Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

The best part of this ride is how quickly Reykjavik gives way to open volcanic country. Within about 15 minutes, you’re on an Icelandic horse, looking across hills, lakes, mountains, and the city, then riding toward the red lava formations of Rauðhólar.

I like the careful horse matching and the warm, personal hosting. Guides such as Monika, Adriána, Viktor, Pia, and Viggo take time with beginners, while experienced riders can get a livelier horse and a chance to try the famous tölt, Iceland’s smooth fourth gait.

The main drawback is that three hours includes pickup, preparation, the ride, and refreshments, so the time in the saddle may feel short if you already ride regularly. Wind can also make it hard to hear the guide, and the tour runs in rain or shine.

Key points to know before you book

• Rauðhólar is the main scenery reward: Red lava rock formations give the ride a strong Icelandic sense of place without a long drive from Reykjavik.
• The horses suit mixed groups: Complete beginners ride alongside more experienced riders, with horses chosen to match each person’s comfort and skill.
• Small groups keep the pace personal: The group is limited to eight people, and some departures are much smaller.
• The tölt is part of the lesson: You get a practical introduction to the smooth gait that makes Icelandic horses special.
• The farm welcome matters: Tea or coffee in the hosts’ home or stable adds a friendly, local touch after the ride.
• Bring serious weather gear: Helmets and rain clothes are supplied, but you still need warm clothes and closed-toe shoes.

From Reykjavik to a family-run Icelandic horse farm

Pickup takes place in the Reykjavik area between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. You wait in front of your accommodation, in the hotel lobby, or at the agreed pickup point. The ride back arrives in the early afternoon, leaving most of the day free.

That timing works well if you want a morning activity without giving up a full afternoon in Reykjavik. It also makes the tour easy to fit around a city stay, especially if you do not have a rental car.

Viking Horses is a small, family-owned operation rather than a large visitor center. That difference shows in the setup. Viggo, the owner, has handled many of the departures himself, and the guides take time to explain how to approach, steer, and settle your horse before anyone heads out.

The group limit is eight people. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on individual riders, though the exact feel depends on how many people book your departure. Some rides have had only a few participants, creating an almost private outing.

Meeting your horse and getting comfortable in the saddle

After arrival, you meet the horses and receive a riding lesson and safety briefing. Your horse is selected according to your previous experience. That is important here because the group may include someone riding for the first time and someone who has spent years in the saddle.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, friendly, and well trained. Some have more personality than others, which is part of the fun, but the overall approach is reassuring. Beginners have ridden horses such as Hercules and found them steady and pleasant, while more experienced riders have received horses with a little more ability and energy.

You should still expect to do your part. Listen closely during the briefing, use the riding instructions, and tell the guide honestly how much experience you have. A person who says they are comfortable can be matched differently from someone who has never sat on a horse.

The staff also take time to adjust saddles properly. Helmets are included, and rain clothing is available. You need comfortable clothes, warm layers, and closed-toe shoes. Icelandic weather can change quickly, so do not treat the supplied rain gear as a substitute for a warm base layer.

The opening part may feel slow if you are eager to get moving. That is a good kind of slow. Several riders have appreciated the care taken with saddle fitting, instructions, and confidence building. On a horse tour, a careful start is worth more than a rushed one.

Riding through Hólsmheiði forest

Once mounted, you follow trails across the hills near Reykjavik. The setting changes as you ride through Hólsmheiði forest and open ground, with views toward volcanic mountains, lakes, and the city.

Do not expect a long wilderness expedition. This is a short outing close to the capital, and that is precisely its strength. You get a taste of Iceland’s riding culture and volcanic terrain without spending half a day in a vehicle.

The forest section adds variety. Iceland is famous for its bare lava fields and broad open spaces, so patches of trees and bushes may come as a pleasant surprise. The route is not just a straight ride to one photo stop. It includes different trails and several pauses to look around and take pictures.

Guides have also taken photographs and videos for riders, including action shots. This is useful because taking a good picture from horseback is awkward, especially when you are still concentrating on your reins and posture. Ask your guide what is possible on the day rather than assuming a full photo service is included.

The views are a major part of the value. You see the city from a different angle, with volcanic hills and water around it. In winter, snow can add drama to the ride. In summer, longer daylight and clearer views can make the colors of the lava and vegetation more distinct. Weather remains the wild card in every season.

The red lava formations at Rauðhólar

The route reaches Rauðhólar, a striking field of red volcanic rock. This is the visual centerpiece of the ride and gives the experience a clear connection to Iceland’s geology.

The formations are close enough to Reykjavik to visit on a short tour, yet they feel far removed from city streets. The red tones, rough rock, and nearby trails create a good setting for photographs. Your group makes stops along the way, so you are not expected to admire the view while constantly keeping your horse moving.

The stops also help beginners. You can settle your seat, look around, and ask questions without feeling that the group is rushing you. For experienced riders, the pauses give you a chance to take in the terrain and photograph your horse against the volcanic scenery.

The route is scenic rather than technically demanding. This suits first-time riders and people with limited experience. If you are looking for fast riding, difficult trails, or a full-day trek, this is not the right product. The attraction is the combination of gentle horses, Icelandic scenery, and a manageable time commitment.

Learning the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt

One special feature is the chance to experience the tölt. Icelandic horses have several gaits, and the tölt is a smooth fourth gait that has long helped people travel across Iceland.

The guide introduces it according to the group’s ability. Beginners may only try it when the guide feels they are ready, while experienced riders may have more time to appreciate the horse’s movement. The pace and amount of tölt depend on the horses, conditions, and group.

That flexibility is sensible. A first-time rider should not feel pressured to perform. Several beginners have found the horses reassuring enough to try a faster gait, but your comfort should come first.

The tölt is also more than a quick novelty. It helps explain why Icelandic horses are such an important part of the country’s riding culture. You are not simply sitting on a horse for a photo. You are getting a small, practical lesson in how people traditionally moved across Iceland’s rough ground.

Coffee, tea, and a slower finish at the farm

After the ride, you return to the farm for a hot drink. Tea and coffee are included, and hot chocolate has also been offered on some visits. This final pause is one of the tour’s nicest details.

Horse riding in Iceland can leave you cold, dusty, or wet, depending on the day. Sitting down with a warm drink gives you time to thaw out and talk with the hosts. It also keeps the activity from feeling like a simple drive, ride, and departure.

The welcome is informal and personal. The farm setting and the hosts’ attention make the finish feel more like being received by a small local business than processed through a large attraction. You may also have time to feed the horses or look at the stable, but this should be treated as a possible part of the visit rather than a guaranteed extra.

The farm appears well kept, and the horses receive close attention. Several riders have specifically noticed that the animals look healthy, friendly, and well treated. If ethical animal care matters to you, ask questions directly and observe how the horses are handled. The owner’s awards and long experience with the animals are also part of the operation’s character.

How the small group changes the experience

A maximum of eight people makes a real difference. The guide can watch each rider, adjust the pace, and help if someone is nervous. That is especially valuable when the group includes mixed ability levels.

A small group does not mean every ride feels private. If all eight places are filled, you will still be part of a group moving in a set order. Horses may also need to stay in a particular sequence, which can limit your ability to change places during the ride.

That point matters if you want to ride beside a partner or spend more time near the guide. One rider found it difficult to hear explanations when riding at the back, especially with strong wind. The guide may also need to keep the group arranged for safety.

Still, the small format is a better fit for beginners than a large trail ride. Guides such as Monika and Adriána have been praised for checking on nervous riders, while Viktor and Pia have brought strong riding experience and calm instruction. The exact guide varies, but English, German, and Icelandic are offered.

Is $191 a fair price?

At $191 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for a three-hour experience that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a riding lesson, helmet, rain clothes, the horse ride, and hot drinks.

The price makes the most sense if you value convenience and personal attention. Getting collected in Reykjavik saves you from arranging transport, and the small group reduces the impersonal feel common on larger trail rides. The nearby location also keeps the transfer short.

The value is less convincing for a strong rider who wants several hours in the saddle. The full three-hour block includes transport, preparation, mounting, stops, and coffee, so the actual riding time is only part of it. One rider also wished the outing had been longer.

For a first ride in Iceland, I think the package is easier to justify. You receive instruction, suitable equipment, a carefully chosen horse, volcanic scenery, and a relaxed finish. It is a complete introduction rather than a bare horseback transfer through the countryside.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and reserve-now, pay-later booking also reduce some planning risk. The activity runs rain or shine, so check the forecast and pack properly instead of counting on a weather cancellation.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits:

• First-time riders who want a calm introduction
• Families with children aged eight and older
• Couples looking for a personal outdoor activity near Reykjavik
• Experienced riders curious about Icelandic horses and the tölt
• Visitors without a car
• People who prefer a small farm setting to a large commercial attraction

It is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. You also need to be comfortable with outdoor conditions and closed-toe footwear.

If your group has very different riding abilities, tell the staff in advance and again during the briefing. The horse matching is one of the tour’s strongest features, but it works best when you give accurate information.

Practical tips for a better morning

Wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers. Choose trousers that allow movement and closed-toe shoes that are suitable for riding. Avoid arriving in clothing you would hate to get muddy or dusty.

Use the supplied rain clothes, even if the morning looks clear. The tour goes ahead in poor weather, and Icelandic wind can make a mild day feel cold. A hat that fits under a helmet may also help, but make sure it does not interfere with the helmet’s fit.

Arrive ready for the pickup window of 9:30 to 9:45 AM. Waiting in the wrong place can create unnecessary stress, so use the lobby or pickup point given at booking. The early afternoon return gives you time for Reykjavik museums, food, or another city activity.

If you are nervous, say so. The guides are used to helping beginners, and the horses are selected with experience in mind. If you are an experienced rider, explain that too, since you may be given a horse better suited to your ability.

Should you book Viking Horses?

Book this ride if you want friendly horses, close attention, volcanic scenery, and a simple morning outing from Reykjavik. The strongest reasons are the calm horse matching, the small group, the chance to try the tölt, and the genuine farm welcome over coffee afterward.

Skip it if you want a long, athletic ride or a full day on horseback. At $191, the experience is best viewed as a well-supported introduction to Icelandic horses, not a major riding expedition. For beginners, couples, and visitors who value ease and human contact, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour take place?

The ride takes place near Reykjavik in the Capital Region of Iceland. The route includes Hólsmheiði forest, surrounding hills, and the red lava rock formations of Rauðhólar.

How long is the experience?

The full experience lasts three hours, including pickup and drop-off, preparation, the ride, stops, and hot drinks afterward.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup takes place between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. You should wait in front of your accommodation, in your hotel lobby, or at the provided pickup location.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with limited experience. You receive a riding lesson and safety briefing, and the horse is matched to your experience.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to eight participants. Some departures may be smaller.

Can I try the Icelandic horse’s tölt?

Yes. The tour includes an opportunity to ride the tölt, the Icelandic horse’s smooth fourth gait. The guide introduces it according to the group’s ability and conditions.

What equipment is included?

Helmets and rain clothes are included. You must bring comfortable, warm clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight cannot join. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.