50-Minute Comfort Ride

Horseback Riding Tour in Iceland runs through Ishestar. Rated 4.9 across 106 reviews. Runs 50 minutes. From $128.

Overview

This short ride from Ishestar's Horse Riding Centre in Hafnarfjörður packs a proper Icelandic horse experience into 50 minutes in the saddle. Riders arrive at least half an hour before departure, get fitted with a helmet, rubber boots and rain gear or a warm overall, and then head out with a guide. The tour ends back at the same centre, so there is no transfer to worry about at any point.

The Icelandic horse is the whole point here. One traveller who rode alone with a guide reported being coached through the Tölt while learning about the horses' history, shoeing and breeding. Reviewers in a larger mixed group described the team as collaborative and attentive with people who had never ridden before. Groups are capped at 15, and one reviewer said the facility is set up well whether someone is riding or simply visiting.

The listing states that most travellers can participate, so no prior riding experience is required. One reviewer mentioned coffee on arrival and time in the stable before setting off, though that was on a lucky private departure.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at the centreMeet at Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, at least 30 minutes before departure. There is no hotel pickup for this tour.
2. Check in and gear upGet fitted with a riding helmet, rubber boots, and rain wear or a warm overall as needed.
3. Prepare for the rideComplete check-in and preparation at the Ishestar Horse Riding Centre before the ride begins.
4. Ride, 50 minutesRide for 50 minutes from the Ishestar Horse Riding Centre with guidance included. Admission to the centre grounds is free.
5. Return to the centreThe ride finishes back at the meeting point, the same centre in Hafnarfjörður.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help first-time riders prepare for this tour.

• Getting there. There is no pickup, so travellers make their own way to the centre in Hafnarfjörður. The listing says it sits near public transportation. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, as that is the stated meeting time.
• What to wear. Helmets, rubber boots, rain wear and warm overalls are all provided, so there is no need to buy riding gear for one outing. The experience requires good weather, so check conditions on the day.
• Fitness and pace. The listing says most travellers can participate, and one reviewer in a group with no riding experience at all described the team as attentive. One reviewer with riding experience reported being given a horse that let them enjoy a faster pace.
• Group feel. Departures carry a maximum of 15 travellers. Some reviewers ended up with a private or one-to-one ride by luck, but the standard format is a guided group.
• Food and drink. Food and beverages are not included. One reviewer mentioned coffee being available at the centre on arrival, but do not count on a meal and eat beforehand if needed.
• Photos and stables. One reviewer described spending time with the horses in the stable before and after the ride, so there may be a chance to see the animals up close. That depends on the day and the group.

Common issues. There is no hotel pickup, so anyone staying in central Reykjavik needs to arrange their own transport to Hafnarfjörður and arrive 30 minutes early. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers, and riders over 110 kg / 240 lbs cannot be accommodated. Food and drinks cost extra. The experience requires good weather; if the operator cancels for poor conditions, travellers are offered a different date or a full refund. Refunds otherwise require cancellation at least 24 hours before the start time.

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