One-Hour Countryside Ride

Hveragerdi: Countryside Charm Horse Riding Tour runs through Eldhestar Volcano Horses. Rated 4.8 across 50 reviews. Runs 1 hour. From $95.

Overview

This one-hour ride starts and finishes at the Vellir farm run by Eldhestar Volcano Horses near Hveragerdi, which makes it a practical stop for travellers with their own car. You begin with a short introduction to riding, covering the basics before anyone mounts up. The guide then leads the group out along paths around the farm, passing meadows and farmland with mountains in the distance.

The tour is built around the Icelandic horse itself. Riders get a taste of the breed's qualities, and several reviewers who had never ridden before said the horses were calm, easy to handle and knew their job. One group noted that even total beginners found their horses tölted nicely on the route.

No experience is required, and the operator pitches the tour at solo travellers, families and groups alike. Helmets, rain gear and winter overalls are provided, so the main things to sort out yourself are footwear and getting to the farm. Guests staying further afield should check the booking page for how the meeting arrangements work, since hotel pickup is not part of this product.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Vellir farmArrive at the meeting point at Vellir, 816, Iceland. This is where the tour starts and ends.
2. Riding introductionA short introduction to horseback riding covers the basics before the ride begins.
3. Countryside ride (1 hour)The group rides for 1 hour on paths around the farm, crossing meadows with farmland views and mountains in the distance.
4. Return to VellirThe ride ends back at the starting point at Vellir.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the hour smoother, from footwear to what you can carry on horseback.

• Footwear and clothing. The operator recommends sturdy shoes such as hiking boots or good sneakers that are not very broad, plus comfortable pants. Riding pants are not necessary. Gloves and a thin hat under the helmet work well, and a buff is suggested.
• Beginners welcome. No riding experience is required, and reviewers back this up. Several first-time riders said they felt safe throughout, and one described the tour as very beginner friendly.
• Gear provided. Helmets, rain gear and winter overalls are included in the tour, along with an English-speaking guide. You do not need to bring your own safety equipment.
• What to carry. Backpacks cannot be taken on horseback, so bring a small waist bag if you want to carry a camera. On rainy days and winter rides, the operator suggests spare socks, gloves and a hat in case you get wet.
• Small groups. Several reviewers mentioned riding with only a few other people, and one happened to be the only booking that day. Group size is not stated in the listing, so treat these accounts as individual experiences rather than a guarantee.
• Getting there. You make your own way to the farm, as hotel pickup is not included. One reviewer found the farm easy to locate using the map link, and pickup details are on the live booking page.

Common issues. Hotel pickup is not included, so this tour suits travellers with their own transport or a way to reach the Hveragerdi area. Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed on the ride, which limits photography to small cameras in a waist bag. One reviewer noted the ride ran slightly longer than the stated hour, so it is worth leaving a little buffer in your schedule. As with any outdoor activity in Iceland, weather can affect comfort, and the operator's own advice about spare clothing on wet days reflects that.

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