Varmahlid: Viking Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Varmahlíð outing is the Icelandic horse’s tölt, a smooth fourth gait you may try on soft grassy paths. The ride also reaches Reykjafoss, with the Svartá river, mountain views, and open countryside providing a fine North Iceland setting.

I like the patient instruction for beginners and the clear care given to the horses. I also like the compact 1.5-hour format: long enough to reach the waterfall, but short enough to fit into a day of exploring Skagafjörður. The main consideration is weather, since you’ll be outside and exposed to North Iceland’s changing conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Try the Icelandic horse’s tölt: Soft grass gives you a chance to feel this distinctive gait.
• Reach Reykjafoss on horseback: The waterfall is the main destination, after riding beside the Svartá and along a hillside.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides explain the basics clearly, and the horses are described as calm, obedient, and well trained.
• Plan for a weather-ready ride: Bring warm layers, rain gear, gloves, and comfortable shoes. A snow suit is available if needed.
• Meet at Hestasport in Varmahlíð: The office is just off Road 752, 150 meters from the Ring Road junction.
• Check the limits: Riders must weigh no more than 100 kilograms, and children under six cannot join.

Riding the Icelandic horse from Varmahlíð

Iceland’s horses are small, sturdy, and famous for having five gaits rather than the three commonly associated with many riding horses. This tour gives you a chance to feel the tölt, a distinctive four-beat gait that can be smooth and comfortable when the horse and rider are ready.

You should not expect a fast, technical riding lesson. This is a guided countryside outing, with the emphasis on enjoying the horses and scenery rather than mastering advanced riding. The guide introduces you to your horse, explains how to handle the reins and follow the group, and helps you settle in before setting off.

That makes this a sensible choice if you are new to riding or have not been on a horse for years. Several riders with little or no experience felt secure because the guides offered clear instructions and stayed attentive during the ride. The horses are used to the route and are described as obedient and well behaved, but you still need to listen carefully and ride responsibly.

From Hestasport to the Svartá river

Your meeting point is the Hestasport office in Varmahlíð, part of Hestasport Cottages and Riding Tours. From the Ring Road, turn onto Road 752. The white and blue office is the first building on the left, about 150 meters from the junction.

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Some riders have been driven for about 20 minutes from the meeting point to the start of the riding route, so do not treat the office and the trailhead as the same place in every case. This transfer is one reason to arrive early and keep your schedule loose.

Once mounted, the route heads through the countryside near the Svartá river. The water, open fields, hills, and mountain views give the ride a strong sense of place. You are not simply circling a stable yard. The route is designed to show you a slice of North Iceland while letting the horse set a steady rhythm.

Crossing or riding near a river adds a little adventure without turning the outing into a demanding expedition. The exact conditions can change with weather and water levels, so follow the guide’s directions closely. The horses know the route, but the guide decides how the group handles each section.

A gentle route with a hillside adventure track

The trail includes an adventure track along a hillside. This is likely to feel more exciting than a flat paddock ride, but the outing remains aimed at a broad range of riding abilities. You are guided through the route rather than sent off to make your own way.

The hillside section also helps open up the views. Instead of seeing only the horse in front of you, you get broader views toward the river and surrounding mountains. That matters in North Iceland, where the pleasure often comes from spacious scenery, changing light, and the contrast between dark water, green grass, and distant peaks.

The route uses grassy paths, which are particularly important for anyone hoping to try the tölt. Soft ground is more comfortable for the horse and rider than rough rock or hard pavement. Your guide will determine when the conditions and group allow this gait, so treat the tölt as an opportunity rather than a guarantee of extended speed.

If you are an experienced rider, you may find the pace restrained. That is part of the trade-off. The tour puts safety, group control, and the horses’ welfare ahead of fast riding. For a first Icelandic riding experience, that is usually a sensible balance.

Reykjafoss, the ride’s main destination

The route leads to Reykjafoss, a waterfall on the Svartá. Reaching the falls by horseback gives the stop a different feel from a quick roadside viewpoint. You approach through the countryside, pause for the scenery, and see the water in the wider setting of river and mountains.

The waterfall is not treated as a separate walking excursion with a long stop. It is the destination within a 1.5-hour horseback route. That means you should expect a focused visit rather than an afternoon spent exploring every angle of the falls.

There may be time for photographs at the waterfall, and one rider specifically highlighted photos there along with the river crossing and tölt. Keep your phone secure and protected from rain, though. Mounting and dismounting, moving horses, and wet weather are not ideal conditions for handling loose gear.

The combination of waterfall, river, springs, and mountain views gives this outing more variety than a simple farm ride. You get a natural attraction, but the ride itself remains the main event.

Why beginners tend to feel at ease

This tour works particularly well for people who want to try riding without committing to a long or demanding day. The guide provides an introduction before departure, and the route is structured so that you stay with the group.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, trained, and easy to manage. That does not remove every risk. Horse riding always requires balance, attention, and respect for the animal. Still, a steady horse and an attentive guide can make a big difference when you are learning how to mount, steer, stop, and keep a comfortable position.

Parents should note the minimum age of six. The tour is not open to children under that age, and the information provided does not promise a special children’s version. If your child is old enough to join, the guide can still judge how well the child is coping and provide help as needed.

Riders must also stay within the 100-kilogram, or 220-pound, limit. This is an important booking detail, not a minor footnote. Check it before paying, since it affects eligibility.

What to wear for North Iceland weather

The company includes a helmet and can provide a snow suit if needed. You should still arrive dressed for outdoor conditions. Wear layers, comfortable clothes, gloves, and sturdy comfortable shoes, and bring rain gear.

The weather can shift during a short ride. A sunny start does not guarantee a dry finish, and a cold day can feel colder on horseback in an open valley. Layers let you adjust without making the ride uncomfortable.

Avoid arriving in clothing that restricts your legs or makes mounting difficult. You want practical clothes that can get dusty or damp. Gloves are especially useful when holding reins in cool weather.

If you bring riding equipment from outside Iceland, it must be disinfected. This rule helps protect Iceland’s horses from diseases that could be carried in on gear. Ask about the required process before arrival if you plan to bring your own helmet, boots, or riding equipment.

Is $111 a fair price for 1.5 hours?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Iceland. The value depends on what you want from the ride. You are paying for a guided outing on Icelandic horses, safety equipment, an English-speaking guide, access to a route reaching Reykjafoss, and the chance to try the tölt.

The duration is brief enough that experienced riders may want more. There is no food or drink included, and this is not a full-day horse trek. You also need to allow time for arrival, preparation, and possibly the drive from the office to the trailhead.

For a first ride, though, 1.5 hours is a useful length. It gives you enough time to learn the basics, get comfortable, see the countryside, and reach a waterfall without leaving you sore for the rest of your Iceland trip. I would value that especially if horseback riding is only one part of a larger day in Skagafjörður.

The price makes the most sense for beginners, families with eligible children, and people who want a well-organized introduction to Icelandic horses. Strong riders seeking speed or a longer wilderness route should compare it with a longer riding trip.

Small-group care and guide support

The tour is presented as a small-group activity, with personal attention from the guide. That matters most before departure and during transitions, when riders are mounting, adjusting reins, and learning how to respond to their horses.

The guide also manages the group across the river route, hillside track, and waterfall area. This is not simply a horse rental. You are expected to follow directions and stay with the ride, which makes the outing easier for a beginner but less independent for an experienced rider.

The strongest praise goes to the guides’ patience, kindness, and care for the horses. One family particularly appreciated the way the guide worked with a child and shared interesting stories. Others noted that the guides seemed experienced and genuinely attentive to the animals.

That personal approach is one of the main reasons I would choose this tour over a bare-bones stable ride. You get help when you need it, while the horses remain the center of the outing.

Booking details that matter

The tour is offered in English, and the starting time depends on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather and road conditions can affect a day’s plans. They do not remove the need to check the forecast and allow extra driving time, but they give you some flexibility.

The meeting point is easy to find from the Ring Road, yet the route may begin elsewhere. Allow time for the office check-in and any transfer. The safest plan is to arrive 15 minutes early, as requested, rather than cutting it close.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want calm horses and clear support
• Families with children aged six and older
• Couples or solo visitors looking for a short outdoor activity
• Horse lovers who want to experience the Icelandic horse and tölt
• Drivers touring North Iceland and passing through Varmahlíð or Skagafjörður

I would be more cautious about recommending it to advanced riders who want long stretches of fast riding. The route is guided, the pace is controlled, and the total ride lasts only 1.5 hours.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike cold, wet weather or have difficulty with mounting and riding. The company supplies a helmet and snow suit when needed, but you still need to bring suitable clothing and meet the weight limit.

My verdict on the Varmahlíð horse ride

Book this tour if you want a friendly, manageable introduction to Icelandic horses, with real countryside scenery and a clear destination at Reykjafoss. The river, hillside path, waterfall, and chance to try the tölt make it more memorable than a basic riding-yard circuit.

The main strengths are the horses, the patient guides, and the route variety. The main limits are the short duration, weather exposure, possible transfer to the trailhead, and fixed rider requirements.

For a first ride in Iceland, I think the balance is right. You get an authentic taste of the country’s horse culture without giving up a whole day. If that sounds like your kind of outing, $111 is a reasonable price for a carefully guided ride through one of North Iceland’s scenic corners.

FAQ

How long is the Varmahlíð horse riding tour?

The horseback riding portion lasts 1.5 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at the Hestasport office in Varmahlíð, Skagafjörður. From the Ring Road, turn onto Road 752. The office is the first white and blue building on the left, about 150 meters from the junction.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes the horseback ride, a helmet, an English-speaking guide, and a snow suit if needed.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The tour is suitable for people without previous riding experience, provided they meet the tour requirements and follow the guide’s instructions.

What is the minimum age?

Children under six cannot join the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, comfortable riding clothes, rain gear, and gloves. Wear layers for changing weather.