because they generally followed the group.

The horses are a major part of the appeal, and the care given to them is visible in the way the staff introduce riders, organize the groups, and keep the ride controlled. You should still remember that this is an animal activity. You need to be comfortable around horses and able to mount without physical assistance.

What happens before you ride

If you arrive on your own, meet at Íshestar Riding Tours in Hafnarfjörður. If you select pickup, collection begins about one hour before the ride. The stated examples are 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM tour and 1:00 PM for a 2:00 PM tour.

Pickup is available from hotels and main guesthouses. If you stay in a private apartment, the company sends the nearest pickup point by email before the tour. The listed drop-off points include central Reykjavík hotels, bus stops, the Reykjavík bus terminal, Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, Skarfabakki Harbour, and several other city locations.

Allow time for the drive, especially if you arrange your own taxi or rental car. One useful practical point is that the riding center can be hard to spot at first, so give yourself extra time and check the directions carefully. The trip normally takes about 20 minutes from Reykjavík, although traffic can affect the transfer.

At the center, you change into riding equipment. Warm overalls, rainwear, rubber boots, gloves, and helmets are available in suitable sizes. The center has a proper changing room and safety boxes for valuables.

You cannot take a backpack or bag onto the ride. Store your phone, wallet, and other items before mounting. If you want photos, ask what the guides permit. Some guides take photos for the group, but the supplied details do not promise a photo package or a particular number of pictures.

The 1.5-hour ride and its changing pace

After the introduction and horse assignment, the group heads onto the trails. The exact route can vary, but the central experience is consistent: riding through lava fields and along open, green hillsides near the stable.

The guides explain how to sit, steer, stop, and manage the reins. They also share information about Icelandic horses and the area as you ride. Guide Sonya was specifically praised for explaining the history of the horses used by the company, and other guides were described as friendly, attentive, and patient with beginners.

The group may be divided according to riding confidence. A slower group suits people who have never ridden or who want a quiet outing. A more confident group may have opportunities for faster riding, including a little trotting or, in some cases, a livelier pace. Do not count on a gallop as a fixed part of the tour. The exact pace depends on the group, the horses, trail conditions, and the guides.

This group structure is one of the tour’s better features. A complete beginner can enjoy the scenery without being pushed into a fast ride, while an experienced rider may have a chance to feel the tölt and do more than simply walk in a line.

The ride is long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough for most visitors to combine with another Reykjavík activity. If you have not ridden for years, remember that even a gentle 1.5-hour ride can leave your legs and seat tired. Wear comfortable layers underneath the supplied clothing.

Weather, clothing, and seasonal views

Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the tour operates in wet, windy, snowy, and cold conditions. The supplied clothing is a real part of the value here. You receive rain gear or warm outerwear, along with boots and a helmet, so you do not need to pack a full set of riding clothes.

Wear comfortable base layers and clothes that fit under an overall. Avoid arriving in delicate clothing or footwear you do not want exposed to mud and horse activity. You should also be ready for the fact that weather can change the feel of the route. On a clear day, the hills and rock formations are easier to read. In snow or rain, the ride becomes quieter and more atmospheric, but the volcanic details may be less visible.

A special tip concerns riding equipment brought from abroad. Boots, riding trousers, jackets, hats, and gloves must be washed at 40 degrees Celsius, dry cleaned, or disinfected before arrival in Iceland. Used leather gear may not be brought into the country. Most visitors can simply use the equipment at the center and avoid this issue.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity around Reykjavík. The price becomes easier to justify if you would otherwise need to rent or buy riding gear, arrange transport, and find a separate introduction to Icelandic horses.

You receive the horse ride, helmet, rubber boots, rainwear or warm clothing, and English-language guidance. German and Icelandic guidance are also available, with other languages possible on request. Optional pickup adds convenience, though return transport is not included unless you arrange it as part of your selected option.

The value is strongest for a first visit to Iceland. You get volcanic scenery, local horses, a countryside outing, and a cultural introduction in roughly half a day. It is less compelling for experienced riders seeking a long, remote expedition, technical riding, or a guaranteed fast pace.

The high overall rating of 4.7 from 1,356 ratings fits the practical strengths of the experience: friendly staff, calm horses, supplied clothing, attractive surroundings, and clear help for new riders. The price is fair if you value ease and safety more than maximum riding time.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to families with children aged seven and older, couples, solo visitors, and adults who have never ridden before. Children aged seven to fifteen receive a 25 percent discount. The horses are described as gentle, and the slower group makes the outing approachable.

It also suits experienced riders who want to meet Icelandic horses rather than spend an entire day in the saddle. Ask about the more confident group if trying the tölt is important to you.

This is not suitable for children under seven. Riders must mount by their own strength, and the stated maximum weight is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. If either point could be an issue, contact the provider before booking instead of assuming the staff can make an exception.

You should also think about your comfort around animals. The horses are calm, but you are still handling a living animal in open country. A fear of horses may make this a stressful choice, even though the guides provide support.

How it fits into a Reykjavík itinerary

The ride works well on a morning or afternoon when you want something beyond museums, cafés, and city streets. A 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM departure leaves room to build the rest of your day around it, but pickup and changing mean you should not schedule another timed activity too tightly afterward.

If you have a rental car, meeting at the center gives you more control and may reduce the total time away from Reykjavík. If you prefer not to navigate, pickup from a hotel or main guesthouse is the simpler option. Remember that the return transfer is optional, so confirm exactly what you have booked.

The ride ends back at the meeting point. With transport included in your chosen package, drop-off can be made at one of the listed Reykjavík locations. This broad selection is helpful if you are staying near a central bus stop, hotel, or harbor.

Small details that improve the day

Bring as little as possible. Bags cannot go on the trail, though safety boxes are available at the riding center. A phone may be useful before or after the ride, but do not count on carrying it in your hand while riding.

Tell the staff about your riding background before mounting. Beginners are placed more comfortably when the team understands their experience, and confident riders can ask about a group with more movement. The staff are used to helping people who are nervous or out of practice.

Allow time to get dressed and acquainted with your horse. The ride is not simply a vehicle transfer followed by an instant departure. The preparation helps you learn the basic controls and gives you a chance to feel more relaxed before leaving the center.

If traffic delays you, contact the provider as soon as possible. The staff have shown some flexibility with late arrivals, but you should not rely on that. Icelandic tour schedules and pickup routes still need to run on time.

Should you book the Íshestar ride?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized introduction to Icelandic horses and volcanic scenery close to Reykjavík. The strongest reasons are the gentle horses, helpful guides, supplied weather gear, and the option to ride in a slower or more confident group.

Skip it if you want a long wilderness ride, guaranteed galloping, or a full day in the saddle. The riding time is about 1.5 hours, and the experience is designed for a broad mix of abilities.

For most visitors, especially first-time riders and families with older children, the $141 price buys a comfortable half-day outing with a genuine Icelandic setting. Check the pickup details, dress in layers, and ask for the group that matches your confidence. That is the best way to get the ride you came for.

FAQ

Where does the horse-riding tour take place?

The tour begins at Íshestar Riding Tours near Hafnarfjörður, about a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík. The route passes through lava fields and along green hillsides.

How long is the horseback ride?

The riding portion lasts about 1.5 hours. The full activity is listed as two to four hours, depending on the departure and transport option.

Is hotel pickup available from Reykjavík?

Yes. Optional pickup is available from hotels and main guesthouses, beginning about 60 minutes before departure. Private-apartment guests receive the nearest pickup point by email.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The riding center provides helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and a warm outfit or overalls for the ride. The changing room is equipped for getting ready before departure.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners, and guides explain the riding procedures and help riders feel secure. Groups may be divided by riding confidence.

Can children participate?

Children must be at least seven years old. Children aged seven to fifteen receive a 25 percent discount.

Is the tour suitable for riders over 110 kilograms?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. All riders must also be able to mount the horse using their own strength.

Can I bring a backpack on the ride?

No. Backpacks and bags cannot be taken onto the trail, but safety boxes are available at the riding center for valuables.

What languages are available?

Guidance is available in English, German, and Icelandic. Other languages may be available on request.