Hveragerdi: The Siggi Horse Riding Tour

The most memorable part of the Siggi Horse Riding Tour is not simply sitting on an Icelandic horse. It is riding through Ölfus countryside, where a small river, old lava fields, open meadows, working farms, and volcanic mountains all appear within a short outing from Reykjavík. The route changes with wind and weather, so the ride is shaped by the day rather than forced into one fixed track.

I like two things right away: the well-trained horses, which are chosen to care for their riders, and the chance to learn about the Icelandic horse’s special tölt gait. You also get an English-speaking guide and transport from Reykjavík, which makes this a practical choice if you are not renting a car.

The main consideration is timing. The riding takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, but pickup and return from Reykjavík add transport time, and the route may change in rough weather. You must also leave backpacks and professional cameras behind, so bring only a small waist bag and clothing that can handle Icelandic conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Ride across the Varmá River: The route can include a small river crossing, meadows, lava fields, and farm roads around Ölfus.
• Meet the tölt: Your guide can help you experience the Icelandic horse’s distinctive smooth gait.
• Horses suited to riders: The horses are well trained and selected with rider safety in mind.
• Reykjavík transport included: Pickup and return operate at 8:00 and 13:00 from BSÍ, selected hotels, and central bus stops.
• Weather shapes the route: Wind and conditions determine which riding paths are used.
• Equipment is supplied: You receive a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls, but you should bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothing.

From Reykjavík to the Ölfus farm

Your day begins with pickup in Reykjavík. Transport is available from BSÍ main bus station, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, the Reykjavík Bus Terminal, and several central bus stops, including Harpa, Lækjargata, Tjörnin, City Hall, Skúlagata, and Snorrabraut.

Look for a white or gray vehicle with the Eldhestar logo. You should wait at your stop five minutes before the scheduled time. Pickup runs at 8:00 and 13:00, giving you a morning or afternoon option, though you should check the current schedule before booking.

This transfer is a real part of the tour’s value. At $132 per person, the price is not just for time in the saddle. You are also paying for transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, riding equipment, and access to a rural setting that would take more planning to reach on your own.

The tradeoff is flexibility. With several pickup points and a set departure schedule, you need to be ready at the correct location. A central bus stop may be easier than a hotel pickup if you are staying somewhere outside the listed options.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

At the farm in Ölfus, you are introduced to the horses and prepared for the ride. The tour suits beginners and casual riders who want a guided countryside outing, though the supplied information does not specify a particular riding skill requirement.

The horses are one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. They are described as well trained to look after their riders, which matters when you are dealing with an unfamiliar animal in open country. A calm, dependable horse lets you spend more time noticing the scenery and less time worrying about every movement.

You receive a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. That equipment is especially useful in Iceland, where wind and rain can change the feel of a ride quickly. Still, dress for comfort underneath the supplied layers and wear sturdy hiking shoes. The operator specifically asks you to bring comfortable clothes and hiking shoes.

Do not arrive with a backpack. Backpacks are not allowed, while small waist bags are permitted. Professional cameras are also not allowed. A phone or compact personal camera may be more practical, but the stated rules only clearly confirm that small waist bags are acceptable, so pack lightly.

Riding beside the Varmá River

The route can take you across the Varmá River, a small but memorable feature of the outing. River riding gives the trip a more active feel than a simple loop around a paddock, while the guide manages the pace and route according to conditions.

You will also ride through meadows and farmland. This is a useful part of the experience because it shows Iceland beyond the famous geothermal pools, waterfalls, and black-sand beaches. The farm country around Ölfus connects you with the working side of the region, including several farms and the way agriculture has developed over recent decades.

The route is not presented as a dramatic wilderness expedition. That is actually helpful to know. This is a countryside ride close to Reykjavík, with open views, farm paths, and volcanic surroundings rather than a full-day trek into remote Iceland.

The weather can alter the route. Wind conditions are particularly important, and the guide chooses the best available riding paths for the day. That may mean the exact sequence of river, lava field, and meadow sections is not guaranteed. For me, that is a sensible safety choice, but anyone expecting a fixed sightseeing itinerary should keep expectations flexible.

Lava fields, farms, and volcanic mountains

The horse trail passes through a lava field area, giving you a close look at one of Iceland’s defining natural features. Here, volcanic ground is not just something viewed from a roadside lookout. It becomes part of the setting beneath and around the trail.

Views extend toward volcanic mountains and farmland. The mix is what makes the ride appealing: rough lava, green or open agricultural ground, distant mountain forms, and the steady movement of a horse. The scenery is broad rather than packed with individual attractions, so this tour works best for someone who enjoys quiet outdoor time.

You also pass several farms. That adds a human scale to the ride and helps explain how the region has changed over time. The route gives you a glimpse of agriculture in Ölfus instead of presenting Iceland as an empty volcanic country.

Your guide is an important part of this section. The tour is led in English, and the guide provides information about the horses as well as the area. The strongest feedback about the experience centers on learning how to ride the Icelandic horse and getting comfortable with its unusual gait, not just looking at scenery from the saddle.

Trying the Icelandic horse’s tölt

The tölt is the special feature that separates an Icelandic horse ride from many ordinary trail rides. It is a distinctive gait of the breed, and the pleasant riding paths through the meadows offer a good chance to feel it.

You should not assume you will master it instantly. The guide helps you get used to the horse and the movement, and your success may depend on your comfort, the horse you are riding, and the pace of the group. Still, learning about the tölt gives the outing a clear purpose beyond simply walking through the countryside.

This is where the professional guiding matters most. You get instruction in a real riding setting, with the horse moving through fields and trails rather than only standing in a training area. The experience can be especially satisfying if you have ridden before and want to understand what makes Icelandic horses different.

The horses themselves receive the highest praise in the available feedback. They are described as lovely, well trained, and attentive to their riders. That makes the tour a good fit for someone who wants contact with horses but does not want an intense or highly technical riding challenge.

How the two-hour schedule works

The guided farm ride lasts about two hours, with 1.5 to 2 hours of actual riding included. The published activity duration is two hours, while the included services describe the riding time as 1.5 to 2 hours, so allow extra time for pickup, transport, preparation, and return to Reykjavík.

The itinerary has three practical stages:

• Reykjavík pickup at one of the listed hotels, bus stops, or BSÍ.
• A guided riding tour in Ölfus for roughly two hours.
• Return transport to the same general network of Reykjavík drop-off points.

The listed drop-off points include Hotel Cabin, BSÍ, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, City Hall, Tjörnin, Harpa, Lækjargata, Miðbakki, Skúlagata, Snorrabraut, Höfðatorg, Rauðarárstígur, Austurbær, Vesturbugt, and Safnahúsið.

This arrangement works well if you are building a Reykjavík day around a half-day outing. It is less suitable if you have a tight connection, a fixed lunch reservation immediately afterward, or a cruise departure to catch. Icelandic weather and road conditions can affect the timing, and the riding itself is only one portion of the schedule.

What $132 buys you

At $132, the tour sits in the midrange for a guided Iceland activity. The value comes from combining several services: transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, 1.5 to 2 hours of riding, a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls.

You are also paying for a proper horse operation rather than arranging a short ride on your own. The horses are trained for riders, the routes are selected with weather and wind in mind, and the guide introduces you to the tölt and the local countryside.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Reykjavík without a car. Reaching a rural farm, finding the correct riding operator, and arranging suitable clothing would add time and possibly extra cost. Included pickup removes much of that work.

The price is less compelling if you already have access to a car and want a much longer ride. This is a two-hour countryside experience, not an all-day horseback journey or a broad tour of southern Iceland. You should book it for the horses, the farm setting, and the chance to ride through volcanic country, not as a substitute for a major sightseeing day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option add useful flexibility. These terms matter in Iceland, where a changing forecast can affect outdoor plans.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend the tour to adults and families with children aged seven or older who want an approachable way to experience Iceland outdoors. It also suits people who are curious about the Icelandic horse and want instruction rather than a self-guided encounter.

It is a particularly good match for:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction.
• Experienced riders interested in trying the tölt.
• Couples looking for a quiet countryside activity.
• Families with children old enough to meet the minimum age.
• Visitors without a rental car.
• Anyone who enjoys farms, open views, volcanic ground, and gentle outdoor activities.

You should think twice if you dislike changing plans based on weather, need a fully accessible activity, or want to carry a large camera or daypack. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, children under seven, or people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

The activity also requires some comfort with being outdoors in Icelandic weather. Supplied rain gear and winter overalls help, but they do not replace sensible shoes and comfortable layers.

Small details that improve the day

Wear hiking shoes with a secure sole. The route includes natural countryside, meadows, lava-field ground, and a river area, so ordinary fashion sneakers may not be your best choice.

Keep your belongings to a minimum. A small waist bag is allowed, but backpacks are not. If photography matters to you, check the camera rule carefully before departure because professional cameras are not allowed.

Arrive five minutes early at your pickup location. The vehicle carries the Eldhestar logo and may be white or gray. With fifteen pickup and drop-off options, the correct stop matters.

Choose the morning or afternoon departure based on your wider schedule, not only on convenience. The ride lasts two hours, but the transfer means you should leave room around the activity.

Most of all, keep the route flexible. Wind and weather determine which paths are safest and most enjoyable. That might change how much time you spend near the river, in the lava fields, or along the meadows.

Should you book the Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to Icelandic horses with Reykjavík transport included. The strongest reasons are the carefully trained horses, the chance to learn the tölt, and the mix of meadows, farms, lava fields, river scenery, and volcanic mountains around Ölfus.

Skip it if you are looking for a long expedition, a guaranteed route, or a fully accessible activity. The tour is compact, weather-dependent, and focused on one farm area.

For most visitors who want a manageable countryside experience without renting a car, $132 is a fair price. You get meaningful time in the saddle, practical clothing and safety equipment, and a guide who helps you understand what makes the Icelandic horse special.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The activity lasts two hours, and the included riding time is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Pickup and return transport from Reykjavík add time to the overall outing.

Where does the tour take place?

The ride takes place in Ölfus, in the scenic surroundings of the farm. The route may include the Varmá River, meadows, lava fields, farmland, and views of volcanic mountains.

Is transportation from Reykjavík included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from BSÍ main bus station, selected hotels, and listed Reykjavík bus stops. Transport operates at 8:00 and 13:00.

What equipment is provided?

A helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls are provided. You should bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothes.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven cannot join. The provided information does not state a maximum age, but the activity is not suitable for people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.