Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

The striking part of this ride is how quickly you leave Reykjavik behind. In a short transfer, you reach red lava hills, mossy paths, Rauðavatn, and Hólmsheiði, an area shaped by a volcano roughly 5,000 years ago. You ride an Icelandic horse through it all, not from a viewing platform but at a slow, earthy pace.

I like the small-group format, since guides can help with reins, balance, and horse behavior as you ride. I also like the practical extras: rain clothing, winter overalls, riding boots, hot drinks afterward, and a choice of morning or afternoon departure.

The main caution is Icelandic weather. Wind, rain, sleet, snow, and icy trails can change the feel of the outing. Most rides sound gentle and well managed, but late autumn or winter conditions may make the footing difficult, so you should take the forecast seriously and use the supplied gear.

Key points before you book

• Ride across 5,000-year-old lava fields in Heiðmörk and around the red hills of Hólmsheiði.
• Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with pickup available from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus Terminal.
• Expect 1.5 to 2 hours in the saddle during a roughly 2.5-hour outing.
• Beginners are welcome, while experienced riders may get a livelier route and chances to try the tölt.
• Use the rainwear and winter clothing, even if the forecast looks mild.
• Groups are limited to 15 people, with a maximum rider weight of 110 kilograms.

Red lava riding close to Reykjavik

This is a good choice if you want to meet Icelandic horses without giving up most of your day. Solhestar’s stable at Surtlugata 19 is in Reykjavik, and the riding area is close enough that the transfer is short. That matters when you have only a few days in Iceland, or when you want to fit horseback riding around a city morning, a lagoon visit, or an evening meal.

The setting is not a remote ranch in the middle of the country. Instead, you ride in the capital’s wider natural area, where old lava flows, low red hills, moss, woodland, and open riding paths create a distinctly Icelandic outing. It is a practical introduction to the country’s horse culture without requiring a full-day excursion.

The horses are Icelandic horses, a small, sturdy breed known for several gaits. The special one you may experience here is the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel unusually smooth. It is not guaranteed at every moment, and your guide will decide what suits the group, but riders with enough confidence often get a chance to feel it.

Getting ready at Solhestar

Plan on about 30 minutes at the stable before the ride begins. This is not dead time. You get fitted with equipment, receive basic instructions, and are matched with a horse.

The horse pairing is one of the most important parts of the outing. Your riding background, confidence, and comfort level help guide the match. If you have never been on a horse, say so plainly. If you ride often and want more than a walking pace, say that too.

The stable offers rain clothing and winter overalls. Riding boots are also available, and you should make use of the outer layers if the day is wet, cold, or windy. Several people have found that Icelandic weather feels harsher once you are in the saddle, especially when wind cuts across the open ground.

Wear warm socks and bring gloves suited to wet weather. Ski gloves or other windproof gloves are useful in cold months. You may get sun, rain, sleet, and a rainbow in the same outing, so your clothing should be ready for quick changes.

The group can include complete beginners, confident riders, and older participants. That mix works best when everyone tells the guides what they need. You do not have to want a trot or tölt. The guides can keep the pace gentle, and instruction continues after you leave the stable.

Heiðmörk and the old lava hills

The route reaches Heiðmörk Nature Reserve, where the main visual theme is old volcanic ground. The lava hills here are about 5,000 years old, giving the ride a sense of time that you do not get from a standard city activity.

You move along natural riding paths rather than a paved park track. Moss-covered lava and low red hills create the color that gives the tour its name. The scenery is open and rugged, but the route is still close enough to Reykjavik to work well for a half-day plan.

This is a place where riding adds something. On foot, you would notice the texture of the lava and the quiet of the reserve. From horseback, you get a slower moving view, with the horse’s rhythm setting the pace. You have time to look around, take photographs when the group stops, and notice how the path changes under the hooves.

The guides often help riders take photos using their phones near the red rocks. That is a useful touch, since taking a picture while managing reins and balance is not easy. Keep your phone secure, though. Icelandic wind is not kind to loose belongings.

Rauðavatn and Hólmsheiði routes

Rauðavatn adds another layer to the outing. The area is linked with the first forestry work in Iceland at the beginning of the 20th century. That makes it different from the bare volcanic ground nearby, with trees and planted woodland forming part of the setting.

The route choice depends on the group. Beginners generally ride a smooth path along the Redhills, where the focus is comfort, control, and enjoying the surroundings. More experienced riders may take a route by Rauðavatn, depending on conditions and the guide’s judgment.

The total distance is about 5 to 7 kilometers. That may not sound far, but a ride can leave you sore, especially if you have not used these muscles recently. The English saddles can also feel unfamiliar. One rider compared the balance to sitting on a basketball, a useful warning if you have only used a different saddle style before.

Hólmsheiði is the main riding area and usually takes about one hour of the stated itinerary, with total time in the saddle lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours. The route stays flexible. Guides can keep a group together at a calm walk, or offer more experienced riders extra pace when the path and conditions allow.

That flexibility is a real strength. A family can ride together even if one person is new to horses and another has plenty of experience. You should not expect a private lesson, but you can expect active help from the guides while the group moves.

What riding the Icelandic horse feels like

The horses are generally described as calm, gentle, and well trained, but calm does not mean completely mechanical. They are animals with their own habits and energy. Your guide may need to manage spacing, especially when several horses are close together.

Beginners often find the first few minutes the most difficult. You are learning how to sit, hold the reins, start, stop, and follow the horse in front. The guides keep an eye on riders who look uncertain and provide reminders while the group moves up and down the paths.

If you have balance problems, be honest about your limits. A slow walk may be the right choice, and you can ask not to trot or try the tölt. One participant with a knee replacement decided not to continue riding and was returned to the starting point kindly and safely. That suggests the staff can respond when a rider needs to stop, but horseback riding still requires enough balance to sit securely.

The tölt is the special treat for riders who are ready. It is a gait associated with Icelandic horses and can feel smoother than a normal trot. Guides may give riders a chance to try it at different speeds, but this depends on the group, the horses, and the trail. Do not book the tour solely for the tölt if you are a first-time rider.

Weather, footing, and comfort

Icelandic weather is the biggest variable here. Several outings have included rain, sleet, strong wind, and cold temperatures. The staff supplies outer clothing, but the supplied gear works best when you actually put it on.

Winter overalls can make a large difference. You may feel comfortable at the stable and then become cold once the group reaches open ground. The advice is simple: dress warmer than you think you need, wear good socks, and protect your hands.

Trail conditions deserve special attention in late autumn and winter. Snow and ice can make the route harder for both horses and riders. On one difficult ride in late October, several horses struggled for footing, and one lost balance on its front legs. That is not the normal description of this tour, but it is a useful reminder that an easy summer path can feel very different after freezing weather.

If conditions become unsafe, the activity can be canceled and you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it does not remove the need to check the forecast before you leave Reykjavik. If you are nervous about ice, ask the stable about conditions when confirming your pickup.

After the ride, tea and coffee are available to warm you up. It is a small detail, but it matters after two hours outside in wet Icelandic weather.

Pickup, timing, and group size

You can meet at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, or upgrade to pickup from a Reykjavik hotel, guesthouse, or the BSI Bus Terminal. Pickup begins 30 minutes before departure and can take up to 20 minutes.

Morning pickup begins at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour. Afternoon pickup begins at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour. Be ready at the exact pickup point. If you are not there within five minutes after pickup starts, the booking may be canceled.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private ride, but it is small enough for regular guidance. A larger group can take time to outfit, mount, and adjust stirrups, so do not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward.

Give the operator an Iceland-accessible phone number when booking. That allows the driver or stable to contact you if pickup details change at short notice.

Is $139.13 a fair price?

At $139.13 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two hours. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a short transfer option from Reykjavik, equipment, horse matching, instruction, a small group, and roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of riding.

You are also paying for access to a setting that would be difficult to experience in the same way on your own. The value is strongest if you want a guided introduction to Icelandic horses and do not want to rent a car or travel far from the capital.

The tour is less compelling if you already ride regularly and want a long, fast trek through remote country. The route is designed for mixed abilities, so experienced riders may spend part of the outing at a beginner-friendly pace. For a first ride in Iceland, though, the combination of scenery, instruction, and convenience is solid.

It is wise to book ahead. The activity is booked around 41 days in advance on average, and morning or afternoon choices give you some flexibility. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Who should choose this ride?

You should consider it if you are:

• A first-time rider who wants steady instruction.
• An experienced rider interested in Icelandic horses and the tölt.
• Traveling with family members at different riding levels.
• Looking for a half-day activity close to Reykjavik.
• Comfortable outdoors in shifting weather.
• Interested in lava fields, red hills, and local horse culture.

Think twice if you have major balance problems, dislike cold or wet weather, or need a guaranteed fast ride. The tour can adapt to many riders, but no stable can make uneven ground and Icelandic weather disappear.

The 110-kilogram maximum also matters. Check this before booking if you are close to the limit. Most people can participate, but you should not assume every physical concern will be handled automatically. Tell the operator about anything that affects your comfort or safety.

Should you book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

For most first-time visitors who want to ride an Icelandic horse, I would book it. The short transfer, small groups, adaptable routes, friendly help, and close-up scenery make this a useful Reykjavik activity rather than a simple pony ride.

Book the morning if you want the rest of the day open, or choose the afternoon if you prefer a slower start. Use the supplied rainwear, bring warm gloves, and leave extra time around pickup and return. If the forecast shows ice or severe wind, contact Solhestar before setting out.

This is best understood as a scenic, carefully guided introduction to Icelandic riding. You may get the tölt, you may ride through rain, and you may spend part of the route at a calm walk. That mix is exactly why it suits beginners, families, and riders who want a memorable taste of Iceland without leaving Reykjavik for a full day.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour start?

The meeting point is Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik at Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is available from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus Terminal. Check your voucher for the exact pickup details.

What time does pickup begin?

Morning pickup begins at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour. Afternoon pickup begins at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes.

How long is the activity?

The full activity lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can expect approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of riding.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is adapted to different ability levels, including people riding for the first time. Experienced riders may be offered different route or pace options when conditions allow.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 110 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.