Horse Riding Tour in Reykjadalur (Smoky Valley)-All Riding Levels

The special part of this ride is not simply sitting on a horse and walking across a field. You get to ride an Icelandic horse, a compact, sure-footed breed famous for its extra gait, the smooth tölt. Near Reykjadalur, the route can include open fields, low river crossings, mountain views, and stretches beside the road.

I like two things right away: no riding experience is needed, and the tour is close enough to Reykjavik to fit neatly into a busy day. The small group format also gives you useful help from the guides, especially when you are learning how to steer, stop, and settle into the saddle.

The main caution is that this is mostly a calm walking ride, not a fast trail adventure. You may get a few quicker sections, but one account describes the pace as walking for about 98 percent of the outing. Summer insects can also be a serious nuisance, so ask about helmet nets before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• The Icelandic horse is the star: You ride a five-gaited horse and may learn the smooth tölt.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides teach the basics and use gentle, well-trained horses.
• Expect about two hours overall: The actual riding portion is described as roughly 1.5 hours.
• Reykjavik is close: The stable is about 45 minutes away by car, in the Hveragerði area.
• The scenery is varied: You may pass fields, mountain foothills, low rivers, and roadside stretches.
• Pack for weather and insects: Helmets, rain clothing, and winter jumpsuits are supplied, but bug protection deserves special attention.

Meeting Icelandic horses near Hveragerði

The tour begins at Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur, at Vorsabæjarvellir Valley, Reykjadalur 9, 810 Hveragerði. This is not a hotel pickup experience, so you need to arrange your own way to the stable.

The location is one of the tour’s strongest practical points. It is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik, making it possible to combine the ride with other plans in the capital area. You are not committing to a full day on the road, yet you still get out into open Icelandic countryside.

At the stable, expect to receive the riding equipment and meet the guides. The supplied gear includes a helmet, rain clothing, and a winter jumpsuit. Coffee or tea is also included, a welcome touch in cool or wet weather.

The horses are a big part of the appeal. They are described as healthy, friendly, clean, and well trained. Several accounts point to their calm behavior, while also noting that they retain enough spirit to feel like real horses rather than slow-moving props.

That balance matters if you are new to riding. A completely passive horse can make a first ride dull, while an overly lively horse can make it stressful. Here, the available information points to animals that respond to simple guidance but remain manageable for beginners.

Learning the basics before heading out

This tour is aimed at all riding levels, including people who have ridden only once or never at all. The guides provide hands-on help with the basic controls, and the small group size should make it easier to ask questions.

The published group limit is 14 people, although another description gives a maximum of 18. Because those figures do not match, I would confirm the expected group size when booking. Either way, this is designed as a guided group ride rather than a private lesson.

You should be prepared to listen carefully at the start. Riding is not difficult to explain, but it takes a moment to get used to the horse’s movement, the reins, and the need to use gentle signals. The guides are particularly helpful for first-time riders and families.

Children can take part from age 9. The tour also has a maximum rider weight of 110 kilograms. Those limits are worth checking before you pay, since they can affect who in your group is eligible.

The supplied rainwear and winter suit reduce the need to pack specialist outdoor clothing. Still, wear sturdy trousers and closed shoes suitable for riding. The exact footwear requirements are not stated, so ask the provider if you are unsure.

Riding through Reykjadalur’s open countryside

Once mounted, the ride takes you into the countryside around Reykjadalur. The route is not described as a single dramatic mountain trail. Instead, it combines practical riding tracks, fields, low river sections, and views toward the mountains.

One account describes about two miles beside the road, followed by a turn into the field and another two miles along the base of the mountain. That roadside section is the least scenic part of the outing. It may feel like a compromise, especially when you are hoping for uninterrupted views of Iceland’s countryside.

The field and mountain sections are more rewarding. You get a real sense of the surroundings from horseback, with the horse’s steady movement adding something that a coach ride or short walk cannot. You are close to the ground, moving at the pace of the animal, and the countryside feels less like a backdrop.

The route can include a few low river crossings. These are not presented as major obstacles, but they add a little variety and make the ride feel more like an outdoor excursion than a simple circuit around a paddock.

The pace remains gentle. A few quicker sections may be offered, including short bursts described as a gallop, but most of the ride is at a walk. That is good news for nervous riders, families, and anyone who wants time to look around.

It is less ideal if your main goal is sustained speed. The tour gives you a taste of riding in Iceland rather than a long, fast trek.

Trying the famous Icelandic tölt

The Icelandic horse has five gaits, and the most famous is the tölt. It is a smooth, four-beat movement that can feel very different from an ordinary walk or trot.

The chance to try the tölt is one of the tour’s best features. It gives experienced riders something to look forward to, while beginners can treat it as an optional introduction rather than a requirement.

Your experience with the tölt will depend on your ability, the horse, and the conditions that day. The guide may introduce it after you are comfortable with the basics. Do not expect a long advanced riding lesson, since the outing is fairly short and must suit a mixed group.

Even a brief taste makes the ride more distinctive. You are not simply taking a standard horseback tour with an Icelandic label. The breed’s special gait is part of what you are paying to experience.

The horses are described as responsive to simple guidance, which helps here. You do not need advanced technique to enjoy the ride, but you should listen closely to the guide and avoid trying to push your horse beyond the instructions you are given.

What the two-hour schedule really means

The experience is advertised as approximately two hours, while the riding itself is described as about 1.5 hours. That likely leaves time for arrival, equipment, safety instructions, mounting, and returning the horses, but the exact schedule is not provided.

Plan for the full two-hour window rather than treating the 1.5-hour figure as the total time. This makes the tour easier to fit around other activities.

The ride ends back at the meeting point. There is no hotel pickup and no lunch included, so plan your transport and food separately.

Coffee or tea is included, which is useful after time outdoors, but it is not a meal. If you book a morning departure, eat beforehand or carry a snack if permitted. The provider does not list lunch as part of the experience.

Because the activity depends on weather, keep some flexibility in your Iceland schedule. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Weather, flies, and the gear you receive

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the supplied winter jumpsuit and rain clothing are practical advantages. You do not need to bring a full set of riding-weather gear for a short visit.

The more important question is insect protection. One account describes heavy swarms of flies that made the ride very unpleasant, especially for a child. Another notes that helmet nets were provided and that flies were bad in the area that year.

This suggests conditions can vary, but it also gives you a simple tip: ask about a bug net before mounting. If the stable supplies them, use one when insects are active. If not, consider bringing suitable protection and check what is allowed with the riding equipment.

Do not assume that cool weather means no bugs. The countryside can have insects even when the air feels far from warm. This is the clearest practical weakness raised about the experience, and it is easy to overlook when packing for Iceland.

Rain is a different matter. The stable supplies rainwear, which should make a damp day more manageable. Still, weather can affect the route and the comfort of the ride, so choose clothing you can adjust under the provided outer layers.

How much value do you get for $126.50?

At $126.50 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price needs to be judged against what it includes: around two hours at the stable, a guided ride, an Icelandic horse, the chance to try the tölt, safety gear, weather clothing, and a location close to Reykjavik.

The price makes the most sense if you want a distinctive Iceland activity without giving up most of your day. A short transfer from Reykjavik and a two-hour schedule can be more useful than a cheaper excursion that takes all day.

The small group setup also adds value. You are not simply being placed on a horse and sent around a track. The guides help riders of different abilities, and the horses are matched to a range of experience levels.

The value is weaker if you want a long wilderness ride, extensive instruction, or sustained galloping. Much of the route is slow, and part of it runs along the road. You are paying for access to the Icelandic horse and countryside experience, not an advanced riding expedition.

I would consider it a fair price for a first Icelandic horse experience, especially if you are staying in Reykjavik and do not want a full-day commitment. Experienced riders who already know the breed may want a longer or more technical ride instead.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This tour suits families with children aged 9 and up, first-time riders, couples, and casual riders who want scenery without a demanding physical challenge. The gentle horses and patient instruction make it approachable.

It also works well for mixed groups. An experienced rider can enjoy trying the tölt, while a beginner can remain at a walking pace and still feel part of the same outing.

You should be comfortable spending time outdoors in uncertain weather. You also need to accept that the countryside route includes some roadside riding and that most of the tour moves slowly.

This is not the best choice for someone seeking a long gallop, a remote mountain trek, or a detailed lesson in Icelandic horse culture. Some guides may share local facts, including information about old bunkers, but the short schedule leaves limited time for a deeper cultural talk.

The tour can still give you a useful first look at Icelandic horse culture. The breed, its five gaits, and its role in outdoor riding are built into the activity itself, even if the historical explanation is brief.

Booking, cancellation, and small practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English. Mobile tickets make it easy to keep the booking available while you are out sightseeing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and the cut-off follows local Iceland time.

Remember that the stable does not provide hotel pickup. You need to reach Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur in Hveragerði yourself, then return from the same meeting point after the ride.

Since the tour is often booked well in advance, leaving it until the last minute may limit your choice of departure dates. Booking ahead also gives you time to check the group size, rider limits, transport, and insect protection.

Should you book the Reykjadalur horse ride?

Book it if you want a manageable introduction to Icelandic horses, especially if you are a beginner or are traveling with a family. The calm horses, helpful guides, supplied outdoor gear, and chance to try the tölt make this more than a simple photo opportunity.

Think twice if you want a fast or remote ride. The route includes roadside stretches, the pace is mostly walking, and the riding time is relatively short. You should also ask about helmet nets, since flies can change the experience on a bad day.

For most visitors based in Reykjavik, I see this as a worthwhile half-day-style activity with a clear Icelandic identity. It gives you time in the countryside, a gentle ride on a special breed, and a taste of the tölt without demanding advanced riding skills.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour begin?

The tour begins at Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur, Vorsabæjarvellir Valley, Reykjadalur 9, 810 Hveragerði, Iceland.

How far is the stable from Reykjavik?

The stable is approximately 45 minutes from Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about two hours, while the riding portion is described as approximately 1.5 hours.

Do I need previous horse riding experience?

No. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders, and the guides provide instruction and support.

What age can children join?

Children can participate from age 9.

Is there a rider weight limit?

Yes. The maximum stated rider weight is 110 kilograms.

What equipment is included?

The stable provides winter jumpsuits, rain clothing, and helmets. Coffee or tea is also included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.