Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

The best part of this three-hour outing is the setting: you ride Icelandic horses through green Hólmsheiði, open hills, Stallion Valley, and the red lava shapes of Rauðhólar as the evening light softens the countryside. It feels close to Reykjavík, yet far from city streets.

I like the eight-person limit, which allows for patient help and a more relaxed ride. I also like the friendly finish at the family-run stable, where you can warm up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and sweet kleina while getting to know the hosts and horses.

The main consideration is the price, $202 per person, and the fact that the tour runs rain or shine. The evening pickup window is fixed at 6:30 to 6:45 PM, so this works best when you can build your evening around it.

Key points to know before you book

• Small groups of up to eight: You get more personal instruction than on a large trail ride.
• Beginner-friendly riding: A short lesson comes first, and the horses are selected and trained for riders with little experience.
• Three distinct settings: The route includes green Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the red volcanic formations of Rauðhólar.
• A warm local ending: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina are served after the ride.
• Easy Reykjavík access: Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavík area are included.
• Plan for Icelandic weather: Bring warm clothes and closed-toe shoes, since the tour operates in rain or shine.

Riding Icelandic horses close to Reykjavík

Viking Horses operates from a family-run stable about 15 minutes from Reykjavík. That short transfer matters. You can spend your afternoon in the capital, meet your pickup in the early evening, and reach open countryside without committing to a full-day excursion.

The stable is surrounded by mountains, green nature, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar. This gives the outing a strong sense of place before you even mount up. You are not simply riding in a paddock beside a city. The nearby terrain provides several kinds of scenery within one short ride.

The evening timing is especially appealing during Iceland’s bright summer season. The tour is designed around the soft light and long days of the Nordic summer solstice, when the evening can feel much later than the clock suggests. The exact starting time depends on availability, but pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM.

You should wait at your accommodation or selected pickup point during that window. Since pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavík area, you do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the stable.

A calm start with a short riding lesson

The tour begins with instruction before heading out on the trail. That is good news if you have never ridden an Icelandic horse, or if your last ride was many years ago. The lesson gives you a chance to understand the basic controls, settle into the saddle, and ask questions before the scenery starts moving past you.

This is not presented as a fast or highly technical riding trip. The horses are described as friendly, happy, well trained, and suitable for beginners or people with little experience. The small group also helps here. A guide can pay closer attention to your comfort and riding position when there are no more than eight people in the group.

I would still be honest with yourself about your comfort level. Horse riding requires balance, confidence, and the ability to follow instructions. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or children under eight.

Riding helmets are included. Rain clothes are also available, which is useful in Iceland, where a clear start can change quickly. You should still wear comfortable clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Avoid bringing a backpack, since backpacks are not allowed on the ride.

Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and open green hills

Once the lesson is finished, the ride heads into the natural areas around the stable. Hólmsheiði provides the green setting, with hills and trails that give the experience a rural feel without taking you far from the capital.

The appeal here is not one famous viewpoint. It is the change of pace. You leave the roads and buildings behind, then move through open countryside on horseback. I like this kind of outing because it lets you notice small details in the terrain rather than rushing from one photo stop to another.

The route also includes Stallion Valley. The name adds a distinctly Icelandic touch, but the practical attraction is the variety of riding trails. You are not confined to one short loop beside the stable. The path moves through different types of countryside before reaching the volcanic formations.

Your guide keeps the group together and helps riders who need extra direction. One guide named Monica is specifically noted for offering clear help to less experienced riders and for taking photos and videos during the ride. That can be a real benefit. Riding leaves you with little free time to handle a phone, especially when you are trying to keep your balance and pay attention to the horse.

The photo service should not be treated as the main reason to book, since it may depend on the guide and conditions on your departure. Still, it adds value for anyone who wants a record of the ride without constantly stopping to take pictures.

Rauðhólar and Iceland’s red volcanic formations

The visual high point is Rauðhólar, a group of red and striking lava formations. The color and rough volcanic shapes provide a sharp contrast to the green hills of Hólmsheiði.

This is where the ride feels most tied to Iceland’s geology. You are not only seeing the country from a saddle. You are moving through ground shaped by volcanic activity, with the red formations giving the route a bold, unusual character.

The changing scenery also helps justify the cost. A short horse ride in a basic arena would offer the novelty of riding but not much sense of place. Here, the route combines green countryside, hills, a named valley, and volcanic rock. That makes the three hours feel like a proper outing rather than a quick introduction to a horse stable.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is still a guided beginner-friendly ride, not an advanced expedition or a full-day trek into remote Iceland. The value comes from the combination of easy access, small-group attention, Icelandic horses, and several distinct natural settings.

Getting to know the horses and hosts

The horses are a central part of the experience, not just transportation. Viking Horses presents them as friendly, happy, and well trained, with temperaments suited to riders who may be new to horseback riding.

That matters in Iceland, where the horse is closely tied to rural life and national identity. You get a more direct connection with the animals than you would from simply viewing them in a field. The slow pace also gives you time to notice their behavior and settle into a partnership with the horse assigned to you.

The company is family-run, and the service is described as warm and personal. That is another reason the group limit matters. With eight people or fewer, the stable experience can feel more like a hosted visit than a large commercial ride.

The equipment is described as high quality, with helmets and rain clothes included. You need to bring your own comfortable clothes and suitable shoes. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted, and backpacks are not allowed.

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and kleina after the ride

After the ride, you return to the Viking Horses stable for light refreshments. Hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are served with kleina, a deep-fried Icelandic sweetbread.

This simple ending is one of the nicest details of the outing. Icelandic weather can make a warm drink feel well earned, even on a pleasant evening. It also gives you time to relax, talk with the hosts, and enjoy the stable without having to hurry straight back to Reykjavík.

The refreshments are not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need dinner. The tour ends with drinks and a sweet snack, not a substantial supper. That is easy to manage, since the early evening departure leaves time to plan a later meal in Reykjavík.

Is $202 a fair price?

At $202 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: Reykjavík-area pickup and drop-off, a three-hour experience, a riding lesson, helmet and rain clothes, a live English-speaking guide, the small group, and hot refreshments afterward.

The eight-person maximum is important to the value. A large stable operation might offer a lower price, but you could receive less individual attention. Here, the guide has a better chance to help nervous riders, answer questions, and keep the pace comfortable.

The location also saves time and transport planning. The stable is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavík, so you are paying for the experience rather than a long drive to reach it. The volcanic scenery and evening timing give the ride more character than a standard short stable circuit.

I would not choose this tour solely because it is the cheapest way to ride a horse. It is better suited to someone who wants a personal, scenic outing and values comfort, instruction, and a small group. If you are comparing it with a simple one-hour ride, the price difference is substantial. If you want a fuller evening experience with transport and refreshments included, the cost is easier to defend.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This outing suits first-time riders, occasional riders, couples, families with children eight and older, and anyone who wants to see Icelandic nature without spending a full day on the road.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a quiet activity over a crowded attraction. The group limit and family-run setting create a more personal feel, while the guide provides support for riders who are unsure at first.

You should look elsewhere if you want fast riding, advanced techniques, a long wilderness trek, or a guaranteed dry-weather activity. The tour runs rain or shine, and the route is designed for beginners and riders with limited experience.

The fixed evening timing is another practical point. Pickup is between 6:30 and 6:45 PM, so check that it fits your dinner plans and other Reykjavík activities. During the bright Icelandic summer, the late timing is part of the appeal. Outside that season, you should confirm the available departure time before booking.

Practical advice for a comfortable ride

Wear warm layers rather than relying on one heavy coat. You will be outdoors for much of the experience, and Icelandic conditions can shift even when the forecast looks mild.

Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable footwear is more important than fashion. Avoid bringing a backpack, since it is not allowed. The stable provides riding helmets and rain clothes, but you should still arrive prepared with warm, comfortable clothing.

The tour operates in all weather. If rain is likely, the included rain gear will help, but you may still want a waterproof outer layer for the transfer and time around the stable. Hot drinks at the end are a welcome comfort, not a substitute for proper clothing.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when Iceland’s weather and your wider itinerary are still being arranged.

Should you book Viking Horses?

Book this ride if you want a small-group introduction to Icelandic horses with a scenic route, easy Reykjavík access, and patient support for beginners. The combination of Hólmsheiði’s green hills, Stallion Valley, Rauðhólar’s red lava formations, and a warm drink afterward gives the evening a clear sense of place.

I would be more cautious if $202 feels high for a three-hour activity or if you dislike riding in uncertain weather. For the right person, though, the cost buys more than saddle time. You get transport, instruction, friendly horses, personal guidance, and a relaxed look at Iceland’s countryside close to the capital.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding tour?

The experience lasts three hours.

What time is pickup in Reykjavík?

Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. You should wait at your accommodation or chosen pickup location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavík area.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience, and it begins with a short riding lesson.

What areas will I see during the ride?

The route includes Hólmsheiði hills, Stallion Valley, and the red volcanic formations of Rauðhólar.

Are helmets and rain clothes provided?

Yes. Riding helmets and rain clothes are included.

What refreshments are served afterward?

The stable provides hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, along with deep-fried sweetbread called kleina.

What should I bring?

Bring warm, comfortable clothing and closed-toe, comfortable shoes.

Who cannot join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Backpacks, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.