The Siggi Tour from Reykjavík: 1.5 to 2-Hour Ride

The best part of the Siggi Tour is the changing scenery. You ride from Hótel Eldhestar up the slopes of Reykjafjall, through a green forest, across volcanic ground, and past steaming hot springs above Hveragerði. It gives you a close look at South Iceland without asking you to cover the area on foot.

I like the mixed-ability welcome. Experienced riders can enjoy the horse and open views, while beginners receive care and instruction. I also like that helmets, waterproof clothing, pickup, and drop-off are included, which makes this a simpler choice in Iceland’s changeable weather.

The main consideration is the timing. The tour is described as about two hours, but the route details also show three hours, so confirm the exact schedule before booking. A 120-kilogram weight limit applies, and groups can be as large as 50 people.

Key points to know before you book

• Reykjafjall route: Ride along the mountain slopes, through forest, and above Hveragerði.
• Rare Icelandic forest: The route includes green woodland, an unusual sight in a country better known for open lava and treeless plains.
• Good for mixed experience: Beginners are taught and looked after, while experienced riders can still enjoy a proper countryside ride.
• Weather-ready setup: Helmets and waterproofs are included, with free pickup and drop-off offered.
• Geothermal scenery: Pass hot springs in an area reshaped by the 2008 earthquake and still changing today.
• Practical limits: The price is $134.15 per person, the weight limit is 120 kilograms, and the maximum group size is 50.

Riding through South Iceland on an Icelandic horse

Icelandic horses are a natural fit for this setting. They are sturdy animals, and the ride lets you move across more ground than you could on foot while still staying close to the soil, rock, grass, and steam of South Iceland.

Your English-speaking guide leads the group and explains the history of Icelandic horses along the way. That background matters here. This is not only a scenic ride with an animal beneath you. It is also a chance to learn why the horse has such a strong place in Icelandic life.

The experience suits a broad range of riding ability. If you have years in the saddle, you will likely appreciate the countryside route and the chance to ride outside an enclosed arena. If you are new to horseback riding, the setup is designed to teach you and keep an eye on you.

The strongest practical point is the care given to both ends of the experience level. The available feedback specifically praises the way experienced riders remained happy while inexperienced riders were taught and looked after properly. That is useful information if your party includes people with very different levels of confidence.

Still, you should not expect a private ride or a highly tailored lesson. The group limit is 50 people, which is a fairly high maximum for a horseback activity. The actual group may be smaller, but if personal attention is your top concern, ask about the group size on your date.

Starting at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði

The ride begins at Hótel Eldhestar, at 816 Sveitarfélagið Ölfus. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the countryside.

Pickup and drop-off are offered free of charge. That can add real value in Iceland, where a scenic activity may sit outside the main town or require a rental car. The information does not specify every pickup location, so confirm that your accommodation is covered when you book.

At the start, you receive a helmet and waterproof clothing. Those items are more than minor extras. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and keeping dry helps you focus on the horse and the ride rather than the forecast.

You should still dress for outdoor conditions under the provided waterproofs. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy protects the experience, since wind and rain can affect both comfort and safety on horseback.

Climbing Reykjafjall on established riding trails

The first part of the route climbs a hill along good riding trails beside Reykjafjall. This gives you a gradual change in elevation and opens views over the area around Hveragerði.

The route is not a flat circuit. You are riding through varied ground, so the horse does the hard work while you remain aware of balance and pace. For a first-time rider, the uphill section may be the part where careful instruction matters most.

The slopes also help you see how Hveragerði sits between Hengill volcano and the broad southern lowlands. The town is known as the hot spring capital of the world, and the ride places you above it rather than simply passing through town streets.

You also get a view of the Varmá river. That detail may sound small, but it adds a sense of place to the route. You are not just riding beside a generic mountain. You are looking down toward a town, river, volcanic hills, and the open lowlands that define this part of Iceland.

Finding a green forest in a country of lava

One of the route’s more surprising features is the green forest. Iceland is famous for open spaces, black volcanic ground, and treeless horizons, so riding through woodland offers a welcome change of texture.

The forest section may be especially appealing if you are building a full day around South Iceland’s usual sights. After seeing waterfalls, coast, or lava fields from a vehicle, this ride gives you a slower way to notice smaller changes in the countryside.

The contrast is the point. You move from a green wooded area to more open volcanic hills and then toward the geothermal zone. That sequence gives the two-hour ride, or possibly the longer schedule shown in the route details, a good sense of variety.

Do not book this expecting a long wilderness expedition. The stated ride is short, and the main appeal is the mix of settings rather than distance. You get several types of Icelandic scenery in one compact outing.

Hot springs above Hveragerði

The route continues into a colorful geothermal area above Hveragerði. Hot springs are a central feature of the region, and seeing them from horseback gives you a different pace from visiting a developed bathing pool.

The area changed dramatically after an earthquake in 2008 and continues to change. That makes the ground feel active rather than fixed. Steam, hot water, and volcanic slopes are not simply decorative sights here. They are signs of the forces still shaping the area.

You should follow the guide closely in this section. The provided details do not describe exact paths or safety procedures around each spring, so it is sensible to stay with the group and obey instructions. Geothermal ground can look inviting while remaining dangerously hot.

The setting above town also helps explain Hveragerði’s identity. Its hot springs are not isolated from daily life. They sit near a community located between Hengill and the southern plains, giving the ride a useful connection between nature and settlement.

What the ride feels like for beginners and experienced riders

If you have little or no riding experience, the most important question is often simple: will you be left to figure it out alone? Here, the answer is no. Instruction is part of the experience, and the strongest available feedback specifically points to inexperienced riders being taught and cared for properly.

You should still expect to listen carefully, follow the guide, and accept that your pace may be controlled by the group. A guided horseback ride is not the place to demand a fast independent ride, especially when the group can include people with different abilities.

Experienced riders should find more to enjoy than a basic introductory lesson. The route uses proper riding trails and includes slopes, forest, volcanic hills, and geothermal scenery. That combination gives the ride a real countryside character.

The experience may be best for a mixed party. One person can ride regularly, another can be trying a horse for the first time, and both can take part in the same outing. That flexibility is one of the tour’s clearest strengths.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The stated weight limit is 120 kilograms. If you are close to that limit, confirm the requirement before you arrive rather than leaving it to the meeting point.

Is $134.15 a fair price?

At $134.15 per person, this is not a cheap quick activity. I would judge the price by what it removes from your planning rather than by the riding time alone.

You receive the horseback experience, an English-speaking guide, a helmet, waterproofs, and free pickup and drop-off. If you would otherwise need to hire a car or arrange transport to Hótel Eldhestar, those included services make the total cost easier to justify.

The route also offers several distinct settings in one outing. You get the slopes of Reykjafjall, a rare forest, views toward Varmá and Hveragerði, volcanic hills, and a geothermal area. That variety gives the ride more value than a short horse loop through one unchanging field.

The price is harder to defend if you want a long ride, a private guide, or advanced riding instruction. None of those features is promised. The maximum group size of 50 also means you should not assume a quiet, small-group outing.

I would compare the cost with your own priorities. For a first ride in Iceland, the included gear and transport are useful. For an experienced rider seeking several hours in the saddle, the short duration may be less satisfying.

Timing, pickup, and the two-hour versus three-hour question

The experience is presented as a 1.5 to 2-hour ride, with an approximate duration of two hours. Yet the route information gives a three-hour duration for the Hótel Eldhestar stop.

That mismatch deserves attention. It may reflect time spent preparing, gathering the group, or returning to the hotel, but the supplied details do not explain the difference. Ask for the exact start and end time before you plan a tight connection or another South Iceland activity.

The activity begins and ends at Hótel Eldhestar. Pickup and drop-off are available at no extra charge, but you should confirm the pickup arrangement for your accommodation. The meeting point is in Sveitarfélagið Ölfus, near Hveragerði.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is booked on average 41 days ahead, reserve early if your Iceland schedule is fixed. That advance booking pattern does not guarantee a sellout on your date, but it suggests that waiting until the last minute may reduce your choices.

Weather, cancellation, and what to bring

This ride depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is a sensible rule for an outdoor horse ride, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your South Iceland plans.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

Helmets and waterproofs are included. You should still wear suitable outdoor clothing beneath them and plan for a day outside. The supplied information does not list boots or every clothing item, so ask the provider if you need precise guidance before arrival.

Who should book the Siggi Tour?

I would choose this ride if you want a short, scenic introduction to Icelandic horseback riding, especially if your group includes both beginners and experienced riders.

It is also a good fit if you want transport and weather gear handled for you. The route gives you more than a simple horse ride, with forest, volcanic ground, hot springs, mountain slopes, and views toward Hveragerði.

I would hesitate if you need a private experience, a guaranteed small group, or a clearly confirmed ride longer than two hours. The 50-person maximum is worth noting, and the timing should be clarified before you pay.

FAQ

How long is the Siggi Tour?

The ride is described as approximately two hours, with the headline duration given as 1.5 to 2 hours. The route details also show a three-hour duration, so confirm the exact schedule before booking.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $134.15 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Hótel Eldhestar, 816 Sveitarfélagið Ölfus, Iceland.

Does the activity include pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are offered, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are helmets and waterproof clothing provided?

Yes. Helmets and waterproofs are included.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No. Most people can participate, and the experience is designed to teach and look after inexperienced riders while also accommodating experienced riders.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The weight limit is 120 kilograms.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 50 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.