Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

The best part of this ride is the setting: you travel from Reykjavík into quiet green hills and red volcanic formations while the long Icelandic evening light softens the whole scene. Rauðhólar’s rust-colored lava gives the outing a look you will not get from a standard city tour.

I like the small group of eight or fewer, which should make the instruction more personal, and I like that the outing works for beginners rather than demanding serious riding experience. The warm drink and kleina pastry at the family-run stable are also a fine touch. The main thing to consider is the price, $202 per person, which is a sizable spend for three hours. The value depends on how much you want a personal horse experience instead of a longer sightseeing trip.

Quick points before you book

• Evening pickup from Reykjavík: Collection takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM within the Reykjavík area.
• Three distinct riding areas: The route includes Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A short riding lesson comes before the ride, and the horses are trained for riders with little experience.
• Small, family-run operation: The group is capped at eight, allowing more direct help from the guide and hosts.
• A warm finish indoors: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina are served after riding.
• Weather is part of the deal: The tour runs rain or shine, with rain clothes supplied.

From Reykjavík to the Viking Horses stable

The tour begins with hotel pickup in the Reykjavík area. Be ready at your accommodation or selected pickup point between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. That narrow pickup window matters, so do not wander off for a last-minute snack or assume the driver will wait while you finish packing.

The stable is about 15 minutes from Reykjavík, close enough to fit neatly into an evening but far enough out to feel separate from the capital. Mountains, green countryside, and the unusual red forms of Rauðhólar surround the riding center. You get a quick change of scene without spending hours in a vehicle.

Viking Horses is a family-run company. That matters here because the experience is built around direct contact with the people who care for and work with the horses. You are not being pushed through a large commercial operation with dozens of riders. The maximum group size is eight, and that gives the guide room to watch how each person is coping.

Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavík area. If you are staying outside that service area, you will need to check the exact pickup arrangements before booking. The supplied information does not promise pickup from every accommodation in the wider Capital Region.

Meeting your Icelandic horse and getting ready

At the stable, you receive a short riding lesson before setting out. For a first-time rider, this is one of the most useful parts of the experience. You learn the basic controls, how to sit comfortably, and how to respond to the horse before reaching the open trails.

The tour is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience. That does not mean you should expect a fast or technically demanding ride. The focus is on enjoying the horses and scenery at a manageable level, with the guide offering help as needed.

The horses are described as friendly, happy, well trained, and well cared for. That combination is important. A beautiful setting cannot rescue a stressful ride, especially if you are new to horses. The supplied riding equipment is intended to be high quality, and helmets are included.

Rain clothes are also provided, but you should still wear warm clothing and comfortable clothes. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable footwear is the sensible choice. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and this outing operates rain or shine. Dress for the weather you might get, not the weather you see through your hotel window.

Do not bring a backpack. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Those limits are worth taking seriously because mounting, sitting on, and moving with a horse require a reasonable level of physical mobility.

Riding through Hólmsheiði in the evening light

Once the lesson is over, the ride heads through the green nature of Hólmsheiði. This area gives you a softer side of Iceland, with hills and open countryside rather than the black sand, glaciers, or dramatic waterfalls that fill many Iceland itineraries.

The evening timing is the reason to choose this tour over a daytime ride. Around the Nordic summer solstice, Iceland enjoys very long daylight hours. The light stays present late into the evening, creating a calm atmosphere without sending you out in darkness.

You will follow riding trails through the hills, with the horse doing much of the steady work while you take in the surroundings. For a beginner, that leaves more attention for the views and less for worrying about every step. For a more experienced rider, the tradeoff is that the trip may feel gentle rather than adventurous.

The small group helps here. Eight riders is still enough for a social outing, but it is far more manageable than a large line of horses. The guide can give individual assistance, and you have a better chance of asking questions about the animals, Iceland, and the route.

One guide named Monica has been especially noted for helping less experienced riders and taking photos and videos during the ride. That can be useful if you want a record of the outing without trying to handle a phone from horseback. Do not assume every departure will have the same guide or identical photo service, but the personal attention is clearly part of the operation’s appeal.

Stallion Valley and the changing scenery

The route also passes through Stallion Valley. The supplied details do not give a fixed stop or a long talk at this point, so think of it as part of the riding route rather than a separate attraction with a scheduled visit.

Its value is variety. You are not simply circling a paddock or riding along one short track. The outing links green hills, open trails, and volcanic ground in one compact trip. That changing scenery gives the three hours a sense of movement.

Your view of the ride will depend partly on your riding background. If you want long stretches of speed, advanced instruction, or a demanding route, this is probably too mild. If you want to sit on an Icelandic horse, learn the basics, and see countryside close to Reykjavík, the pace is more suitable.

The horses themselves are a major part of the experience. Icelandic horses are central to the identity of the country, and riding one offers a different connection to the countryside than looking out of a bus window. You are not just taking photographs of an animal in a field. You are learning how to work with it, even at a simple beginner level.

The red lava formations of Rauðhólar

Rauðhólar is the visual high point. Its name refers to the red hills, and the volcanic formations bring strong rust and brick tones to the route. Against Iceland’s green summer growth, the color contrast is striking.

This is not the huge, sweeping volcanic scenery you might see on a full-day excursion around the island. Rauðhólar is more compact. Its appeal comes from seeing unusual volcanic shapes close to the capital, without committing to a full day on the road.

The riding trails let you experience the area at a slower pace. From horseback, you have time to notice the ground, the colors, and the way the horse moves through the setting. You also avoid turning the visit into a quick photo stop.

Conditions can affect how Rauðhólar feels. On a clear evening, the colors and distant views should be easier to appreciate. In rain or low cloud, the scene may feel moodier and less open. Since the tour runs in all weather, you should book it for the horse experience first and treat perfect light as a bonus.

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and kleina afterward

After the ride, you return to the Viking Horses stable and relax with light refreshments. Hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included, along with kleina, a deep-fried Icelandic sweetbread.

This finish gives the tour a welcome sense of hospitality. You have been outside in Icelandic weather, and a warm drink is more than a token extra. It gives you time to settle down, talk with the hosts, and enjoy the family-run setting before returning to Reykjavík.

The food is light rather than a meal. Do not book this expecting dinner. If you are hungry after riding, plan your evening meal separately. The refreshment stop is best understood as a pleasant close to the activity, not a replacement for supper.

I also like the way this ending keeps the focus on the people running the stable. You get a chance to ask about the horses and the ride instead of simply getting back on a bus the moment you dismount.

Is $202 a fair price for three hours?

At $202 per person, this is not a bargain activity. You are paying for a three-hour outing, hotel pickup and drop-off within Reykjavík, riding equipment, rain clothes, instruction, a small group, a guide, and hot refreshments.

The key value is the limited group size. With no more than eight participants, the cost buys a more personal experience than a large riding excursion. That matters most if you are new to horses, want help during the ride, or prefer a quieter outing.

The price also covers the convenience of starting near Reykjavík. You do not need to arrange a rental car or spend a full day traveling to reach a volcanic site. If your schedule is tight, the combination of short transfer time and evening departure may make the expense easier to justify.

Still, compare it with your other Iceland plans. For $202, you could also put money toward a longer day trip or another major attraction. This tour makes the most sense if riding an Icelandic horse is a priority, not simply because you want a general countryside excursion.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still shifting, but check the final booking conditions for your selected date.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want clear instruction and a calm introduction.
• Couples or small groups looking for a personal evening activity.
• Visitors based in Reykjavík who do not want to rent a car for a short countryside outing.
• Horse lovers who care about the animals as much as the scenery.
• Anyone drawn to Iceland’s volcanic features but unable to fit a long excursion into the day.
• Families with children aged eight or older, provided everyone meets the mobility requirements.

I would hesitate if you need a fully accessible activity, are pregnant, or dislike riding in uncertain weather. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is speed, advanced riding, or a long trek through remote Iceland.

The tour is conducted in English. Since the group is small, you should have a fair chance to ask questions, though the exact amount of discussion will depend on the guide and group.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Wear layers that you can adjust once you are moving. Warm clothing is important even during the summer, and closed-toe shoes are required. Comfortable trousers and clothing that allow you to sit easily are more useful than dressing for a restaurant afterward.

Arrive ready for pickup during the 6:30 to 6:45 PM window. Keep your evening open for the full three hours, including transport, instruction, riding, and refreshments.

Leave your backpack behind. The no-backpack rule is easy to miss, so carry only what the operator permits. You should also avoid bringing anything that could fall, swing, or distract you while riding.

Bring realistic expectations about weather. The provided rain clothes help, but they do not turn an Icelandic evening into a warm, dry one. The strongest reason to book is the horses, small group, and setting. If you require sunshine for the experience to feel worthwhile, this is a risky choice.

Should you book the Viking Horses evening ride?

Book this tour if you want a beginner-friendly introduction to Icelandic horses with hotel pickup, a small group, and a scenic route close to Reykjavík. The combination of Hólmsheiði’s green hills, Stallion Valley, and Rauðhólar’s red volcanic formations gives the ride real variety.

The personal service is the strongest reason to choose it. Friendly horses, patient instruction, help for less experienced riders, and a warm drink with kleina afterward make the outing feel more like a visit to a family stable than a quick ride-for-tourists stop.

Skip it if $202 feels too high for three hours, if you want a more demanding ride, or if rain would ruin your evening. For the right rider, though, this is a memorable way to meet Icelandic horses and see unusual scenery without leaving Reykjavík for the day.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík evening horse riding tour?

The tour lasts three hours. Check availability for the starting time on your chosen date.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM from accommodations or selected pickup locations within the Reykjavík area.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a short riding lesson and is suitable for beginners or people with little riding experience.

How many people are in the riding group?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavík area, riding helmets, rain clothes, a riding lesson, and hot beverages are included.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear warm, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Backpacks are not allowed.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour runs rain or shine. Rain clothes are provided, but you should still dress warmly.