Reykjavik: Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour with Pickup

Ride Iceland’s famous gait near Reykjavik. I like the small groups of no more than eight and the gentle Icelandic horses matched to your riding ability. The route also gives you volcanic scenery, city views, and a chance to try the smooth Tölt without spending a full day away from Reykjavik.

I also like the warm, family-run feel at Viking Horses, from the careful saddle fitting to the hot drink at the farm afterward. The main consideration is the weather: this tour runs rain or shine, and a three-hour outing may feel short if you are an experienced rider hoping for a long, fast ride.

Key points at a glance

• Rauðhólar’s red lava fields: Ride among one of the most unusual volcanic formations near Reykjavik, with bright red rock and open views.
• Icelandic horses and the Tölt: Learn the breed’s famously smooth fourth gait, with instruction suited to your experience.
• A genuinely small group: With a maximum of eight people, the guide can keep a close eye on nervous beginners and more confident riders.
• A family farm welcome: Expect help choosing a horse, careful equipment checks, and tea or coffee in the hosts’ home after the ride.
• Pickup around 9:30 to 9:45 AM: You return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free.
• Rain-or-shine riding: Warm layers and closed-toe shoes matter more than fancy riding clothes.

A short ride from Reykjavik, but a very different world

The farm is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, yet the setting quickly shifts from city streets to hills, trees, lava rock, lakes, and open views toward the capital. That short transfer is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You get a taste of Icelandic riding without giving up an entire day to transport.

Pickup is included from accommodations in the Reykjavik area. The stated pickup window is 9:30 to 9:45 AM, so you should wait in the hotel lobby, in front of your accommodation, or at the assigned meeting point. One useful touch is that the driver may call when coming to collect you, which can remove some of the usual Iceland pickup uncertainty.

The activity lasts three hours from pickup through return. That makes it easy to fit between a late breakfast and an afternoon in Reykjavik. It also works well near the start or end of a sightseeing day, when you want something outdoors but not another demanding full-day excursion.

Meeting the horses and finding your place in the group

At the farm, you get acquainted with the horses before riding. The staff choose an animal suited to your experience, which is important when a group includes first-time riders, occasional riders, and people who already feel at home in a saddle.

The horses are described as calm, friendly, and well trained. Individual horses still have their own personalities, so do not expect every animal to behave in exactly the same way. That is part of the appeal, but it also means your ride may feel slightly different from another person’s.

You receive a riding lesson and safety briefing before setting off. The staff take time to explain how to interact with the horses, and saddle fitting receives careful attention. That extra preparation matters. A poorly fitted saddle or rushed introduction can spoil a short ride, while a calm start helps a first-time rider settle in.

The horses generally follow a set order on the trail. This keeps the group controlled and helps inexperienced riders, but it can limit your ability to change position or ride beside a friend. If hearing every word of the guide matters to you, ask to stay close. Wind can make spoken explanations hard to catch, even in a small group.

Crossing Hólsmheiði on an Icelandic horse

Once the group leaves the farm, the route follows trails over the hills surrounding Reykjavik. You can expect a mix of open ground, trees, bushes, and volcanic terrain rather than one unchanging track.

Hólsmheiði forest adds welcome variety. Iceland is famous for its treeless stretches, so riding through a wooded area near the capital gives this outing a different feel from many Icelandic nature tours. The trees and brush also provide a contrast to the raw red lava rock you see later.

The scenery opens out toward volcanic mountains, lakes, and Reykjavik. Several stops allow you to take photographs and enjoy the views without trying to balance a camera while the horse is moving. Guides may also take action photographs while riding, a useful service if you want pictures of yourself on horseback rather than only pictures of the scenery.

The route is scenic rather than remote. You are not crossing a vast wilderness or riding deep into the Icelandic interior. Instead, you get a compact introduction to the country’s volcanic setting, with the convenience of being close to the capital.

The red rocks of Rauðhólar

The visual highlight is Rauðhólar, a striking field of red volcanic rock. The formation gives the ride a strong sense of place. You are not simply riding around a generic farm track, but passing through terrain shaped by Iceland’s volcanic forces.

The red rock can look especially dramatic against dark volcanic ground, green growth in warmer months, or snow during winter. A bright summer day may produce dusty conditions, while winter can bring snow and colder riding. The scenery changes with the season, but the volcanic setting remains the central attraction.

Do not expect a long stop with a formal geological talk. The schedule is built around riding, photographs, and the experience of moving through the area. If you enjoy learning about local geology, ask questions as you go. The guides can explain what makes the area special, but the tour’s strength is its direct, hands-on setting.

Trying the Tölt, Iceland’s smooth fourth gait

The Icelandic horse has five gaits, and the Tölt is the one most people want to experience. It is a smooth fourth gait that allows the horse to move quickly while keeping the rider relatively comfortable.

You receive instruction before trying it, and the guides adjust their help to your ability. First-time riders are not expected to arrive knowing how to manage an Icelandic horse. More experienced riders can gain a better feel for the breed and its distinctive movement.

The Tölt is not guaranteed to feel identical for everyone. Your horse, your confidence, and the group’s pace all affect how much you get to practice. Some outings include several chances to try it, while beginners may spend more time learning basic control and balance.

That balance between ambition and safety is a good feature of the tour. You can experience something special about Icelandic horsemanship without being pushed beyond your comfort level. If you are already an accomplished rider looking for extended speed work, however, the short duration and group format may seem restrained.

Why beginners tend to feel comfortable here

This is one of the better options near Reykjavik for a first or early riding experience. The horses are calm, the route is supervised, and the introduction covers basic interaction, mounting, and riding technique.

Guides have helped nervous riders gain confidence and have stayed close to less experienced participants. The small group helps here. A guide is not trying to manage a large line of riders while also answering questions and checking safety.

The horses also seem accustomed to carrying people with different skill levels. They follow the horse ahead and respond to the group’s pace, which provides reassurance to anyone who has never ridden outdoors before.

Still, horseback riding requires some physical effort. You need to sit upright, follow instructions, and handle the movement of the horse for the length of the outing. The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Why experienced riders may still enjoy it

You do not need to be a beginner to find value here. Experienced riders can focus on the Icelandic horse itself, especially its unusual gait and compact build. The scenery also gives you a different way to experience the area around Reykjavik.

The staff match horses to ability, so a confident rider may receive an animal with more forward energy than the horse chosen for a first-time participant. The horses remain part of a controlled group ride, though, and the route is not designed as an open-speed adventure.

That is the key distinction. This is an introduction to Icelandic horses and nearby volcanic country, not a long-distance trek. If you want a relaxed ride, cultural context, and time to observe the horses, it is a good fit. If you want hours in the saddle or technical riding, look for a longer specialist outing.

The people behind the warm welcome

Viking Horses is family owned, and the human side of the experience receives as much attention as the riding. Viggo, the owner, has welcomed riders, prepared horses, explained the activity, and helped with practical matters around the visit.

Guides named in the feedback include Monika, Adriána, Fiona, Sarah, Ingün, Pia, and Viktor. Their roles can vary, but the recurring strength is patient instruction and a friendly manner. Monika, in particular, has been praised for staying close to nervous riders, while Adriána has helped first-timers and taken photographs during the ride.

Viktor and Pia have also been praised for their experience with the horses. Viktor’s riding awards and clear respect for the animals gave some riders extra confidence in the farm’s standards.

Of course, guide assignments can change. You should not book expecting one particular person unless the operator confirms it. The more reliable expectation is careful instruction, a personal tone, and staff who are comfortable with mixed-ability groups.

Tea, coffee, and a slower finish

After the ride, you return to the stable or the hosts’ home for a hot beverage. Tea, coffee, and sometimes hot chocolate help take the edge off a cold or wet day.

This small ending adds real value. You have time to warm up, ask questions, talk about the horses, and enjoy the family-farm atmosphere instead of being dropped straight back into a vehicle. Some riders also used the break to look at Icelandic sweaters and chat with the hosts.

The refreshment is simple, not a full meal. Eat beforehand if you need more than a hot drink and a small treat. The tour works best as a morning activity followed by lunch back in Reykjavik.

Clothing, comfort, and weather

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the tour operates in rain or shine. Wear warm layers, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes. Sturdy, comfortable footwear matters more than looking like a professional rider.

Helmets and rain clothing are included. You may not need to bring special riding equipment, but you should still dress for cold, wind, and damp conditions. Summer does not guarantee warm weather, and winter outings can be snowy.

A bright sunny day may bring excellent photographs but can also create dust on dry ground. Wet weather will not cancel the ride, so anyone who dislikes riding in rain should think carefully before booking. The experience is more enjoyable when you accept that Iceland’s weather is part of the setting rather than a flaw in the plan.

Is $191 a fair price?

At $191 per person, this is not a budget horse ride. The price includes Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off, a three-hour activity, a lesson, helmet, rain clothing, a small group, and hot drinks.

I think the value depends on what you want from the morning. You are paying for more than time on a horse. The short transfer, careful horse matching, small group, instruction, volcanic route, and personal welcome make this a convenient package for a first Iceland riding experience.

The price is easier to justify if you do not have a rental car, are traveling with mixed riding abilities, or want an activity that leaves your afternoon free. It is less compelling if you already ride regularly and mainly want the longest possible time in the saddle.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Pickup is included within the Reykjavik area, but you should confirm that your accommodation falls inside the stated pickup zone.

Who should book this ride?

I would point this tour toward first-time riders, cautious beginners, families with older children, couples, and small groups of friends. It also suits experienced riders who want to try the Icelandic horse and Tölt without committing to a full-day trek.

The age limit is eight and older. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. If you have riding experience but are traveling with someone who has never ridden, the horse matching and close instruction make this a useful compromise.

I would hesitate if you want a remote wilderness ride, a long expedition, or complete control over your pace and position in the group. The ride is scenic and personal, but it remains a short, guided outing near Reykjavik.

Should you book Viking Horses?

Book it if you want friendly horses, careful guidance, and volcanic scenery in a compact morning experience. The strongest reasons are the small group, the thoughtful horse selection, the chance to try the Tölt, and the warm finish with tea or coffee.

Skip it if your main goal is an extended ride or advanced training. For most visitors, though, $191 buys an easy way to meet Icelandic horses and see Rauðhólar without losing a day to transport. Bring warm clothes, keep your expectations relaxed, and you are likely to get a memorable introduction to riding in Iceland.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik horse riding tour?

The activity lasts three hours. Pickup is scheduled between 9:30 and 9:45 AM, and you return to Reykjavik in the early afternoon.

Is the tour suitable for first-time riders?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and riders with limited experience. You receive a riding lesson and safety briefing, and the staff match your horse to your experience.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to eight participants. This allows the guides to provide more personal attention than a large riding excursion.

What is included in the price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area, a riding helmet, rain clothing, a riding lesson, and hot tea or coffee.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable footwear is important, and you should be prepared for changing weather because the tour runs rain or shine.

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.