Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

The most memorable part of this three-hour Icelandic horse ride is the setting: volcanic hills, city views, lakes, forest, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar, all close to Reykjavik. You get a real taste of how Icelanders once crossed the country, including a chance to try the horse’s smooth Tölt gait.

I like the small group, limited to eight people, and the careful matching of horses to riding ability. I also like the warm finish at the family farm, where you can sit with tea or coffee and talk with the hosts. The main consideration is weather: the ride runs rain or shine, and one rider found the three-hour outing a little short.

Key points at a glance

• Rauðhólar’s red lava field: Ride to an unusual volcanic formation only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik.
• A horse matched to your level: Beginners receive detailed instruction, while experienced riders can be given a more responsive mount.
• A taste of the Tölt: Learn the comfortable fourth gait that makes the Icelandic horse special.
• A genuinely small group: With no more than eight participants, guides can keep a close eye on nervous or new riders.
• A friendly farm welcome: Expect help with equipment, hot drinks before or after the ride, and a relaxed family atmosphere.
• Hotel pickup included: Collection in the Reykjavik area takes place around 9:30 to 9:45 AM.

From Reykjavik to a family-run horse farm

This tour begins with pickup at your Reykjavik accommodation between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. You wait in front of the building, in your hotel lobby, or at the agreed pickup point. The drive to the farm is short, with the riding area only about 15 minutes from the capital.

That quick transfer matters. You get an outing in open Icelandic country without giving up most of your day or spending hours on a bus. You should be back in Reykjavik in the early afternoon, leaving time for museums, a harbor walk, or another planned activity.

The farm is run by Viking Horses, with owner Viggo and his team handling the horses and guiding the rides. Several guides named in the experience include Monika, Pia, Viktor, Adriána, Sarah, Fiona, and Ingün. The exact guide depends on the date, but the pattern is clear: personal attention is a central part of the outing.

At the stable, you meet your horse and receive a short lesson and safety briefing before mounting. The staff take time to adjust saddles and explain how to interact with the animals. That preparation is especially useful if you have never ridden before or feel uneasy around horses.

Choosing the right Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is smaller than many riding horses, but do not mistake its size for fragility. These are sturdy animals bred for Iceland’s rough ground and changing weather. The farm’s horses are described as calm, friendly, and well trained, with names such as Hercules, Chocolate, Cashmere, and Connie appearing in individual riding memories.

Your mount is selected to fit your previous experience. A complete beginner may receive a steady horse that follows the group calmly. An experienced rider may be paired with a horse offering a little more energy and independence.

This matching is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a large stable operation. Beginners can focus on balance, reins, and confidence instead of worrying about controlling an unsuitable horse. Riders with more experience are less likely to feel held back.

The horses also tend to keep a set order on the trail. That helps a new rider, since the group moves in a predictable line, but it can limit your ability to change places. If you want to ride near the front or beside a particular companion, ask before setting off.

Several participants were impressed by the animals’ condition and care. You can form your own view at the stable, where you may see the horses before and after the ride. The hosts also answer questions about breaks and workload, which is useful if ethical treatment matters to you.

Riding through Hólsmheiði forest

Once the briefing is complete, you head into the hills around Reykjavik. The route passes through Hólsmheiði forest, an appealing contrast to Iceland’s better-known treeless volcanic plains.

You may see lakes, volcanic mountains, and broad views back toward the capital. The scenery changes as the trail moves between trees, bushes, open hills, and dark or reddish volcanic ground. Guides make several stops for photographs and to let you take in the surroundings.

I like this mix of riding and pauses. You are not expected to spend the whole time concentrating on the horse’s movement. Stops give beginners a chance to settle in and give everyone a chance to look around without trying to take pictures while riding.

The views over Reykjavik add a useful sense of place. Instead of treating the capital as a separate city stop, you see how quickly it gives way to open ground and volcanic terrain. This is one of the tour’s best features for a first visit, since it links Iceland’s urban center with the country’s natural character.

The route is not presented as a long wilderness expedition. You remain close to Reykjavik, and the total ride lasts about three hours including the stable introduction and return. That makes it accessible for a morning, but riders hoping for a full-day trek or many hours in the saddle should choose a longer outing.

Rauðhólar and the red volcanic ground

The ride’s clearest destination is Rauðhólar, a field of striking red lava rock. The name means Red Hills, and the color comes from the volcanic material that shaped these formations.

Rauðhólar gives the ride a specific goal rather than a vague circuit around the farm. Your guides lead you toward the formations, pause for photographs, and let you enjoy the unusual shapes and colors. The red ground looks especially different from the green and dark tones found elsewhere around Reykjavik.

The stop is also a good reminder that Iceland’s volcanic scenery does not always mean giant craters or steaming fields. Here, the appeal is smaller and more textured. You see eroded lava forms close to the city, from the slower viewpoint of a horse.

The route includes hills and uneven outdoor ground, so you should wear closed-toe shoes and clothing you can move in. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, and warm clothing is wise in every season. Rain gear and riding helmets are supplied, but you still need a warm base layer and practical trousers.

Trying the Icelandic horse’s Tölt

A special part of the ride is learning about the Tölt, the Icelandic horse’s famous fourth gait. Many horses walk, trot, and canter. Icelandic horses also have this extra movement, which can feel smoother and more comfortable than a normal trot.

You may get several chances to try it, depending on your horse, the group, and the trail conditions. Guides explain how to ride it and adjust the pace to the group’s ability. Beginners are not expected to arrive knowing how to do it.

Some first-time riders managed the Tölt with help from their guides, while experienced riders appreciated seeing a different kind of horse in action. The experience can therefore work for both ends of the riding spectrum, though the focus remains on a safe, guided outing rather than fast riding.

Do not book this expecting a free gallop across open country. The horses generally follow one another, and the guides control the pace. That is a sensible setup for mixed-ability groups and reassuring for anyone who has not ridden in years.

One useful practical point is communication. Wind can make it hard to hear explanations from the back of the line, even in a group of four. If you are curious about the Tölt or the history of Icelandic horses, ask to ride nearer the guide or raise questions during the stops.

Careful guides and a personal pace

The strongest part of this experience is the human attention. Guides take time to explain the basics, check saddle fit, and stay alert to how each rider is doing.

Monika is noted for keeping close to less confident riders. Adriána checked often on a first-time rider and helped with photographs and videos. Viktor and Pia were praised for their experience with both horses and people. Ingün’s calm manner helped one nervous rider feel more secure.

That kind of care is more useful than a polished speech. You want a guide who notices a tense grip, a loose stirrup, or a rider falling behind. The small group gives the staff room to do exactly that.

The language options are English, German, and Icelandic. If you are booking for a mixed group, confirm your preferred language when arranging the tour. Pickup staff may also call when they are on the way, which is helpful if you are waiting in a busy Reykjavik hotel.

The guides also take photographs at points along the route. This is not presented as a separate photo package, but it is a welcome touch when you cannot safely use your own phone from the saddle.

The warm drink at the farm

After returning from the trail, you can sit down at the farm with hot tea or coffee. The drink is included, and the pause gives you time to warm up, talk with the hosts, and say goodbye to your horse.

This simple ending adds something important. The outing does not feel like a quick ride followed by an immediate drive back to town. You have a little time to ask about the horses, Icelandic riding, or the farm itself.

The stable has been described as clean and cozy, with a friendly atmosphere that feels more like a family welcome than a busy commercial stop. Some rides have been particularly small, with only one couple and a guide, depending on bookings.

You may also get a chance to feed the horses after riding. That detail is not guaranteed as part of every departure, but it has been part of some outings. Treat the drink and conversation as the reliable finish, with extra stable time depending on the day.

What the $191 price includes

At $191 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill a morning. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area, a three-hour activity, riding instruction, a helmet, rain clothes, and tea or coffee.

You are also paying for a limited group and staff who match horses to riders. A cheaper, larger ride may offer less individual instruction and less flexibility when someone is nervous. For a first horseback experience in Iceland, that personal attention can be worth the difference.

The location helps the value too. You reach volcanic scenery and Rauðhólar without committing to a full-day excursion. If your Reykjavik schedule is tight, the tour gives you a distinct Iceland experience and still returns you to the city in the early afternoon.

The price is harder to justify if you are an advanced rider seeking long hours, open-country speed, or a demanding trek. This is a guided introduction to Icelandic horses, not an endurance ride. It is also not ideal if you dislike fixed group pacing.

Weather, clothing, and practical limits

The ride goes ahead rain or shine. Icelandic weather can change fast, so dress for wind and wet ground even if the sky looks clear at pickup.

Bring:

• Warm clothing
• Comfortable riding clothes
• Closed-toe shoes
• Shoes suitable for outdoor ground

Helmets and rain clothes are provided. You should still avoid loose fashion shoes or anything that leaves your toes exposed. Comfortable trousers are a better choice than stiff jeans or clothing that restricts your legs.

The activity is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience. Children under eight cannot join. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are not accepted, so check these limits before paying.

Because the ride is outdoors and runs in poor weather, anyone who wants guaranteed sunshine should reconsider. The winter departures can be especially atmospheric, with snow, mountains, and low light, but you need to be ready for cold conditions.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this tour if you want a friendly first ride in Iceland, especially if one person in your group is experienced and another has never sat on a horse. The horse matching and close guidance help mixed-ability groups enjoy the same outing.

It also suits you if you want volcanic scenery without spending an entire day away from Reykjavik. The forest, hills, city views, lakes, and Rauðhólar create plenty of variety within a compact route.

Horse lovers will appreciate the time spent learning about the Icelandic breed and seeing how the animals are handled. The farm setting, hot drinks, and chance to talk with the hosts give the experience a personal feel.

I would look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, are pregnant, have a child younger than eight, or want a long, fast, technically demanding ride. You may also want another option if you strongly dislike riding in a line or being tied to a group pace.

Should you book Viking Horses?

For most visitors, yes, if the price fits your budget and you want a gentle introduction to Icelandic horses. The best reasons are the small group, thoughtful horse selection, calm instruction, and the unusual Rauðhólar route so close to Reykjavik.

Book it with sensible expectations. You are buying a well-supported morning ride with personal care, not a full wilderness trek. Wear warm clothes, accept that weather is part of Iceland, and tell the staff your riding level clearly.

The tour is at its best for beginners, couples, families with older children, and experienced riders who want to try the Tölt and learn about Iceland’s horse culture. The tea or coffee afterward is a small touch, but it helps turn a standard riding outing into a relaxed visit with people who clearly care about their animals.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The activity lasts three hours. Pickup takes place in Reykjavik between 9:30 and 9:45 AM, and you return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon.

Where does the ride take place?

The tour starts at a small family-owned farm outside Reykjavik. The route passes through Hólsmheiði forest and continues to Rauðhólar, a red volcanic rock formation about 15 minutes from Reykjavik.

Is the tour suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a riding lesson and safety briefing, and horses are matched to your previous experience. It is suitable for beginners and riders with little experience.

Can experienced riders join?

Yes. The staff select horses according to riding ability, so experienced riders can receive a horse suited to their level while beginners receive calmer, more suitable mounts.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area, a riding helmet, rain clothes, a riding lesson, and hot tea or coffee.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable riding clothes, comfortable shoes, and closed-toe shoes. Helmets and rain clothes are supplied.

Can children or pregnant women join?

Children under eight cannot participate. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are also not suitable for this activity.