North Iceland: Horseback Riding Tour

Icelandic horseback riding is at its best when the trail keeps changing, and this one packs a lot into two hours. You ride from a farm through fields, beside a river, across a small lake, over black sand, and between moss-covered volcanic rocks before returning through a birch forest.

I like the chance to try the Icelandic horse’s tölt, a smooth gait unlike the walk, trot, or canter most riders know. I also like the small group, limited to seven, which gives guides such as Audrey and Anna time to help with horse selection and reassure first-time riders. The main drawback is practical: you must arrange your own transportation to the farm, and the ride can leave you sore the next morning.

Key points at a glance

• A changing two-hour route: Ride through farmland, river country, a small lake, black sand, lava rocks, moss, and birch woodland.
• A real Icelandic horse experience: You can try the tölt, the breed’s famous smooth four-beat gait.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The tour suits first-time riders as well as experienced horse people, provided you have basic physical fitness.
• Small-group attention: With no more than seven participants, the guide can help match you with a suitable horse and check on your comfort.
• Weather matters: Bring warm, weather-ready clothing, and note that foul-weather gear may sometimes be available from the operator.
• Plan your own transport: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so reaching the farm is part of your planning.

Why this ride feels more than a short farm outing

Many horseback rides give you a pleasant circuit through fields, then return to the stable. This one uses the surrounding country as the main attraction. In two hours, you move through several distinct settings, each offering a different feel beneath the horse’s hooves.

You start at the farm and head toward a river. In summer, cows graze in the fields. In autumn, sheep take their place. That seasonal detail gives the opening stretch a working-farm character rather than a staged tourist setting.

From there, the route follows the river for a while. A river gives the ride a natural rhythm, and it also creates changing views as you move beside the water instead of simply circling a paddock. The route then crosses a small lake, one of the more unusual features of a short horseback tour.

You continue through volcanic rocks and moss before reaching a broad plain of black sand. This dark ground is one of the clearest reminders that Iceland’s scenery was shaped by fire as much as by water and weather. The return trip passes through the farm’s natural birch forest, bringing shade, shelter, and a softer finish after the open black-sand plain.

Meeting the Icelandic horse and trying the tölt

The Icelandic horse is the star here, not just a way to carry you through the countryside. These horses are known for their friendly nature and for the tölt, a special gait that can feel unusually smooth when performed well.

You should not expect to master the tölt instantly. Your guide introduces it as part of the ride, and your success will depend on your horse, your balance, and your riding experience. Even trying it briefly adds something distinctive that you would not get from an ordinary trail ride.

Horse selection also matters. One rider was especially pleased that her horse, Lisa, suited her well. That is a useful reminder that a good match can shape the whole experience. A calm, comfortable horse helps a beginner relax, while a more experienced rider can focus on the gait and the scenery.

The horses are described as gentle and well cared for, which is important if you are bringing children or riding for the first time. Still, this is an active outing. You sit in the saddle for about two hours, handle changing ground, and may feel it in your legs and back afterward.

Leaving the farm for fields and river country

The opening ride is easy to picture: farm buildings behind you, fields around you, and the route leading down toward the river. This section lets you settle into the horse before the route becomes more varied.

A guide usually has the best chance to help during these first minutes. You can ask questions, adjust your position, and get used to the horse’s pace. Audrey is especially good at checking in with riders and encouraging those who are unsure. That personal attention matters more than a long speech before mounting.

The river section gives you time to watch the horse’s movement and find a comfortable rhythm. It is also a good point to notice the difference between riding in Iceland and riding in a managed riding arena. The setting is open, natural, and shaped by the land around the farm.

The route is not described as a fast ride. For beginners, that is a benefit. You can concentrate on staying balanced and enjoying the view rather than worrying about keeping up with a galloping group.

Crossing the small lake and volcanic rocks

The small lake is one of the most memorable parts of the route because it breaks up the usual trail pattern. You are not simply following a dirt path. The horse carries you across shallow water, adding a little adventure without turning the tour into a demanding expedition.

The volcanic rocks provide another change underfoot. Iceland’s lava fields can look severe from a distance, but moss softens their edges and adds color. Riding among rocks also slows the pace and makes you pay attention to the route.

You should come prepared for uneven ground. The tour is open to beginners, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. Basic physical fitness is required, and you should be comfortable with the idea of being outdoors in changing weather while sitting on a moving animal.

The ride can take place in cold, wind, or rain. One group faced very cold, windy, rainy conditions and still had a good time, with foul-weather clothing supplied by the operator. Do not count on that as a guarantee, though. Bring your own comfortable clothes and weather-appropriate layers.

The black sand plain and the return through birch woods

The broad black sand plain gives the ride its most open setting. After the river, lake, and rocks, the space feels expansive. The dark ground also makes a strong contrast with Iceland’s pale sky and green moss.

This is likely the section where you most want to stop and look around, but remember that the tour lasts only two hours. The exact pace and amount of stopping can vary, so do not treat it as a photography tour. You will have chances to enjoy the views, but the focus remains on riding.

The return through a natural birch forest changes the mood again. Birch is not the first tree many people picture when they think of Iceland, and a wooded trail can feel surprisingly sheltered after the open plain.

The forest also gives the ride a clear sense of progression. You begin with cultivated fields, move into water and volcanic terrain, cross black sand, then finish among trees. That variety is the reason this route offers good value despite its modest length.

What beginners should know before mounting

You do not need previous riding experience. The tour is suitable for beginners and advanced riders, and the guides explain what you need to know before setting out.

You do need a basic physical shape. Riding uses muscles that may not get much work during a normal sightseeing day, and one experienced rider reported feeling sore the next morning. That is not a flaw, but it is a fair warning. If you want a completely passive way to see the countryside, choose a vehicle tour instead.

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Add layers that can handle wind, rain, and cold. The tour is outdoors, and Icelandic conditions can shift even during a short ride.

You should also arrive at least 10 minutes early. That small buffer gives the staff time to organize helmets, riding equipment, and horse assignments without making the group wait.

Pregnant women, people with back problems, and people with animal allergies should not book this activity. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously, especially because the route includes water, rocks, and uneven natural ground.

How the small group improves the experience

The group limit is seven participants. That is a useful size for horseback riding because the guide can keep an eye on each rider without turning the outing into a private tour.

The guide’s role goes beyond leading the horse in front. Audrey has been praised for talking with everyone, offering encouragement, and sharing information about the area. Anna has also been singled out as an excellent and informative guide, with stories about the countryside.

That personal contact is especially valuable for a mixed group. Beginners may need help with posture, pace, or confidence. Experienced riders may want a chance to try the tölt or enjoy a little more independence. A small group gives the guide a better chance to balance both needs.

The tour is offered in English. If you want a ride with lots of personal instruction or local explanation, the group limit works in your favor. If you prefer riding alone or setting your own pace, even seven people may feel like company.

The price: good value if you want scenery and riding

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Iceland. It is also not just a basic horse rental. The price includes the two-hour ride, an experienced guide, a helmet, and riding equipment.

The value comes from the route and the small group. You get several types of terrain, instruction for the tölt, and a guide who can help with horse selection and comfort. You are paying for an active experience with scenery, not only time in the saddle.

The price is less attractive if you are already paying for many short activities and mainly want a quick introduction to Icelandic horses. In that case, the two-hour duration may feel brief.

For horse lovers, families, and visitors who want a closer look at northeastern Iceland’s countryside, the cost is easier to justify. It combines an Icelandic breed, local terrain, and a guide-led outing in one compact package.

Food and drinks are not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so add the cost and effort of reaching the farm to your budget. The lack of transport is the biggest logistical weakness. One rider booked from a cruise ship and found getting to the ranch difficult after the ship changed ports.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Iceland does not promise perfect riding weather. A sunny morning can turn cold, windy, or wet, and a clear view may disappear behind cloud or rain. The experience can still work in poor conditions, but your clothing will shape your enjoyment.

Wear layers, comfortable trousers, and shoes suited to riding equipment. Bring clothing that can handle rain and wind. The operator has sometimes supplied foul-weather clothing, but you should not treat that as your only plan.

The ride takes place in natural terrain, so comfort also includes confidence. Tell the guide if you are nervous, new to riding, or concerned about the horse you have been assigned. The available information suggests that the guides are patient and attentive, especially with beginners.

The ride may be physically tiring without being extreme. You will need enough balance and strength to stay comfortable for two hours. Expect possible soreness the following day, particularly if you have not ridden recently.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this ride to:

• First-time riders who want gentle instruction and a scenic setting
• Experienced riders who want to try the tölt
• Families looking for an outdoor activity with friendly horses
• Horse lovers who want more than a short paddock circuit
• Visitors with their own transportation in northeastern Iceland
• People who enjoy changing weather and natural ground

I would think twice if you have back problems, animal allergies, or limited physical fitness. Pregnant women should not participate.

I would also be cautious about booking it as a tight cruise excursion unless you have confirmed transport and enough time around the port schedule. The operator may be flexible, but you should not rely on flexibility to solve a difficult transfer.

Booking details that matter

The tour lasts two hours, with starting times based on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

The experience is run by Lava Horses. English is the tour language, and the group is limited to seven people.

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. Bring comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, and weather-ready layers. Since pickup, drop-off, food, and drinks are not included, sort out transportation and refreshments before you arrive.

Should you book this horseback ride?

Book it if you want to combine Icelandic horses with a real variety of scenery. The river, small lake, black sand plain, volcanic rocks, moss, and birch forest give the ride more character than a simple farm loop. The chance to try the tölt adds a specifically Icelandic touch.

I would especially choose it for a first horseback ride in Iceland if you have basic fitness and feel comfortable outdoors. Guides such as Audrey and Anna appear to give beginners the encouragement they need, while experienced riders still have something new to try.

Skip it if reaching the farm is difficult, if you need hotel transport, or if a two-hour saddle ride is likely to aggravate your back. For everyone else, this is a well-priced, personal way to see northeastern Iceland at a slower pace, one hoofbeat and one changing view at a time.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is suitable for beginners with a basic physical shape as well as advanced riders. The guide explains what you need to know and can help you feel comfortable on the horse.

Can I try the Icelandic horse’s tölt?

Yes. The tour includes an opportunity to try the tölt, the special gait associated with Icelandic horses.

What landscapes does the route include?

You ride through farm fields, beside a river, across a small lake, among volcanic rocks and moss, over a black sand plain, and through a natural birch forest.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and clothing suitable for Icelandic weather. You should be prepared for cold, wind, and rain.

Is transportation to the farm included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the farm. Food and drinks are also not included.