Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is how quickly Reykjavik gives way to 5,000-year-old lava hills. You ride Iceland’s famously sure-footed horses along natural paths, with red volcanic rock, moss, and Rauðavatn providing a memorable setting without spending a full day on the road.

I like the careful horse matching and the way guides keep helping once you are in the saddle. I also like the practical clothing loan, hotel pickup option, and the chance for beginners to try the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt. The main concern is weather: icy or very wet conditions can change a pleasant ride into a tense one.

Key points

• Ride near Reykjavik: Reach the stable and riding area with only a short transfer from the city.
• Meet the Icelandic horse: Calm, sturdy horses suit first-time riders, while experienced riders can request a more active route.
• See red lava terrain: The ride passes volcanic hills formed about 5,000 years ago.
• Try the tölt: Guides may give suitable riders a chance to feel Iceland’s distinctive four-beat gait.
• Use the supplied gear: Rain clothing and winter overalls are available, and you should take them seriously.
• Plan around the weather: Snow and ice can affect footing, comfort, and how enjoyable the ride feels.

Red lava hills within reach of Reykjavik

This is a good choice if you want an Icelandic horse ride without giving up most of a day. The stable is at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik, on Surtlugata 19, and the ride takes place around Heiðmörk Nature Reserve and Hólmsheiði.

The setting gives you a useful taste of Iceland beyond the city. You are not heading into a remote valley or spending hours on a bus, but you still get open volcanic ground, rough red hills, mossy lava, and natural riding paths. On a clear day, the scenery provides the main reward. On a wet or windy day, the same openness means you feel every change in the weather.

The tour is limited to 15 people. That is not a private ride, but it is small enough for guides to offer individual help and adjust the pace. The route covers about 5 to 7 kilometers, depending on the ability and comfort of the group.

Getting ready at Solhestar

Allow the first 30 minutes for preparation. This is more than a quick saddle-up. The team provides rain clothing and winter overalls, then matches each rider with a horse suited to their experience and confidence.

That matching process matters. A first-time rider needs a steady horse that will not make every small movement feel alarming. Someone with more riding experience may prefer a horse with a little more energy. The staff also adjust the route, rather than forcing the whole group onto one fixed version of the ride.

You may be offered riding boots as well as outer clothing. Use the waterproof gear, even if the sky looks harmless when you arrive. Several conditions can pass through during one outing, including rain, sleet, sun, and wind. Warm socks are especially useful, since cold feet can spoil an otherwise good ride.

The English-speaking guides give basic riding and safety instructions before you set off. The guidance continues on the trail, including help with balance on slopes and advice for anyone who feels unsure. That ongoing support is one reason this works for beginners.

Heiðmörk and the story beneath the horses’ hooves

The route enters the Heiðmörk Nature Reserve, where the red lava hills are the star of the outing. These formations come from a volcano active about 5,000 years ago, giving the ride a strong sense of place rather than the feel of a generic stable circuit.

You see the rock from horseback, at a slower pace than you would from a tour bus. The horses pick their way along established paths, and the changing angle lets you notice the moss, folds in the lava, and low volcanic ridges. The surface is not polished or manicured. That is part of the appeal, though it also means the route can feel uneven.

A stop or pass near Rauðavatn adds another local detail. This is where Iceland’s first forestry efforts began in the early 20th century. It is a small but interesting contrast to the stark volcanic ground: the area connects old lava, newer planting efforts, and the city’s nearby recreation spaces.

The itinerary allows about an hour for the Heiðmörk portion, with another hour associated with Hólmsheiði. In practice, the total activity lasts about 2.5 hours, including preparation and riding. You should expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours actually on horseback.

Choosing between the two riding routes

The route depends on the group’s ability. For beginners, the guide may choose a smooth path along the Redhills. This option lets you concentrate on posture, reins, stopping, and staying comfortable rather than worrying about speed.

The more experienced group may ride by Rauðavatn. That route can offer a little more variety, but the pace remains tied to the least confident rider. This is a benefit for mixed families or couples, although a strong rider looking for a long, fast outing may find the pace modest.

The guides are attentive about comfort. You can tell them if you do not want to trot or try the tölt, and the ride can be adapted to the group. Riders who are ready may get a chance to try the tölt at different speeds. This gait is special to Icelandic horses and feels different from an ordinary walk or trot, with a smooth, quick rhythm that many people remember as the highlight.

Do not treat the tölt as a guaranteed performance segment. It depends on the horse, the group, the path, and your own control. The best approach is to learn the basics first, then accept the opportunity if the guide says it is suitable.

Why Icelandic horses make this a good first ride

Icelandic horses are compact, sturdy, and well suited to the country’s rough ground. The horses used here are described as gentle and well trained, and the staff know their individual temperaments. That does not make riding risk-free, but it helps create a manageable introduction.

Several details make this less intimidating for a first-time rider. You receive instruction before leaving, your horse is chosen for your ability, and guides continue offering help along the path. The staff also keep an eye on riders who look unsteady or uncomfortable.

Still, remember that even a calm horse is a living animal. One account describes a horse biting another, kicking, and moving unpredictably during an icy late-October ride. The guide treated some of the behavior as normal, but the rider found the outing stressful. That is an important warning, not a reason to dismiss the tour. Horse temperament and trail conditions can vary, and you should tell the guide at once if you feel unsafe.

If you have balance problems, consider staying at a walk. One rider found the English saddle less secure than expected, comparing its balance to sitting on a basketball. The tour can suit older riders and mixed-age families, but confidence, balance, and comfort matter more than age alone. The operator lists a maximum weight of 110 kilograms.

Weather gear is part of the real cost

At $139.13 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. I think the price can be fair if you value the short transfer from Reykjavik, the horse matching, small-group attention, supplied outerwear, and a full 2.5-hour activity.

You are paying for more than time in the saddle. The staff prepare the horses, fit riders with gear, divide the group according to ability, guide the route, and help with photos. The setting also gives you something that a city-based riding arena cannot: volcanic paths and open Icelandic scenery.

The value drops if you want a long, athletic ride with plenty of independent speed. Riding time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the actual route length is 5 to 7 kilometers. Much of the attraction is the setting and the horse, not covering a large distance.

Weather can also affect the value. Rain, wind, and cold are normal concerns in Iceland, and the tour provides outer layers to help. Wear them. Several people who skipped the rain gear regretted it, while others found the supplied winter suits made the outing far more comfortable. Bring warm socks and gloves that can handle wet conditions. Ski gloves are a useful choice in winter.

The tour can be canceled for poor weather, in which case you receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the timing that matters

You can meet at the stable, or select pickup from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus Terminal. Pickup begins 30 minutes before departure and can take up to 20 minutes.

For a morning tour beginning at 9:30, pickup starts at 9:00. For an afternoon departure at 13:30, pickup starts at 13:00. Be at the stated pickup point when the window opens. If you are not there within five minutes after pickup begins, the booking may be canceled.

Read your confirmation carefully, since pickup details depend on what you select. Enter a phone number that works in Iceland so the operator can reach you at the last minute. After the ride, the activity returns to the meeting point.

The morning and afternoon choices make this easy to fit around a Reykjavik day. I would choose the time that gives you the best chance of daylight and calmer weather, rather than selecting only for convenience. Icelandic conditions can shift quickly, and a flexible schedule helps.

What the guides do well, and where expectations matter

The staff receive especially strong praise for being kind, patient, and attentive. Claudia and Klara are names associated with particularly warm service, and the guides are also credited with giving useful help to nervous riders. The transfer driver may add local information on the drive, which gives the short journey more value.

The team may take photos for you around the lava rocks using your phone. This is a thoughtful touch, since holding a phone while riding is not a good idea and you may want a record of the experience.

After the ride, tea and coffee may be available to warm you up. That small comfort matters in cold weather, though I would still plan as if you need to arrive properly dressed. A hot drink cannot replace dry clothes.

The main limitation is that the group format cannot solve every mismatch. Most horses are described as calm, but not every horse behaves perfectly on every day. I would speak plainly at the start about your experience, your fear level, and how much speed you want. The staff can only pair and guide you well if they know what you need.

Who should book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

I would recommend this for:

• A first-time rider who wants a supported introduction to Icelandic horses
• Families with mixed riding ability
• Couples seeking a half-day activity close to Reykjavik
• Experienced riders who want to try the tölt in a volcanic setting
• Anyone who prefers a small group instead of a large commercial ride
• Visitors with limited time who still want to leave the city for open scenery

I would think twice if you dislike cold, wet weather or have poor balance. You should also be cautious if you want a fast, demanding ride, since the group pace and beginner-friendly design take priority.

Older adults may be able to participate, but comfort on the horse is the deciding factor. One 85-year-old rider with a knee replacement chose to stop and return to the stable, and the staff helped accommodate that choice. That is a useful reminder: you can enjoy the setting without forcing yourself to continue if the saddle or mounting position feels wrong.

Is this Reykjavik horse ride worth booking?

For most visitors, yes, provided you accept the weather risk and the moderate pace. The tour gives you a practical introduction to Icelandic horses, a chance to feel the tölt, and a volcanic setting only a short distance from Reykjavik.

Book it if you want friendly guidance, supplied wet-weather gear, and a ride that works for beginners as well as experienced family members. Choose another activity if you need guaranteed sunshine, a private ride, or a long and fast route.

My best advice is simple: tell the guides exactly how confident you are, wear every layer they offer, and keep your plans flexible around the weather. Done that way, this is a memorable way to meet Iceland’s horses and see the red lava country without committing an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour start?

The tour starts at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus Terminal. Check your voucher for the exact pickup details.

What time does pickup begin?

Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour. Afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes.

How long is the tour?

The full activity lasts about 2.5 hours. You spend about 1.5 to 2 hours riding, with the remaining time used for preparation and fitting clothing and equipment.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The tour is adapted for all riding levels, including people riding for the first time. The route and pace can be adjusted to the experience of the group.

Is the Icelandic horse’s tölt included?

Riders who are ready may have the chance to try the tölt, a distinctive gait of the Icelandic horse. It depends on the rider, horse, group, and trail conditions, so it is not guaranteed for every participant.