Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

Icelandic horses carry you from green hills to the red volcanic rocks of Rauðhólar, all in the soft light of an Icelandic evening. The ride leaves Reykjavik’s city edge behind quickly, yet pickup is included, so you do not need a car. The small group of no more than eight is a real advantage: you get help with your horse, not a mass-production trail ride.

I like the mix of beginner-friendly instruction and striking scenery, and I like the homely finish with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina. The main consideration is the price, $202 per person, and the fact that the ride goes out rain or shine. You also need to be comfortable around horses and able to ride without mobility assistance.

Key points to know before booking

• Red lava at Rauðhólar: The ride reaches a vivid volcanic area where rust-colored lava formations replace the green hills.
• A calm evening schedule: Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM, with the tour lasting about three hours.
• Designed for beginners: A short riding lesson and well-trained Icelandic horses make this a sensible first ride.
• A genuinely small group: Viking Horses limits the outing to eight people, allowing more direct help from the guide.
• A warm family-style ending: Return to the stables for hot drinks and kleina in the hosts’ home.
• Weather matters: Bring warm clothes and closed-toe shoes, since the ride runs in rain or shine.

Leaving Reykjavik for the Icelandic countryside

This tour works well when you want an outdoor experience without giving up an entire day. Viking Horses’ stables are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, and pickup is included within the Reykjavik area. That short transfer is useful after a busy day of sightseeing, since you can leave the driving to someone else and settle into the evening.

Pickup is scheduled between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. You need to wait at your accommodation or selected pickup point, so be ready before that window rather than treating it as an exact single-minute appointment.

The setting changes quickly once you leave the capital. Mountains, green nature, and volcanic formations surround the stable area. You are not riding through a remote wilderness, but you do get a strong sense of Iceland’s open countryside close to the city. That makes this a practical choice for a short stay in Reykjavik.

Getting comfortable with an Icelandic horse

At the stables, the experience begins with a short riding lesson. This is important even if you have ridden before, because your guide can explain how the horses are handled and help you feel secure before the group leaves.

The ride is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience. The horses are described as friendly, happy, and well trained, with a gentle temperament that helps first-time riders settle in. You should still expect to spend several hours on horseback. This is not a sightseeing trip where you simply sit and watch the scenery pass.

Guide Monica has been praised for giving clear instruction and helping less experienced riders. She has also taken photos and videos during the ride, which can be a useful bonus if that service is available on your departure. Do not assume a particular guide will lead every outing, but the small group gives the staff room to offer direct assistance.

Helmets are provided, as are rain clothes. You should bring comfortable clothing, warm layers, and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable shoes matter more than fashion here. Backpacks are not allowed, so keep your belongings compact and ask the operator where personal items can be stored.

Riding through Hólmsheiði and Stallion Valley

The first part of the route takes you through the forest and hills of Hólmsheiði. Iceland is not known for large forests, so the wooded setting offers a different view from the bare lava fields and coastal scenery often associated with the country.

The pace is intended for a mixed group, not for fast riding. That suits beginners and lets you look around instead of concentrating only on the horse. You will see green hills, mountain views, and open natural areas as the route moves toward Stallion Valley.

Stallion Valley adds another layer of character to the ride. The name points to Iceland’s long connection with horse breeding and riding, though the supplied details do not specify exactly what you will see there. The value is in the change of scenery and the sense that the route has been chosen for its natural setting rather than just being a short loop near the stable.

I like this section because it gives you time to bond with the horse. Icelandic horses are compact, hardy animals, and their steady nature makes them well suited to a gentle introduction. The guide’s help matters most here. You can ask questions, adjust your position, and get a better feel for the horse before reaching the more dramatic volcanic formations.

The red lava formations of Rauðhólar

Rauðhólar is the visual high point of the outing. Its red and rust-colored lava formations create a sharp contrast with the green hills and evening light. The volcanic shapes make this more than a standard countryside ride, especially if you have already seen plenty of Iceland’s black lava and gray rock.

The exact appearance of the area will change with the weather and light. In the evening, the low sun can bring out the warm tones in the rocks, while cloud or rain will give the scene a darker, moodier character. Since the tour operates rain or shine, you need to accept that conditions may not match the bright summer photographs you have in mind.

This part also gives you a chance to appreciate how close Reykjavik is to unusual geology. You do not have to travel to a distant national park to see volcanic scenery. A short transfer and a three-hour activity place you among red lava formations while still returning you to the capital the same evening.

The horse adds something a walking visit would not. You move through the area at a slow, living pace, with the animal’s rhythm and the guide’s direction shaping the experience. That connection is the main reason to choose this over simply visiting a scenic viewpoint by car.

Why the small group changes the experience

A maximum of eight participants is one of the strongest features here. Horse riding becomes less comfortable when a large line of animals stretches along a trail, particularly for beginners who need help or want to ask questions.

With a smaller group, the guide can watch how each rider is doing. You can get help with basic technique, horse control, and confidence without bringing the entire group to a halt. The service feels more personal because Viking Horses is family-run and focuses on small and private outings.

This does not mean the tour is private for every booking. A group of eight can still include riders with different levels of experience, and the pace must suit the least confident person. If you want fast riding, long stretches at a quicker gait, or a serious training session, this is probably not the right choice.

For a relaxed first ride, though, the group size is a good match. You get company without losing the friendly, hands-on character that can disappear on larger excursions.

Finishing with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina

After the ride, you return to the Viking Horses stables for light refreshments in the home of your hosts. Hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate help take the chill off, especially after an evening outdoors.

The food is simple: deep-fried sweetbread called kleina. It is a traditional Icelandic-style treat and a pleasant way to finish the outing. This is not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you expect to be hungry after several hours outside.

I like this ending because it gives the experience a human touch. You are not simply dropped back at the stable and sent on your way. Sitting down with a hot drink lets you recover, talk about the horses, and enjoy the family-run atmosphere before the return transfer.

The refreshment stop also makes the price easier to understand. You are paying for transport, equipment, instruction, horse care, staff time, and a small-group setting, not just for time in the saddle. At $202, it is not a cheap add-on, but the included pickup and drop-off, rain clothes, helmet, lesson, guide, and refreshments add real value.

Is $202 a fair price?

The cost will feel high if you compare it with a short city activity or a simple self-guided outing. Iceland is an expensive destination, and a horse ride requires trained animals, suitable equipment, stable staff, transport, and a controlled route.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience and personal help. You do not need to arrange a rental car, find the stables, rent a helmet, or bring rain gear. The maximum group size of eight also gives you a more attentive experience than a large commercial ride.

For a couple or family wanting one memorable evening activity near Reykjavik, the tour can be good value. For a confident rider mainly interested in a long or fast ride, it may not be. Beginners are likely to gain more from the lesson, calm horses, and close support than experienced riders seeking technical riding.

You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland schedule depends on weather or changing plans. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms reduce the risk, but you still need to check the available start time when booking.

Who should book this horse ride?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders and people with little horse-riding experience
• Couples looking for a gentle evening activity near Reykjavik
• Families with children aged eight and over who are comfortable around horses
• Visitors who want volcanic scenery without committing to a full-day excursion
• Anyone who values a small group and direct support from a guide
• People interested in Icelandic horses as much as the scenery

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or want an activity with no physical demands. The experience is also not suitable for children under eight.

You need to accept Icelandic weather. Rain clothes are supplied, but warm clothing is still your responsibility. Closed-toe shoes are required, and a backpack cannot come with you. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

What makes the Icelandic horses special here?

The horses are central to the experience, not just transport for a scenic route. Viking Horses presents them as friendly, well cared for, and trained for riders with limited experience. That combination matters because a nervous rider needs a steady animal and a guide who can explain what to do.

The horses also give you a different way to see Iceland. You are close to the ground, moving slowly enough to notice the trail and rock formations, but you are not walking the entire route. The bond between rider and horse becomes part of the evening.

Your ride will depend on your own comfort and the group’s pace. The available information does not promise a particular gait or a long stretch of faster riding, so book this for the horses, scenery, and relaxed pace rather than for speed.

Should you book the Viking Horses evening ride?

Book it if you want an easy-to-reach Icelandic horse experience with a personal feel, striking red lava formations, and enough instruction to make beginners comfortable. The combination of Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and Rauðhólar gives the route more variety than a short stable loop.

I would skip it if $202 feels too high for a three-hour activity, if you dislike riding in uncertain weather, or if you need an accessible experience without horseback riding. For everyone else, especially first-time riders staying in Reykjavik, the small group, gentle horses, guide support, and warm kleina-and-coffee finish make this a thoughtful evening choice.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik evening horse riding tour?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area. Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM, and you should wait at your accommodation or chosen pickup location.

Is the horse ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a short riding lesson and is suitable for beginners or people with little riding experience.

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 beverages.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and closed-toe shoes. Backpacks are not allowed.

Can children or pregnant women join?

Children under eight cannot join, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.