Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this tour is the setting: you ride across red lava fields and mossy volcanic hills just outside Reykjavik, not inside a riding arena. Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and famously gentle, making this a friendly introduction for first-time riders as well as a pleasant outing for people who already ride.

I like the way Sólhestar sorts riders by ability and comfort, and I like that the ride lasts a proper 1.5 to 2 hours rather than feeling like a quick photo stop. The main drawback is Icelandic weather. Even with supplied rain gear and winter clothing, wind, rain, or cold can make the saddle feel long, and the tour is not suitable for anyone with back problems, recent surgery, limited mobility, low fitness, or a weight above 110 kilograms.

Key points before you saddle up

• Red lava terrain: Ride smooth paths through the Redhills, with an option for experienced riders to pass by Rauðarvatn.
• Suitable for beginners: Horse and rider pairings are based on experience, and guides stay close to nervous or first-time riders.
• A real Icelandic riding feature: Confident riders may get to try the tölt, the Icelandic horse’s distinctive four-beat gait.
• Useful winter support: Helmets, rain clothing, winter jumpsuits, coffee, and tea are provided when needed.
• Easy from Reykjavik: Optional hotel or designated pickup point service begins about 30 minutes before the ride.
• Good value for riding time: At $142, the price is fair if you want a substantial horseback outing, not simply a short stable visit.

Why the red lava fields make this ride special

Iceland offers many ways to see volcanic ground, but horseback riding gives you a slower and more personal view. From the saddle, you notice the uneven red rocks, dark lava, moss, low hills, and open sky at a pace that lets the scenery register.

The Redhills route uses natural riding paths and a smooth trail through striking volcanic terrain. The lava fields are more than a dramatic backdrop. They show the rough, weathered surface that makes this part of Iceland look so different from a normal countryside ride.

The setting also gives the tour a strong sense of place. You are not riding through a generic paddock with a mountain view in the distance. You are sitting on an Icelandic horse while crossing ground shaped by volcanic activity, close to Reykjavik but far enough from the city to feel outdoors.

The scenery changes with the season. In winter, snow can cover parts of the red rocks and hills, creating a sharp contrast between white ground and dark volcanic formations. In warmer months, moss and exposed lava give the ride a softer color palette. Wind and rain may be part of the picture too, so bring the right attitude along with the right clothes.

Getting from Reykjavik to the stable

You have two practical choices. Select hotel pickup and a small bus or jeep collects you from a participating Reykjavik hotel or shuttle stop about 30 minutes before the scheduled start. The vehicle carries the activity provider’s name, which helps you identify it at a busy pickup area.

The drive is useful for visitors who do not have a car, and the transport is generally handled efficiently. One early ride gave passengers a chance to watch the sunrise on the way to the lava fields, though that depends on your departure time and the season.

If you have a rental car, driving yourself is simple. The stable is about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, with free parking in front. Look for the large white stable with a big orange sign. Arrive 15 minutes before the riding time, not at the last second. You need time to check in, try on a helmet, and get dressed for the weather.

Pickup adds convenience but also adds a little uncertainty to the start of your day. A self-drive arrival gives you more control, especially if you are fitting the ride around other plans. Either way, check the exact starting time and meeting instructions when you book.

Meeting the horses and getting ready

At the stable, you meet the horses and the instructors before heading out. The staff match riders and horses according to experience, confidence, and preferred pace. That matters here because a first ride can be wonderful or stressful depending on the horse beneath you.

Most first-time riders receive a short explanation of how to sit, steer, and follow the group. The horses are described as calm, well trained, and easy to guide, but they are still animals. You need to listen closely, keep your helmet on, and follow the instructor’s directions.

All riders must wear a helmet supplied at the stable. Rain clothing is available if conditions call for it, and winter jumpsuits are included for cold-weather outings. You can also use the stable’s boots if needed, as one winter participant described doing before the ride.

Do not arrive in shorts, open-toed shoes, or a bulky backpack. Professional cameras are not allowed, and a phone is more practical for the occasional picture. Wear warm layers, comfortable clothes, gloves, and wool socks. Sunglasses can help in dusty conditions during drier weather, while waterproof outer layers are especially useful in rain and wind.

There is free parking at the stable, and coffee and tea are available for comfort. Food is not included, so eat beforehand if you need more than a hot drink.

Choosing the right route and pace

The standard outing covers about 5 to 7 kilometers, depending on the ability and confidence of the group. You get between 1.5 and 2 hours in the saddle, inside a total activity time of about 2.5 hours.

Beginners normally follow the smooth Redhills path at a calm pace. This is the right choice if you have never ridden, have only tried riding once or twice, or simply want to enjoy the scenery without worrying about speed.

More experienced groups may ride by Rauðarvatn and take a longer route. The tour can include faster sections when ground and group ability allow it. Several experienced riders described trying the tölt, a comfortable, distinctive gait associated with Icelandic horses. It is an enjoyable extra, but it is not something you should expect to do if you are new, nervous, or in a group moving at walking pace.

The guides may split the group after a photo stop according to riding preference. One group can keep things slow, while another may get more chances to trot or tölt. That system is one of the tour’s better features because it avoids forcing cautious riders to speed up and avoids making experienced riders walk for the entire outing.

Still, conditions and safety decide the pace. Wet ground, wind, snow, rider confidence, and horse behavior can all affect what is possible. Book this for the volcanic setting and time with the horses, not with the promise of a fast ride.

The ride through the Redhills

The ride begins on a natural path through hilly volcanic ground. You get time to settle into the saddle and learn the horse’s rhythm before the route becomes the main event.

The horses are the heart of the outing. Their small size makes them less intimidating for many beginners, though you should not mistake small for toy-sized. They are strong, sure-footed animals, and their movement can feel different from that of a larger riding horse.

Guides ride with the group and keep watch over the riders. They explain the basics, offer corrections, and check that nervous participants are comfortable. This direct attention is particularly helpful during the first few minutes, when a new rider is still trying to coordinate reins, posture, and balance.

The scenery does much of the work. You pass red lava formations, dark rock, moss, and open volcanic ground. The route is peaceful, but it is not a sightseeing bus tour with constant commentary. You will spend much of the time riding, listening to instructions, and taking in the view from horseback.

At points where the surface permits, the guides may offer a trot or faster movement. That is a highlight for capable riders. For beginners, walking through the lava country is enough. You still get the unusual experience of seeing Iceland from the back of an Icelandic horse, and you avoid turning a pleasant outing into a nervous one.

The lava-rock photo stop

A stop near red lava rocks gives you time for photographs. Guides can take a group picture using your phone, and you may have a chance to capture your horse with the red formations behind you.

This is useful because taking pictures while riding is awkward and can distract you from the horse. Keep the photo break in perspective, though. It is a brief stop rather than a long photography session. If your main aim is to collect many scenic images, you may find the time limited.

The stop also marks a practical point in the outing. Afterward, riders may be divided into slower and faster groups, with experienced riders taking a longer route back. The exact arrangement depends on the people in your group and the conditions that day.

Guides, safety, and care for the horses

The guides receive some of the strongest praise for this activity. Claudia and Patri have led rides, while Claira and Nina have also been singled out for friendly conversation and explanations about Iceland’s geology and past. Staff members are attentive without making the tour feel stiff or overly formal.

That balance helps first-time riders. Several people who had never ridden before felt comfortable after the initial instructions, and nervous riders were given extra attention and horses suited to their ability.

The horses also appear to be treated as working animals with care rather than as props for tourists. They are paired thoughtfully, remain under supervision, and are allowed to set the tone of the ride. One isolated incident involved a horse arguing with another and a rider falling, though the rider was not hurt and the guides responded well. This is a reminder that riding always carries some risk, even on a calm beginner route.

The safety rules are straightforward. Wear the provided helmet, follow the instructor, and be honest about your experience and physical condition. You must be in reasonably good shape for mounting, sitting in the saddle, and handling a 1.5 to 2-hour ride.

What $142 gets you

At $142 per person, this is not Iceland’s cheapest short activity. The price becomes easier to justify when you count the 1.5 to 2 hours of actual riding, instructor support, equipment, optional transport, and access to volcanic paths near Reykjavik.

You also avoid the cost and effort of arranging a separate stable visit if you do not have a car. Pickup and drop-off are included when you choose that option, while self-drivers get free parking.

The value is strongest for people who want a proper riding experience. If you only want to pat a horse and take a quick picture, the tour may feel expensive. If you want a memorable outdoor activity with a real route, well-trained horses, and the chance to try the tölt, it compares well with other paid outings in Iceland.

Coffee, tea, rainwear, and winter jumpsuits are small details, but they matter in Iceland. They mean you do not have to pack every piece of outdoor gear for a single activity. Food and drinks beyond the complimentary hot drinks are not included.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it to first-time riders, couples, families with suitable participants, and experienced riders who want a scenic Icelandic outing rather than a technical riding lesson. It also fits well into a Reykjavik stay because the stable is close to the city and the total time is manageable.

It is especially good for a mixed group. Beginners can stay at a walking pace, while more confident riders may get a longer route and faster sections. Tell the staff your real ability, not the ability you hope to have by the end of the trip.

Think twice if you dislike cold weather, have a low fitness level, or want a fast and athletic ride. The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, recent surgery, or back problems.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve now while paying later. That flexibility helps when Icelandic weather or your wider plans are uncertain.

Should you book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want to experience Iceland’s volcanic ground at a slow, human pace and you like the idea of meeting gentle Icelandic horses. The excellent rating of 4.8 from 2,383 ratings fits the tour’s strongest points: kind guides, careful horse matching, scenic riding, and a generous amount of time in the saddle.

Choose the pickup option if you are staying in Reykjavik without a car. Drive yourself if you want tighter control over your schedule and easy free parking. Pack warm layers, gloves, wool socks, and weatherproof clothing, then arrive early enough to get fitted without rushing.

This is not the tour for an all-day expedition, a long photography stop, or guaranteed fast riding. It is a well-organized half-day activity with memorable scenery, patient instruction, and a genuine chance to ride an Icelandic horse across red lava fields. For most able-bodied visitors who want something beyond the usual sightseeing circuit, I would put it high on the Reykjavik activity list.

FAQ

How long does the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour last?

The full activity lasts about 2.5 hours. You spend approximately 1.5 to 2 hours actually riding.

How far do you ride?

The route covers about 5 to 7 kilometers, depending on the riders’ experience and the route selected.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners can ride a smooth path through the Redhills, and horses are matched to riders according to experience and comfort.

Can experienced riders go faster?

Experienced groups may ride by Rauðarvatn and can have opportunities to trot or try the tölt, depending on conditions and group ability.

Is hotel pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is available from selected hotels and pickup points in Reykjavik when you choose the pickup option. Collection begins about 30 minutes before the tour.

Can I drive to the stable?

Yes. The stable is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik, and free parking is available in front.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Gloves and wool socks are useful in winter. Shorts and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is riding equipment provided?

A helmet is provided and must be worn. Rain clothing and winter jumpsuits are also supplied when needed.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or back problems?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with back problems, people with recent surgeries, pregnant people, or those with a low level of fitness.