Horse riding · ICELAND HORSE RIDING TOURS
Lava fields, black sand and a horse with a gait no other breed keeps. These 15 run out of Reykjavik with pickup included or not, and the winter ones are short because the daylight is.
Ride 5 to 7 kilometers through Iceland’s Redhills on a calm Icelandic horse. Sólhestar matches riders by experience, offers slower or faster routes, and may include tölt sessions near Rauðarvatn. Pickup from Reykjavik, warm gear, helmets, and hot drinks are available.
“The experience was lovely! I had never ridden a horse before and the guides were very kind and explained everything.”
You ride for 1.5 to 2 hours from Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður, crossing lava fields and green hillsides on a calm Icelandic horse. Guides match horses to your ability, then split beginners and experienced riders so you can enjoy a gentle walk or try the smooth tölt.
“We had the best time! The group split into two, one for beginners and one for experienced riders. It was my partners first time riding and he enjoyed it int he beginners group. I went with the experienced group and it was fantastic, experiencing the Jolt! Cantering in this amazing country, with the beautiful landscape I felt very lucky! Our guide was brilliant! The horses are beautiful and I want one!!”
Ride Icelandic horses at Ishestar near Hafnarfjörður, about 15 to 20 minutes from Reykjavik. Your instructor matches the route to your ability, from a calm beginner ride to faster tölt sections for experienced riders. Gear, hot drinks, and optional city pickup are included.
“We had an amazing time riding the horses the staff was super friendly and welcoming. The horses were amazing and well trained. Overall amazing experience!”
Laxnes Horse Farm matches you with an Icelandic horse suited to your riding level, then leads a countryside ride about 15 minutes from Reykjavik. Beginners and children age 7 and up are welcome. Helmets, boots, rain gear, and winter snowsuits are provided, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
“What a magical experience! I was a total beginner but the instructor was super helpful and I got given a really experienced horse. Going through the landscape was so dreamy, crisp and breathtaking. My only tip is to wrap up warm for the winter! Loved my trip and can’t wait to do it again! Worth every penny!”
At Vik Horse Adventure, you’ll spend about an hour riding a calm Icelandic horse from the stable to Víkurfjara beach and back. Guides such as Yohanna explain the horses and local area, help beginners, take photos, and may offer a short tölt on the return ride when conditions and skill levels allow.
“It was a wonderful experience. You can see how much the horses are cared for and how well they maintain the stable. The guides aim to give you a safe and memorable experience. I would definitely recommend.”
Ride an Icelandic horse through the red lava hills of Heiðmörk and Hólmsheiði, close to Reykjavik. Solhestar matches horses to your ability, supplies rain and winter gear, and gives beginners steady help. You may also try the Icelandic tölt, a smooth four-beat gait.
“Great for all experience types. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Some of us didn't want to trot and they were accommodating.”
Spend about nine hours touring Iceland’s Golden Circle from Reykjavik in a Wi-Fi-equipped minibus. Along with Kerid, Gullfoss, Strokkur, and Thingvellir, you visit Fridheimar greenhouse, taste tomatoes, and watch an Icelandic horse show. Guides such as Addi, Monika, Sigfus, and Bryndis have led recent departures.
“Highly recommend this Golden Circle tour! This tour adds the tomato farm in comparison to most Golden Circle tours, which was definitely worth the stop! We had Sigfus, who was an incredible guide—had the best jokes and full of information about Iceland.”
From Reykjavik, ride with Viking Horses through Hólsmheiði forest to the red Rauðhólar lava fields. Your horse is matched to your experience, and guides such as Viggo, Monika, or Adriána provide patient instruction. The small group, Tölt practice, hot drinks, and hotel transport make this a friendly half-day outing.
“Everything was perfect! The horses are so calm and friendly. The Guide was friendly and helpful with everything! It was amazing! And we ask them, the horses get enough breaks and are not busy the whole day. They look good and healthy. The nature is nice, so have fun and also be friendly and passionate with the horses 🥰🙏🏼”
Spend 10 hours exploring western Iceland in a group of no more than 19. Visit Glanni, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Deildartunguhver, Snorralaug, a family-run horse farm, and Viðgelmir Lava Cave with guides such as Monica, Thorri, Gulli, or Filip.
“Great guide. This trip is a hidden gem! So quite hardly saw any other tourists or even cars, bliss!! Lava caves cool. Waterfalls better than golden circle. Interesting facts from guide. Good time in each location. Not rushed so got to leisurely see everything.”
Start with a guided ride at family-run Laxnes Horse Farm, where calm Icelandic horses carry beginners and experienced riders through the countryside. Then join a Gray Line coach for Thingvellir, Geysir, Strokkur, and Gullfoss, with hotel pickup, riding gear, WiFi, and a guide included.
“Loved the horses! The owner and staff great folks. The afternoon bus tour took us to some beautiful and interesting places. Our guide very knowledgeable.”
Join Sólhestar Horse Riding near Hveragerdi for a two-hour outing with about 90 minutes in the saddle. Guides such as Denisa, Patricie, Elsa, and Deni match horses to your ability, teach beginners the basics, and may offer a faster ride to experienced riders. Expect valley scenery, Icelandic tölt, rain gear, and coffee afterward.
“wonderful riding tour, the leader was kind and very enthusiastic. the horses are well-cared for and very reliable.”
Travel from Reykjavik into Borgarfjörður with an English-speaking guide, visiting Viðgelmir Lava Cave, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Glanni, Reykholt, Deildartunguhver, and Sturlureykir Horse Farm. Expect a full 10-hour day, a cold cave, homemade rye bread, and a group of up to 19 people.
“Cave was dangerously slippery in one spot which could easily have been covered over. Your guide was amazingly educational as was every aspect of the tour.”
Join Begga and Sveinn, or another English-speaking Icelandic guide, for a two-hour horseback outing just 10 minutes from Reykjavík. After a riding lesson, you’ll spend 1 to 1.5 hours on a calm Icelandic horse, crossing volcanic terrain and trying the smooth tölt. Gear, rainwear, and gloves are included.
“The chance to ride an Icelandic horse in Iceland was a once in a lifetime experience for me. So memorable. Selma was an excellent informative guide.”
Ride the sure-footed Icelandic horse through lava fields, open countryside, and mountain views near Hafnarfjörður. This small-group Viking Tour Express is for strong intermediate riders comfortable at walk, trot, tölt, and canter. Guides speak English, Icelandic, and German, with optional Reykjavík pickup.
“Thoroughly enjoyed riding Angel, beautiful looking and very responsive, a nice forward horse; we were in a small group and the guide was very helpful and knowledgeable. Such wonderful horses, I will definitely come back to ride again in Iceland”
Ride a calm Icelandic horse for 50 minutes through moss-covered lava fields near Hafnarfjörður. Guides help beginners feel secure, explain the horses and area, and provide helmets, boots, warm clothing, and rainwear. Finish with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at the stables.
“Excellent experience, we were very comfortable on the horses as total beginners thanks to the great instruction and care by our guide. Close to Reykjavík city center and beautiful (lava/volcano) landscape.”
Pick a shoreline, a canyon or a driving seat.
