Sólhestar Red Lava Ride

Reykjavík: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour runs through Sólhestar Horse Riding. Rated 4.8 across 2,789 reviews. Runs 2.5 hours. From $140.

Overview

This 2.5-hour ride from the Sólhestar stables takes you through the Red Lava Hills on horseback, along winding trails between moss-covered lava fields. The pace is mostly a relaxed walk, so the tour works for complete beginners as well as riders returning after years away. Guides lead the group, and reviewers often describe them as patient, clear and safety focused.

If conditions allow and the whole group is comfortable, the guide may offer a chance to try the tölt, the smooth gait the Icelandic horse is known for. It is never guaranteed, since it depends on the mix of riders that day. Hot drinks are served and riding gear is provided, including helmets, rain wear and winter overalls, so you do not need specialist equipment of your own.

Transport between Reykjavík city center and the stables is an option you select when booking. Pickup runs from designated hotels and bus stops, with the exact meeting and transfer details shown at booking. The stables are roughly a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavík if you prefer to drive yourself, and free parking sits right in front of the stable.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup from ReykjavíkIf the transport option is selected, be ready at your designated hotel or bus stop 30 minutes before departure. This step is optional and chosen at booking.
2. Arrive at the stablesMeet at the Sólhestar stable 15 minutes before the riding time. Free parking is available on site for those driving themselves.
3. Gear upHelmets are mandatory and provided, along with rain wear, winter overalls and riding gear.
4. Ride the Red Lava HillsRide at a mostly relaxed walking pace through winding trails and moss-covered lava fields. If all riders are comfortable and the guide deems it suitable, there may be a chance to try the tölt.
5. Return transferOptional transport back to Reykjavík city center, for those who booked the pickup option.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you prepare, based on the listing and what repeated reviewers describe.

• Dress in layers. The listing recommends warm, comfortable, weather-appropriate layers because Icelandic conditions change quickly. One reviewer described sun giving way to rain within a single ride, so layers are the safe choice. Shorts and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
• Beginner friendly. The ride suits all experience levels and moves mostly at a walking pace. Many first-time riders said the guides explained everything clearly and the horses were gentle and well behaved, which made them feel safe.
• Fitness and weight. Participants must be in good physical condition and able to ride safely. The maximum weight per rider is 110 kg (242 lb).
• Leave bags behind. Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed on the ride. One reviewer noted the guides stopped to take photos of riders during the trail, so you can still come away with pictures.
• Group feel. This is a group ride, and one reviewer found the group quite large. The pace is set for the whole group, and faster riding or longer tölt depends on everyone being comfortable.
• Hot drinks included. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are included. Other food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand if you will want more than a warm drink.

Common issues. The pace is set for the whole group, so experienced riders cannot count on tölt practice, and one reviewer felt the group was large. Another found the lava-field scenery interesting for its age and history but not the most dramatic landscape, which comes down to taste. The tölt experience is conditional on all riders being comfortable and the guide judging the group eligible, so it should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise. Weight, fitness and clothing rules above are firm limits, and food beyond the included hot drinks is not provided.

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