Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

The best way to meet Iceland’s famous horses is from the saddle. This roughly two-hour Ishestar ride takes you from Reykjavik’s outskirts into lava fields, moorland, and volcanic scenery, while matching riders to their ability. I especially like the gentle, well-trained Icelandic horses and the way the guides divide the group so confident riders can try the tölt while beginners keep things calm. The provided warm gear and hot drinks are also welcome in Iceland’s changeable weather.

The main drawback is that this is not a private ride. Groups can be large at the start, with up to 30 people, and the experience depends on how quickly everyone is sorted into riding groups. You also need enough strength to mount from the ground, and the 110-kilogram, or 240-pound, weight limit is firm.

Key points before you book

• Ride through lava fields: The route passes volcanic terrain, moorland, mountains, lakes, and forested sections.
• Three ability levels: Beginners, intermediates, and experienced riders are separated after the guides watch how everyone rides.
• The tölt is the star: This smooth, four-beat gait is a special feature of Icelandic horses and may be available to intermediate and advanced riders.
• Pickup is optional: You can choose a Reykjavik pickup package or make your own way to the stable in Hafnarfjörður.
• Weather gear is included: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are provided, along with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
• Plan around the rules: Riders must be at least 7, children under 18 need an adult, pregnant women cannot ride, and everyone must mount without assistance.

Riding Icelandic horses in Hafnarfjörður

The ride begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, a short drive from Reykjavik. The setting gives you a quick change from city streets to open volcanic country. Some rides leave the city by pickup, while others meet directly at the stable.

I like that the tour starts by asking about your riding ability. You can describe yourself as a beginner, intermediate rider, or experienced rider before you meet your horse. That information matters, but the guides also watch you ride before making the final groups.

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and sure-footed. They descend from horses brought to Iceland by the Vikings in the 10th century, and their build suits the rough ground around the stable. They are also known for their calm nature and for the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel smooth across uneven ground.

The word horse is the accurate term here, even though many people casually call Icelandic horses ponies. Their smaller size can make them less intimidating for a first-time rider, but you still need to treat them as strong animals and follow the stable rules closely.

What happens before you leave the stable

Before mounting, you watch a short instructional video. The staff then provide a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. This is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Iceland can turn windy or wet quickly, and several riders found the extra clothing useful even when the forecast looked reasonable.

You should still dress for the weather. Wear comfortable layers and avoid bringing your best shoes. The boots and volcanic ground can leave footwear dirty, and the riding gear is intended for use at the stable. Used riding gear from elsewhere is not allowed on the tour or near the horses.

The guides explain how to sit, handle the reins, and ask the horse to move. You will also learn how to encourage the horse toward the tölt. Do not expect a long classroom session. The useful instruction comes quickly, then you learn more once you are riding behind the guide.

One important point is often easy to miss when booking: every rider must be able to mount from the ground using their own strength. There is no promise of a mounting block or assisted lift. If that could be difficult for you, contact Ishestar before paying.

The opening ride and the three ability groups

The ride begins at a controlled pace behind an instructor. This gives the guides time to see how riders handle their horses. It also lets you settle in, especially if it has been years since you last rode.

Soon after the start, the group is divided by ability. Beginners stay on easier ground and ride slowly. Intermediate riders can take a livelier route, while experienced riders may be offered more demanding terrain and faster movement.

This split is one of the most praised parts of the experience. A family or mixed-ability group does not have to choose between a nervous first ride and a more active outing. A beginner can stay comfortable while a confident rider gets chances to trot or try the tölt.

The exact pace is not automatic. Tell your instructor if you want to go slower or faster. That simple conversation can make a big difference. A first-time rider may need a quiet horse and a steady pace, while someone who rides regularly may find a walking-only outing too limited.

The group arrangement is not always perfect. Large departures can feel crowded before the split, and one slow or inexperienced rider can affect a faster group. Still, the several guides used on larger departures help make the division workable.

Lava fields, moorland, mountains, and lakes

The scenery is the reason to choose this ride instead of an indoor riding lesson. The trail passes lava fields and moorland, with views toward volcanic mountains and lakes. You may also ride through forested areas, depending on the route and conditions.

The lava fields give the outing its Iceland feel. Black, rough volcanic rock beside a sturdy Icelandic horse is a far more distinctive setting than a fenced paddock. The open moorland brings wide views and fresh air, while the mountains and lakes add picture stops along the way.

Several riders especially enjoyed the early morning departures. A 10 a.m. ride in the right season may catch sunrise light, snowy flat-topped mountains, and long shadows across the lava. Exact light and views depend on the date and weather, so treat this as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

The ride is scenic, but it is not a sightseeing coach tour with frequent long stops. You are there to ride. If you want to photograph every view, ask your guide when it is safe and practical to pause. Keep your phone secure, and do not let picture-taking distract you from the horse or the ground.

Weather can change fast. Wind is a particular concern, and rain can arrive even during an otherwise pleasant outing. The stable provides rain gear and warm overalls, but good personal layers remain useful. The weather may make the ride feel more authentic, though it can also reduce visibility and comfort.

Learning the tölt without rushing it

The tölt is the feature that makes this more than a standard beginner trail ride. It is a four-beat gait unique to certain Icelandic horses, and it is known for being smooth and comfortable across rough ground.

Not every rider will spend the whole outing in the tölt. The guides first need to see your ability, your comfort, and your horse’s behavior. Intermediate and experienced groups have the best chance to try it, while beginners can focus on balance, steering, and enjoying the setting.

Some stronger riders were offered several chances to tölt, and advanced riders could move faster in their own group. That makes the tour appealing to people who already ride and do not want a slow procession. At the same time, the faster option should never be treated as a guarantee. Group size, weather, horse behavior, and safety all guide the final decision.

If you are new to riding, do not feel pressured to keep up. Tell the instructor what feels comfortable. The horses are selected for different ability levels, and the staff aim to match riders with suitable animals.

How beginner-friendly is the experience?

This tour suits first-time riders better than many open-country rides because the instruction is structured and the groups are divided. The horses are widely praised for being calm, friendly, and well trained, and the guides are described as patient and reassuring.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. Riding uses your legs, balance, and core, and the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to mount independently, stay in the saddle for the ride, and follow directions around horses.

Families can bring children from age 7. Anyone under 18 must ride with an adult. The policy allows up to two children or young riders per paying adult, but each child still needs an adult present and must meet the physical requirements.

This is a good choice for a family with mixed riding experience. One member can ride at a gentle pace while another joins a more active group. It may be less suitable for a large family party that wants to stay together for the entire ride at one shared speed.

Pickup from Reykjavik and arrival at the stable

The pickup option makes this outing easier if you do not have a rental car. Pickup must be selected and booked in advance, and it operates only from certain pickup points in Reykjavik. Your hotel may not have direct service. You may instead be asked to meet at a nearby bus stop.

Contact the operator if your hotel is not on the pickup list. Do not assume a pickup will be added later automatically. Confirm the exact location and time before the day of the ride.

The drive from Reykjavik to the stable is often described as roughly 15 to 20 minutes, though traffic and pickup stops can affect that. If you drive yourself, arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start.

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Hafnarfjörður. That is convenient for a car, but you need to check your return plans if you use public transport or arrange a taxi. With pickup, confirm whether the return goes to the same pickup point or another nearby stop.

Is $133.02 a fair price?

At $133.02 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but the price covers more than saddle time. You receive a guided ride, a trained horse, safety instruction, a helmet, boots, rain gear, a warm overall, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate afterward.

The roughly two-hour duration also gives the outing enough time to feel like a real part of your Iceland visit rather than a brief photo stop. Pickup costs extra unless you choose the package that includes it, so compare both options before booking.

I see the strongest value for riders who care about the horses and scenery. You are paying for access to a specialized breed, an organized ability split, and a route through volcanic terrain that would be hard to experience on foot in the same way.

The value is weaker if you want a private ride, a long gallop, or complete control over the route. This is a shared group experience, and the faster riding depends on the guide’s assessment. It is also worth checking the cancellation terms before purchase: free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while late cancellations and changes are not refunded. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Warm drinks and the return to the stable

After the ride, you return to the stable for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small touch, but it matters in Iceland. Warm drinks give you time to cool down, remove the riding gear, and talk about the horses before heading back.

Do not expect a full meal. Have food arranged separately if you need more than a drink. The refreshment is best seen as a comfortable finish, not a major part of the price.

The return also gives you a chance to appreciate the practical care built into the outing. The horses are described as healthy, calm, and well looked after, and the staff’s handling of the animals is an important part of the experience.

The few weak points to keep in mind

Most of the feedback is strongly positive, with a 4.8 rating from 1,145 reviews and recommendation from 96 percent of riders. The praise centers on the horses, the scenery, the ability-based groups, and the friendly guides.

The complaints are worth noting. A small number of riders felt that some staff interactions were cold or overly scripted, even though the riding guides were friendly. That suggests the experience may vary depending on which staff members handle check-in and equipment.

Crowding is another possible issue. A departure can begin with more than 20 riders and may reach 30. The group split helps, but it does not turn the tour into a private outing.

Finally, the ride is weather-dependent and exposed. Wind, rain, and cold are part of the setting. The stable provides useful gear, but you should be ready for Iceland to behave like Iceland.

Who should book this horse ride?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want a careful introduction to Icelandic horses
• Experienced riders who want a chance to try the tölt
• Families with children age 7 or older
• Couples and small groups looking for scenery beyond Reykjavik
• Riders with different ability levels who want separate pace options
• Anyone interested in horses, volcanic terrain, and outdoor activity

I would think twice if you cannot mount from the ground, are pregnant, exceed the 110-kilogram weight limit, or have very limited mobility. I would also choose another activity if you want a private ride or dislike unpredictable weather.

Should you book the Ishestar Icelandic horse ride?

Yes, if you want a scenic and well-organized introduction to Icelandic horses near Reykjavik. The strongest reasons are the gentle horses, thoughtful ability groups, volcanic scenery, included weather gear, and the chance for capable riders to try the tölt.

Book the pickup option only if your chosen pickup point is confirmed. Wear layers, bring a hat or ear protection for wind, and leave your expensive shoes at the hotel. Most important, be honest about your riding level and your desired pace.

For a first ride in Iceland, this offers a good balance of nature, local culture, and practical instruction. It is not flawless, and large groups can take some of the intimacy away. But for many riders, the chance to cross lava fields on an Icelandic horse makes the cost worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Icelandic horseback riding tour start?

The tour starts at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. If you drive, arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is available when you select a tour option that includes it. Pickup operates only from selected points in Reykjavik, and your hotel may be assigned a nearby bus stop instead.

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours. It begins and ends at the Ishestar meeting point in Hafnarfjörður.

What riding levels are accepted?

The tour accepts beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders. Guides watch the group ride and then divide riders into ability groups with different paces and routes.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The minimum age is 7 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour allows up to two children or young riders per paying adult.

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 are the weight and physical requirements?

The maximum rider weight is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds. You need moderate physical fitness and must be able to mount the horse from the ground using your own strength. Pregnant women cannot ride on the tour.