Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour Including Pick Up from Reykjavik

Icelandic horses are the stars here, and you get far more than a quick photo stop. From a family-run farm outside Reykjavik, you ride across open countryside, past lava fields and streams, with mountain views often filling the horizon. The famous tolt, a smooth Icelandic gait, may be part of the ride for suitable riders.

I like the short transfer from Reykjavik, which makes this an easy half-day outing, and I like the careful horse matching for beginners and more experienced riders. Warm coveralls, helmets, boots, gloves, and rain gear are supplied, too.

The main drawback is the weather. It can be very cold, wet, or muddy, and the ride follows a group trail rather than offering a full riding lesson. If you want open galloping or advanced instruction, this is probably too gentle.

Key points

• Family-run Laxnes Horse Farm: A long-established stable where the owners and staff handle pickup, fitting, horse matching, and the ride.
• Beginner-friendly horses: Riders as young as 7 can join, and horses are assigned according to experience.
• Real Icelandic scenery: Expect countryside, lava fields, streams, river crossings, and mountain views rather than an indoor riding arena.
• Gear included: Helmets, boots, gloves, rain clothing, and winter snowsuits help you handle Iceland’s changeable weather.
• Small group size: The maximum is 15 people, allowing guides to help with mounting and riding.
• Easy Reykjavik access: The farm is about 15 minutes from the city, with hotel or guesthouse pickup and return.

Why Icelandic horses make this ride special

Iceland’s horses are compact, sturdy, and well suited to the country’s rough ground and changeable weather. They are not simply ordinary horses made smaller. Icelandic horses have distinctive gaits, including the tolt, a smooth four-beat gait that can feel unusually steady compared with a regular trot.

That makes this tour a good introduction to Icelandic riding culture. You are not just sitting on a horse for a short photo opportunity. You ride through the countryside, often crossing streams or a shallow river, with lava fields and snow-topped mountains around you.

The horses are described as calm and gentle, but they still have individual personalities. A quiet horse can be matched with a first-time rider, while a more spirited horse may suit someone with more experience. Tell the staff honestly how much you have ridden. The goal is not to impress anyone. It is to give you a safe, comfortable mount for the conditions.

The setting also gives the ride a sense of place. You can picture early settlers moving across the same kind of rough ground, though this is still a working farm experience, not a staged historical show.

The short drive from Reykjavik to Laxnes Farm

The transfer is one of the tour’s practical strengths. The farm is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, so you do not lose a full day to transport. Pickup and return are included at hotels and guesthouses in the service area.

There is one timing detail you should take seriously. Pickup begins about an hour before the listed departure time and can take up to 20 minutes while the vehicle collects everyone. That may sound early for a short drive, but it is normal for a shared pickup.

Several hotels in central Reykjavik sit in a no-pickup zone. In that case, the operator sends you to a nearby meeting point with instructions. Cruise ship passengers can be collected at the main port terminal. Give yourself enough time to reach the correct spot, especially if you are carrying winter clothing or traveling with children.

The drive itself is part of the transition from city to countryside. Within a short time, Reykjavik’s streets give way to open ground, farms, and mountain views. That quick change is useful if you have only a few days in Iceland and want a rural experience without committing to a full-day excursion.

Getting fitted with helmets, boots, and weather gear

At the farm, you receive the basic riding equipment before meeting your horse. Helmets and boots are provided, along with rain clothing. In winter, the farm supplies snowsuits or warm all-in-one coveralls.

This gear matters. Icelandic weather can turn a pleasant ride into a cold one quickly, and the ground may be wet or muddy. Several riders found the coveralls especially useful over normal travel clothes. Gloves are also supplied in some conditions.

You should still dress sensibly underneath. Wear warm layers, and bring extra attention to your hands and feet. One particularly cold outing was enjoyable, but hand and foot warmers would have helped. Waterproof clothing is useful even when the forecast looks fair.

The supplied gear also makes packing easier. You do not need to bring riding boots, a helmet, or special outerwear from home. Comfortable clothes that fit under the coveralls are enough. If you already own waterproof footwear, you can ask whether it is suitable, but the farm provides boots when needed.

Horse matching and the first few minutes in the saddle

Before the ride, staff ask about your riding background. This is a brief practical assessment, not a formal riding lesson. The answers help them choose a horse that suits your confidence and ability.

First-time riders can take part. Children as young as 7 are allowed, provided they are accompanied by an adult. An 8-year-old beginner can manage the ride with a calm horse, and adults with no riding background can also take part.

The Icelandic horses are relatively short, which helps with mounting. If you need assistance getting on, staff can give you a boost. Guides also help riders on and off the horses when needed.

Expect basic instructions at the start, followed by a guided trail ride. The horses generally follow one another in a line, so you are not being taught every part of horse control from scratch. That is helpful for nervous beginners, but it also sets a clear limit. This is a countryside ride, not a private riding clinic.

If you are an experienced rider, you may be able to trot or try the tolt when conditions and group ability allow. Do not assume you will gallop. The group’s safety, the horses’ pace, and the terrain determine how fast the ride goes.

Countryside trails, lava fields, and river crossings

The ride lasts long enough to feel like a proper outing rather than a short circuit around the farm. You travel through open countryside, with views toward mountains and, in some conditions, snow on the peaks.

The most memorable sections can include streams and river crossings. These moments give the ride a distinctly Icelandic feel. You are not simply following a flat path beside a stable. The horses handle the ground carefully, and the group moves at a pace suited to the terrain.

Lava fields add another layer to the scenery. Their dark, uneven surfaces contrast with open grass and distant mountains. In winter, snow can change the entire look of the route. A sunrise ride can be especially striking when the light spreads across the farm and hills.

The scenery is a major reason to choose this outing, but it comes with a practical trade-off. The ride takes place outdoors in genuine Icelandic conditions. Wind, cold, rain, snow, and mud are possible. Bring the right attitude and clothing, and those conditions become part of the experience. Expecting a dry, warm, polished riding arena would set you up for disappointment.

What the ride is like for beginners and experienced riders

For a beginner, the main benefit is the horses’ calm nature and the guides’ close attention. You can focus on balance and basic steering while the horse follows the group. The staff help riders get comfortable and can assist with mounting and dismounting.

For a casual rider, this is a strong fit. You can enjoy the scenery without needing advanced skills. The ride is also suitable for families, provided children meet the minimum age and adults are present.

More experienced riders should set expectations carefully. The ride may include trotting or the tolt, but the group is not organized around speed or technical practice. One person who rides regularly found the horse a perfect match, while another felt the pace was more relaxed than expected.

That difference comes down to what you want. If you want a safe introduction to Icelandic horses, the gentle pace works well. If you want long stretches of independent riding, jumping, or serious gait training, choose a specialist lesson instead.

People with bad knees or backs should think carefully before booking. Mounting, sitting in the saddle for an extended ride, and handling uneven ground can be uncomfortable. Most people can participate, but basic physical comfort on a horse is still necessary.

The farm atmosphere and the welcome afterward

Laxnes Horse Farm has a family-run character. The farm began in 1968, and the owners and staff are involved in the practical work of welcoming riders, fitting equipment, and preparing the horses.

That personal touch is useful rather than flashy. Staff help match horses, explain the basics, and support riders who need a hand. The horses are also presented as well cared for, with clean stables and a calm working atmosphere.

After the ride, you return to the farm for a warm drink and a small treat. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and pastry have been provided after rides, which is a welcome detail in winter. It gives you time to warm up, remove the outer gear, and enjoy the farm before returning to Reykjavik.

This stop is brief, but it improves the rhythm of the experience. The ride ends with a chance to warm your hands rather than putting you straight back into a vehicle while still cold and muddy.

Price, timing, and overall value

At $152.37 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Reykjavik. But the price includes hotel or guesthouse transport, riding equipment, the horse, guides, and roughly three and a half hours from pickup through return.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to a stable and rent cold-weather gear. The short journey also means you can fit the ride into a busy Iceland schedule. You might have time for another Reykjavik activity later the same day, though pickup and changing into riding gear take more time than the 15-minute drive suggests.

A maximum group size of 15 keeps the ride from feeling huge. It is still a group trail ride, but staff can pay attention to riders who need help. Small groups can occur, too, depending on the day.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 43 days. That is worth noting if you are visiting during a busy season or have a fixed itinerary. Booking early also helps if you need a particular date around flights, a cruise departure, or other tours.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 785 ratings, and 96 percent of people recommend it. Those numbers point to a consistently well-liked experience, especially for the horses, staff, countryside, and easy transport. They do not change the basic warning: weather and riding conditions can shape the day.

Practical booking advice for a smoother ride

Book at least 24 hours before the start time if you want the option of a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The operator can cancel for poor weather. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the ride takes place outdoors, this policy is sensible. Check your messages before leaving your accommodation in case pickup details or weather plans change.

Remember these simple points:

• Stay alert for a pickup message if your central hotel is in a no-pickup zone.
• Be ready up to an hour before the listed departure time.
• Wear warm layers under the supplied coveralls.
• Consider hand and foot warmers in winter.
• Tell the staff your true riding level.
• Do not drink before the activity. The operator can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, without a refund.
• Children must be at least 7 and accompanied by an adult.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. A mobile ticket is accepted, which keeps the process simple.

Who should book this Icelandic horse ride?

I would choose this tour if you want a close look at Icelandic horses, a countryside setting, and a manageable outing from Reykjavik. It works particularly well for first-time riders, families with older children, couples, and casual riders who want scenery more than speed.

I would also recommend it to anyone who wants to try the Icelandic tolt. You may not spend the whole ride in that gait, but the chance to feel it adds something you cannot get from a standard trail ride.

I would hesitate if you have serious knee or back trouble, dislike cold weather, or want an advanced riding lesson. The trail can be long enough to become tiring, and the horses generally follow a group line.

Should you book it?

Yes, if your idea of a good Iceland activity includes gentle horses, open countryside, mountain views, and a family-run farm rather than a polished indoor attraction. The short transfer, included clothing, and beginner-friendly setup make this one of the easier ways to add horseback riding to a Reykjavik stay.

Book early, dress warmly, and expect a trail ride instead of a riding school lesson. If you accept that pace, Laxnes Horse Farm offers a practical and memorable meeting with one of Iceland’s most distinctive animals.

FAQ

How long does the Icelandic horseback riding tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including pickup and return from Reykjavik.

How far is the horse farm from Reykjavik?

The riding destination is about 15 minutes from Reykjavik by vehicle.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are offered from hotels or guesthouses in Reykjavik. Central hotels in no-pickup zones may receive instructions for a nearby meeting point.

Can cruise ship passengers join the tour?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers can be picked up at the main port terminal.

What riding equipment is provided?

The farm provides basic gear such as helmets, boots, and rain clothing. Snowsuits are provided in winter, and gloves may also be supplied depending on conditions.

Can beginners ride the Icelandic horses?

Yes. Beginners are welcome, and horses are matched to each person’s riding experience. The tour is a guided trail ride rather than a full riding lesson.

What is the minimum age for children?

Children must be at least 7 years old and accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.