Trail Ride With Prep Lesson

TRAIL RIDE: Horseback Riding Tour with Prep Lesson runs through Hestaland efh.. Rated 4.7 across 75 reviews. Runs 1.5 - 2.5 hours. From $135.

Overview

This ride begins indoors, not on the trail. Riders meet at the Hestaland stables, get introduced to their horse, and spend time in a large indoor arena learning the basics before anything happens outside. That prep lesson is the core of the experience, and it means complete beginners can join without prior riding time.

Once everyone is comfortable, the group heads out through the Icelandic countryside with a guide along for the whole ride. The itinerary runs about 1.5 hours in the saddle, and the overall tour lasts between 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on the option chosen. A private option exists for those who want a more tailored ride.

The shorter version suits all experience levels, including first-time riders, and one family reported that their six-year-old did fine. The longer tour is aimed at intermediate to advanced riders who are comfortable sustaining a faster pace for more time. Transport to the stables is not included, so a self-drive plan is needed; the site sits a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at HestalandArrive at the Hestaland stables, a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes. Transport is not included, so plan the drive yourself.
2. Meet your horseGet to know your horse and get comfortable with it. Reviews mention grooming and tacking up as part of the experience before riding.
3. Prep lesson in the arenaTake a lesson in the large indoor arena covering the basics. Several reviewers said this brief lesson before heading out was a highlight.
4. Horse riding (1.5 hours)Ride out through the countryside with a guide, taking in the surrounding landscape.
5. Return to HestalandThe ride finishes back at the stables. Some travellers mentioned receiving treats to feed the horses at the end.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported after riding.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup and no transport of any kind included. The stables are a 15-minute drive from Borgarnes, so you need your own vehicle or a taxi. One couple went badly astray by entering the wrong name in their GPS, so confirm the exact location before setting off.
• Pace and level. The longer tour is recommended for intermediate to advanced riders comfortable at a higher pace for a longer stretch.
• What to wear. The listing asks for comfortable shoes, warm clothing and comfortable clothes. Helmets are provided.
• Group feel. This is a standard group ride with a guide, though a private option is available for a more tailored experience. One traveller who ended up alone got a ride effectively to themselves, but that is luck rather than a promise.
• The horses. Reviewers with long riding histories describe the horses as beautifully cared for. The animals are well handled and suited to new riders, several accounts say.
• Time on the trail. The overall tour runs 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with the ride itself listed at 1.5 hours. One reviewer flagged that the outdoor path is short and not a loop. Go in expecting a gentle introduction to riding rather than a full-day trek.

Common issues. The main complaints are logistical. One reviewer said the meeting point was described poorly and they drove the wrong way, though the stable waited for them. Another wanted clearer direction on where to go once on site. There is no pickup, and smoking is not allowed. Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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