Lofoten: Guided Horse Riding Tour Over Hov and Hovsund

The best Lofoten views come on horseback. This gentle ride from Hov Gård follows Gimsøya’s coast on calm Icelandic horses, with Arctic beaches, Viking remains, fishing traditions, and wide sea views along the way. I like the quiet pace and the way the route brings you close to everyday Lofoten details, including fish-drying racks and local bird life. I also like that beginners get a short riding lesson before setting off.

The main limitation is clear: this is not a fast or sporty horseback ride. The horses walk at a relaxed pace, and the tour cannot be adjusted for experienced riders who want more action. You should also note the 95-kilogram weight limit, the minimum age of eight, and the fact that hotel transport is not included.

What makes this ride special

• Icelandic horses with steady manners: The horses are trained, friendly, and suited to first-time riders.
• A real Arctic coastline: The route crosses Hov beach and continues toward Hovsund, with open views and changing weather.
• Viking traces beside modern fishing life: Ancient settlement remains and traditional fish-drying racks appear along the same route.
• Useful preparation before riding: You receive a helmet, gloves, boots, suitable outer clothing, and basic instruction.
• A slow tour for scenery, not speed: You have time to look around, listen to the guide, and enjoy the setting.
• A strong record of happy outings: The experience has a 4.8 rating from 176 reviews, with particular praise for the horses, guides, and views.

Meeting the horses at Hov Gård

Your ride begins at the stables of Hov Horse Farm in Gimsøysand, on Gimsøya Island. You meet the guide and your horse there, rather than being collected from a hotel, so you need to arrange your own way to the farm.

The first few minutes are practical and reassuring. You are fitted with a riding helmet and shown how to handle the reins. The guide explains the basics of riding an Icelandic horse before the group leaves the stable. That matters if this is your first time on a horse, since you can learn the essentials on firm ground instead of trying to work everything out beside the beach.

Gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm clothing are included. Still, wear comfortable shoes and long trousers. The supplied clothing helps with Lofoten’s changeable conditions, but your own layers remain useful, especially outside the warmer summer months.

The farm asks for each rider’s name, weight, height, age, and riding experience in English when booking. This information helps the staff match riders and horses safely. The maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds, and the tour is not suitable for children under eight or pregnant women.

Crossing Hov Beach at a calm pace

Once everyone is ready, the group heads over Hov and onto an Arctic beach. This is the scenic heart of the tour: a broad coastal setting, open water, and a sense of space that is hard to get from a car window.

The horses travel slowly. That makes the ride approachable, but it also tells you what kind of outing this is. You have time to take in the coast and listen to the guide, rather than concentrating on speed or advanced riding technique. For a beginner, that calm rhythm is a real advantage. You can settle into the saddle, learn how your horse responds, and enjoy the view without feeling rushed.

I would not book this trip if your main goal is a long gallop along the beach. One rider specifically found it disappointing that the group could not gallop and only trotted briefly near the end in a small circle. The guide keeps the pace gentle for the safety of both riders and horses, and the tour cannot be adapted for more experienced riders.

That said, even an experienced rider can find the outing worthwhile. One rider with prior experience described the scenery as strong enough to keep the ride interesting, despite its relaxed pace. The attraction here is the setting and the connection with the horses, not technical riding.

Looking for sea eagles and summer bird life

The route can also offer a chance to see local bird life in summer, including the sea eagle. This is a possibility rather than a promise, so bring patience rather than binocular-level expectations.

The open coast gives you a better chance to notice birds than a busy road or town would. Your attention naturally shifts between the horse, the shore, and the sky. If you enjoy wildlife, the ride adds another reason to keep looking around, though the guide cannot control what appears on the day.

Summer provides the best chance for this part of the experience, according to the tour information. In other seasons, the appeal is more about the dramatic coast, cool air, and changing weather. A winter outing may be windy, wet, or snowy. One December rider had rain and snow during the ride but still found it enjoyable, which is a useful reminder that the right attitude and clothing matter.

Riding toward Hovsund and its fishing traditions

After the beach, the horses head toward the fishing village of Hovsund. The route includes a gentle climb, giving you a fresh view back across the coast and out toward the surrounding scenery.

This part makes the ride more than a simple beach outing. You move through several sides of Gimsøya in a short time: shore, village, higher ground, and historic sites. The climb is described as gentle, so the focus remains on looking around rather than physical effort.

Along the route, you can see traditional racks used for drying fish. These are part of Lofoten’s long-running fishing culture, where cod is dried outdoors to make stockfish. Seeing the racks from horseback gives the tradition a natural setting. You are not only looking at a display in a museum. You are passing through a working coastal region where fishing has shaped local life.

The fish racks may not be in active use every day you visit, so treat them as a seasonal and visual feature rather than a guaranteed demonstration. Still, their presence helps explain why the villages and coastline look the way they do.

Ancient Viking traces beside the trail

The ride also passes remnants connected with Viking-age settlements. The guide provides explanations about the historic sites, so you get some context instead of simply passing old ground without knowing what you are seeing.

I like this combination of movement and history. You are not stopping for a long lecture or spending the whole tour indoors. Instead, a few remarks from the guide connect the beach, the settlement remains, and the modern fishing village.

The historic elements are remnants, not a large reconstructed attraction. If you want a major archaeological site with extensive displays, this is not that. If you enjoy small clues in the terrain and prefer history folded into an outdoor activity, the arrangement works well.

The short duration also helps keep the tour manageable. In 90 minutes, you receive a taste of Hov’s coast, Hovsund, Viking traces, and fish-drying traditions without giving up half a day of your Lofoten schedule.

The guides make the difference

A slow horseback tour depends heavily on the guide. The staff need to explain the horses, watch the group, describe the route, and keep beginners comfortable. This experience receives especially strong praise for friendly and patient guides.

Julia was singled out for being extremely nice and patient. Sarah was praised for matching first-time riders with suitable horses and for explaining the surroundings throughout the ride. Those details are important because a good horse match can shape your whole outing, especially if you have never ridden before.

Some groups also receive a short video explaining techniques specific to Icelandic horses. That is a useful touch. Icelandic horses are known for their distinctive gaits, and a clear introduction helps you understand what your horse is doing rather than simply holding the reins and hoping for the best.

The guides also take pictures on some outings. This is not listed as a guaranteed service, so bring your memories rather than counting on a personal photo session. Professional cameras are not allowed, and backpacks are also prohibited. You can use the equipment and clothing provided, but keep your personal belongings to a minimum.

Icelandic horses for beginners and experienced riders

The horses are described as friendly, calm, and well behaved. That makes the tour a good match for first-time riders who want to try horseback riding without committing to a demanding lesson.

You still need to listen carefully. Calm does not mean you can ignore the guide or the horse. Pay attention during the introduction, use the reins as shown, and follow the group’s instructions.

The horses also make the ride appealing for people who already ride. You will not get a challenging workout or a fast open run, but you can focus on the unusual setting and the Icelandic breed. The scenery keeps the outing from feeling like a basic riding-school circuit.

The important question is pace. This is a slow tour, and the operator does not tailor it for advanced riders. I would recommend it to an experienced rider who values scenery, history, and a relaxed outing. I would steer away from it if you want jumping, extended trotting, or a strong test of riding skill.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Lofoten weather can change quickly, and the coast adds wind. Rain and warm outfits are supplied, along with gloves and rubber boots, which removes much of the worry about bringing specialist riding gear.

Still, dress for the conditions you see at the stable. Long trousers are required as practical riding wear, and comfortable shoes are recommended. Layers are sensible because you may feel quite different on the open beach than you did near the stable.

The tour continues in less-than-perfect weather. A December outing included strong wind, rain, and snow, yet the rider still enjoyed it. That does not mean every person will feel the same. If you dislike cold, wet conditions, check the forecast and consider booking a milder season.

Professional cameras and backpacks are not permitted. This keeps the ride simpler and avoids loose or bulky items around the horses. Put your phone away securely if the guide permits you to carry it, and do not plan to bring a large day bag onto the route.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend 90 minutes. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: an Icelandic horse, an English-speaking guide, riding instruction, a helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm clothing.

You are paying for more than saddle time. The fee also covers a guided route through several parts of Gimsøya, with local history, fishing culture, and coastal scenery included. For a first-time rider, the equipment and instruction remove extra costs and reduce the need to pack special gear.

The value is strongest if you want a distinctive Lofoten activity that combines nature and local culture. It is weaker if you only want a long ride or maximum time in the saddle. At 1.5 hours, the tour is best viewed as a focused outing that fits neatly beside other plans, not as a full-day horse adventure.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Add the cost and time of reaching Hov Gård when you compare this with other activities. The meeting point is in the stables at Hov Horse Farm in Gimsøysand.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the ride for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Lofoten, where weather can influence outdoor plans.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend this outing to:

• First-time riders who want a gentle introduction
• Families with children aged eight and above, provided everyone meets the riding requirements
• Couples looking for a quiet coastal activity
• Riders who enjoy scenery more than speed
• Anyone interested in seeing Lofoten’s fishing culture and Viking traces in one short trip
• Visitors who do not want to pack riding boots or waterproof outerwear

I would think twice if you weigh more than 95 kilograms, are pregnant, have a child under eight, or want a faster and more technical ride. The no-backpack rule may also matter if you are coming straight from a full day out and cannot leave your gear elsewhere.

The experience has earned a 4.8 rating from 176 reviews, and the pattern is consistent: the horses, guides, and views receive the strongest praise. The most useful criticism is also consistent with the tour rules. It is slow, and it is not designed for galloping or advanced riding.

Should you book the Hov Gård ride?

Book it if you want to see Lofoten from a different height, enjoy calm horses, and like having a guide explain what you are passing. The blend of Arctic beach, Hovsund, fish-drying racks, and Viking remains gives the short ride a good sense of place.

Skip it if you are searching for speed, a long beach gallop, or a serious riding lesson. For everyone else, $145 buys a well-organized 90-minute outing with equipment included and a route that packs a lot of Lofoten character into a small amount of time.

FAQ

How long is the Lofoten horse riding tour?

The ride lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. Starting times depend on availability.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. The tour does not require previous riding experience. Your guide introduces you to the horse and explains how to handle the reins before leaving the stable.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds.

What does the tour include?

The price includes an English-speaking guide, an Icelandic horse, a riding helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm clothing for the ride.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet the guide in the stables at Hov Horse Farm in Gimsøysand, on Gimsøya Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can experienced riders gallop or request a faster ride?

No. The tour is slow-paced and cannot be adapted for more experienced riders. It is designed for a relaxed ride rather than fast riding or extended galloping.