Hveragerdi: The Siggi Horse Riding Tour

The special pleasure here is riding an Icelandic horse through real countryside rather than circling a fenced paddock. The route can cross the Varmá River, pass lava fields and farms, and reach open meadow trails beneath volcanic mountains. Your guide chooses the best route for the day’s wind and weather.

I like the chance to try the horse’s tölt, a distinct four-beat gait that can feel unusually smooth. I also like the practical setup: Reykjavík pickup, helmets, rain gear, and winter overalls are included. The main catch is that this is a short riding outing, not a full-day farm visit, and the route changes with conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride across varied ground: Expect meadows, a small river, lava-field areas, farm roads, and established riding paths.
• Try the Icelandic tölt: Your guide can help you experience this famously smooth gait on suitable trails.
• Pickup is built in: Transport runs from Reykjavík at 8:00 and 13:00, with several hotels and downtown bus stops available.
• Weather shapes the route: Wind and weather decide which riding paths are used on the day.
• Equipment is supplied: You get a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls, but bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothing.
• Best for younger riders: Children under seven cannot join, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Why this countryside ride feels different

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and famous for having more gaits than the standard walk, trot, and canter taught in many riding traditions. The special one to watch for here is the tölt, a four-beat gait that lets the horse keep at least one foot on the ground at all times. That can make the ride feel steady, though your guide will decide when and where it is suitable to try.

The setting near Hveragerdi gives you more than a view from horseback. You ride through the working countryside of Ölfus, where fields, farms, rivers, volcanic ground, and mountain views meet. Passing several farms also gives you a quick look at how agriculture in the area has developed over the past few decades.

This is not a staged photo stop with horses brought out only for pictures. The route uses the surroundings of the farm and the riding paths available that day. If strong wind or poor weather affects one section, the guide can choose another route. That flexibility is useful in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly.

The ride usually lasts between one and a half and two hours. The advertised activity lasts two hours, but the actual time in the saddle can vary within that range. At $132 per person, the price is not low, yet it includes transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, riding equipment, and weather clothing. For visitors without a rental car, those inclusions make the cost easier to justify.

Getting from Reykjavík to the farm

The tour provides pickup from Reykjavík at 8:00 or 13:00. You can meet the vehicle at BSÍ main bus station, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Reykjavík Bus Terminal, or a selection of downtown stops.

Those downtown points include Harpa, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Höfðatorg, Tjörnin, Snorrabraut, Vesturbugt, Miðbakki, Safnahúsið, Rauðarárstígur, Austurbær, and Ráðhúsið, the City Hall stop. You need to select the right pickup point when booking and wait five minutes early.

Look for a white or gray bus or van marked with the Eldhestar logo. The pickup arrangement saves you from finding your own way to the farm, which matters because a horse-riding tour is much less convenient if you first need to arrange a separate transfer.

The return follows the same general system, with drop-off at the listed Reykjavík hotels, bus stops, or the bus terminal. Do not assume that the vehicle will stop at every point automatically. Use the pickup and drop-off details provided when you reserve.

What happens at Ölfus

The main riding portion takes place in Ölfus, in the countryside near Hveragerdi. Once you reach the farm, the guide prepares you for the ride and provides the included riding and safety equipment.

The supplied gear includes a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. That is a major help in Iceland, especially on a cool or wet day. You should still wear comfortable clothes and bring hiking shoes. The equipment is practical rather than a reason to pack a large bag, so arrive dressed for outdoor activity.

The tour does not accept professional cameras or backpacks. Small waist bags are allowed, which gives you a way to carry a few essentials without bringing something bulky that could interfere with riding or safety.

The route itself is not fixed. Your guide considers wind and weather before choosing the best available riding paths. That means two outings may not follow precisely the same line, but it also means the guide can avoid forcing the group into an unpleasant or exposed section.

You pass meadows, a small river, lava-field ground, and farms. The views include volcanic mountains and open farmland. The riding paths in the meadows south of the farm are especially useful for settling into the rhythm of the horse and trying the tölt when the guide says the footing is right.

Crossing the Varmá River and entering the lava fields

One of the most memorable route features is the chance to ride across the Varmá River. The river is described as small, but the crossing adds a sense of real movement to the outing. It is not just a ride beside a view. You and the horse interact with the ground, water, and changing surfaces.

The lava-field section gives the ride a distinctly Icelandic setting. Lava fields can look rough and stark, with dark volcanic rock set against grass, farms, and mountain slopes. From horseback, you see how closely the countryside is shaped by old volcanic activity.

The precise route depends on weather and wind, so you should treat the river and lava-field sections as planned possibilities rather than guaranteed stops in a rigid order. That is a fair trade for a route chosen with riding conditions in mind.

As you continue, the scenery shifts toward meadows and established riding paths. These easier stretches are where you can pay more attention to the horse rather than the footing. They also offer the best chance to experience the tölt without turning the whole outing into a technical riding lesson.

Learning the Icelandic tölt

You do not need to arrive as an expert rider to appreciate the tölt. The guide leads the group and helps you get used to the movement. The goal is not to force every rider into a fast or complicated exercise. It is to let you feel one of the Icelandic horse’s most distinctive gaits in a suitable setting.

For a first-time rider, the tölt may take a moment to recognize. Focus on staying balanced, listening to the guide, and allowing the horse to move beneath you. The well-trained horses are a key part of the experience, since they are expected to take care of their riders and respond to a range of ability levels.

One of the strongest points of the outing is the horses themselves. They are described as well trained and gentle with riders. That does not remove the need to follow safety instructions, but it can make the ride feel less intimidating if you have limited experience.

You should still be honest about your comfort in the saddle. The activity includes riding over outdoor paths and varied ground, so it is not simply a slow photo opportunity. If you are nervous, tell the guide before setting out. The guide can then help you understand what to expect and when to try a different gait.

A working view of Icelandic farm country

The farm setting gives this activity a useful local angle. As you ride past several farms, you see more than dramatic volcanic scenery. You also get a sense of agriculture and how people use the land around Hveragerdi and Ölfus.

That combination is one reason I would choose this outing over a purely arena-based ride. The countryside is part of the experience, and the farms help connect the volcanic setting with everyday life. You are not only looking at mountains from a distance. You are moving through fields and along paths used within a working rural area.

The scenery is broad rather than packed with separate attractions. You might see meadows, farmland, volcanic mountains, river country, and lava rock during the ride, but this is still a quiet outdoor activity. If you want constant commentary or a long list of stops, this may feel simple. If you want time on a horse with Icelandic views around you, the simplicity is a strength.

Weather remains the wild card. Wind can affect both comfort and route choice. The supplied rain gear and winter overalls help, but you should not book this expecting indoor conditions or a fully predictable path.

Is $132 a fair price?

At $132, this ride sits in the higher-priced range for a two-hour activity, especially since the riding time is listed as one and a half to two hours. The value improves if you are staying in Reykjavík and would otherwise need to pay for transport to the farm.

Your price covers the return transfer, guide, horse, helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. You also get a route through countryside rather than a short ride in a confined area. Those inclusions reduce the extra planning and costs that can build up around an outdoor activity in Iceland.

The tour is less compelling for someone who already has a car, riding gear, and access to another farm experience at a much lower cost. It is also not the right choice if you want a long horseback expedition. Think of it as a compact countryside ride with a convenient Reykjavík transfer, not a full day in the saddle.

The 4.8 rating from 13 reviews points to a strong experience, though the sample is small. The praise is consistent in the most useful areas: the horses are well trained, the guides help riders learn about them, and people can get used to the tölt during the ride.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend it to a first-time Icelandic horse rider, a casual rider who wants scenery, or anyone who wants an outdoor activity that fits into a Reykjavík stay. The English-speaking guide and included equipment make it approachable, while the countryside keeps it from feeling too basic.

It also suits riders who care more about the horses and setting than speed. You can learn about the animals, ride through farm country, and try the tölt without needing to commit to a long riding holiday.

The activity is not suitable for children under seven. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed, so photographers should consider another activity if carrying full camera equipment is important.

Comfortable clothing and hiking shoes are the sensible choices. A small waist bag is allowed for essentials. Dress for outdoor conditions even though protective weather clothing is supplied.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also helps if your Reykjavík plans may change.

Choose carefully between the 8:00 and 13:00 pickup times. The right choice depends on the rest of your day, but you should allow time for the transfer in both directions. The activity itself is listed as two hours, with one and a half to two hours of riding.

Because the route depends on wind and weather, I would avoid scheduling an important activity immediately afterward. The tour has a set transfer system, but outdoor timing can be less exact than a museum visit in central Reykjavík.

Should you book The Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a manageable two-hour introduction to Icelandic horses, especially if you value easy Reykjavík transport and supplied weather gear. The river, lava fields, farm paths, and meadow riding give you a good mix of Icelandic scenery, while the chance to try the tölt adds something more distinctive than a standard trail ride.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, want to bring a backpack or professional camera, or are looking for a full-day riding adventure. For most eligible visitors, the combination of well-trained horses, professional guidance, flexible routes, and real Ölfus countryside makes the $132 price reasonable, particularly without a rental car.

FAQ

Where does The Siggi Horse Riding Tour take place?

The riding takes place in Ölfus, in the countryside near Hveragerdi. The route uses the scenic surroundings of the farm.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts two hours. The included riding time is listed as approximately one and a half to two hours.

Is transportation from Reykjavík included?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation from Reykjavík are included.

What pickup times are available?

Transport for the tours starts at 8:00 and 13:00. Pickup is available from BSÍ main bus station, certain hotels, and the listed Reykjavík bus stops.

Which Reykjavík pickup locations are available?

Pickup options include Hotel Cabin, Harpa, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Höfðatorg, Tjörnin, Reykjavík Bus Terminal, Snorrabraut, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Vesturbugt, Miðbakki, Safnahúsið, Rauðarárstígur, Austurbær, and Ráðhúsið, City Hall.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes riding and safety equipment, including a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothes. Small waist bags are allowed, but backpacks are not.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven years old cannot join this activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.