Experience Countryside of Iceland by Horseback Riding

Horses make Iceland feel wonderfully close. This three-hour ride near Þorlákshöfn gives you a calm, personal way to see the South Coast, with Icelandic horses carrying you past beaches, lava fields, grassy banks, and mountain views. I like the small maximum group of 12 and the careful pace, since guides keep the group together and never move faster than the slowest rider. I also like that beginners can take part and may get a gentle introduction to the horse’s special tölt gait. The main concern is that the route depends on weather and season, so you may not reach the beach, and communication in English may be limited with some guides.

This is not a polished ranch resort with fancy buildings and a long list of extras. It is a working horse experience built around the animals, the open countryside, and the friendly people who run it. Maggi, also known as Magnus, is often praised for his calm teaching and warm welcome, including coffee after the ride. Still, the experience can feel basic, and a few visitors have reported late pickup, older equipment, or a shorter route than expected.

Key points to know before you book

• The tölt is the special Icelandic touch: This smooth four-beat gait is one of the main reasons to ride an Icelandic horse.
• Þorlákshöfn is close to Reykjavik: The fishing village is about 30 kilometers away, usually around a 45-minute drive.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides adjust the ride to the ability of the group and keep everyone together.
• The scenery changes with conditions: Expect possible views of beaches, lava fields, grassy banks, and mountains, but no fixed route is promised.
• Maggi’s personal welcome gets high praise: Coffee and conversation after the ride may be part of the friendly farm atmosphere.
• Bring proper clothing: Warm, comfortable clothes and good shoes are not provided, so you must come prepared.

Riding Icelandic horses near Þorlákshöfn

The ride begins at Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours on Faxabraut 6 in Þorlákshöfn. If you arrange the offered pickup, you can travel from a central Reykjavik hotel without renting a car or working out a bus connection. The drive takes about 45 minutes, giving you a quick change from city streets to the open South Coast.

Þorlákshöfn is a small fishing village south of Reykjavik. Its setting gives the ride a different feel from a city-based stable tour. You are not simply circling a paddock. Depending on the conditions, you may ride across open grass, near black-sand coastal areas, over lava fields, or toward views of the mountains.

That variety is a real part of the appeal. Iceland’s countryside can look stark and broad one minute, then soft with tall grass and low coastal light the next. On horseback, you move slowly enough to notice the ground, the wind, and the changing colors. You also get a better sense of the country’s long connection with horses.

The route is not fixed. Weather and season decide where the group can safely go. If the ground is wet, the wind is strong, or the coastal route is unsuitable, the ride may stay closer to the property or village. I would book this for the overall riding experience and scenery, not as a guaranteed beach excursion.

What the three-hour outing is likely to feel like

The published duration is about three hours, but that does not mean three uninterrupted hours in the saddle. Time is needed for arrival, helmets, riding equipment, mounting, and an introduction to the horse. The exact division depends on the group and the conditions.

You can expect the guides to match horses and riders, then explain basic control. This matters if you have never ridden before. One nervous rider described Maggi as calm and patient, with careful attention to safety and horse control. That sort of support can make the difference between enjoying the ride and spending the whole time gripping the saddle.

Once everyone is ready, the group sets out at a pace suited to its least experienced rider. This is good news for families and mixed groups, but experienced riders should understand the trade-off. You may not get a fast ride or a long period of independent riding. The priority is keeping the group safe and together.

The ride may pass through pastures and moorland, across grassy areas, near dunes, or over lava fields. Some outings have included black-sand beach views. Other accounts describe a route that stayed in a meadow behind the village and did not reach the shore. That is not necessarily a failure of the tour, since the route changes with weather and season, but it is an important expectation to set.

A three-hour booking gives you more time than a quick one-hour stable loop. Riders with some experience have used the longer time to improve their seat and learn how Icelandic horses move. The varied surfaces can make the ride feel more like a real countryside outing than a basic lesson.

The Icelandic horse and its smooth tölt

Icelandic horses are famous for their extra gaits. Along with the familiar walk, trot, and canter, many can perform the tölt, a four-beat gait known for its smooth feel. The horse keeps at least one foot on the ground at all times, creating a steady movement that can feel easier to sit than a regular trot.

The tour specifically highlights the chance to experience the tölt, but you should not assume every group will spend a long time doing it. The guides adjust the ride to the abilities of the group, and safety comes first. A beginner may spend much of the outing learning balance and basic control before trying anything new.

For an experienced rider, the tölt may be the chief reason to choose this activity. One rider who completed several outings praised the chance to ride across different surfaces and learn from the horses themselves. Another account describes a demonstration of the horses’ movement during a morning ride.

The horses are central to the experience. Several accounts describe them as gentle, well suited to beginners, and easy to ride. Maggi is repeatedly praised for his affection for the animals and his ability to communicate with them. That personal care is a strong point, though I would still remember that horses have their own moods and the final route or gait may not match your hopes exactly.

Beginners, experienced riders, and nervous riders

The tour is designed for all riding levels. You do not need advanced experience to participate, and the guides adjust the outing to the group. That makes this a sensible choice if you want to try horseback riding in Iceland without committing to a technical or demanding trek.

If you are nervous, tell the guide before you mount. The strongest accounts describe patient instruction, calm handling, and close attention to safety. Maggi has been praised for making sure riders understood how to control their horses and for keeping everyone together.

You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness. Riding is not passive sightseeing. You need to mount, balance, use your legs and hands, and stay comfortable in the saddle for a substantial period. If you have back, hip, knee, or balance concerns, ask the operator before booking.

Experienced riders may find the pace slow if the rest of the group is new to horses. That is intentional. The guides promise not to go faster than the slowest rider, which creates a safer outing but limits the chance for speed. This tour works best if you value scenery, horse handling, and a relaxed ride more than athletic riding.

The small group size helps. With a maximum of 12 people, the guide can pay more attention to individual riders than on a large horseback convoy. The group may still feel different from a private ride, but it should be easier to ask for help or raise a concern.

The guides and the farm-style welcome

Maggi, or Magnus, is the name most closely linked with this experience. He is described as friendly, humorous, patient, and careful with both horses and riders. Several outings ended with coffee, either at the property or in a more personal home-style setting. That welcome gives the ride a local, informal character that many visitors value.

Sigrún is also named as one of the instructors. One mixed-ability group appreciated the way she and Maggi handled both a more experienced rider and a beginner. Ali has also been mentioned in connection with pickup and the ride itself.

There is one practical issue: English ability may vary. Some accounts describe easy communication and use of gestures or Google Translate. Others report that a guide spoke little or no English, making it harder to ask questions or hear local stories. If detailed commentary is important to you, confirm the language arrangements before you go.

This is a place where the people may be more memorable than a formal script. You might get jokes, simple instructions, horse talk, and coffee rather than a long lecture about Icelandic history. I see that as part of the charm, but it will not suit you if you want polished guiding in fluent English throughout.

Clothing, equipment, and comfort

Helmets and riding equipment are included. Snacks are also included, which is useful after time outdoors. You must bring good shoes and warm, comfortable clothes yourself.

Icelandic weather can change quickly, even when Reykjavik looks pleasant. Wear layers that allow movement and protect you from wind and damp conditions. Avoid clothing that can catch on tack or make mounting difficult. Good shoes matter because you need stable footing around the horses, even though the riding equipment itself is supplied.

The equipment has received mixed comments. Many people found the ride safe and enjoyable, while one account described the equipment as old and the stable area as untidy. I would not book this expecting luxury or a glossy visitor center. The experience is focused on the horses and countryside, and the facilities may feel plain.

The weather policy is important. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. That is sensible for an outdoor ride, but it means you should avoid placing this activity on the final few hours of your Iceland trip if possible.

Is $207 a fair price?

At about $207, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on what is included and how much use you make of the day.

The price covers roughly three hours of the activity, riding equipment, helmets, snacks, and, when arranged, round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels. Transport adds real value if you would otherwise need a rental car or an expensive taxi to Þorlákshöfn. For a small group with pickup, the price is easier to justify.

It is less attractive if you are already driving the South Coast and mainly want a short horse ride. In that case, you are paying for a longer experience than a quick stable session, but the route may still stay near the property depending on conditions.

You should also factor in the uncertainty of the scenery. A beach ride could make the outing feel special. A shorter ride around nearby pasture may feel expensive, especially if you expected a guaranteed coastal route. I would treat the beach and lava fields as possible bonuses, not promised stops.

The personal attention, small group, and chance to try the tölt are the strongest reasons to pay the rate. The modest facilities and occasional communication problems are the main reasons to hesitate.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the meeting point

The official meeting point is Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours, Faxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn. The activity ends back there.

Pickup is offered from central Reykjavik hotels, making this practical for visitors based in the capital. Some arrangements have also involved pickup from an Airbnb for an extra fee, but I would confirm that detail directly rather than assume it is included in your booking.

Allow extra time around the stated schedule. One negative account describes a guide arriving 45 minutes late, while other outings included smooth pickup and drop-off. A delay may be unusual, but it is worth keeping your day flexible. Do not schedule a tight museum visit, flight, or connecting tour immediately afterward.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Mixed groups with both beginners and experienced riders
• People who want rural scenery without planning a full South Coast drive
• Horse lovers interested in the Icelandic breed and tölt
• Visitors who prefer a small, informal operation to a large commercial tour
• Anyone happy with a weather-dependent route

I would be more cautious if you need fluent English commentary, modern facilities, a guaranteed beach ride, or a fast-paced trek. You may also want to skip it if you have limited physical fitness or dislike uncertain outdoor plans.

Service animals are allowed, according to the activity information. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and the group can include up to 12 people.

My verdict: book it for the horses, not a guaranteed route

I like this ride because it gives you a real connection with Icelandic horses and countryside close to Reykjavik. The small group, beginner-friendly pace, and warm approach from Maggi and the other guides make it more personal than a standard photo stop.

The experience is at its best when you arrive ready for simple facilities, changing weather, and a route that may be adjusted. Book it if the horse itself is the main attraction and you would enjoy a relaxed ride through open country. Think twice if you are paying $207 mainly for a promised beach view or polished guiding in English.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 16 ratings, but the mixed experiences explain why your expectations matter. Confirm pickup details, ask about the likely route and guide language, wear serious outdoor clothing, and keep your schedule loose. With those points in mind, this can be one of the more personal ways to meet Iceland beyond Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour take place?

The ride takes place around Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast, about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik.

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Round-trip transfers are offered from central Reykjavik hotels.

What is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours at Faxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn, Iceland.

Does the tour end at the meeting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Þorlákshöfn.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders. The guides adjust the pace and route to the ability of the group.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is riding equipment provided?

Yes. Helmets and riding equipment are included. You need to bring good shoes and warm, comfortable clothing.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.