Deacon Horse Riding Tour

Ride into North Iceland on horseback. The Deacon Horse Riding Tour takes you from a farm near Akureyri into wooded trails, open meadows, mountain views, and a rushing stream, giving you access to places a coach cannot reach. I especially like the calm Icelandic horses and the warm finish with coffee, cake, and light refreshments. The main catch is that the pace may be gentle, and the advertised group size has not always been consistent.

This is a strong pick if you are new to riding or returning after years away. Guides such as Anna María, Amelie, Berber, Lara, Monica, and Britt have helped riders feel safe and supported, while experienced riders have sometimes been able to tölt, trot, or gallop. I would want clear arrival instructions, though, since parking and entry at the farm have caused some confusion.

Key details before you saddle up

• Scenic farm setting: Ride through meadows and wooded paths, cross a small bridge or stream, and pause for mountain views and photos.
• The tölt is part of the appeal: You may have several chances to try the Icelandic horse’s smooth, distinctive gait.
• Suitable for beginners: Short lessons and carefully matched horses help first-time riders settle in.
• A personal finish: Coffee, tea, cake, and light snacks are offered after the ride.
• Small-group promise: The tour is described as a maximum of six, while other information gives a maximum of eight, so confirm the group size if that matters to you.
• Plan for the farm location: The meeting point is Ytri-Bægisá on Þelamerkurvegur, outside Akureyri, and the tour returns there.

A two-hour ride from Ytri-Bægisá

The total outing lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with roughly 1.5 hours in the saddle. You meet at Ytri-Bægisá, Þelamerkurvegur, 604, Iceland, then return to the same place at the end.

That timing works well in a busy North Iceland itinerary. You get enough riding to feel that you have gone somewhere, but not so much that a first-time rider is likely to feel worn out. The short social time afterward also matters. You are not rushed straight from the saddle back to your car.

The setting is part of the attraction. This is not a ring ride beside a parking lot. The route can include a small bridge, wooded trails, open meadows, a river or rushing stream, and a hillside stop with views back toward the mountains. One route description calls the ride a mountain outing, but a more precise picture is a farm-based ride with mountain scenery rather than a long trek high into the mountains.

That distinction is useful. If you imagine hours of remote riding above the tree line, you may find the route more modest than expected. If you want a manageable ride through varied countryside with strong views, the setting should fit nicely.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

The horses are a major reason to choose this tour. Icelandic horses are smaller than many riding horses, which can make mounting and handling less intimidating for a beginner. Their calm nature also helps when you are nervous during the first few minutes.

Horse assignments appear to be based on your experience and comfort. New riders have been given short lessons in a pen before heading out, while riders with more experience have received horses suited to a livelier outing. Names such as Gunnvör and Leikur have become part of the fond memories made here, and the horses are repeatedly praised for being gentle, well trained, and patient.

That does not mean you can simply climb on and expect the horse to do everything. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be comfortable sitting in the saddle, following instructions, and handling a horse at a walking pace. Riding can use muscles you do not notice in daily life.

The first few steps may feel thrilling if this is your first time. That is normal. The guides are used to helping people who are nervous, including riders who have not been on a horse for 10 or 15 years. Pay attention during the opening lesson, ask questions, and tell the guide honestly how much riding you have done.

From the pen to the countryside

The early part of the tour is about getting comfortable. You learn basic handling and receive an introduction to your horse before leaving the farm area. This is especially valuable for first-time riders, since the most stressful moment is often not the countryside ride itself, but getting on, starting, and learning how the horse responds.

Once the group sets off, the route changes pace and scenery. You may ride along a dirt or gravel road, pass through meadows, enter wooded trails, cross a bridge, and follow the countryside beneath a mountain backdrop. Short breaks give you a chance to settle into the saddle and take photographs.

Those breaks are well judged for mixed groups. A confident rider may be ready to move on, while a beginner may appreciate a pause to relax the legs and enjoy the view. The guides also use these moments to check that everyone is comfortable.

One point deserves a fair warning. The advertised wording suggests horseback riding in the mountains, but at least one route description felt more like riding up and down a dirt and gravel road with mountain views. The scenery is still attractive, yet the exact route may depend on weather, group ability, and the horses. I would book this for the countryside and horse connection, not for an extreme mountain trek.

Trying the tölt

The Icelandic horse has a special gait called the tölt. It is known for being smooth, and this tour gives you several possible chances to try it.

For many riders, the tölt is the distinctive moment of the outing. It offers something you would not get from an ordinary trail ride on a standard horse. Still, the guides put safety and control first, so the amount of faster riding depends on the group and each rider’s ability.

If you are a beginner, most of your outing may be at a walk with a short introduction to a faster gait. That is not a flaw. It gives you time to enjoy the horse and scenery without feeling pushed.

Experienced riders should set expectations carefully. Some outings have included tölt, trot, and even gallop, but other rides have stayed mostly slow, with only a little tölt near the end. Tell the guide what you hope to do, but understand that the final decision depends on the horses, terrain, weather, and the ability of the whole group.

This is one reason a small group matters. With only a few riders, it is easier for the guide to respond to individual needs. The tour is described as having a maximum of six, while the additional information gives a maximum of eight. One particularly busy day reached 12 riders, which led to delays with saddles and horse assignments. I would confirm the expected group size before booking if personal attention is a top priority.

Guides who keep the ride relaxed

The human side of the tour receives some of its strongest praise. Anna María and the Stable Stop team are described as friendly and attentive, with guides who explain clearly and stay involved during the ride.

Several guides are mentioned by name. Amelie helped riders who had not ridden for many years. Lara supported beginners with a calm, friendly approach. Berber led a scenic 1.5-hour ride, and Monica and Britt were remembered for making the outing fun. Anna, Berber, and Marta also received praise for being interactive and welcoming.

Those details matter more than polished sales language. On horseback, a guide who notices your posture, nerves, or pace can change the whole day. I like that the staff appear willing to match the horse and instructions to the person rather than treating every rider alike.

The small group can also make the ride feel more personal. One outing had only two riders, allowing for a relaxed pace and several photo stops. Do not assume every departure will be that intimate, but the tour is designed to be smaller than a large coach excursion.

Coffee, cake, and a friendly finish

After returning to the farm, you are invited in for coffee and light refreshments. Tea, water, homemade cake, and a traditional Icelandic happy marriage cake have all been served on different occasions.

This is a simple touch, but it adds real value. You have time to talk with the guides, warm up, and enjoy the farm atmosphere instead of treating the ride as a quick transaction. For families, first-time riders, and anyone who likes meeting local hosts, the refreshment stop is a welcome part of the outing.

Do not book the tour solely for the cake. The riding is the main event, and the exact snack may vary. Still, this relaxed ending helps explain why the experience feels more personal than a basic horse rental.

Is $160.57 a fair price?

At $160.57 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price becomes easier to justify if you value several parts together: about 1.5 hours on horseback, a small-group format, instruction for beginners, a horse matched to your ability, guides who stay engaged, and refreshments afterward.

The price also compares favorably with the cost of a short private taxi excursion if horseback riding is one of your main goals. Port pickup has been available for an extra charge, and one rider found that the service was on time both ways and likely cost about the same as a taxi. That pickup is not included in the stated tour price, so check the arrangement before you count it in your budget.

The value is weaker if you are an experienced rider expecting a long, fast ride. The scheduled riding time is only around 90 minutes, and a few riders wished it were longer. Some experienced riders have enjoyed faster work, but others have found the outing too slow.

I see this as a good-value cultural and outdoor activity for beginners, families, cruise visitors, and riders who want scenery more than speed. For advanced riders, ask directly about the planned pace and route.

Practical details that can save you trouble

The tour is offered from February through October, according to the provided availability. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the outing requires suitable conditions. If poor weather cancels the ride, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. The activity is offered in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Give yourself time to find Ytri-Bægisá. The meeting point is outside central Akureyri, and unclear parking or entrance directions have caused some arrival confusion. I would contact the operator before setting out and ask exactly where to park and enter.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow plenty of time for the return journey. Port pickup may be arranged for an additional charge, but it should be confirmed in advance. The tour itself ends back at the farm, not at the port.

Wear clothing suited to outdoor weather and expect to spend time in the saddle. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and you should be prepared for a mix of walking pace, possible tölt, and uneven countryside conditions.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend the Deacon Horse Riding Tour to:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction and a gentle introduction
• Riders returning after a long break
• Families seeking a scenic activity with a personal feel
• Cruise visitors looking for something beyond bus sightseeing
• Experienced riders who are happy with a short, controlled ride
• Anyone interested in Icelandic horses and the tölt

I would pause before booking if you need a guaranteed fast ride, a long mountain trek, or a tightly organized large-group schedule. The route and speed can vary, and the group-size information is not perfectly consistent.

Should you book the Deacon Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly farm experience, kind Icelandic horses, striking North Iceland scenery, and enough instruction to feel at ease. The strongest parts are the horse matching, the supportive guides, the chance to try the tölt, and the coffee-and-cake finish.

Before paying, confirm the meeting instructions, pickup options, expected group size, and likely pace. If you treat this as a scenic 1.5-hour ride with a local welcome, the price is reasonable. If you expect a full-day mountain expedition with extended galloping, choose another kind of riding tour.

FAQ

Where does the Deacon Horse Riding Tour begin?

It begins at Ytri Bægisá, Ytri-Bægisá, Þelamerkurvegur, 604, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. About 1.5 hours is spent riding.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $160.57 per person.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. All riding levels are welcome, from beginners to expert riders. Beginners may receive a short lesson before leaving the farm area.

Can experienced riders ride faster?

You may have chances to try the tölt, the special gait of Icelandic horses. Some outings have also included a trot or gallop, but the pace depends on the group, horses, route, and conditions.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is described as a small-group activity with a maximum of six people. Additional information gives a maximum of eight, and one busy day had 12 riders, so confirm the expected group size before booking.

Is transportation from the port included?

Port pickup has been available for an additional charge. It is not included in the stated tour price, so confirm the arrangement in advance.

What happens after the ride?

You are invited to enjoy coffee and light refreshments. Depending on the day, this may include tea, water, cake, or homemade happy marriage cake.

When can the tour operate?

The listed season runs from February through October. The tour also requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If it is canceled for either reason, you can be offered another date or a full refund.