Hveragerdi: The Siggi Horse Riding Tour

The Icelandic horse’s famous tölt is the star here. This smooth four-beat gait can feel unusually comfortable, and the gentle countryside near Hveragerði gives you a good setting to try it. I like the mix of meadows, lava fields, farms, and volcanic peaks, and I like that the horses are carefully matched and well cared for. The route changes with weather and wind, so you will not get a fixed sightseeing circuit every time.

I also like the practical setup: an English-speaking guide, riding gear, and transfer from Reykjavík are included. The main limitation is pace. If several first-time riders join, the group may move slowly, leaving experienced riders fewer chances to tölta.

Key points to know before you ride

• The tölt is the main riding highlight: You may get several chances to try the Icelandic horse’s smooth special gait.
• Routes depend on weather: Wind and conditions decide which trails are safest and most enjoyable.
• The scenery is rural rather than dramatic: Expect farms, lava fields, meadows, a small river, and volcanic mountains.
• The horses are a major strength: They are described as calm, healthy-looking, clean, and well handled.
• Reykjavík transport is included: You can drive to Vellir farm or use the included transfer.
• This suits beginners and casual riders: Experienced riders should be ready for a relaxed group pace.

Meeting Icelandic horses near Hveragerði

Your ride begins at Vellir farm, just beyond Hveragerði on Iceland’s Route 1. If you drive from Reykjavík, watch for the farm on the right side of the road shortly after town. You can park by the stables and meet your guide and horse there.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure. That small cushion matters. You need time to find the stables, sort out riding equipment, and get settled before the group leaves. The tour also includes transport from Reykjavík, which makes the experience easier if you are not renting a car or prefer not to navigate outside the capital.

The farm setting gives the tour a useful sense of place. You are not being taken to an indoor riding arena or a city stable. You start among working farmland, open fields, lava ground, and the wide volcanic country that defines this part of southern Iceland.

The tour lasts two hours, with about 1.5 to 2 hours actually spent riding. That is enough time to get comfortable in the saddle without taking up an entire day. You can still fit it around other stops in the Hveragerði area.

Choosing a horse and getting ready

A professional English-speaking guide leads the ride and provides the riding and safety equipment. A helmet is included, along with rain gear and winter overalls. That is useful in Iceland, where a pleasant morning can turn cold or wet before the ride ends.

You should bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothes. Do not bring a backpack, since backpacks are not allowed on the ride. A small waist bag is allowed, so carry only the essentials you need close at hand. Professional cameras are also not permitted.

The equipment policy tells you something practical about the ride. This is an active outdoor outing, not a photo stop with a short pony walk. You need clothing that lets you sit comfortably and handle changing weather. Hiking shoes are a better choice than smooth casual shoes, especially around the stable and rural trails.

The tour is open to children aged seven and older, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users. There is also a maximum rider weight of 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. Check that limit before booking, since it is a firm suitability rule rather than a minor detail.

Riding through meadows, lava, and farms

Once the group leaves the stable, the route follows trails around the farm. The exact path changes with wind and weather conditions, so the ride may not look identical from one departure to the next. That flexibility is sensible in Iceland, where exposed trails can feel very different depending on the day.

You can expect a mixture of meadows, lava fields, and farmland. The setting is scenic, but it is rural and open rather than packed with famous viewpoints. You pass several farms, which gives the ride more local context than a simple loop around a stable.

I like this part because it shows how people use the land. The guide can point out how agriculture in the area has developed over the past several decades, connecting the ride to the working countryside around Hveragerði. You are not only looking at mountains in the distance. You are also seeing fields, farm buildings, and the everyday side of southern Iceland.

The scenery can vary in impact. On a clear day, volcanic mountains and open farmland can make the ride feel spacious and memorable. In poor weather, the views may be muted, and wind can make conversation difficult. One account described the surrounding countryside as acceptable but not especially striking, so I would not book this solely for grand mountain scenery.

Trying the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt

The Icelandic horse is known for more than its small size and sturdy build. It can perform the tölt, a special four-beat gait that gives the rider a smoother motion than a regular trot. For many people, trying the tölt is the most distinctive part of this outing.

Your chance to tölta depends on the group and the trail. The horses may move at a relaxed walk for much of the ride, especially when less experienced riders are present. That is good for beginners, but it can frustrate confident riders hoping for a faster session.

The guide may let riders change positions so people get a fair chance. Still, you should think of the tölt as an opportunity rather than a guaranteed long stretch at speed. One experienced rider enjoyed trying it for the first time but found the ride unusually slow because beginners were in the group. Another rider wanted to tölta more but had slower riders directly ahead.

This is a key booking decision. If you are new to horses, the calm pace is an advantage. You can focus on balance, steering, and enjoying the setting without feeling rushed. If you already ride regularly, ask yourself if a gentle group outing is enough. You may get good tölt sections, but the tour is not presented as a high-speed riding lesson.

Rivers, loose horses, and the best route of the day

The route includes a small river, and some rides have passed through a warmer river area. Crossing water adds a welcome change to the ride and makes the countryside feel less predictable than a simple field circuit.

One particularly memorable outing included riding through a fold with around 100 loose horses. That is not something you should assume will happen on every departure, but it shows how the farm’s setting can add unusual moments when conditions and route choices line up.

The guide chooses the best available route for the day. This can mean a more scenic trail in good weather or a safer, simpler path when wind is strong. I see that as a strength, but it also means you should not book with a rigid list of sights in mind. You are buying time on an Icelandic horse in changing countryside, not a guaranteed sequence of river, mountain, and horse encounters.

Small insects can be irritating in warmer months. Bring practical outdoor clothing, and consider protection for your face if insects bother you. One rider specifically suggested a fly hood because of small insects, though the tour does not list one as supplied equipment.

A calm ride for beginners, with limits for experts

The horses receive some of the strongest praise from the people who took this ride. They are described as well cared for, clean, healthy-looking, relaxed, and content. That matters, especially if you are nervous around horses or have not ridden for years.

The guide’s job is also important here. You receive instruction and supervision from a professional English-speaking guide, and the guide controls the route and group pace. The overall setup is organized, with helmets and weather gear provided, so you do not need to arrive as an experienced equestrian.

I would recommend this most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a gentle introduction
• Families with children aged seven and older who meet the requirements
• Casual riders interested in Icelandic horses
• Visitors staying in Reykjavík who want a half-day countryside activity
• Riders who value scenery and horse care more than speed

I would be more cautious if you are an advanced rider looking for a demanding trail ride. The route is designed for a mixed group, and beginners can set the pace. The operation may also feel a little organized and repetitive rather than intimate, especially when the group is larger.

That said, smaller departures can feel much more personal. One outing had only a single participant with the guide, allowing time for stories about the region and Icelandic horses. You cannot count on that kind of private feel, but group size can make a real difference.

Is $136 a fair price?

At $136 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Iceland. The value depends on what you need included. You receive roughly two hours at the farm, 1.5 to 2 hours of riding, an English-speaking guide, helmet, rain gear, winter overalls, and transfer from Reykjavík.

For someone without a car, the transfer adds real convenience. You avoid arranging transport to Vellir farm, and the short duration fits neatly into a day based in Reykjavík. The included weather gear also saves you from bringing specialized riding clothing.

If you already have a car and your own riding equipment, the price may feel less compelling. You are paying for the horses, professional supervision, stable operation, gear, and transport rather than for a long ride or a private lesson.

I consider it fair for a visitor who wants an easy, organized introduction to Icelandic horses. I would not choose it if your top goal is a long, fast ride or a private guide. The strongest value comes from the complete package and the chance to try the tölt in a real rural setting.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

Icelandic weather can shape the mood of this outing. Wind may make it hard to hear the guide, and rain or cold can reduce the appeal of an open-country ride. The operator adjusts the route for those conditions, and winter overalls and rain gear are included, but you should still dress sensibly.

Wear comfortable clothes that allow your legs to move. Hiking shoes are required as the recommended footwear. Leave large bags and backpacks behind, and keep valuables in a small waist bag if needed.

Do not plan on carrying a professional camera. You can enjoy the ride more easily if you accept that this is an outdoor activity first and a photography stop second. The best moments may come while crossing a river, passing farms, or trying the tölt, when keeping both hands settled is more useful than reaching for equipment.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Iceland plans may change. Check the available start times before choosing a day, since the tour runs at scheduled times rather than whenever you arrive.

Book early if you have a narrow schedule, especially if you need the Reykjavík transfer. Before paying, confirm that everyone in your party meets the age and weight rules and that no one requires wheelchair access.

I would also set expectations clearly with your group. Tell beginners that the ride may be slow and tell experienced riders that tölt time depends on the group. That simple conversation can prevent the most common disappointment.

Should you book The Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized, beginner-friendly ride on Icelandic horses, with transport and equipment included. The calm horses, professional guidance, rural routes, and chance to try the tölt make this a sound choice for many first-time riders.

Think twice if you want dramatic scenery at every turn, a private ride, or sustained faster riding. The countryside can feel modest on gray days, and mixed ability levels may limit your pace.

For most visitors, I would choose this as a practical way to meet Icelandic horses without giving up an entire day. Go for the horses and the feel of the countryside, not for a guaranteed adventure packed with speed and big viewpoints.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride begin?

The tour begins at Vellir farm in Ölfus, near Hveragerði. If you drive from Reykjavík, the farm is on the right side of Route 1 shortly after Hveragerði.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the farm 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. You can park by the stables and meet the guide and horses there.

Is transportation from Reykjavík included?

Yes. Transfer from and to Reykjavík is included in the tour.

How long does the experience last?

The guided tour lasts two hours, with approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of riding.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The experience is suitable for people with little or no riding experience, although the group may travel at a relaxed pace when beginners are present.

Can I try the tölt?

You may have the chance to try the Icelandic horse’s tölt. How much you tölta depends on the route, weather, and the riding ability of the group.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and comfortable clothes. Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed, but small waist bags are permitted.