North Iceland: Horseback Riding Tour

Iceland looks different from the saddle. This two-hour ride with Lava Horses takes you through birch woodland, black sand, volcanic rocks, moss, fields, and water, giving you a fine cross-section of northeastern Iceland in a short time. I like the changing terrain and the chance to try the Icelandic horse’s special tölt, a smooth riding gait that makes this more than a simple farm ride.

I also like the small group, limited to seven people, and the patient guiding style reported by riders who worked with Audrey and Anna. Beginners received calm help, while experienced riders still had room to enjoy the horses and scenery. The main drawback is practical: you must arrange your own transport to the farm, and two hours in the saddle can leave you sore, especially if you are not used to riding.

Key points at a glance

• Try the Icelandic horse’s tölt: You get a chance to experience one of this breed’s best-known riding gaits.
• Cross varied North Iceland terrain: The route includes a birch forest, black sand plain, lava rocks, moss, fields, a river, and a small lake.
• Small groups help beginners: With no more than seven participants, the guide can check on riders and adjust support.
• The ride changes with the season: You might see cows grazing in summer and sheep in autumn.
• Guides receive strong praise: Audrey and Anna are noted for patience, encouragement, local stories, and careful horse selection.
• Plan for Icelandic weather: Riders have described cold, wind, rain, and even snow in some areas, so proper clothing matters.

Starting from the farm with the right horse

The tour begins at the farm, where you meet the horses and receive your riding equipment and helmet. The horses are described as friendly and well cared for, which matters greatly if you are new to riding. A good horse can make the difference between spending the first half of the tour worrying and spending it looking around.

Horse selection is another quiet strength here. One rider specifically noted that her horse, Lisa, was a good match. You should not expect to choose a horse based only on appearance. The guides need to pair riders with animals suited to their experience and comfort, and that behind-the-scenes judgment can make the whole outing feel safer.

You need only a basic level of physical fitness, but horseback riding still asks something of your legs, back, and balance. Even a relaxed two-hour ride can leave you sore the next morning. If you have not ridden recently, remember that the tour may feel easy while you are in the saddle and less easy when you get off.

The small group size is useful from the first few minutes. A guide can explain the basics, check that your helmet and equipment are comfortable, and offer encouragement without having to manage a large line of riders. French riders who had no previous experience found Audrey especially supportive, and other first-time riders said they felt safe on the horses.

You should arrive at least 10 minutes before the start. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and dress for the weather rather than for the calendar. Iceland can turn a pleasant summer ride into a cold, wet outing, and one family received foul-weather clothing when conditions became especially rough.

Down to the river through farm fields

From the farm, the route heads down toward the river. The early part gives you time to settle into the horse’s rhythm and learn how the group moves together. Fields along the way may contain cows during summer or sheep in autumn, adding a working-farm feel to the ride.

This section is not just scenery between larger attractions. It helps place the ride in the everyday countryside of North Iceland. You are not being taken from one staged photo stop to another. Instead, you travel through land still used for grazing, with the horses carrying you at a pace that lets you notice small changes around you.

The guide also provides a useful social layer. Audrey was praised for speaking with everyone, offering encouragement, and sharing facts about the area. Anna was described as an informative guide who added stories while keeping the ride enjoyable. That kind of guiding is particularly helpful when the group includes riders with mixed levels of experience.

You should not expect a long history lecture or a formal nature presentation. The information appears to come naturally during the ride, when there is something worth pointing out. That is a good fit if you prefer a moving outdoor activity to a classroom-style tour.

Following the river and crossing water

For a while, the route follows the river. The sound and movement of the water give this part a different feel from the open fields. You are still riding, but the river provides a clear natural line through the area and keeps the scenery changing without requiring a long transfer between stops.

The route also crosses a small lake. This is one of the details that makes the ride feel like a real outing rather than a short loop beside the farm. Crossing water on horseback is memorable, though the exact conditions can depend on weather and ground conditions.

Some reviews describe crossing a small river as well. The supplied route information specifically mentions following a river and crossing a small lake, so you should think of water as part of the ride, not as a guaranteed dramatic crossing at a fixed point. Your guide will set the pace and help the group handle the route.

This portion may be less comfortable for riders who dislike wet conditions or are nervous around uneven ground. It is also one reason to wear practical clothing and shoes. You are not riding in an indoor arena, and the horse trail takes you through natural terrain.

Lava rocks, moss, and North Iceland’s black sand

After the water and riverside section, the route threads between volcanic rocks and moss. The dark stone and soft green growth show the volcanic character of Iceland in a direct, close-up way. From horseback, you see the ground at a slower pace than you would from a car, and the rocks become part of the ride rather than a blur beside the road.

The route then reaches a broad plain of black sand. This is likely to be one of the strongest visual moments of the outing. The open surface creates a sharp contrast with the birch woodland and green fields, and it gives the horses room to move across a wide, stark setting.

The black sand is also a reminder that Iceland’s beauty is not limited to bright colors. Dark volcanic ground, gray weather, moss, and pale water can make a powerful combination, especially when the weather changes. One rider described snow in some spots, while another rode in cold, wind, and rain. You may see very different moods here depending on the day.

A practical note: open ground can make the weather feel more exposed. Do not assume that a sunny start will last for the entire ride. Pack or wear layers that handle wind and rain, and follow the advice to dress for current conditions.

Trying the tölt on an Icelandic horse

A central reason to choose this tour is the horse itself. The Icelandic horse is famous for its distinctive tölt, and the guide gives you an opportunity to try it when conditions and rider ability allow. This is a special feature, not an automatic promise that every rider will spend a long stretch at that gait.

For a beginner, the tölt may be a highlight because it offers a new way to understand the breed. You will receive instruction and encouragement, then test the gait under the guide’s direction. For an advanced rider, this part gives the outing more substance than a simple walking trail.

The tour is designed for both beginners and experienced riders, but the wording about basic physical shape is important. You do not need advanced riding skills, yet you should be comfortable spending two hours on a horse. Pregnant women, people with back problems, and people with animal allergies should not take this activity.

The small group helps here too. With up to seven participants, the guide can pay attention to how each rider is managing. Beginners praised Audrey for checking in and making them feel comfortable, while families appreciated the gentle horses and relaxed pace.

Returning through the birch forest

The return route takes you through the farm’s natural birch forest. After the exposed black sand and open fields, the trees create a more enclosed finish. Birch woodland is not the first setting many people picture when they think of Iceland, which makes this final section a pleasant surprise.

The forest also gives the ride a sense of progression. You begin near the farm, move through fields and along the river, cross water, pass lava rocks and black sand, then return through trees. In two hours, you see several distinct settings without spending much of the activity sitting in a vehicle.

I like this structure because it gives the ride a proper arc. It does not depend on one dramatic viewpoint. The appeal comes from the steady change in ground, vegetation, water, and open space. If you want to see a great deal in a short time, this route uses the two-hour format well.

The pace should remain suitable for a mixed group, though the exact riding speed can depend on weather, the horses, and the ability of the people taking part. Advanced riders may find the outing more scenic than athletic. Beginners will likely appreciate that it is not built around speed.

Why the $141 price can make sense

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two hours. You are paying for the horse, riding equipment, helmet, experienced guide, farm operation, and a small group capped at seven people. Hotel pickup, drop-off, food, and drinks are not included.

The value depends on what you want from a North Iceland activity. If you only want a brief ride near a farm, the price may feel high. If you want a guided route through several types of terrain, a chance to try the tölt, and close attention from a small-group guide, the cost is easier to justify.

Transport is the main extra expense and inconvenience. You need to reach the farm on your own, and one rider found this difficult after arriving by cruise ship, especially when the ship changed ports. The operator was flexible in that case, but you should still treat transportation as your responsibility and confirm that your timing works before booking.

The ability to cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund adds useful flexibility. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your North Iceland plans are still shifting. These policies do not erase the transport issue, but they reduce the risk of committing too early.

Weather, clothing, and physical comfort

Icelandic weather is part of the experience, not a minor footnote. Riders have reported cold, wind, rain, and snow during the season. The tour may be beautiful in clear weather, but poor conditions can make the same two-hour route feel much tougher.

Wear comfortable clothes that allow movement, sturdy comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate layers. You receive a helmet and riding equipment, but food and drinks are not supplied. Bring what you need for the time before or after the ride.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies. You should also think honestly about your physical shape. You do not need to be an experienced rider, but you do need to manage a two-hour outing on horseback.

Some soreness afterward is possible. One experienced rider specifically mentioned feeling sore the next morning. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it is useful planning information if you have a full day of sightseeing afterward.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This tour suits you if you want an outdoor activity that combines animals, scenery, and gentle adventure. It is particularly good for first-time riders who want a supportive introduction rather than a fast or demanding horseback trip.

Families may also like it, provided every participant meets the physical and health requirements. The horses have been described as gentle, and guides have been praised for patience with new riders. The small group keeps the outing personal without turning it into a private tour.

Experienced riders should book it for the setting and the Icelandic horse, not for a hard workout. The route offers varied ground and a chance to try the tölt, but the pace must work for everyone in the group.

This may not suit you if you dislike unpredictable weather, cannot arrange your own transport, have back problems, or want a short ride with no chance of soreness. It is also not a good choice if animal allergies are a concern.

Should you book the Lava Horses tour?

I would book this tour if riding an Icelandic horse is high on your North Iceland list and you want more than a simple paddock circuit. The combination of birch forest, black sand, lava rocks, river, lake, fields, and open country gives the two hours real variety.

The strongest reasons to go are the gentle horses, the patient guides, and the chance to try the tölt. Audrey and Anna receive especially warm praise for encouragement, local stories, and careful attention to riders. Just arrange your own transport, dress for rain and wind, and allow for a little soreness afterward.

At $141, it is best viewed as a focused small-group nature outing rather than a budget activity. For a beginner, a family, or a rider who wants to experience Iceland from horseback, that can be good value.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The riding tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour take place?

It takes place in northeastern Iceland in the Northeastern Region, beginning from the farm operated by Lava Horses.

What terrain will I ride through?

The route includes farm fields, a river, a small lake, volcanic rocks, moss, a black sand plain, and a natural birch forest.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and advanced riders. Beginners should have a basic level of physical fitness.

Will I get to try the tölt?

The tour gives you the opportunity to try the tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the two-hour riding tour, an experienced English-speaking guide, a helmet, and riding equipment.

Is transportation to the farm included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the farm.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and clothing suitable for the weather. Conditions can be cold, windy, rainy, or snowy.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies.