North Iceland: Horseback Riding Tour

Iceland on horseback feels wonderfully close to the ground. This two-hour ride from Lava Horses takes you through birch woods, black sand, mossy volcanic rock, farmland, and water crossings, all on the sure-footed Icelandic horse. I especially like the chance to try the horse’s famous tölt, and the small group limit of seven means you should get more personal attention than on a large stable ride.

I also like that beginners are welcome, provided you have a basic level of fitness. Guides such as Audrey and Anna have earned warm praise for their patience and local stories. The main drawback is practical: you must arrange your own transport to the farm, and two hours in the saddle can leave you sore, particularly in cold, wet, or windy weather.

Key points to know before you ride

• The tölt is the star skill: You may get to try the Icelandic horse’s distinctive four-beat gait, with guidance from the instructor.
• The route changes constantly: Expect farmland, a river, a small lake, birch forest, black sand, moss, and volcanic rocks in one compact ride.
• Beginners can join: You do not need advanced riding experience, but you should have a basic physical shape and be comfortable spending two hours on horseback.
• The group is small: With a maximum of seven participants, the guide can check on riders and help match horses to their ability.
• Bring real weather protection: Comfortable clothes and shoes are required, but Icelandic weather calls for layers and weather-appropriate outerwear.
• Transport is not included: The $141 price covers the ride, guide, helmet, and riding equipment, but not hotel transfers, food, or drinks.

Starting at the farm with a carefully chosen horse

The tour begins at the farm, where you meet the horses and prepare for the ride. The horses are described as friendly and well cared for, and the staff takes care when pairing each rider with a suitable mount. That matters a lot if you are new to riding. A calm, compatible horse lets you focus on the scenery instead of worrying about every movement beneath you.

You receive a helmet and riding equipment, and an experienced English-speaking guide leads the outing. The small group format, limited to seven people, is a useful feature here. A guide can keep an eye on beginners, answer questions, and offer help without trying to manage a long line of riders.

You should arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time. Wear comfortable clothing that allows your legs and arms to move freely. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, but I would also plan for wind, rain, and cold, even if the forecast looks pleasant at the farm.

One earlier ride took place in very cold, windy, and rainy weather, and the operator provided foul-weather clothes. That is encouraging, but you should not count on borrowed gear as your main plan. Iceland rewards the traveler who packs sensibly.

Down to the river through working farmland

The route leaves the farm and heads toward a river. You pass fields where cows graze during summer and sheep are seen in autumn. This opening section gives the ride a rural feel rather than turning it into a simple arena lesson.

That contrast is part of the appeal. You are not just practicing circles around a fenced paddock. You are moving through a working farm setting, with the animals and open ground that belong to it. The seasonal change also gives the route a slightly different character depending on when you visit.

The river section offers a slower, scenic rhythm. The guide can point out features of the area and share local stories, as Anna and Audrey have done for past groups. The strongest praise for the guides centers on their friendly manner, encouragement, and willingness to check in with each rider.

For a complete beginner, this early portion should help you settle into the horse before the route becomes more varied. You will have time to find your balance, learn how the horse responds, and get used to riding outdoors. If you already ride regularly, the setting may feel more relaxed than technical, but the changing ground and chance to use the tölt add interest.

Crossing water and entering the volcanic rock

After following the river for a while, the group crosses a small lake and works its way between volcanic rocks and moss. Other descriptions of the ride also mention crossing a small river, so you should expect water to be part of the route, although the exact conditions can change.

This is where the Icelandic horse earns its reputation. The breed is known for its sure footing and its tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that differs from the usual walk, trot, or canter. The guide may invite you to try it when conditions and ability allow. You do not need to arrive knowing how to tölt. The point is to receive an introduction and enjoy the unusual movement, not to pass a riding exam.

The volcanic rock and moss create a more rugged setting than the farmland at the start. You will need to listen to the guide and follow the pace of the group, especially around uneven ground and water. This is not a free-roaming ride where everyone chooses their own route.

The terrain also explains why comfortable clothing and a basic physical shape matter. Even a gentle trail requires you to stay balanced and use your legs for a good stretch of time. A family group found the ride fun and relaxing, but another rider noted being sore the next morning. Plan for that possibility, especially if horseback riding is not part of your normal routine.

Crossing the black sand plain

The route eventually reaches a broad plain of black sand. This is one of the most memorable parts of the ride because the dark ground gives the surrounding scenery a distinctly Icelandic look. Against the horses, sky, moss, and distant views, the plain should feel open and stark rather than busy.

You cross the sand on horseback before turning back toward the farm. That change in surface gives you another chance to notice how the horse moves. The ride is not built around one major sight. Its pleasure comes from the steady sequence of different settings packed into two hours.

The black sand can also make the weather feel more exposed. In sunshine, it may create clean, dramatic views. In wind, rain, or early autumn cold, it may feel raw. One October ride included snow in some places, which is a useful reminder that North Iceland can change mood quickly.

I would choose this activity for the scenery as much as for the horses. If your main aim is fast riding or advanced instruction, the pace may seem mild. If you want to see several types of Icelandic terrain without spending a full day in the saddle, the route makes good use of its two-hour length.

Returning through the natural birch forest

The final section heads back to the farm through a natural birch forest. After the open black sand and exposed volcanic ground, the trees provide a sheltered and more intimate finish.

The forest is not treated as a separate stop with a long break. You ride through it as part of the loop, which keeps the outing moving. That is helpful for a short tour, since you spend most of the two hours riding rather than waiting around.

The route’s variety is its strongest feature. In a single outing, you can pass farmland, follow a river, cross water, move through lava rock and moss, cross black sand, and return through birch trees. I like this more than a ride that repeats one pleasant view for the entire duration.

The guide remains important here. The scenery is attractive, but the quality of the experience depends on how well the pace suits the group. Audrey received particular praise for encouraging beginners and speaking with everyone. A good guide can turn a nervous first ride into a comfortable one, while still giving experienced riders room to enjoy the horses.

Learning the tölt without pressure

The tölt is the feature that makes an Icelandic horse ride different from a standard trail ride. It is a smooth gait that many riders want to try, and the guide can explain how to experience it safely.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a two-hour nature ride, not a specialist tölt clinic. The supplied information says both beginners and advanced riders are welcome, so instruction is likely to be adjusted to the ability of the group.

For beginners, simply riding confidently at the basic pace may be the main achievement. You can still appreciate the tölt as a special part of Icelandic horsemanship without feeling pushed to perform. More experienced riders may value the chance to try it in an outdoor setting, though the group pace and ground conditions will guide how much you do.

The horses themselves receive some of the warmest praise. Riders describe them as gentle, beautiful, and well cared for. One rider specifically praised the staff for selecting a horse that suited her. That kind of matching is more useful than having a large choice of horses, since the right temperament can make the difference between relaxing into the ride and spending the whole time tense.

What $141 covers, and what it does not

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but the price includes a full two-hour ride, an experienced guide, a helmet, and riding equipment. You are paying for access to a varied route, trained horses, instruction, and a small group capped at seven people.

The small group helps the value. A maximum of seven participants gives the guide a better chance to help with mounting, answer questions, and check that everyone is comfortable. That personal attention is particularly useful for beginners and families.

You should also account for costs and effort outside the headline price. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the farm. One cruise passenger found transport difficult after the ship changed ports, although the operator was flexible and accommodating. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, check the port and timing carefully before booking.

Food and drinks are not included. Since the ride lasts two hours, this is not a major problem by itself, but you should plan meals and transport separately. The reserve-now, pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure provide useful flexibility if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Who should book this North Iceland ride

I would recommend this tour if you want:

• A short outdoor activity between other North Iceland plans
• A first horseback riding experience in a calm setting
• A chance to try the tölt
• Varied scenery rather than a single trail view
• A small group and close guide attention
• A family-friendly ride for participants with a basic level of fitness

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have back problems, or have animal allergies. The activity is not suitable in those cases.

You also need to be honest about your physical condition. Beginners are welcome, but the tour still involves two hours of sitting, balancing, and responding to a moving animal. The next-day soreness reported by one rider is not unusual for someone who rarely rides.

Advanced riders can join, but this may not satisfy someone looking for demanding technical riding, long stretches of speed, or formal training. The tour is built around scenery, horse time, and a gentle introduction to the Icelandic horse.

Practical preparation for changing Icelandic weather

Wear layers that you can adjust during the ride. Comfortable clothes are required, and weather-appropriate clothing is strongly advised. A waterproof outer layer and warm clothing make sense because rain, wind, and even snow can appear in the riding season.

Choose shoes that are comfortable and suitable for riding equipment. Avoid clothing that restricts your knees or waist. You should also arrive 10 minutes early so there is time to prepare without rushing.

The ride is conducted in English. If you need detailed instructions, tell the guide at the start that you are a beginner or feel uncertain about any part of riding. The small group setup should make it easier to ask for help.

Keep your plans flexible around transport. Since pickup and drop-off are not included, do not assume that reaching the farm will be simple from a hotel, bus stop, or cruise port. Confirm your route before setting the tour time.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a manageable two-hour introduction to Icelandic horses, especially if you are a beginner who values kind instruction and varied scenery. The combination of a small group, gentle horses, patient guides, and terrain that includes river, lake, lava, black sand, and birch forest gives the ride real substance.

I would skip it if you dislike cold outdoor conditions, have trouble sitting on a horse for two hours, or need included transport. For everyone else, the $141 price is reasonable when you value the horse care, equipment, guide attention, and unusually varied route. Just arrive early, dress for rough weather, and leave enough time for the journey to and from the farm.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $141 per person.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and advanced riders, but participants should have a basic physical shape.

Can I try the tölt?

Yes. The experience includes the opportunity to try the tölt, the distinctive gait of the Icelandic horse.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to seven participants.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the farm.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. You should also wear clothing suitable for the weather, including protection from cold, wind, or rain.

Who should not join this activity?

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