Horseback Riding Tour in Iceland

Icelandic horses are the stars here, not just a way to get from one view to the next. On this 50-minute ride, you pass moss-covered lava fields and open riding paths with the Bláfjöll mountains in the distance. The short route gives beginners a calm introduction to a breed famous for its sure footing and unusual tölt gait.

I like the way the tour provides warm riding gear and helmets, which matters greatly in Iceland’s changeable weather. I also like the chance to spend time with the horses before or after the ride, and the personal instruction some riders receive from guides such as Barbora.

The main drawback is the short riding time. At $135.16 per person, this is not a cheap outing if you judge it only by minutes in the saddle. The price makes more sense if you want a well-organized first ride, proper equipment, mountain views, and a gentle introduction to the Icelandic horse.

Key points to know

• Ride through lava-country scenery: The route crosses moss-covered lava fields and marked riding paths near Hafnarfjörður.
• Designed for beginners: Guides provide safety instruction and help you become comfortable with the horse before setting out.
• See the Bláfjöll mountains: The ride includes broad views toward the Bláfjöll range and the surrounding area.
• Try to understand the tölt: More experienced riders may receive help with the Icelandic horse’s distinctive four-beat gait.
• Gear is supplied: Helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm overalls are included.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The group limit is 15 people, with an English-speaking guide leading the ride.

Meeting the Icelandic Horse at Ishestar

The experience begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre on Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, a short distance from Reykjavik. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is not wasted time. You will need it for check-in, clothing, and the safety briefing before the horses are assigned.

Ishestar is a practical base for a first ride. The supplied clothing removes one of the common worries about riding in Iceland: what to wear. You receive a riding helmet, rubber boots, rainwear, or warm overalls. You should still dress for the weather underneath, but you do not need to bring a full riding wardrobe.

The centre also gives you a chance to get familiar with the horses. That matters if you have never ridden before, or if you have only ridden in a very controlled setting. A horse can feel large and imposing at first. A little time near the stable helps you settle down before you climb into the saddle.

The safety video and guide instruction are part of the preparation. This is not a ride where you are simply placed on a horse and sent off. The guides aim to make the group feel secure, explain the basics, and keep the pace suited to the people taking part.

A Beginner’s Route Through Moss-Covered Lava Fields

Once mounted, you follow riding paths through the Icelandic countryside. The setting is much more interesting than a fenced paddock, but the tour remains manageable for people who want a first taste of riding rather than a demanding expedition.

The moss-covered lava fields give the ride its Icelandic character. These dark volcanic formations, softened by moss, make a striking contrast with the horses and the open sky. You are not just riding beside a generic patch of countryside. You are moving through terrain shaped by volcanic activity, with the horse carrying you over established paths.

The tour is designed for beginners, so the pace should feel controlled. You can focus on posture, reins, balance, and the horse beneath you instead of worrying about keeping up on a long route. The guide remains responsible for the group and offers support as you learn.

If you already ride, the experience may feel quite short and gentle. That is the tradeoff. The route is meant to introduce you to the Icelandic horse and the local setting, not to provide a full day of fast riding. Riders with more experience may find the best value in the horse knowledge and the chance to learn about the breed’s special gait.

Bláfjöll Views Without a Full-Day Excursion

The ride includes panoramic views toward the Bláfjöll mountains. These broad mountain views give the short outing a stronger sense of place, especially if you are fitting the activity between other Reykjavik plans.

You should think of this as a scenic ride with a riding lesson built into it. The views are part of the reward, but the experience is not designed as a photo stop every few minutes. You will be concentrating on the horse, listening to the guide, and following the path. Keep your camera accessible, but do not expect to spend the whole ride taking pictures.

Weather will shape the views. Iceland can change quickly, and the activity requires suitable conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but it also means you should leave some flexibility in your schedule if the ride is important to you.

The Bláfjöll outlook is especially valuable for people who have limited time in the Reykjavik area. You get a taste of open Icelandic scenery without committing to a long excursion. The ride lasts about 50 minutes, so it can fit into a day that also includes museums, pools, food, or other nearby plans.

Why the Icelandic Horse Makes This Ride Different

The Icelandic horse is not simply a smaller version of a familiar riding horse. The breed is closely tied to Iceland’s riding culture, and the tour gives you time to understand that connection. Guides explain the horse and help you get comfortable with it during the outing.

One detail worth asking about is the tölt. This is the Icelandic horse’s distinctive four-beat gait. It can feel smooth when done correctly, but a beginner should not assume that it will happen automatically. The right horse, clear instruction, and your own riding experience all affect what you can try.

One particularly useful experience came from a rider who received one-to-one guidance from Barbora. The rider was taught how to use the tölt correctly and learned about the origins of the Icelandic horse, its union, shoeing style, and the region where the breed developed. That level of instruction is not guaranteed, but it shows what can happen when the group size and guide availability allow for personal attention.

Your assigned horse may also be chosen with your experience in mind. A complete beginner needs a calm, steady introduction. An experienced rider may be ready for a more active pace. The centre’s approach is at its best when the horse and rider are matched sensibly.

What the 50 Minutes Feel Like

The advertised riding time is approximately 50 minutes. Remember that this does not include the 30-minute early arrival, clothing, briefing, mounting, or time spent returning equipment. Plan for more time at the centre than the saddle time alone suggests.

The ride itself is long enough to learn the basic rhythm of the horse and enjoy the surroundings. It is not long enough to become a serious riding workout or reach far into the countryside. That makes it a good choice for a mixed group where some people have no riding background.

You should expect much of the experience to involve walking or a controlled pace. The information provided emphasizes beginner comfort and safety, not galloping. If you want a fast, athletic ride, this is probably not the right product. If you want to sit on an Icelandic horse, learn how to handle it, and enjoy the scenery without a major physical challenge, the length works well.

The return to the barn is part of the pleasure for horse lovers. You may have time to spend near the horses in the stable before leaving, depending on the day’s schedule and the group. That extra contact can make the experience feel more personal than a simple mounted circuit.

Guides, Group Size, and Personal Attention

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum group size of 15 people. Fifteen is not an intimate private ride, but it is still a reasonable cap for a beginner activity. The guide can address the group, monitor the horses, and provide help without managing a huge line.

Group size can affect the feel of the outing. A full group may mean less time for individual instruction. A smaller group can create room for questions about the horses, Icelandic riding, or the tölt. One rider happened to receive a private ride with Barbora, along with coffee on arrival and time in the stable. That kind of one-to-one attention is a lucky possibility rather than something to count on when booking.

Still, the guide’s role is central. You want someone who can explain the basics in plain terms, notice nervous riders, and adjust the ride to the group. The experience is aimed at beginners, and the staff are expected to help people with little or no riding experience feel at ease.

If you have past riding experience, tell the guide at the start. The centre may be able to match you with a horse and pace that suit your background. Do not assume that experience guarantees a faster ride, since the group’s overall ability and the day’s conditions also matter.

Is $135.16 Good Value?

At $135.16 per person, the tour sits in the costly category for an activity lasting about 50 minutes. If you measure value strictly by time in the saddle, you may find it expensive.

The price includes several things that are easy to overlook. You receive the horse, guide service, riding helmet, rubber boots, rainwear or warm overalls, and access to an organized route through Icelandic scenery. You are also paying for a centre that can handle beginners, manage the horses, provide safety instruction, and operate in difficult weather conditions.

I think the value is strongest for first-time riders and people who specifically want to ride an Icelandic horse. The experience combines a short outdoor excursion with an introduction to the breed. If learning about the horse and trying the tölt are important to you, the cost is easier to justify.

The value is weaker for confident riders seeking a long ride. You may prefer a longer horseback trip if your main goal is hours in the saddle. This tour makes more sense as a focused Reykjavik-area activity, not as your main full-day Iceland adventure.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan to eat before or after, since the supplied gear and riding service are the main inclusions.

Who Should Book This Ride?

I would point this tour toward several types of visitors:

• First-time riders who want a clear, supported introduction.
• Families or mixed groups with different levels of riding experience.
• Horse lovers who want to meet the Icelandic breed in its home country.
• Reykjavik visitors looking for a short activity with genuine outdoor scenery.
• Riders curious about the tölt and Icelandic riding traditions.
• People who prefer a small organized group to arranging a private ride.

The tour may be less satisfying for advanced riders who want speed, distance, or a demanding route. It may also disappoint anyone expecting an entire day on horseback. The 50-minute format is deliberate, and you should book it for what it is: a compact introduction with good scenery and a strong focus on comfort.

Most people can participate, but there is a weight limit of 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds. If that may affect you or someone in your party, check before booking. The centre is near public transportation, which helps if you are not driving, though the supplied details do not specify a particular route or travel time.

Booking Timing and Weather Planning

The tour is often booked about 23 days ahead. That gives you a useful planning guide, especially if you are visiting during a busy period or have a fixed Iceland itinerary. Booking early also gives you more choices of date.

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The cut-off follows local Icelandic time.

Weather deserves attention when you choose the date. This experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. I would avoid placing the ride on the final morning of your trip unless you have no alternative, since a weather change could remove your chance to reschedule.

What to Wear and Bring

The centre supplies the bulky items: helmet, rubber boots, and either rainwear or warm overalls. That is a major help for visitors who are packing light or do not own riding gear.

Wear comfortable clothing underneath the supplied layers. You should be ready for cool, wet, or windy conditions even if Reykjavik looks pleasant when you leave. Keep your hands free for the reins, and bring only what you can carry safely. Food and beverages are not included, so plan refreshments separately.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. This gives you time to check in, change, watch the safety video, and meet the horse without rushing. Arriving late would put pressure on both you and the group.

My Verdict on the Ishestar Ride

I would book this tour if riding an Icelandic horse is high on your Iceland wish list and you want a beginner-friendly outing near Reykjavik. The moss-covered lava fields, Bláfjöll views, supplied weather gear, and attention to the horses give the short ride real character.

I would skip it if you want a long or fast horseback journey. At $135.16, the 50-minute duration requires a clear reason for booking. Choose it for the horse, the setting, and the gentle instruction, not for the number of minutes.

For the right person, this can be a highlight. The strongest moments are likely to come from the details around the ride: learning how the Icelandic horse moves, getting a good horse match, and spending a little time near the animals at the stable. Book early, leave room for weather changes, and arrive prepared for a short but memorable introduction to Iceland on horseback.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

The tour begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

How long does the horseback ride last?

The activity lasts approximately 50 minutes.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride is designed especially for beginners, and experienced guides provide safety instruction and help you become comfortable with the Icelandic horse.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes riding helmets, rubber boots, rainwear or warm overalls, and guidance.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and beverages are not included.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.