Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

Iceland looks different from horseback. This three-hour morning ride takes you from Reykjavik to a family-run farm, where you meet a calm Icelandic horse and follow trails through Hólsmheiði forest and the red volcanic formations of Rauðhólar. I like the small group limit of eight, and I like that the horses are matched to your riding ability instead of treating every rider the same.

The warm, personal service is another strong point. Guides such as Viggo, Monika, Adriána, Viktor, Pia, and Sarah have helped beginners feel safe while still giving experienced riders a chance to enjoy the Icelandic horse’s famous Tölt. The main consideration is the ride length: at three hours including transport, the time in the saddle can feel brief for confident riders who want a longer trek.

At $191 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Still, hotel pickup, riding instruction, helmets, rain gear, a small group, and hot drinks are included. For a first horseback ride in Iceland, I think the careful instruction and friendly farm setting make the price easier to justify.

Key points at a glance

• Rauðhólar’s red lava rock: Ride through one of the most unusual volcanic areas close to Reykjavik, with time for photos.
• Icelandic horses and the Tölt: Learn about the breed’s smooth fourth gait and try it when your guide feels you are ready.
• Small groups of up to eight: The limited size allows the guides to keep an eye on beginners and adjust horses to different abilities.
• A family farm near the capital: The ride ends with tea or coffee in the hosts’ home or stable area, giving the outing a welcoming local feel.
• Pickup around 9:30 to 9:45 AM: You return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon, leaving much of the day free.
• Suitable for beginners, but not everyone: Children under eight, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments cannot join.

From Reykjavik hotels to a family-run farm

The morning begins with pickup in the Reykjavik area, usually between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. Wait in front of your accommodation, in your hotel lobby, or at the assigned pickup point. The provider has also called ahead when the vehicle was on its way, a small courtesy that helps on a chilly Icelandic morning.

The farm is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, so this is an easy outing to fit into a short city break. You do not lose half a day to a long bus transfer. That short drive also makes the tour useful on a day when you want to combine horseback riding with museums, shopping, a public pool, or another afternoon activity.

The setting is personal rather than polished like a large riding center. Viking Horses is family-owned, and the atmosphere described by the provider’s team is warm and informal. You may find the hosts preparing horses when you arrive, so the first part of the visit is about getting settled rather than rushing straight into the saddle.

That slower start is important. Christian, who rode with a group of four, appreciated the time Viggo took to explain how to interact with the horses and adjust each saddle. If you want to help prepare the horses, you can ask, though do not assume it is part of the formal program.

Choosing the right Icelandic horse for your ability

Before leaving, you meet your horse and receive a short riding lesson and safety briefing. The staff match horses to your previous experience. That matters here because the group may include a complete beginner, a nervous rider, and someone who has ridden for years.

First-time riders are given calm, reliable horses and close guidance. Jingxiao described this as a first horse ride and found the instruction detailed and reassuring. Keitha, who had little experience and felt nervous around horses, especially valued the early training and the way guide Monika kept her nearby.

Experienced riders are not simply placed on the same type of horse as everyone else. Ellie said her more experienced riding level was taken into account, while her partner, who had never ridden, received a suitable horse and extra help. That balance is one of the best reasons to choose this outing over a larger, more routine riding operation.

The horses are repeatedly described as friendly, well-trained, and calm. Several people paid close attention to their condition and care, noting that the animals looked healthy and received breaks. Yvonne and Paul also felt that Viktor’s experience and awards reflected serious skill with the horses.

Of course, horses have personalities. Russell noted that some had more character than others. That is not necessarily a problem, but it is worth remembering that you are working with animals, not riding identical machines. A horse may be gentle yet still have its own habits and preferences.

Riding the hills around Reykjavik

Once the group is ready, you head onto trails over the hills surrounding the capital. The views open toward volcanic mountains, lakes, and Reykjavik. This is where the outing earns its place on an Iceland itinerary: you see the city from a quieter rural setting, with open ground and volcanic terrain replacing streets and traffic.

The route includes a variety of surfaces and scenery. You ride through Hólsmheiði forest, an unusual touch in a country better known for open lava fields and treeless mountain views. The combination of trees, low vegetation, hills, and distant city views gives the ride more variety than a simple loop around a stable.

Your guide makes several stops for photos and scenery. Those pauses help beginners catch their breath and give everyone a chance to look around instead of staring at the horse’s ears for three hours. They also make it easier to take pictures without trying to manage a phone while riding.

The guides may take photos or videos for you. Monika was praised for taking action pictures while actively guiding the group, a useful service if you want a record of the ride but do not want to risk dropping your own phone.

Weather is part of the deal. The tour runs rain or shine, and Icelandic conditions can change quickly. Provided rain clothes help, but you still need warm layers and comfortable clothing. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable shoes are a must. Dress for wind and damp weather, not just the forecast you checked from your hotel room.

The route is scenic, but do not expect a long wilderness expedition. The farm is close to Reykjavik, and the full activity lasts three hours including pickup and drop-off. Chris enjoyed the ride but felt it could have been longer. If your top priority is spending most of a day on horseback, seek out a longer countryside ride instead.

Rauðhólar and the volcanic side of Iceland

The route leads to Rauðhólar, a striking red lava rock field about 15 minutes from Reykjavik. The color and rough volcanic shapes give this part of the ride a strong visual identity. It is not the polished, postcard version of Iceland. You get dark and red rock, uneven ground, and the sense that the land was shaped by fire.

Rauðhólar gives the ride a clear destination. You are not simply circling a paddock or following an anonymous trail. You move through a real volcanic setting, stop to take pictures, and learn how Icelanders have used these remarkable horses to cross the country for centuries.

The terrain also makes the ride feel active without requiring advanced riding skills. You may travel at different paces, depending on the group and conditions. Beginners should not expect to gallop simply because the scenery is open. The guide controls the pace and keeps the group together.

For confident riders, this guided format can feel restrained at times. Kerstin found that the horses followed a particular order, making it difficult to change places in the line. That arrangement helps maintain control and safety, especially for new riders, but it limits freedom for people used to choosing their own pace or position.

Wind can also make it hard to hear explanations while riding. Kerstin enjoyed the tour but sometimes missed what the guide was saying because of the wind. Stay close enough to the guide when possible, and ask for information to be repeated during one of the stops.

Trying the Tölt, Iceland’s smooth fourth gait

A special part of the outing is learning about the Tölt, the Icelandic horse’s famously smooth fourth gait. Unlike the usual walk, trot, and canter, the Tölt allows the horse to move quickly while keeping the rider relatively steady.

Your guide introduces it according to your ability. Beginners are not expected to master it at once. The horses are trained for the gait, and the staff can decide when a rider is ready to try it. Ellie appreciated that her partner, a first-time rider, received help attempting the horse’s second gait.

The Tölt is one reason this ride offers more than a standard scenic horseback outing. You learn something specific about Icelandic culture and travel, not just how to sit on a horse. For experienced riders, it is a chance to feel how this breed moves. For beginners, even a short attempt can become the memorable moment of the morning.

Do not measure the experience by how many times you manage the Tölt. The quality of the instruction matters more than speed. The guides’ first job is to keep you comfortable and in control, and the smooth gait should come only when it fits the group.

Coffee, tea, and a relaxed return to the farm

After the ride, you return to the farm for hot tea or coffee. This simple finish is one of the most appealing parts of the outing. You can warm up, talk with the hosts, and enjoy the more social side of a family-run experience.

Several people specifically enjoyed the drinks and time spent around the table. Fiona also liked feeding the horses and relaxing over coffee and treats after riding. Manuel called the coffee before and after the ride a welcome touch, while other outings included hot chocolate as well.

This is not a formal meal, so do not book the tour expecting lunch. Think of it as a warm pause after time outdoors. The drink also gives you a chance to ask questions that may have been difficult to hear in the wind.

The farm setting adds character. You are not dropped back at a bus immediately after dismounting. You have time to see the horses again, thank the staff, and notice the care given to the animals. That personal ending helps explain why the tour receives such strong praise for service.

You return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon. The timing works well for a relaxed city day, though winter weather or pickup conditions can affect how the morning feels. Keep the rest of your schedule flexible rather than booking a tight, timed attraction immediately after drop-off.

How the $191 price measures up

At $191 per person, this ride sits in the premium short-excursion range. You are paying for more than a horse and a trail. The price includes Reykjavik-area hotel pickup and drop-off, a helmet, rain clothes, an introductory lesson, a small group capped at eight, and hot drinks.

The small group is the key value. A large stable may offer a lower price, but it cannot provide the same level of individual attention. Here, guides can keep a nervous rider near them, adjust the pace, and match different levels within one group.

The personal transport also helps. You do not need to arrange a rental car or find the farm on your own, and the short transfer keeps the total outing compact. For a visitor based in Reykjavik, that convenience has real value.

The price is harder to justify if you are already an experienced rider seeking a long, fast trek. The ride may feel short, and the group’s pace must suit beginners. In that case, compare the cost with longer horse tours outside the capital.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this tour for a first Icelandic horseback ride, couples with different riding abilities, families with older children, and anyone who wants a personal morning outside Reykjavik. The age limit is eight, so it can work for some families with teenagers, but children under eight cannot join.

It also suits people who care about animal treatment. The horses are described as calm, well looked after, and given breaks, while the staff take time with saddles, helmets, and rider confidence. No animal activity is entirely free of ethical questions, so watch how the horses are handled when you arrive and ask respectful questions if care standards matter to you.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, are pregnant, dislike riding in bad weather, or want complete control over your horse’s pace. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women, and it runs rain or shine.

You need warm clothes, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes. Helmets and rain gear are supplied, but Iceland’s wind can still make a ride feel colder than expected.

The tour is offered in English, German, and Icelandic. Pickup is within the Reykjavik area, and the group is limited to eight participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Should you book Viking Horses?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-managed introduction to Icelandic horses with volcanic scenery, hotel pickup, and enough personal attention to help a beginner feel secure. The strongest reasons are the careful horse matching, the gentle instruction, the excellent guides, and the relaxed coffee finish.

Skip it if you want a full-day ride, a completely private outing, or a fast and independent experience. For most people visiting Reykjavik, though, this is a well-balanced morning: close to the city, scenic without a long transfer, and personal enough to feel like more than a standard stable ride.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik horse riding tour?

The activity lasts three hours, including pickup and drop-off. You return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup takes place between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. Wait in front of your accommodation, in the hotel lobby, or at the assigned pickup location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience. You receive a riding lesson and safety briefing before setting out, and your horse is matched to your ability.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What is the Tölt?

The Tölt is the Icelandic horse’s smooth fourth gait. During the ride, your guide may teach you how to experience it according to your riding level.

What equipment is provided?

Riding helmets and rain clothes are included. You should bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight cannot join the activity.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine, so dress warmly and prepare for wet or windy conditions.