Horse Riding Tour in Reykjadalur (Smoky Valley)-All Riding Levels

The Icelandic horse’s tölt is the star here. This smooth fifth gait gives you a classic Iceland experience without demanding expert riding skills. You’ll ride through fields, along the base of the mountain, and across a few low river sections on a tour that keeps the pace friendly for first-timers.

I like the short drive from Reykjavik and the fact that winter clothing, rain gear, helmets, and hot drinks are included. I also like the small-group format, which gives guides room to help with mounting, steering, and finding a comfortable pace. The main caution is that much of the route may be at a walk beside a road, and insects can be a serious nuisance in some conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• You can try the tölt: The famous fifth gait of the Icelandic horse may be included when conditions and riding ability allow.
• Beginners are welcome: No previous riding experience is required, and the horses are described as calm, responsive, and well trained.
• Reykjavik is close: The stable is about 45 minutes from the capital, making this easy to add to a sightseeing day.
• The ride is mostly gentle: Expect a walking pace for most of the outing, with a few chances to move faster.
• Gear is supplied: Helmets, winter jumpsuits, rain clothing, and coffee or tea are included.
• Check the group limit: The activity information gives different maximums, 14 in one place and 18 in another, so confirm the current number when booking.

Why Reykjadalur is a good place to ride

Reykjadalur means Smoky Valley, and the countryside around Hveragerði gives you a very Icelandic setting without a long journey from Reykjavik. You are not spending half a day on a bus to reach a remote ranch. Instead, you can leave the capital, reach Sólhestar’s stable in roughly 45 minutes, and be riding among open fields and mountain views soon after.

That short transfer matters. Iceland days fill quickly, especially if you are also planning the Golden Circle, the South Coast, or a visit to the Blue Lagoon. A two-hour riding activity fits neatly into the gaps. You can schedule it in the morning and still have much of the day ahead, or use it as a calm countryside break after time in the city.

The setting is attractive, but do not expect a wilderness expedition. Parts of the route follow the shoulder of a road before turning into fields and continuing near the mountain. The scenery is still pleasant, yet the road section takes away some of the quiet, wild feeling you may hope for from a horseback outing.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

At the Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur meeting point, you begin with the practical side of riding. The stable is listed at Reykjadalur 9, Vorsabæjarvellir Valley, 810 Hveragerði. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the start.

The horses are Icelandic horses, a small, sturdy breed known for more than the usual walk, trot, and canter. They can also perform the tölt and, in suitable horses, a fifth gait known as the flying pace. This tour focuses on the tölt, the gait most riders hope to try.

You are matched with a horse and given a helmet. The supplied winter jumpsuit and rain clothing are especially useful in Iceland, where a clear start can turn into a wet or cold ride. Wear clothes you can layer underneath, and choose sturdy footwear suited to riding. The tour supplies the main protective gear, but you still want to arrive dressed for open-country weather.

The horses are described as healthy, friendly, clean, and responsive to simple guidance. That is good news for a beginner. You can concentrate on sitting comfortably, holding the reins, and following instructions instead of managing a nervous or overly demanding mount.

A calm start for first-time riders

The guides begin at a pace that works for mixed ability levels. If you have ridden only once, or never at all, you can expect help with the basics. Experienced riders can still enjoy the horses and setting, though the ride is not designed as a fast, technical trail outing.

I would not book this expecting hours of cantering. The route is mostly a walk, with the group sometimes quickening the pace. One description of the ride puts the faster sections at about four short stretches. That makes the tour comfortable for families and beginners, but possibly too restrained for a confident rider seeking long trots or gallops.

The horses’ calm nature is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. You get the feel of riding in Iceland without needing to prove anything. Guides can keep the group together, offer corrections, and help riders settle into the saddle before attempting the tölt.

Children from age nine can take part, and adults are welcome. The stated weight limit is 110 kilograms. Since riding groups depend on safe horse and rider matching, it is wise to check that your age, weight, and riding needs fit the current conditions before you arrive.

Riding through fields, rivers, and mountain country

Once the group leaves the stable, the route gives you a broad view of the countryside. The ride includes open fields and terrain near the base of the mountain. A few low river crossings add a little change under the horses’ feet and make the outing feel more like a real trail ride than a turn around an arena.

The road section is less appealing. You may spend about two miles along the road shoulder before turning into the field, then follow another stretch on the way back. It is practical, but not the prettiest or most peaceful part of the route. If being away from traffic is your main reason for booking a horseback ride, this is an important limitation.

The countryside still supplies plenty to look at. You can take in the wide Icelandic views, the mountain base, fields, and changing weather. On a gray day, the ride can remain enjoyable because the horses and the motion give you something engaging to do, but you should not count on bright views every time.

The tour lasts about two hours overall, with roughly 1.5 hours of riding described in the activity details. That is long enough to feel worthwhile without making a new rider sore for the rest of the day. The return is to the same meeting point, so there is no separate end location to find.

Learning the tölt

The tölt is the special feature that separates an Icelandic horse ride from a standard trail outing. It is a four-beat gait with a smooth feel, and many riders find it easier to sit than a conventional trot. Guides may let you try it once the group is ready and the horses are moving well together.

Do not assume every rider will spend a long time in the tölt. The ride is built for mixed ability levels, and safety comes first. A beginner may only sample it briefly, while a more experienced rider may get more from the horse’s movement. Still, even a short attempt gives you a memorable connection to Icelandic riding culture.

The guides are praised for being patient and friendly, especially with people who have little riding experience. Some instruction about the local horses and the area may be available, but the short format means the focus is riding rather than a long cultural talk. If you want a detailed lesson in Icelandic horse breeding, history, or rural life, you would need a longer or more specialized tour.

One useful detail is that the horses can be responsive without being difficult. Simple guidance is enough for these well-trained mounts, which helps you enjoy the ride instead of wrestling with the reins.

Weather, flies, and what to wear

Icelandic weather is part of the deal. The operator provides rain clothing and a winter jumpsuit, which is a real benefit when the forecast looks uncertain. Coffee or tea is also included, giving you something warm before or after the ride.

Bugs deserve more attention than the usual packing advice suggests. In some conditions, flies can swarm around riders, especially in open areas. One rider found the insects so persistent that they wanted to turn back, while another had a much better outing after being provided with a bug net.

The practical lesson is simple: ask about insect nets before you ride. The guides may have them, and the supplied equipment may vary with conditions, but you should not assume a net will automatically be available. If bugs are active, a helmet net can make the difference between a pleasant ride and two uncomfortable hours. You might also bring insect repellent, though the supplied gear is otherwise well suited to the weather.

Rain gear protects you from showers, but it does not replace warm layers. You want a base layer that can get damp without becoming miserable, plus gloves that give you enough control of the reins. Do not pack your finest city clothes for this one. Horse contact, mud, rain, and river crossings are possible.

How the small group affects the ride

The activity is intended to run with a maximum of 14 people according to the additional information, while another description gives 18. Because those figures do not match, confirm the current group size when you book.

A smaller group is valuable here. Beginners need more than a quick safety speech. They may need help adjusting their position, calming their horse, or understanding when to ask for the tölt. Fewer riders make it easier for a guide to keep an eye on everyone.

Group size also affects the pace. A mixed group naturally moves at the speed of its least experienced riders. That is good for families and nervous beginners, but it limits the amount of faster riding available to confident equestrians. If you want a private ride or a stronger focus on advanced technique, ask the operator if another option is available.

Is the $126.50 price fair?

At $126.50 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two hours. Still, the price includes the horse, guide support, helmet, winter jumpsuit, rain clothing, and coffee or tea. You are also paying for a well-known Icelandic activity close to Reykjavik, so you do not need to give up a full day for transport.

The value is strongest if you are a first-time rider, a family, or someone who wants an easy introduction to Icelandic horses. The supplied clothing reduces the amount of specialist gear you need to rent or pack. The short duration also makes it easier to fit into a busy itinerary.

The value is weaker if you are an experienced rider looking for speed, remote trails, or a long day in the saddle. Much of the ride is slow, and the road shoulder is part of the route. You may prefer a longer tour with more time off-road, even if it costs more.

The tour is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 38 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if riding is a priority, especially during a busy Iceland visit.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction
• Families with children aged nine and up
• Couples seeking a distinctly Icelandic activity near Reykjavik
• Riders who want to try the tölt without signing up for a demanding expedition
• Visitors with a free morning or afternoon between major sightseeing plans

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, fully off-road route, dislike slow group rides, or are especially bothered by insects. I would also think twice if your main goal is sustained trotting, cantering, or advanced riding practice.

The ride suits people who value the horse and the setting as much as speed. You get a gentle introduction to Icelandic riding, friendly guidance, and enough time in the saddle to feel that you have done more than pose for a photo.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity is offered in English. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your transport to Sólhestar in Hveragerði. The ride ends back at the meeting point.

Most people can participate, but the stated maximum weight is 110 kilograms. Children must be at least nine years old. The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Icelandic time.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The activity lasts about two hours overall, with approximately 1.5 hours spent riding.

How far is the meeting point from Reykjavik?

The stable is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik.

Do I need previous horse riding experience?

No. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders, and no previous experience is required.

What age must children be to participate?

Children must be at least nine years old.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a winter jumpsuit, rain clothing, and a helmet. Coffee or tea is also included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur at Reykjadalur 9, 810 Hveragerði. The tour ends at the same meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

Should you book the Reykjadalur horse ride?

Book it if you want an easy, friendly introduction to Icelandic horses within reach of Reykjavik. The calm horses, patient instruction, supplied clothing, and chance to try the tölt make it a good match for beginners and families.

Go in with the right expectations. This is mostly a gentle walking ride, not a fast gallop across empty country. The road shoulder, possible insects, and mixed group pace are real drawbacks. Ask about bug nets, confirm the current maximum group size, and bring warm layers.

For a first taste of Iceland on horseback, the balance is good. You get the breed, the gait, the countryside, and a manageable time commitment without taking on a difficult ride.