Levi: Riding Trek with Icelandic Horses

Winter looks better from horseback. This gentle Icelandic horse trek near Levi takes you through forests, open plains, roads, and snowy views of the surrounding fells. I like the calm horses and the way the guide adjusts the route and pace to suit the group. I also like the small group size, limited to six people, which makes the instruction feel more personal.

The main drawback is the cold. You need proper winter clothing and warm shoes, and the ride may feel slow if you already have plenty of riding experience. The maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms, and children must be at least seven unless they already have trek-riding experience.

Key points to know before you book

• Gentle Icelandic horses: The horses are known for their reliable temperaments, making this a sensible first ride for beginners.
• Try the tölt: You may get to feel the smooth, distinctive gait that makes Icelandic horses special.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A 10-minute safety briefing and riding lesson come before the trek.
• Small groups: With only two to six participants, the guide can adjust the ride to the group’s ability.
• One or two hours: Choose a shorter introduction or a longer outing through the forests, plains, and roads around Levi.
• Cold-weather planning matters: Riding gear is provided, but you still need warm layers and sturdy, warm shoes.

A quiet ride through Levi’s winter country

This is a straightforward way to see Lapland outside the ski slopes and town center. Instead of moving through the snow on a motorized vehicle, you travel at horse pace, with time to notice the trees, open ground, roads, and distant fells around Levi.

I like that the focus is not on speed or technical riding. The outing is designed to work for first-timers as well as people who already feel at home in a saddle. The guide decides the pace and route with two things in mind: the riding ability of the group and the weather that day.

That makes the trek a good fit for families, couples, and friends who want a shared outdoor activity without committing to a full-day excursion. It also means you should not expect a fast ride or a demanding trail session. If your main aim is to cover a lot of ground, this may feel gentle. If you want a relaxed winter memory with well-mannered horses, it makes more sense.

The Icelandic horses add something unusual. Along with the familiar walk, you may try the tölt, a distinctive gait associated with this breed. It is a fun detail even for experienced riders, and a memorable first taste of Icelandic horse riding for beginners.

Starting at Lapland Saga or Design Hotel Levi

You have two listed starting options: Lapland Saga or Design Hotel Levi. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check the confirmation carefully rather than assuming you should go straight to the riding location.

If you arrange pick-up, be ready 20 minutes before the activity begins. The driver waits only five minutes after the planned pick-up time, so this is one part of the day where being early pays off. If you make your own way there, arrive at the stable 15 minutes before departure.

That early arrival is not wasted time. The horses need to be prepared, and the guide needs to organize the group before you set out. In a winter setting, a late arrival can cause stress for everyone, especially when the scheduled ride is only one hour.

The outing finishes with drop-off at either Design Hotel Levi or Lapland Saga, depending on the arrangement you choose. Pick-up is available, but the details depend on the option and meeting point selected during booking.

The first 10 minutes: safety and riding basics

The activity begins with an initial riding lesson and safety briefing lasting about 10 minutes. You do not need previous riding experience, so the guide starts with the basics needed for a safe outing.

This short introduction is particularly useful if you have never sat on a horse before. You can expect instructions on how to handle yourself around the horse and how to follow the guide during the trek. The aim is not to turn you into an expert in ten minutes. It is to help you feel steady enough to ride as part of a small group.

I would treat this briefing as an important part of the experience, not a formality to hurry through. A horse may be gentle and reliable, but you still need to listen, follow spacing instructions, and stay aware of the people and horses around you.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than six people, the guide has a better chance of noticing if a beginner needs another explanation or a little extra time. The minimum group size is two people, so solo visitors should check availability before planning around this activity.

Out on the trail with Icelandic horses

Once the instruction is finished, the group rides into the winter setting around Lapland Saga. The route can include forests, plains, and roads, with views toward the surrounding fells and snow-covered countryside.

The exact route is not fixed. Weather conditions and the ability of the riders affect both the direction and the speed. That is good safety practice, but it also means you should see the description as a guide rather than a promise of one exact path.

Beginners are likely to spend much of the ride building confidence and learning the rhythm of moving with a horse. More experienced riders may find the pace conservative, especially if the rest of the group is new to riding. The guide’s job is to keep the outing comfortable for everyone, so the group does not split into separate fast and slow rides.

The horses are the strongest part of the activity. They are described as lovable, gentle, and dependable, and the favorable feedback consistently focuses on their calm temperaments. That matters more here than fancy facilities or a long list of riding tricks. A relaxed horse gives a first-time rider a better chance to enjoy the snowy setting instead of worrying about every movement.

You may also have the opportunity to try the tölt. This gait is unique to Icelandic horses and is one of the details that separates this outing from an ordinary pony ride. The guide will decide when it is suitable, based on the group’s skill level and the conditions.

Do not assume that every participant will spend a lot of time at the tölt. The activity is built around safe, shared riding, and the guide may keep the pace at a walk if that is best for the group. Still, having the chance to try this special gait adds real character to the outing.

One hour or two hours in the saddle

You can choose between a one-hour and two-hour trek. The one-hour option is the practical choice if you are new to riding, traveling with children, or trying to fit several Lapland activities into one day.

A shorter ride gives you the main elements: instruction, time with the horse, snowy scenery, and a taste of the trek without asking too much of a first-time rider. It may also suit anyone unsure how comfortable they will feel in a saddle during cold weather.

The two-hour option gives the ride more breathing room. You have longer to settle into the horse’s movement, see more of the surrounding forests and plains, and enjoy the change from ordinary sightseeing. It is the better pick if horseback riding is one of the main reasons you are booking.

Even then, remember that the pace depends on the group. Two hours does not necessarily mean a fast or demanding ride. It means more time outdoors with the horses.

The listed price is $111 per person, and the same price applies to adults and children. That is not a small add-on cost, especially for a family, but the price includes riding instruction, gear, the trek, guiding, and possible pick-up service. The value is strongest if you want a small-group activity with equipment and guidance included, rather than simply a brief horse photo opportunity.

The five-minute photo stop

A short photo stop is built into the outing. It lasts about five minutes, which is enough to take a few pictures with the horses and the winter setting without turning the activity into a photo session.

This is a useful pause for families and friends. Riding gloves, thick layers, and winter conditions can make it awkward to take pictures while moving, so a planned stop gives you a clear moment for photos.

Keep your expectations sensible. Five minutes is brief, and the main purpose of the activity is riding. If you want a large collection of carefully posed images, this is not a dedicated photo tour. If you want a few meaningful pictures with an Icelandic horse in snowy Lapland, the stop should do the job.

The final 10 minutes at Lapland Saga

After the ride, you have about 10 minutes of free time and shopping at Lapland Saga. This gives you a little time to look around before returning to the hotel or finishing at the starting point.

It is a modest ending rather than a major attraction. Still, it can be handy if you want a small souvenir or need a few minutes to warm up and collect yourself after the ride. With a short activity like this, the extra time also helps keep the schedule from feeling like a rushed dash from saddle to vehicle.

The complete outing lasts about one to two hours, depending on the riding option you choose. The safety briefing, riding time, photo stop, and free time are all part of the planned flow.

Staying warm in the Arctic

You receive riding gear, but you should still bring warm clothing and warm shoes. The cold is the practical issue most likely to affect your enjoyment. Sitting on a horse at a gentle pace can feel colder than walking, especially during a one or two-hour ride.

Wear layers that allow movement. Keep your hands, feet, and head well covered, and do not assume that the provided riding gear replaces your own winter clothing. The advice from people who enjoyed the activity is consistent: wrap up well and use several layers.

Warm shoes matter because cold feet can ruin an otherwise pleasant ride. You should also arrive dressed before the briefing, rather than expecting to sort out your clothing at the last minute.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. This is both a clear rule and a sensible one around horses, icy ground, and winter equipment.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This trek suits you best if you want a calm outdoor activity and do not need a fast pace. It is especially suitable for:

• First-time riders who want instruction before setting out
• Families with children aged seven or older
• Couples looking for a shared winter activity
• Friends who want a small-group outing
• Experienced riders who enjoy Icelandic horses and want to try the tölt
• Visitors who prefer forests, plains, and fell views to motorized winter activities

Children under seven cannot join unless they already have experience on riding treks. The 95-kilogram weight limit is firm, so check this before booking if it applies to anyone in your group.

This is less suitable if you want a technical riding lesson, a long wilderness journey, or a guaranteed fast pace. The guide puts safety and group ability first, which is exactly right for beginners but may feel restrained to confident riders.

Languages, group size, and booking flexibility

Guiding is available in Finnish and English. The small group size is limited to six participants, with at least two required for the activity to operate.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lapland schedule is still changing. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. These terms are useful in winter, when weather can affect outdoor plans, but you should still check the exact start time and meeting point when booking.

Starting times vary, so availability must be checked for your chosen date. Give yourself extra time for transport, clothing, and the 15-minute early arrival requirement.

Should you book the Icelandic horse trek?

I would book this if you want an easy, personal introduction to horseback riding in Lapland. The combination of gentle horses, a small group, included gear, and flexible pacing makes it friendly to beginners. The chance to try the tölt gives the ride something more distinctive than a standard stable outing.

The main question is your tolerance for cold and a relaxed pace. Bring serious winter clothing, choose the two-hour option only if you are comfortable spending longer in the saddle, and remember that the route depends on weather and group ability.

For families, first-time riders, and anyone who wants quiet Arctic scenery with a well-behaved horse, the $111 price can be fair value. For experienced riders seeking speed or advanced instruction, the one-hour option may be enough, or you may prefer a more demanding riding program.

FAQ

Do I need previous horse-riding experience?

No. Previous riding experience is not required, and the guide provides an initial riding lesson and safety briefing.

How long does the activity last?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour riding trek. The full activity also includes a 10-minute safety briefing, a five-minute photo stop, and about 10 minutes of free time and shopping.

What is the maximum rider weight?

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

How old must children be?

Children must be at least seven years old unless they already have experience on riding treks.

How many people are in the group?

The group has a minimum of two participants and a maximum of six.

What languages are available?

The activity is guided in Finnish and English.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and warm shoes. Winter conditions can feel very cold during a slow horseback ride.

Is riding gear included?

Yes. Riding gear, riding instruction, guiding, and the horse-riding trek are included.

Where does the activity start?

The available starting locations are Lapland Saga and Design Hotel Levi. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Is pick-up available?

Yes. Pick-up service is available. If you choose it, be ready 20 minutes before the activity starts. The driver waits five minutes after the planned pick-up time.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-and-pay-later booking is also available.