Horse Riding In Iceland: Your Questions, Answered Before You Saddle Up
Riding an Icelandic horse is one of the most popular things to do in the country, and it draws everyone from lifelong riders to people who have never sat on a horse before. That range raises questions, and this page gathers the ones we hear most often. Prices, cancellations, clothing, weight limits, gaits, seasons: all of it is covered below, using the details published on the 30 tour listings compared on this site.
Riding Tour Questions, Answered
How much does a horse riding tour in Iceland cost, and what changes the price I pay?
Across the 30 tours compared here, published from-prices run from $86 per person for a short waterfall ride in the north to $307 for a full combo day that pairs riding with snorkeling in Silfra. Length is the biggest driver: a 30-minute ride costs far less than an 11-hour Golden Circle day. Pickup from Reykjavik, private guiding and small-group formats also push the price up. Each listing shows its own per-person from-price.
Can I cancel or change my booking, and what does free cancellation actually cover?
Every tour on this site comes with free cancellation, so you can change plans without losing the full amount. Operators differ on how late you can cancel and still get everything back, so check the cut-off stated on the live booking page before you reserve. If your travel dates shift, cancel first and rebook the new date rather than assuming a transfer. The exact refund window for each ride is listed with the tour.
What should I wear and bring for a horse riding tour in Iceland?
Dress in layers and expect wind, rain or sun within a single ride. Warm socks, waterproof outer layers and sturdy shoes are the base; riding helmets are provided by the operators and wearing one is required. Gloves help in cold weather, and a thin hat that fits under a helmet is useful outside summer. Bring water and a camera, but leave valuables behind. Check the listing for anything tour-specific before you pack.
What About Tours, Gear And Getting There?
Can beginners join, and are there age or rider weight limits on Icelandic riding tours?
Yes, most rides here welcome beginners, and several tours build in a prep lesson before you leave the yard, such as the trail ride from Hestaland efh. Operators set their own minimum ages and rider weight limits, so the exact numbers matter and they vary between stables. The weight rule protects the horses and is enforced, so check the listing before you book if you are near a limit. Families should confirm the child minimum age the same way.
Should I book a tour with pickup from Reykjavik or meet the operator at the stable?
Pickup saves you renting a car and pairs well with a short stay, and six tours around the capital offer it as an option or include it. Meeting at the stable costs less and gives you more choice of departure area, from Hveragerdi hot spring valleys to black sand beaches near Vik. If you have a car and want the countryside rides, self-drive opens the whole roster. Each listing states whether pickup is offered.
What makes the Icelandic horse different, and what are the five gaits I keep hearing about?
Icelandic horses are small, sure-footed and famously calm, bred in isolation for centuries. Most horses have three gaits, walk, trot and canter, but many Icelandics also offer the tolt, a smooth four-beat gait that lets you cover ground without bouncing. A few add flying pace, a fast two-beat gait raced over short stretches. Guides let you try tolt at a safe moment, and beginners are welcome to simply walk.
When is the best time of year to ride horses in Iceland?
Summer, roughly June through August, brings long daylight, milder weather and the widest choice of departures, which is why most visitors ride then. May and September are quieter, with a real chance of good conditions and fewer people on the trails. Winter riding is possible on tours that keep running, and snow-covered landscapes look striking from the saddle. Whatever the month, check the departure calendar on the listing.
How long do the rides last, and how do I choose the right length?
Durations across the roster range from a 30-minute waterfall ride to a full 11-hour Golden Circle day, with most tours sitting between one and three hours in the saddle. First-timers often do best with an hour, since even a short ride uses muscles you forgot you had. Keen riders can pick multi-hour tours or beach rides. Each listing states total duration, including pickup and any stops, so read the fine print.
From helmets and boots to sudden weather shifts, what should riders expect on tour?
Icelandic weather changes fast, and operators watch it closely. Rides usually go ahead in wind and light rain, with horses and riders dressed for it, but truly severe conditions can force a cancellation for safety. When an operator cancels, you get your money back. Free cancellation also covers you if you decide conditions are not for you within the cut-off window. Check the listing for the policy details.
Rides, Horses And Seasons
Most rides in the capital area leave from farms a short drive outside the city center. The Red Lava tour with Sólhestar, the Viking Horseback Tour in Hafnarfjörður, and several countryside rides meet at the operator's own base, so you will need a rental car, a taxi, or a booked transfer unless pickup is included. Check the listing for the exact meeting point before you set out.
Pickup is offered on several Reykjavik rides. Íshestar's Icelandic Horse Riding Tour comes with a pickup option from the city, Viking Horses includes pickup on its small-group volcano ride, and Laxnes Horse Farm offers hotel collection on its three and a half hour tour. Where pickup exists, the live booking page shows the covered pickup area and any added cost.
Hveragerdi sits about 45 minutes east of Reykjavik on Route 1, and two Eldhestar rides plus Sólhestar's Reykjadalur hot spring valley tour depart from farms in or near the town. If you are combining a ride with a south coast drive, these are a natural stop. The Siggi tour, the one hour Countryside Charm ride, and the Hestaland trail ride all meet locally.
Black sand beach rides depart from two different points. Vik Horse Adventure runs its one hour beach ride from near the village of Vik, while Saddle Stories meets riders for the Reynisfjara beach ride and the Írafoss waterfall tour further along the south coast. FossTravel's black beach tour starts from its own base. Driving times from Reykjavik run several hours, so plan an overnight or an early start.
North Iceland rides cluster around two towns. Hestasport Activity Tours and its photo-focused stable depart from Varmahlid in Skagafjörður, a region famous for horse breeding, while AK Hestaferdir and Stable Stop run tours from around Akureyri. Most visitors reach the north by domestic flight or by the long drive over the highlands, then join the ride locally at the farm.
Combo tours solve the transport question for you. The Golden Circle and horse riding full day, the Silfra snorkeling combo, and the Golden Circle, snorkeling and Viking day tours include coach pickup, while the whale watching combo meets at the riding centre with transfers at extra cost. These are the simplest option if you have no car, since the operator handles every leg of the day.