Horseback Riding Tour in Iceland

The Icelandic horse is the star here. At Ishestar Horse Riding Centre, you ride through moss-covered lava fields with the Bláfjöll mountains ahead, while a guide helps you get comfortable in the saddle. The setting feels far removed from Reykjavik, even though the riding center is in nearby Hafnarfjörður.

I like the beginner-friendly pace and the fact that helmets, boots, rainwear, and warm overalls are supplied. I also like the chance to learn about the Icelandic horse itself, including its distinctive tölt gait. The main consideration is time: 50 minutes in the saddle is a pleasant introduction, but it is not a long countryside ride.

Key points

• Moss-covered lava fields: Ride along paths through one of Iceland’s most recognizable types of scenery.
• Views of the Bláfjöll mountains: The open route gives you broad mountain views rather than a closed arena ride.
• Built for beginners: Guides focus on safety, comfort, and basic riding skills.
• Icelandic horses up close: You have time to become familiar with a compact, distinctive breed known for its unusual gait.
• Warm clothing is provided: Helmets, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm overalls are included.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 15 people, with the possibility of more personal attention depending on the group.

Riding Icelandic horses near Reykjavik

This is a gentle introduction to horseback riding in Iceland, not a full-day expedition across the countryside. You meet at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre, at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, and should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. You need time to check in, put on the supplied riding gear, and get ready before the horses leave the center. The experience is offered in English, and a safety video is part of the preparation.

The center is close to public transportation, which helps if you are arranging the outing without a private car. The supplied information does not include hotel pickup, so plan on making your own way to the meeting point. The activity ends back there, making it easy to continue with your day in the Reykjavik area.

I like the simple format. You do not spend hours in a bus before a short ride. The focus stays on the horse, the guide, and the Icelandic scenery.

Getting ready at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre

The practical gear is one of this tour’s strongest features. Ishestar provides a riding helmet, rubber boots, rainwear or warm overalls, and guidance. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, so having outer layers available removes some guesswork from packing.

You should still dress for being outdoors. Wear comfortable clothes that fit under the supplied layers, and expect to spend time around horses and in open weather. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand or plan refreshments separately.

Before mounting, the guide helps you understand how the ride works. This is especially useful if you have never ridden before, or if your last horseback experience was many years ago. The guides are there to help you feel safe and comfortable rather than to push the group into a faster pace.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is large enough to create a group outing, but still limited compared with some busier activities. Your exact amount of individual attention depends on the group and the guide assigned that day.

One useful detail from the experience is the range of support available. Guide Barbora has been able to spend one-on-one time teaching a rider how to use the tölt correctly, explain the origins of the Icelandic horse, and match the horse to the rider’s previous experience. That level of attention is not guaranteed, but it shows what can happen when the group is small or the schedule allows it.

Across moss-covered lava fields

The actual ride lasts about 50 minutes. You follow riding paths through moss-covered lava fields, with Iceland’s open scenery around you and the Bláfjöll mountains visible in the distance.

This is a good setting for a first ride because the scenery does much of the work. You are not confined to a small paddock, yet the route is designed for beginners. You get the pleasure of moving through nature without needing advanced riding skills.

The lava fields are a particularly Icelandic backdrop. Dark volcanic ground softened by moss gives the route a look you will not find on an ordinary stable ride at home. The mountain views add scale, but the ride remains calm enough for you to pay attention to the horse and the path.

Do not expect a long gallop or a rugged wilderness crossing. The supplied details describe a beginner-focused ride along riding paths. If your main goal is speed, technical riding, or several hours in the saddle, this short outing may feel limited. If your goal is to try an Icelandic horse and see nearby nature without making a major time commitment, the length works well.

The guides keep the focus on comfort and control. That is important for a mixed group, where some riders may be completely new and others may have previous experience. The ride is meant to let you enjoy the setting rather than compete with the horse beside you.

Meeting the Icelandic horse

The horse is more than transportation here. A key part of the outing is getting to know the Icelandic horse, a breed closely tied to the country’s riding culture.

You may hear about the horse’s origins, care, union, and shoeing style during the visit. Those details give the ride more meaning than a simple scenic loop. You begin to understand why this breed is so closely associated with Iceland and why riders take pride in its special abilities.

The tölt is the feature that most sets the Icelandic horse apart for many riders. It is a smooth gait, and learning to ride it correctly can take instruction. Guide Barbora has helped riders work on the tölt and adjust their technique, but you should not assume every visit includes a private lesson or a fast-paced session.

Horse selection also matters. A rider with previous experience has been paired with a horse suited to that background, allowing a quicker pace. Beginners, by contrast, are supported with a horse and pace that help them settle in. The exact pairing depends on the day, but the principle is useful: tell the guide honestly how much riding you have done.

The stable can also be part of the experience. Time around the horses before or after the ride may be available, depending on the schedule. One outing included coffee on arrival, access to the stable before the safety video, and time with the horses after returning. Treat those extras as possible benefits, not fixed promises, since the information does not list coffee or stable time as included parts of every departure.

What the 50-minute ride feels like

A short ride can be a strength in an Iceland itinerary. You may already be fitting in waterfalls, geothermal sights, museums, and long drives. Fifty minutes on horseback gives you a taste of Icelandic riding without taking an entire day.

It is also a manageable length for first-time riders. Sitting on a horse uses muscles you may not expect, and beginners often appreciate an activity that has a clear start and finish. The supplied safety equipment and guide support help make the experience less intimidating.

The tradeoff is that the ride may pass quickly. After the preparation, safety briefing, and mounting process, your time on the trail is limited. I would choose this tour for the combination of a local activity and outdoor scenery, not as the main riding trip of a holiday.

The route’s panoramic views make the short duration more worthwhile. You are not simply circling a barn. You ride out toward open views of the Bláfjöll mountains and through volcanic terrain, which gives the experience a strong sense of place.

Weather also affects the outing. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a horseback ride in exposed Icelandic terrain, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Is $135.16 a fair price?

At $135.16 per person, this is not a budget activity. The right question is what you are paying for.

The price covers a 50-minute guided ride, the horse, safety instruction, helmet, rubber boots, rainwear or warm overalls, and access to a purpose-built riding center. It also buys a convenient outdoor experience near Reykjavik rather than requiring you to organize equipment or find a separate rural stable.

For a complete beginner, the included gear has real value. Icelandic weather can make outdoor plans expensive and awkward when you need to rent or buy extra layers. Here, the center handles the major riding equipment and clothing.

I would call the tour worthwhile if you specifically want to ride an Icelandic horse and your schedule favors a short activity near Reykjavik. I would think twice if you are comparing it with a longer riding tour solely by minutes in the saddle. A 50-minute ride does not offer the same depth as a half-day or full-day route, and the price reflects the setting, instruction, and convenience as much as the riding time.

The strongest value comes for people who want a first taste of horseback riding in Iceland. The experience combines scenery, horses, local breed knowledge, and basic instruction in one compact outing.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits first-time riders, families with participants who need a calm introduction, and people who want an active break from sightseeing. The information says most people can participate, and the beginner focus makes the activity approachable for a wide range of abilities.

It also suits experienced riders who are curious about Icelandic horses, though your expectations should be clear. You may have a chance to ride at a faster pace or work on the tölt, but this is not presented as an advanced training session.

The 110-kilogram, or 240-pound, weight limit is important. Check this before booking, since it is a firm participation condition. If you are unsure how your riding background will affect the experience, tell the guide when you arrive. Honest information helps with horse selection and pacing.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a long, remote ride, a full meal, or a full-day nature outing. Food and drinks are not included, and the tour finishes at the riding center rather than continuing to another attraction.

Planning your visit to Hafnarfjörður

The meeting point is Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, not at the scheduled riding time. That half hour is part of making the outing run smoothly.

The activity uses a mobile ticket and is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the tour has a maximum of 15 participants. It is commonly reserved about 23 days in advance, so I would not leave it until the last minute if horseback riding is a priority on your Iceland trip.

The location is near public transportation, but no hotel transfer is listed. Check your route to Hafnarfjörður before the day of the ride, especially if your departure time is early or your plans afterward are fixed.

Because the ride depends on good weather, avoid placing it on the one day when you must catch a flight or connect to another booked activity. If Ishestar cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

How the experience is rated

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 58 reviews, with 95 percent of people recommending it. The most consistent strengths are clear: friendly staff, careful support for beginners, well-matched horses, and a pleasant setting.

The strongest praise centers on personal attention. Barbora, in particular, has provided detailed help with the tölt and explanations about the Icelandic horse. Another outing received extra time with a guide, coffee on arrival, and time in the stable. Those moments can make the visit feel personal rather than strictly timed.

You should keep expectations realistic. A private guide, extra coffee, or extended stable visit depends on the day and is not part of the listed inclusions. The dependable elements are the guided ride, safety equipment, English service, scenic route, and beginner-friendly approach.

The high recommendation rate is most meaningful for people who want exactly those things. It does not mean the ride will satisfy someone looking for a long advanced trek.

Should you book the Ishestar ride?

I would book this if you want a comfortable first meeting with the Icelandic horse, scenic volcanic surroundings, and a short activity that fits neatly into a Reykjavik schedule. The supplied clothing, patient instruction, and mountain views make the price easier to justify.

I would skip it if you need a long ride, advanced work, or a low-cost activity. For everyone else, especially a first-time rider, Ishestar offers a practical way to experience Iceland from the saddle without turning your day into a major expedition.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour start?

The tour starts at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the riding center, which is also the meeting point.

How long is the horseback ride?

The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride is designed especially for beginners, with safety guidance and support from experienced guides.

What equipment is provided?

Ishestar provides riding helmets, rubber boots, rainwear or warm overalls, and guidance.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and beverages are not included.

What is the weight limit?

The maximum stated weight is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.