Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

The special part of this ride is not simply sitting on a horse. It is learning how Iceland’s sturdy Viking-descended horses handle rough ground, then feeling the smooth four-beat tölt across lava fields and moorland. I like the ability-based groups and the chance to choose a morning or afternoon departure. The main catch is that the ride is only about two hours, and pickup works only from selected Reykjavik points.

I also like that Ishestar supplies helmets, boots, warm overalls, and rain gear. That matters in Iceland, where a bright morning can turn cold and wet fast. You must be able to mount from the ground by yourself, and the 110-kilogram, or 240-pound, weight limit is firm.

Key points to know before you book

• The tölt is the star: This smooth, four-beat gait is a distinctive Icelandic riding experience.
• Your ability shapes the ride: Beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders are separated after the instructors see how everyone handles the horses.
• The scenery is close to Reykjavik: The route passes lava fields, moorland, volcanic mountains, lakes, and wooded areas.
• Weather gear is supplied: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overall are included.
• Pickup is not automatic: Choose a pickup package and confirm the exact Reykjavik bus stop or pickup point.
• Book ahead in busy periods: This experience is booked about 41 days in advance on average.

Meeting the Icelandic horses at Ishestar

You begin at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, south of Reykjavik. If you drive yourself, arrive at the stables 30 minutes before the scheduled start. The activity returns to this same point after the ride.

Your first job is to tell the instructor how much riding you have done. Be honest here. A person who rode regularly years ago may remember more than a complete beginner, but Icelandic terrain and a new horse still call for a sensible pace.

The horses are Icelandic, a small, hardy breed descended from horses brought by Viking settlers in the 10th century. They are not simply short horses for children. They are strong, sure-footed animals bred for Iceland’s rugged ground and changeable conditions.

You will learn about their calm nature and different personalities before riding. This is one of the best parts for first-time riders because it gives you a feel for the animal before you are out on the trail. The horses used here are described as gentle, well trained, and easy to handle, though every rider still needs to listen closely to the instructor.

A short instructional video follows. Then you put on the supplied helmet, rubber boots, warm overall, and rain gear if needed. The clothing is practical rather than stylish, but it can save your own jacket and shoes from mud, rain, and horse-yard grime. Bring clothes you do not mind getting dirty. One useful warning: used riding gear from elsewhere is not allowed on the tour or near the horses.

Learning the tölt before the trail

Once you are mounted, the instructor explains how to guide your horse and ease it into the tölt. This gait has four beats rather than the diagonal rhythm of a trot. Done properly, it feels smooth and comfortable, especially on uneven ground.

Do not expect every rider to tölt at once. The instructors first watch how the group rides, then divide people by ability. Beginners take an easier route at a slower pace. Intermediate and experienced riders can be offered more challenging riding and faster movement.

That division is a major strength. It lets a first-time rider relax without feeling pushed, while riders with more experience get something beyond a nose-to-tail walk. The faster group may have chances to trot or tölt, and advanced riders may be able to canter or gallop when the guide decides conditions and ability allow it.

You should still speak up. If the pace feels too fast, ask to slow down. If you are an experienced rider and want a livelier ride, tell your instructor before setting out. The exact pace depends on the group, the horses, the weather, and the guide’s safety judgment.

Groups can begin fairly large, with as many as 30 people on the activity. That may sound daunting, but several guides accompany the ride and split the group early according to riding level. The quality of your experience depends partly on how well your group matches your comfort and skill.

Riding across lava fields and moorland

The trail is the reason to choose this tour over an indoor lesson or a short stable ride. You move through open Icelandic scenery, with lava fields, moorland, volcanic mountains, lakes, and wooded stretches along the route.

Lava fields have a rough, black, weathered look that makes the ride feel unmistakably Icelandic. The ground and rock formations give you a close view of the country’s volcanic character, while the horses provide a quiet way to travel through it. You are not rushing from one viewpoint to the next. You have time to notice the air, the ground under the horse, and the changing weather.

There are scenic places for photographs, and early departures can bring beautiful sunrise light. One morning ride at 10 a.m. was praised for its sunrise views, but sunrise timing changes with the season, so do not treat that as a guaranteed feature of every departure.

The setting is beautiful, but it is exposed. Wind can arrive quickly, even when the forecast looks harmless. Wear a hat or ear protection under your helmet if you are sensitive to cold wind. The stables provide heavy rain gear and warm clothing, and that matters because rain can arrive during the ride without much warning.

Do not wear expensive shoes. Rubber boots are supplied, but your other clothing may still collect mud or dirt. Layers are the sensible choice. Iceland’s weather can give you sun, wind, and rain within the same outing.

A ride that works for mixed-ability families

This tour suits a family or small group with different riding backgrounds better than many standard trail rides. A beginner can remain with a slower group while a confident rider moves into a group with more speed.

Children must be at least 7 years old, and anyone under 18 must ride with an adult. Each adult may accompany up to two children or young riders, with everyone paying the full fare. The adult should be comfortable taking responsibility for the children during instructions, mounting, and the ride.

There is one physical requirement that deserves special attention. Every rider must be able to mount the horse from the ground using their own strength. There is no promise of a mounting block, and one rider specifically warned that the stables do not provide one. If mounting is difficult for you, contact the operator before booking.

You also need a moderate level of physical fitness. This is not a sightseeing bus where you remain seated in one position without effort. You will mount, balance, follow instructions, and ride outdoors for about two hours.

Pregnant women cannot take part because of the possible risk to unborn children. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds. These rules are not minor technicalities. Check them before paying.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the Hafnarfjörður start

The ride begins in Hafnarfjörður rather than central Reykjavik, so the pickup option can be useful. Transfers are available from selected pickup points in Reykjavik, but pickup must be pre-booked with the correct tour option.

Do not assume your hotel door is included. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, contact the operator and ask for the nearest available point. Pickup may be from a nearby bus stop rather than directly outside your accommodation.

The drive from Reykjavik to the stables is roughly 15 to 20 minutes according to the tour details, though traffic and pickup order can affect the timing. The transfer is a practical convenience, especially if you do not have a rental car. If you drive, the early arrival rule is important: be at the stable 30 minutes before your ride.

The mobile ticket and English-language operation make the outing easy to fit into a Reykjavik stay. Choose the morning or afternoon ride that best fits your plans, but leave room around it for pickup, gear changes, and the return journey.

What the $133.02 price includes

At $133.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Iceland. The price makes more sense when you count what is supplied: the horse, instruction, guide, helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, warm overall, and a hot drink afterward.

The optional pickup adds convenience, but the included transfer depends on the package you choose. Check the booking option carefully. The base price should not be treated as proof that hotel transport is included.

I see the strongest value here for three types of riders. First, beginners get instruction, a calm horse, protective gear, and a route adjusted to their ability. Second, experienced riders can ask for the faster group and may get to work with the tölt, trot, or more advanced riding. Third, families with mixed ability levels can share one activity without forcing everyone into the same pace.

The value is weaker if you already have extensive Icelandic riding experience and want a long backcountry expedition. This is a short, organized stable outing, not an all-day wilderness journey. It is also not ideal if you dislike fixed group activities or want complete control over the route.

Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate after the ride

When you return to the stables, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is available. It is a small inclusion, but a welcome one after cold wind or rain.

The drink also gives you a few minutes to warm up and settle down before leaving. For first-time riders, the stable finish helps the outing feel complete rather than ending the moment you dismount.

The horses are the heart of the experience, and the quiet time around the stable adds to that connection. You can think back over the ride, the different gaits, and the scenery while warming your hands. Do not expect a full meal or a long cultural program. The refreshment is simple.

What the strongest experiences have in common

The most consistent strengths are the horses, the guides, and the scenery. The horses are described as friendly, gentle, healthy, and well trained. That does not remove the need for care, but it helps nervous riders settle into the saddle.

The guides are praised for being patient, kind, and clear with instructions. They explain the horses, the area, and the riding technique, then watch the group before deciding who should ride together. That approach is much better than assigning everyone to one pace at the start.

Riders who wanted more action were especially pleased when they joined the faster group. Several outings included chances to use the tölt, trot, or canter, depending on ability and the guide’s decision. If you want that option, say so early and accurately describe your experience.

There can be uneven service outside the riding itself. One person found the booking, pickup, and location smooth but felt that some stable staff were unfriendly. The guides leading the ride were still described positively. I would treat this as a reminder to focus your questions on the actual riding staff and to arrive prepared, rather than as a reason to dismiss the whole experience.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

The activity is recommended by 96 percent of people who book it, with a 4.8 rating from 1,145 reviews. Those figures point to a strong overall experience, but they do not change the practical rules.

The tour requires suitable weather. If Ishestar cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour period are not refunded or accepted.

Since the activity is booked about 41 days ahead on average, I would reserve early if your Iceland schedule is tight. This is especially sensible if you need a specific morning or afternoon departure, or if you require the pickup option.

Who should book the Ishestar ride?

I would book this if you want a manageable introduction to Icelandic horses and a scenic outdoor activity near Reykjavik. It is particularly good for first-time riders, families with mixed ability levels, and experienced riders who want a chance to try the tölt.

I would also choose it if you want an activity that still feels connected to Iceland’s natural setting. Riding through lava fields gives you a different view of the country than a coach tour or a roadside photo stop.

I would hesitate if you cannot mount independently, exceed the weight limit, are pregnant, or strongly dislike cold and wet weather. You should also look elsewhere if you want a private ride, a very small group, or a full-day trek.

For most eligible riders, this is a strong use of two hours and $133.02. Choose the pickup package carefully, wear layers, tell the guide your real riding level, and ask about the faster group if you want to tölt. If the idea of a calm Icelandic horse carrying you over volcanic ground appeals, this is an easy tour to justify.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

The ride begins at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes, pickup is available with selected tour options from designated pickup points in Reykjavik. Pickup must be booked in advance, and it may take place at a nearby bus stop rather than directly at your hotel.

What riding levels can join the tour?

The instructor places riders into beginner, intermediate, and experienced groups after watching them ride. Beginners use easier terrain and a slower pace, while more experienced riders may take more challenging routes.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the horseback ride, a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, a warm overall, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate after the ride. Pre-booked pickup and drop-off are included only when you choose a tour option that specifies pickup.

How old must children be?

Riders must be at least 7 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Can pregnant women take the tour?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride because of possible harm to unborn children.

What happens if the weather cancels the ride?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.