Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Icelandic horseback riding is one of the most natural ways to see the rough ground around Reykjavik. At Ishestar, you ride through lava fields and moorland on sturdy horses descended from animals brought by the Vikings in the 10th century. The special treat is the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that suits uneven Icelandic ground.

I like the careful split by riding ability, and I like that the stable provides helmets, boots, rain gear, and warm overalls. That makes this a friendly choice for first-time riders, while stronger riders can ask for a faster group. The main drawback is the weather: wind and rain can arrive quickly, and the group may feel large before it breaks into smaller rides.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride the Icelandic horse’s tölt: This smooth gait is the signature feature of the ride, with chances to try it after your instructor sees how you handle the horse.
• Groups match your riding level: Beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders are separated early, so you can request a slower or faster pace.
• Expect open Icelandic scenery: The route passes lava fields, moorland, volcanic mountains, lakes, and wooded areas.
• Pickup is optional: You can meet at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður or choose a listed Reykjavik pickup point when booking.
• Warm drinks finish the outing: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are available at the stables after the ride.
• Check the limits carefully: Riders must be at least 7 years old, weigh no more than 110 kilograms, and mount from the ground without help.

Why the Icelandic horse makes this ride different

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and well suited to the country’s rough ground. They are often called ponies in casual conversation, but they are horses, and their size makes them less intimidating for many first-time riders.

The breed is known for the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel smoother than a standard trot. You may not master it right away, but the instructor gives you a chance to ease the horse into it. That small lesson adds something special to the ride. You are not simply following a horse down a trail. You are learning one of the breed’s defining skills.

The horses used here are described as gentle and well trained. That matters for a mixed group. One rider may be returning to the saddle after 50 years, while another may ride often and want more speed. The horses and instructors need to handle both ends of that range, and the ability-based grouping helps.

The stable also gives you a short instructional video before you ride. You then receive a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. It is not glamorous clothing, but it is exactly what you want when Icelandic weather changes during a two-hour outing.

From Reykjavik to the Ishestar stables

The riding center is at Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, south of Reykjavik. The drive from central Reykjavik takes about 15 to 20 minutes when pickup is arranged, making this an easy half-day activity rather than a full-day commitment.

Pickup is not automatic. You must select a tour option that includes it and choose from the available pickup points. If your hotel is not listed, contact the operator to find the nearest approved stop. You may be directed to a nearby bus stop rather than collected directly outside your hotel.

If you drive yourself, arrive at the stables 30 minutes before the start time. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second destination.

The tour is offered in morning and afternoon time slots. Morning departures can be appealing in the darker seasons, when riders may catch soft light over the lava fields. One early outing was scheduled at 10 a.m. and lined up with sunrise conditions. Still, do not book a time solely for a sunrise view. Icelandic weather controls the scene more than the clock does.

Getting ready for the saddle

At the stables, you meet the instructor and explain your riding background. Be honest. If you are nervous, new to riding, or have not been on a horse for years, say so. If you regularly ride and would like to go faster, say that too.

The staff watches how the group handles the horses, then divides riders into beginner, intermediate, and experienced sections. Some descriptions of the experience mention an initial group of more than 20 people, supported by several guides, before the groups separate. The maximum group size for the activity is 30.

That first period can feel busy. You may be waiting for gear, receiving instructions, and standing near other riders. The useful part comes soon after, when the groups spread out and the pace becomes more suitable.

All riders must be able to mount from the ground using their own strength. There is no mounting block. This is an important practical rule for anyone with limited leg strength, balance concerns, or mobility issues.

The horses are not ridden with used personal riding gear brought from outside, and the operator asks that such equipment not be used near the horses. The stable supplies what you need for the ride.

A two-hour ride through lava and moorland

Once mounted, you follow the instructor along the route. The setting is the main attraction. Expect rough lava fields, open moorland, volcanic mountains, lakes, and stretches of trees or forest. The exact feel of the ride depends on the weather and the route used that day.

The lava fields give the outing its strongest Icelandic character. You are riding over ground formed by volcanic activity, not along an ordinary farm trail. Dark rock, low plants, open sky, and distant mountains create a scene that feels very different from a standard riding center in North America or Europe.

The route also gives you frequent chances to look around and take photographs. Keep your phone secure, though. You need both hands for the reins at times, and rain can arrive without warning. The supplied outerwear is more important than wearing your best boots or expensive shoes. Mud and wet ground can be hard on footwear.

Beginners move at a slower pace over easier terrain. The goal is to help you remain comfortable and in control while you learn how the horse responds. Riders with more experience can take a route with a quicker pace, including opportunities to trot or try the tölt.

Experienced riders may be able to canter or gallop, but this depends on the instructor, conditions, and the group. Do not assume that booking an advanced slot guarantees a fast ride for the entire two hours. A mixed group can still affect the pace, and the guides must keep the outing safe for everyone.

One useful feature is that you can ask to slow down or go faster. Speak up early rather than waiting until you are uncomfortable. The instructors are there to match the ride to your confidence and ability.

What the different riding groups feel like

The beginner group is the safest choice if you have never ridden, feel uneasy around horses, or have only limited experience. You will generally travel at a walking pace over easier ground. That may sound modest, but it leaves more attention for the scenery, the horse, and basic control.

The intermediate group is a good fit if you can manage the horse without constant help and want to experience the tölt or a faster gait. You may ride at a trot and have several opportunities to try the breed’s signature movement.

The experienced group offers the best chance for a livelier ride. Some riders have been able to canter or gallop, while others stayed in an intermediate section for a more controlled experience. The staff makes these decisions after observing the riders, not simply from what you select during booking.

This arrangement works well for families or friends with different abilities. A beginner can have a calm ride while an experienced family member rides faster. Children must be at least 7 years old and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Up to two children or young riders can ride with each paying adult.

Weather, comfort, and what to wear

Icelandic weather is not a minor detail here. Wind can rise quickly, and rain can make the ride cold even when the temperature looks manageable. The stable provides heavy rain gear and warm overalls, which several riders found useful when conditions turned wet.

Wear layers under the supplied clothing. Bring a hat or ear protection, since wind around the ears can become uncomfortable. Choose sturdy shoes or clothing you do not mind getting dirty. The stable supplies rubber boots, but your own travel clothes may still pick up mud.

The activity requires a moderate level of fitness. You need enough strength to mount independently and enough balance to remain comfortable in the saddle for about two hours. Pregnant women cannot participate because of the possible harm to an unborn child.

This is not a sightseeing bus ride with a short pony stop. You are sitting in the saddle for a substantial period and handling a moving animal outdoors. If you have back, hip, knee, or balance problems, consider your own limits before booking.

The people and the horses

The strongest part of the experience is the personal attention once the ride begins. The instructors explain how to handle the horses, share information about the breed and area, and help riders feel at ease. Several outings have been praised for patient guides who were kind to both riders and horses.

The horses are described as calm, friendly, and well trained. Riders also notice their individual temperaments. That gives the outing more character than simply choosing a horse by color or size.

Service may not feel equally warm at every moment. One account described smooth pickup and a beautiful riding site but found some stable interactions stiff and unwelcoming before the ride. That is worth keeping in mind if you place a high value on cheerful service at every stage. The guides leading the ride have generally made the stronger impression.

Is $133.02 a fair price?

At $133.02 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity around Reykjavik. The value depends on what you need.

The price includes roughly two hours of riding, instruction, the use of a helmet, boots, rain gear, warm overalls, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate afterward. If you need hotel pickup, choose the correct package, since pickup is not included in every option.

For a first introduction to Icelandic horses, the price is reasonable because it combines equipment, instruction, transportation if selected, and scenery in one outing. You also avoid packing riding gear for an international trip.

The value is strongest for riders who care about the horses and the setting, not just speed. If your only goal is a long, fast trail ride, the two-hour format and possible group pace may feel limited. If you want a manageable way to meet the breed and ride through volcanic country, it offers a lot in a short window.

The activity is popular and commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 41 days. Morning and afternoon departures give you some flexibility, but popular dates can fill early. I would book ahead if this is a priority rather than waiting until the last few days in Reykjavik.

Coffee, tea, and a warm finish

After returning to the stable, you can warm up with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. This is a small touch, but it matters after riding in rain or wind. It also gives you time to settle down before arranging your next activity.

The ride ends back at the meeting point. If you used pickup, confirm the return arrangements with the operator, especially if your pickup was from a nearby bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this experience if you want a close look at Icelandic horses, enjoy outdoor scenery, and are comfortable with a moderate physical activity. It suits beginners especially well because the staff provides gear, watches your ability, and separates the groups by pace.

It also works for mixed-age families and groups of friends, as long as every rider meets the age, weight, fitness, and mounting requirements. Experienced riders should book with realistic expectations. You may get a faster group and chances to tölt, trot, or canter, but the final pace depends on safety and the riders around you.

I would skip it if you cannot mount without assistance, dislike uncertain weather, are pregnant, or want a completely private ride. I would also avoid wearing anything delicate. Icelandic mud is not sentimental about nice shoes.

Should you book the Ishestar ride?

Yes, if riding an Icelandic horse through lava fields sounds more appealing than another standard city excursion. The combination of gentle horses, ability-based groups, supplied weather gear, and dramatic volcanic scenery makes this one of the more distinctive short outings near Reykjavik.

Book the pickup option only if it is clearly included, confirm your stop, and allow extra time if driving yourself. Tell the instructor your true riding level, dress for wind and rain, and expect the ride to be shaped by the group and the weather.

For most riders who meet the requirements, the chance to try the tölt and see Iceland from the saddle is worth the cost.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour start?

The tour starts at Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Does the tour include hotel pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup is available with selected tour options. It must be pre-booked, and pickup may be from a nearby approved bus stop rather than directly at your hotel.

How long is the activity?

The riding experience lasts approximately two hours.

Are morning and afternoon departures available?

Yes. You can choose between morning and afternoon rides.

What riding levels can join?

Beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced riders can participate. The instructor assesses your ability and separates the groups during the ride.

Can experienced riders go faster?

Experienced and intermediate riders may be offered faster routes and opportunities to trot, canter, gallop, or try the tölt. The final pace depends on the instructor, conditions, and group safety.

What equipment does the stable provide?

The stable provides helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls.

What is the minimum age?

Riders must be at least 7 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Can pregnant women join the ride?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride because of possible harm to unborn children.

What happens if the weather is too poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.