Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Meet the horses of Iceland up close. I like this ride for two clear reasons: you get striking views of lava fields and volcanic hills, and the guides sort riders by ability early in the outing. That makes room for a calm walk or a faster ride with chances to try the famous tölt. The main drawback is that Icelandic weather can turn cold and windy quickly, even when the sky looks friendly.

I also like the practical setup: you can choose a morning or afternoon departure, borrow warm riding gear, and finish with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Pickup from selected Reykjavik points is useful, but you must choose the pickup option when booking, and the 110-kilogram, or 240-pound, weight limit is firm.

Key things to know before riding

• The tölt is the star: This smooth, four-beat gait is a special Icelandic horse skill, and stronger riders may get several chances to try it.
• Riders are regrouped by ability: Beginners ride at a slower pace, while intermediate and experienced riders may take more demanding routes.
• The setting is close to Reykjavik: Ishestar’s stables are at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, with the drive from central Reykjavik taking about 15 to 20 minutes according to ride descriptions.
• Warm gear is provided: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are included.
• The ride suits families and mixed groups: Children can participate from age 7, but anyone under 18 must ride with an adult.
• You need to mount independently: There is no promise of a mounting block or lift, and all riders must get onto the horse using their own strength.

Why Icelandic horses make this ride different

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and famously sure-footed. Their ancestors arrived with Viking settlers around the 10th century, and the breed developed in Iceland for rugged ground, changing weather, and long days outside.

You will learn about the horses before riding, including their temperaments and personalities. That introduction matters. This is not just a standard trail ride with a pretty backdrop. The horses are part of the experience, and several riders describe them as gentle, calm, friendly, and well trained.

The unusual feature is the tölt. Unlike a regular trot, the tölt is a four-beat gait that keeps one foot on the ground at all times. For the rider, that can feel smoother and less bouncy, especially across uneven ground. It is also a distinctly Icelandic experience, much like tasting local food or seeing geothermal activity.

You should not assume every rider will spend the whole tour at a fast pace. The guides first watch how the group handles the horses, then divide the riders according to ability. That is good safety practice, though it means the experience can vary depending on the people booked for your departure.

Arriving at Ishestar in Hafnarfjörður

The stable is at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, just outside Reykjavik. If you arrange transport, pickup is available from selected points in the city. Your hotel may not be one of them, so check the confirmed pickup location carefully. The operator may direct you to a nearby bus stop rather than the hotel door.

If you drive yourself, arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. That extra time allows you to check in, meet the staff, and get fitted with riding gear without rushing.

The tour is offered in English. On arrival, you tell the instructor about your riding background. Be honest here. A rider who has only sat on a horse once needs a different horse and route from someone who rides regularly. The staff then match riders with suitable horses and explain the basic controls.

Before mounting, you watch a short instructional video. You are also fitted with a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls. The clothing is especially useful in Iceland, where wind and rain can make a mild day feel raw.

Used riding gear cannot be brought onto the tour or near the horses. You should also wear clothing that can handle mud and moisture. One useful piece of advice is to leave your best shoes at the hotel. Rubber boots are supplied, and the stable environment is not kind to delicate footwear.

The first stretch: a calm introduction to riding

The opening section is designed to get you comfortable. You learn how to guide the horse, control your pace, and settle into the saddle. The instructor also helps you understand how to ask for the tölt.

This early period can feel slow for experienced riders, but it serves a purpose. The guides need to see how each person handles the horse before deciding who can ride faster. It also gives first-time riders a chance to relax before heading farther from the stable.

The horses are a major reason this ride works for beginners. They are described as calm and easy to ride, with individual personalities but steady behavior. Still, a horse is not a motorbike. You need to pay attention, follow directions, and be comfortable mounting from the ground.

The minimum age is 7. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Up to two children or young riders may travel with each paying adult, according to the tour conditions.

Lava fields, moorland, mountains, and lakes

Once the group moves out, the scenery becomes the main event. Routes pass through lava fields and open moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes in view. The combination gives you a sense of Iceland’s raw ground without requiring a long hike.

The volcanic terrain also explains why the Icelandic horse is such a good match for the setting. These horses are compact and sturdy, and riding across the open ground gives you a closer connection to the terrain than viewing it through a bus window.

The guides pause at scenic points, giving you time to look around and take photographs. Morning departures can be especially appealing during the darker seasons, when the low light may create memorable views. One rider described a 10 a.m. ride as a good time for sunrise conditions, but the exact light depends on the season and weather.

Keep your phone protected. Rain can arrive quickly, and wind can make it difficult to handle loose items while riding. The stable provides rain gear, so use it even if the forecast looks harmless. One particularly useful warning is that strong wind can appear fast, and warm head or ear protection is worth packing.

How the riding groups work

The group starts together, then separates after the instructor has watched everyone ride. Beginners take an easier route at a slower pace. Intermediate and experienced riders can often choose a faster option, with chances to work on the tölt and, for the strongest riders, possibly ride at an even quicker pace.

The exact grouping is not always identical. On some departures, intermediate riders and experienced riders may share a faster section before the most confident riders split off. On another day, the outing may remain more relaxed because of weather, ability levels, or group size.

That flexibility is one of the strongest features of the tour. A family can ride together at the start, then choose different paces without forcing a novice to keep up with a confident rider. It also means an experienced rider is less likely to spend the entire two hours walking behind a nervous beginner.

The maximum group size is 30 people, which is not tiny. Several guides may be present, and the group is broken apart during the ride, but the first gathering can feel busy. If a large departure is scheduled, expect a more organized stable experience than a private, quiet ride.

The best approach is to tell your guide exactly what you want. Say if you prefer a slow ride, want to try the tölt, or feel ready for more speed. The route and pace can be adjusted within the safety limits of the group.

Two hours is a useful length

The activity lasts about two hours. That is long enough to settle into the saddle, enjoy the scenery, and get a real taste of Icelandic riding without taking over your entire day.

A shorter outing might feel like a quick photo stop. This one gives you time to learn the basics and move beyond the stable. At the same time, you should expect some of the total time to include check-in, gear, safety instruction, and group organization.

Horseback riding uses muscles you may not expect, especially if you are not a regular rider. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to sit comfortably in the saddle and mount the horse on your own.

Pregnant women cannot ride because of possible harm to unborn children. The tour is also not suitable for anyone who cannot climb onto a horse from ground level using their own strength.

What the $133 price includes

At about $133.02 per person, this is not Iceland’s cheapest short activity. The value depends on what you need.

The price includes the guided ride, the horse, helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, warm overalls, and a hot drink afterward. If you do not have suitable outdoor clothing, that gear saves you from buying or packing extra equipment. The nearby location also keeps the outing manageable during a busy Reykjavik stay.

Hotel pickup costs more if you select a package that includes it. The basic tour does not include pre-booked transport. Since the stable is outside central Reykjavik, pickup can be worth the added cost if you do not have a rental car or prefer not to navigate a new city.

For a confident rider, the value comes from the chance to ride the tölt and take a faster route rather than simply walking in a line. For a beginner, the value is the patient instruction, gentle horses, protective clothing, and access to Icelandic scenery without a demanding hike.

The experience receives a 4.8 rating from 1,145 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. That strong record matches the most consistent praise: friendly guides, well cared-for horses, beautiful routes, and good handling of mixed ability levels. One less positive account described unfriendly interactions with some stable staff, so the human side may not be perfect at every departure.

The warm drink at the stable

After returning, you can warm up with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small detail, but a welcome one after riding through wind or rain.

The drink also gives you a few quiet minutes to come back to earth after the ride. Icelandic weather can make a two-hour outing feel more intense than the clock suggests, and warm clothing helps only so much when conditions turn rough.

Do not treat the supplied gear as optional. Rain pants and warm overalls may not look stylish, but they are exactly what you want on an Icelandic horse ride. You can enjoy the views far more when you are not worrying about wet jeans.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Experienced riders who want to try the tölt
• Families with children age 7 or older
• Couples looking for an outdoor activity near Reykjavik
• Mixed groups with beginners and confident riders
• Anyone interested in Icelandic horses and volcanic scenery

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold weather, cannot mount independently, or want a private ride with no waiting for other riders. The large departures are managed carefully, but this is still a group activity with a maximum of 30 participants.

It is also not the right choice if you need a fully guaranteed fast ride. The guides decide the pace based on safety, weather, and ability. You may get several chances to tölt, or you may spend more time walking than expected.

Booking details worth checking

You can choose a morning or afternoon ride. Pickup must be pre-booked, and only selected Reykjavik pickup points are served. If your accommodation is not listed, contact the operator to find the nearest pickup location.

Confirmation arrives at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The activity depends on good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Ishestar ride?

Yes, if you want a practical first taste of Icelandic riding with strong scenery and sensible ability groups. The combination of gentle horses, volcanic ground, warm gear, and the chance to try the tölt gives this short outing more character than a basic trail ride.

I would book the pickup option if you are staying in Reykjavik without a car, but I would confirm the exact meeting point first. I would also choose a time that fits your wider day, since the two-hour ride, transport, and changing time will take more than just the advertised riding period.

For experienced riders, ask early about the faster group. For beginners, say so without embarrassment. The best part of this tour is that you do not have to pretend to be a stronger rider than you are. The guides can place you with the right horse and pace, letting you enjoy Iceland from the saddle.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour start?

The tour starts at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup from Reykjavik included?

Pickup is included only when you book the tour option that specifically offers it. Pickup is available from selected points in Reykjavik, and your hotel may be served by a nearby bus stop instead.

How long does the experience last?

The horseback riding experience lasts approximately two hours.

What riding abilities are accepted?

The tour accepts beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders. The instructor assesses your ability and divides the group according to riding level.

What equipment is provided?

The stable provides helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is also included after the ride.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 7. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride because of possible harm to unborn children. All riders must also be able to mount the horse from the ground using their own strength.