Icelandic Horse Riding Tour & Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Icelandic horses give you a wonderfully different view of Reykjavík’s volcanic countryside. From Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður, you ride across old lava fields and green hillsides, watching for odd rock shapes, low plants, and the occasional bit of wildlife. The horses are small, sturdy, calm, and famous for the smooth tölt gait.

I like the careful horse matching and the split between beginner and faster groups. I also like that the stable supplies helmets, boots, warm overalls, and rain gear, so you do not need to pack a full riding kit. The main drawback is the cold: even with good clothing, hands and feet can get chilly, especially in winter wind or rain.

Key points at a glance

• Ride across lava fields near Reykjavík: Reach open volcanic scenery in about 20 minutes from central Reykjavík.
• Choose your pace: Beginners usually stay at a walk, while experienced riders may trot, tölt, and sometimes canter.
• Horses are matched to ability: Staff take your riding background into account before assigning a mount.
• Warm gear is supplied: Helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm riding overalls are available.
• Pickup is optional: Hotel transfers add convenience but extend the total outing to about four hours.
• A good family activity: Children from age seven can ride, making this suitable for families with mixed riding experience.

Riding Icelandic horses across Hafnarfjörður’s lava fields

The special part of this tour is not simply sitting on a horse. It is seeing Iceland’s volcanic ground at the pace of a horse, with black lava formations underfoot and open hills around you. The route near Hafnarfjörður feels far removed from city traffic, even though Reykjavík is close.

The ride lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. That is long enough to settle into the rhythm of the horse and enjoy the scenery, but not so long that a first-time rider is likely to feel overwhelmed. You follow established riding paths through lava fields and along green slopes, with pauses to take photos and hear about the area and the horses.

I especially like the contrast between the dark lava and the softer colors of Icelandic vegetation. In summer, you may see flowers and green fields. In winter, the same route can feel stark and dramatic, with snow, wind, and low light changing the mood completely.

The route is not a wilderness expedition. You are riding on organized paths from a professional stable, usually as part of a group. That makes it accessible, but it also means you should not expect a private ride or hours of cantering across open country.

Íshestar Stables: what happens before you ride

Íshestar Stables sits just outside Hafnarfjörður, roughly a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík. You can meet there directly, which is the simplest option if you have a rental car or want to avoid waiting for a transfer.

The stable has changing facilities where you can leave bags and prepare for the ride. You cannot take backpacks or other bags on the trail, but storage is available at the riding center. Wear practical layers underneath the supplied clothing, especially in the colder months.

Before you mount, staff provide a helmet and riding equipment. Rubber boots, rainwear, and warm overalls are included. The overalls are especially useful in wet or windy weather, and several riders found them far more helpful than relying on ordinary winter clothing alone.

You still need to dress sensibly. Bring warm base layers, thick socks, and gloves. Your feet sit in stirrups and your hands remain exposed to the weather, so these are often the first places to feel cold. If rain or snow is possible, use the waterproof gear rather than trying to tough it out in a regular coat.

The staff also take time to match each rider with a suitable horse. You are asked about your experience, and the horse selection is adjusted to your ability. That matters for comfort and safety, particularly if you have never ridden before or feel nervous about mounting.

Gentle horses and a smart group split

The Icelandic horses are one of the main reasons to book this outing. They are compact, sure-footed animals with a calm reputation, and the stable keeps a large range of horses for different riders. The horses are friendly and generally easy to control, though they remain horses, not machines. One might pause for a snack or try to wander toward a tempting patch of vegetation.

The ride begins with instruction and a larger group. Guides check how people are managing, then usually divide the riders after roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Beginners and those who prefer a relaxed pace continue together. Riders with more experience can join a faster group.

That arrangement is a real strength. A first-time rider can concentrate on balance, steering, and confidence without being pushed to go faster. An experienced rider is less likely to spend the entire tour at a slow walk.

The faster group may get the chance to trot or experience the tölt. The tölt is a distinctive four-beat gait that feels smoother than a standard trot because the horse keeps more contact with the ground. It is one of the memorable features of riding an Icelandic horse, but access depends on your ability, the horse, the group, and the guide’s judgment.

Some experienced riders have also been able to canter. Do not book this expecting a guaranteed gallop. It is an occasional possibility, not part of the fixed promise. The priority is keeping the group safe and matched to its ability.

The 1.5-hour route through lava and green hills

Once the group leaves the stable, the scenery quickly becomes the focus. You pass through volcanic lava fields formed by past eruptions, with unusual rock shapes scattered around the route. Guides point out features of the terrain and explain more about Icelandic horses and the area as you ride.

The trail also reaches greener ground, with hillsides and, depending on the season, flowers and trees. This change in scenery keeps the ride from feeling repetitive. You get the black, rugged side of Iceland alongside softer fields and mountain views.

The horses’ steady rhythm gives you time to look around. On a coach tour, the lava fields pass by a window. On horseback, you notice the uneven rock, the smell of damp earth, and the way the horses pick their way along the path. The experience is slower, more physical, and more connected to the ground.

There is usually a photo stop during the ride. Guides may also take pictures of the group, so you can enjoy the scenery without trying to hold a phone while riding. Still, do not count on carrying a camera bag or backpack. Store larger belongings before you leave.

The route is scenic rather than technically difficult. You are not being taken on an extreme mountain ride. That makes it suitable for people who want an active outing but are not looking for a hard-core riding challenge.

What beginners can realistically expect

You do not need prior riding experience. Guides give instructions and stay attentive to the group, with extra help available for people who are nervous. The horses are chosen to suit the rider, and the slow group is designed for those who want to keep things calm.

Mounting still requires some physical ability. Every rider must be able to get onto the horse using their own strength. Staff may offer guidance and help position you, but this is not a ride with a mechanical lift.

Your first minutes are spent learning how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to the horse. The initial group ride gives you time to adjust. If you are uneasy, say so early. The guides can keep an eye on you and place you in the group that fits your confidence.

The horses generally follow one another along the trail, which helps beginners. You still need to pay attention and follow instructions. A horse may stop, slow down, or look for a mouthful of greenery, so basic control matters.

For a first riding experience, the format works well because you get genuine time on the trail rather than a very short supervised circle. The tradeoff is that a 1.5 to 2 hour ride may leave your legs and seat sore if you are not used to horseback riding.

What experienced riders get from the tour

If you already ride, this tour gives you more room to enjoy the Icelandic horse’s special movement. After the group split, the faster section may include trotting and tölt. In the right conditions, an experienced group may canter as well.

The experience level in the faster group can vary. Guides are careful about moving riders back to the slower group if they are not ready, which protects everyone’s safety. If you are an accomplished rider, you might still find the pace more restrained than at a private riding holiday.

That is the fair tradeoff for a short tour with mixed ages and abilities. You get a chance to ride an Icelandic horse through striking volcanic scenery without committing to a full day or multi-day trek. Riders looking for extended fast work should consider a longer riding program instead.

The horse matching is also useful for experienced riders. You may be given a horse with a movement and temperament that suits your background, rather than simply receiving the next available mount.

Pickup from Reykjavík or self-drive

You can meet at Íshestar Stables, or add a return transfer from selected hotels and main guesthouses. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before the riding time. For example, a 10:00 AM ride has pickup at 9:00 AM, while a 2:00 PM ride has pickup at 1:00 PM.

The transfer option makes sense if you are staying in central Reykjavík and do not have a car. It removes the need to find the stable and is useful in poor weather. The total outing becomes about four hours, including transport and the stable routine.

Pickup is not available from every address. If you are staying in a private apartment, you will be given a nearby pickup point by email. Check this before the morning of the ride so you do not wait at the wrong location.

Driving yourself takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes from Reykjavík city center, according to the practical timing provided for the route. This gives you more control over arrival and departure, and it can be a better choice if you want to spend extra time around Hafnarfjörður afterward.

Warm clothing matters more than the season

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and horseback riding exposes you to wind more than walking does. Even on a clear day, you may feel cold after sitting in the saddle for two hours.

The supplied overalls and rain gear are a major practical benefit. Wear them when conditions look doubtful. A bitterly cold day or icy rain can make the ride uncomfortable if you rely only on jeans and a winter jacket.

Layer underneath rather than wearing one bulky item. Add thermal clothing, thick socks, gloves, and a hat that fits safely under the helmet. Your own riding trousers are fine if they are suitable, but all riding gear brought into Iceland must be washed at 40°C, dry-cleaned, or disinfected before arrival. Used leather riding gear may not be brought into the country.

That rule is easy to miss, so plan ahead if you are bringing boots, gloves, or other horse equipment. For most people, using the stable’s boots and outerwear is simpler.

Price, timing, and who gets good value

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap short activity, but Iceland tours rarely are. The price includes the 1.5 to 2 hour ride, guide, helmet, boots, rainwear or warm clothing, and access to the stable’s facilities.

The value is strongest if you want more than a token pony ride. You get a proper trail through lava fields, a horse selected for your ability, instruction, a possible group split, and a chance to try the tölt if you are ready. The supplied clothing also saves you from buying or packing specialist gear.

The value is weaker if you want a private guide, guaranteed cantering, or a full day in the saddle. Group sizes can begin large before splitting, and the faster section depends on the group and conditions.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option are helpful when your Iceland plans depend on weather. Check the available start times when booking, since the total duration changes if you use pickup.

Age, weight, and physical limits

Children under seven cannot join. Children aged seven and older can take part, and the format works well for families when adults are prepared to follow the pace set for the least experienced rider.

Pregnant people should not participate. There is also a maximum rider weight of 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. All riders must be able to mount the horse independently.

This is a good choice for animal lovers, first-time riders, families with older children, and experienced riders who want to try an Icelandic horse. It is less suitable if you dislike cold weather, have difficulty mounting, or want a private, high-speed ride.

Should you book the Íshestar ride?

I would book this if you want a manageable introduction to Icelandic horses and volcanic scenery without leaving Reykjavík for a full day. The strongest reasons are the calm horses, careful matching, supplied warm gear, and the sensible split between slow and faster groups.

Choose pickup if you are staying centrally and want the simplest morning. Drive yourself if you want more flexibility. Either way, pack extra warmth for your hands and feet, and do not assume that a faster group guarantees a canter.

For a first ride, this is an especially sound choice. For an experienced rider, it can be excellent when the group and conditions allow tölt or faster work, but set your expectations at a guided scenic ride rather than a serious riding clinic.

FAQ

How long does the horse-riding tour last?

The riding portion lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. With return transfer from Reykjavík, the full outing takes about four hours.

Where does the ride start?

The ride starts at Íshestar Riding Tours in Hafnarfjörður, about a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík. You can meet at the stables or select the optional pickup service.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from some hotels and main guesthouses. Pickup starts 60 minutes before the riding departure. If you stay in a private apartment, you will receive the nearest pickup point by email.

Do I need horse-riding experience?

No. Beginners can join, and guides provide instruction and match horses to riding ability. The group usually separates into a slower beginner group and a faster group for more experienced riders.

Can I try the tölt or canter?

Experienced riders may be able to trot and try the tölt after the group divides. Cantering may be possible in some groups, but it is not guaranteed and depends on ability, conditions, horses, and guide decisions.

What clothing and equipment are included?

The stable provides riding helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm overalls or another warm outfit for the ride. You should still bring warm base layers, thick socks, and gloves.

Who cannot join the tour?

Children under seven, pregnant people, and anyone over 243 pounds or 110 kilograms cannot participate. Every rider must also be able to mount the horse using their own strength.