Experience Countryside of Iceland by Horseback Riding

Iceland’s famous horse is the star here, not a packed sightseeing bus. Near the fishing village of Þorlákshöfn, you ride through open country where the route may cross grass banks, lava fields, moors, and beach areas. The best part is trying the horse’s smooth tölt gait, a special four-beat movement that feels different from an ordinary walk or trot.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives the guides room to help nervous riders and keep the pace comfortable. I also like the personal touch associated with Magnus, or Maggi, who has welcomed riders for coffee after the outing and is known for taking safety seriously. The main consideration is that the route depends on weather and season, so a beach ride is not guaranteed, and one poor account describes a late start, limited English, and a shortened outing.

Key points at a glance

• Try the tölt: Icelandic horses are known for this smooth, distinctive gait.
• Ride near Þorlákshöfn: The setting includes beaches, lava fields, tall grass banks, moors, and mountain views.
• Good for mixed abilities: Guides adjust the pace and do not ride faster than the least confident person.
• Small group setting: The maximum is 12 people, allowing more individual attention than a large riding stable.
• Transport can simplify the day: Round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels are offered, with the riding property about 30 kilometers away.
• Come prepared for Icelandic weather: Helmets and riding equipment are supplied, but you need warm, comfortable clothing and good shoes.

Riding an Icelandic horse near Þorlákshöfn

This is a countryside riding trip rather than a formal riding lesson or a grand tour of South Coast attractions. The focus is the horse, the open space, and the feel of Iceland beneath you.

Þorlákshöfn sits about 30 kilometers, or 19 miles, from Reykjavik. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes, making this a practical half-day activity if you are based in the capital. At the riding property on Faxabraut, you meet the horses and guides before heading out into the surrounding country.

The scenery changes with the conditions. You might ride beside beach areas, through tall grass and open moorland, across lava fields, or with mountains in the distance. That variety is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not book this expecting one fixed photo stop or one guaranteed route.

I like this setting because it gives you a taste of rural Iceland without requiring a full day on the South Coast. You get away from Reykjavik’s streets quickly, yet the transfer is short enough that the riding remains the main event.

Getting comfortable before the three-hour ride

The tour is designed for beginners as well as experienced riders. That does not mean you walk straight out and gallop across the countryside. The guides first need to match riders with horses, provide helmets and riding gear, and make sure everyone understands how to control and sit on the horse.

This matters if you are nervous. One rider arrived worried about handling a horse and found that Maggi gave calm, clear help before heading out. The guides are expected to keep the group together and follow the ability of the least experienced rider.

For confident riders, the pace may feel gentle. The ride is not sold as a fast or athletic trail outing, and the group will not move ahead simply because one person wants more speed. That is a fair trade for a mixed-ability tour, especially when a first-time rider is sharing the route.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Riding for several hours can work your legs and back, even at an easy pace. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide early if you are uncomfortable, stiff, or unsure about mounting and controlling the horse.

Understanding the Icelandic horse and its tölt

The special attraction is the Icelandic horse’s tölt. It is a smooth four-beat gait that can feel more comfortable than a regular trot because the horse keeps more contact with the ground.

You may not spend the entire outing in the tölt. The guide decides what suits the group, the horses, and the ground conditions. Some riders have been able to experience it, while others mainly enjoyed a quiet ride through fields and moors.

If you have riding experience, this is one of the reasons to book. The horse’s movement gives the outing a different character from an ordinary trail ride. If you are new to horses, simply staying balanced and learning basic control may be the main achievement. The guides can adapt the session instead of expecting you to keep up with experienced riders.

The horses are a major part of the experience. Maggi is described as having grown up with horses and living on the farm since childhood. That background helps explain the strong focus on calm handling and safety, though the quality of the outing still depends on the particular guide, weather, and group on your date.

What you may see on the Þorlákshöfn route

There is no single guaranteed route. Weather and season shape the ride, and the guides choose a path that works for the group and the ground.

On a good day, the surroundings can include:

• Open beach views
• Black sand beach areas
• Lava fields
• Tall green grass banks
• Pastures and moors
• Mountain views

The beach is an especially appealing possibility, but you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. One account describes a memorable ride through fields and along a black sand beach. Another describes a route that stayed behind the village and did not reach the shore. That difference is important when you set expectations.

I would book this for the feeling of riding through Icelandic countryside, not for a precise checklist of scenery. The horses and the open setting are dependable themes. The exact view is not.

The lava fields can be striking, but they also make the ground less uniform than a prepared riding arena. Your guide controls the route and speed, so the experience should remain manageable, but you still need to listen closely and stay aware of your horse.

The guides and the personal feel

The strongest part of this experience is its personal scale. Magnus, often called Maggi, appears repeatedly in the supplied feedback, along with Sigrún. Maggi is described as calm with nervous riders, humorous during the ride, and attentive to keeping everyone safe and together.

The social side can continue after the ride. Several accounts describe coffee at the property or in Maggi’s home afterward. This is not listed as a formal guaranteed part of the tour, so do not book solely for coffee, but it gives the outing a local, informal feel when it happens.

English ability may vary by guide and date. Some riders found communication easy and welcoming. Others noted that the guide did not speak English, relying on gestures, humor, and translation tools. If you want detailed stories about local life or a long explanation of horse care, confirm the language arrangements before booking.

That communication point is not minor. On a riding tour, basic safety instructions must be clear. The positive accounts describe riders feeling looked after, but the negative account raises a real concern about a late arrival, poor communication, and a tour that ended early. I would confirm the pickup time and ask how instruction will be handled if you are not comfortable with spoken communication.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the meeting point

The tour offers round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels, which is useful because Þorlákshöfn is outside the city and taxis can be expensive. The advertised ride to the property takes about 45 minutes.

The listed starting point is Alhestar, Faxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn. The activity ends back at that meeting point unless your transfer arrangement returns you to Reykjavik.

Pickup details deserve attention when you book. The tour information says central hotel pickup is offered, while individual arrangements may differ. One group arranged pickup from an Airbnb for an extra fee and found it cheaper than taking a taxi for four people. That does not mean every Airbnb pickup is available, so ask before assuming your accommodation qualifies.

Build some flexibility into your day. The riding itself lasts about three hours, but the total outing includes transport, preparation, mounting, and returning equipment. If you have a timed dinner, domestic flight, or another tour, leave a generous buffer.

What to wear and what is supplied

Helmets and riding equipment are included, as are all fees, taxes, and snacks. You do not need to bring your own riding helmet.

You do need to supply the basics that make a cold-weather ride bearable:

• Warm, comfortable clothing
• Good shoes
• Layers suitable for changing weather

Do not rely on city sneakers if the ground is wet or uneven. Good footwear helps you stay secure and keeps your feet warmer. You should also avoid wearing anything precious or difficult to clean. Horses, mud, grass, and volcanic ground are not kind to delicate clothes.

The tour runs all year. That is useful if you are visiting outside the main summer season, but winter and shoulder-season conditions can change the route and comfort level. Weather can also cancel the tour. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is $207 a fair price?

At $207, this is not a cheap short ride. The price makes more sense if you use the included Reykjavik transfer, need helmets and riding gear, and value a small group with a guide who can adjust the outing to your ability.

The total experience is about three hours, plus the journey between Reykjavik and Þorlákshöfn. You are paying for transport, horses, equipment, guide time, snacks, and access to a rural setting close to the capital. For a visitor without a rental car, that convenience has real value.

The price is harder to justify if the outing is shortened, the route remains close to the village, or you specifically expect a beach ride. The negative account describes paying a high amount for outdated equipment, a less appealing property, no beach, and a shortened route. That appears to be an exception within otherwise strong feedback, but it points to the main risk: the fixed price does not guarantee a particular route or the same guide.

Before booking, I would ask three direct questions: Is hotel pickup included for my address? Is the route likely to reach the beach in the current weather? Who will guide the ride, and what language will the safety briefing use?

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This is a good fit for a first-time rider who wants a gentle introduction rather than a demanding horseback adventure. The guides are expected to keep the group together and adapt the pace, which removes much of the pressure that can make a beginner’s ride stressful.

It also suits an experienced rider who wants to try an Icelandic horse and its tölt. You should understand that a mixed group may limit the speed and technical challenge. The reward is the chance to ride across scenery that feels very different from an indoor stable or standard tourist trail.

Families and groups with mixed riding experience may appreciate the flexible approach, provided everyone meets the moderate fitness requirement. Service animals are allowed, according to the activity information, but you should still confirm how that will work around horses before arrival.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed black sand beach ride, a fast gallop, luxury facilities, or a polished resort-style operation. The property is presented as a working horse experience, not a fancy attraction. That is appealing to some people and disappointing to others.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient bookings, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

The activity is available year-round, but that does not mean every date will have the same scenery. A summer outing may offer greener grass and easier conditions, while a colder-season ride may feel more exposed. Pack for weather rather than for the calendar.

Should you book the Alhestar ride?

Book it if you want a personal, horse-centered way to see the countryside near Reykjavik. The short transfer, small group, adjustable pace, and chance to try the tölt make this a worthwhile choice for beginners and curious experienced riders alike.

Book with realistic expectations. You are not guaranteed a beach, a fast ride, perfect English communication, or a polished stable. Confirm pickup, guide language, and likely route before paying $207.

I would choose this tour for the Icelandic horse, the rural setting, and the chance of a warm local welcome from people such as Maggi and Sigrún. I would skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed South Coast beach excursion or a high-end riding facility. For the right rider, it offers something simple and memorable: a steady horse, wide Icelandic country, and a new way to feel the ground beneath you.

FAQ

Where does the horseback tour take place?

The ride takes place around Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on Iceland’s South Coast, about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The horseback riding experience lasts approximately three hours. The total day will be longer if you use the transfer from Reykjavik.

Is pickup from Reykjavik included?

Round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik hotels are offered. Pickup arrangements for other accommodations, including Airbnb properties, may involve an extra fee, so confirm before booking.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is designed for both beginners and experienced riders. The guides adjust the pace to the group and do not go faster than the least experienced rider.

Will the ride visit a beach?

The route depends on the weather and season. Beach views and black sand beach areas are possible, but a beach ride is not guaranteed.

What equipment is provided?

Helmets and riding equipment are provided. Snacks, all fees, and taxes are also included.

What happens if the weather is too poor for the ride?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.