Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

The most memorable part of this tour is the setting: you ride Icelandic horses through green hills, then along the red volcanic formations of Rauðhólar as the evening light settles over the countryside. The stables sit only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, so you get a taste of Icelandic nature without giving up most of your day.

I like the small group of eight and the warm finish at the hosts’ home with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina, a traditional deep-fried sweetbread. I also like the careful introduction for beginners, though the ride takes place rain or shine, and people with limited mobility, children under eight, and pregnant women cannot join.

Key points to know

• Red lava formations: Ride through the striking volcanic shapes of Rauðhólar, one of the tour’s most unusual sights near Reykjavik.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A short riding lesson helps first-time riders get comfortable with an Icelandic horse.
• Evening pickup: Hotel collection in the Reykjavik area takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM.
• Personal service: The group is limited to eight, allowing the guide to give more direct help.
• Icelandic horses: You ride friendly, well-trained horses with a reputation for calm temperaments.
• Warm refreshments afterward: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina are served at the stables after the ride.

Why this evening ride is different

Many Reykjavik excursions send you toward a major waterfall, glacier, or geothermal area. This one keeps its attention closer to the capital and gives you a more personal way to see the countryside. You are not simply looking at Iceland from a bus window. You are moving through it at horse pace, with time to notice the hills, volcanic rock, and changing evening light.

The ride visits Hólmsheiði, a green hilly area outside the city, along with Stallion Valley and Rauðhólar. The contrast is the real draw. One section offers soft green nature and mountain views, while another brings you among red and dramatic lava formations.

The evening timing matters. In Iceland’s northern summer, the sun stays up late, creating a long, soft period of light. This is especially appealing if you want to fill an evening without booking a large coach tour or spending hours on the road.

Viking Horses is a family-run company, and the tone of the experience is built around small numbers and direct care. The horses are described as happy, well-trained, and friendly, while the equipment is provided for a straightforward ride rather than a demanding riding lesson.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the short trip to the stable

Pickup is included from accommodations or selected pickup points in the Reykjavik area. The stated pickup window is 6:30 to 6:45 PM, so you should be ready and waiting before that period begins rather than treating it as an exact appointment.

The stable is around 15 minutes from Reykjavik. That short transfer is useful for a city break because the riding itself takes up the main part of the three-hour activity. You do not lose half a day to transport.

The small group size can make pickup and arrival feel more personal than a large excursion. With no more than eight participants, the guide has a better chance to learn your riding level and offer help when you need it.

Bring warm, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the tour runs in rain as well as fair weather. Rain clothes and riding helmets are included, but your basic clothing still needs to keep you warm.

Backpacks are not allowed, so pack lightly. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited. This is an active experience around animals, and those rules help keep the ride safe and manageable.

Getting comfortable with an Icelandic horse

The activity begins with a short riding lesson. That is important even if you have ridden before, since Icelandic horses and the local riding style may feel different from what you know.

If you are a beginner or have only a little riding experience, this introduction gives you a chance to understand the basic instructions before leaving the stable area. The guide can also see how comfortable you are in the saddle and provide assistance during the ride.

The horses are a major part of the appeal. Icelandic horses are compact, sturdy animals, and the horses used by Viking Horses are described as friendly and well trained. The strongest praise for this experience centers on their gentle temperaments, which matters far more than fancy riding technique for a first-time rider.

You should still be honest about your experience and comfort level. This is suitable for beginners, but riding is still a physical activity. People with mobility impairments are not able to join, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or children younger than eight.

Riding through Hólmsheiði and Stallion Valley

Once the lesson is finished, the ride heads into the countryside around Hólmsheiði. The green hills provide a calm start, and the evening setting gives the area a quieter feel than a busy daytime attraction.

The route also includes Stallion Valley. The supplied details do not specify the exact riding pace or how long the group spends at each point, so you should think of this as a guided countryside ride rather than a timed series of stops.

That distinction is useful when choosing the tour. You are paying for a three-hour experience that combines instruction, riding, transport, and refreshments. It is not designed as a fast horseback trek with long periods of trotting or advanced riding.

The guide stays with the group and provides instructions in English. A small party makes it easier to ask questions and receive corrections. One guide named Monica is praised for making less experienced riders feel comfortable and for taking photos and videos during the outing. Since guide assignments can change, you should not assume Monica will lead every departure, but her approach gives you a good sense of the service style to expect.

The red volcanic shapes of Rauðhólar

Rauðhólar is the visual high point. Its red lava formations create a strong contrast with the green countryside, giving the ride a setting that feels distinctly Icelandic without requiring a long drive from the capital.

This area is not just a backdrop for photographs. Seeing it from horseback changes the pace of the visit. You have time to take in the unusual shapes and colors while following the trail, rather than stopping briefly at a roadside viewpoint.

The volcanic formations are also a good reason to choose this ride instead of a standard city activity. Reykjavik has plenty of museums and restaurants, but Rauðhólar offers open air, local terrain, and a direct connection with the country’s volcanic character.

You should keep your expectations practical. The tour includes a variety of riding trails and a volcanic setting, but it does not promise a major lava field expedition or a full-day wilderness ride. Its strength is accessibility: an unusual volcanic area, close to Reykjavik, reached during a relaxed evening outing.

Icelandic summer light and weather

The tour is built around the evening atmosphere of the Nordic summer solstice. Long daylight can make a late ride feel bright and spacious, even when the clock says evening.

That timing is especially useful if your daytime schedule is full. You can visit another attraction earlier, return to Reykjavik, and still have a nature experience later in the day. The three-hour duration keeps the commitment reasonable.

The tradeoff is weather. The ride takes place rain or shine, so you should not book it only because the forecast looks perfect several days in advance. Bring warm layers and comfortable clothing, and use the supplied rain clothes if conditions turn wet.

There is no promise of a particular sunset, clear mountain view, or dry trail. Iceland’s weather can change, and the experience is best chosen by someone willing to accept that outdoor conditions are part of the trip.

Hot drinks, kleina, and a friendly finish

After the ride, you return to the Viking Horses stables for light refreshments. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included, along with kleina, a deep-fried sweetbread.

This is a small detail, but it improves the rhythm of the tour. You finish an outdoor activity, warm up, and have time to talk with the hosts instead of being rushed straight back into a vehicle.

The refreshments also add a taste of local hospitality without turning the activity into a formal meal. If you need a full dinner afterward, plan to eat separately in Reykjavik.

The finish is particularly welcome after wet or cool weather. It also gives beginners a chance to relax after riding and talk about the horses, the route, and the volcanic formations.

What the $202 price includes

At $202 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening near Reykjavik. The value depends on how much you care about a small group, hotel transport, personal instruction, and a complete activity rather than a simple horse rental.

The price includes pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area, the riding lesson, helmet, rain clothes, the guided ride, and hot drinks. You are also paying for a maximum group size of eight, which can make a real difference when you are learning.

A larger, cheaper ride may offer less individual attention. Here, the strongest value is the combination of a beginner-friendly introduction and a scenic route that includes Rauðhólar. If you already ride confidently and mainly want several hours of fast riding, you may find the format too gentle.

The rating of 4.4 from 27 reviews suggests a generally strong experience, though not every outing will feel identical. Weather, horse assignment, guide, and your own comfort in the saddle can affect the day.

Who should book this ride

I would point this tour toward first-time riders, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a close-to-Reykjavik outdoor activity. It suits people who value friendly instruction and a small group more than speed or advanced riding.

It also works well for visitors with a busy Iceland itinerary. You get a countryside setting, Icelandic horses, volcanic formations, and refreshments in three hours, with pickup included.

You should think twice if you dislike being outdoors in uncertain weather, need a private schedule, or want a physically easy sightseeing trip. Riding requires balance and participation, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Children must be at least eight years old, and pregnant women cannot take part. Closed-toe shoes are required, while backpacks are not allowed.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience is guided in English and limited to eight participants. It lasts three hours, but starting times should be checked for your chosen date.

Pickup is included in the Reykjavik area, with collection scheduled between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. Wait at your accommodation or selected pickup location so the vehicle can find you without delay.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Iceland plans. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Because the tour runs rain or shine, check the clothing advice before leaving your accommodation. Comfortable clothing, warm layers, and closed-toe shoes are the practical basics.

Should you book the Viking Horses evening ride?

Book it if you want a personal introduction to Icelandic horses, a scenic ride close to Reykjavik, and the chance to see Rauðhólar without committing to a full-day excursion. The gentle horses, beginner instruction, small group, and warm refreshments give the experience a welcoming shape.

Skip it if $202 feels high for a three-hour activity, or if you want advanced riding, a long wilderness route, or guaranteed dry weather. For the right guest, the price buys more than saddle time: it covers transport, equipment, instruction, a distinctive volcanic setting, and attentive help in a group small enough to feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour take place?

The ride takes place in the Capital Region of Iceland, around Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar. The stables are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik area.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. You should wait at your accommodation or chosen pickup location.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience, and it begins with a short riding lesson.

What equipment is provided?

Riding helmets and rain clothes are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, and closed-toe shoes. Backpacks are not allowed.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Are refreshments included?

Yes. Hot beverages, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, are included. Kleina, a deep-fried sweetbread, is also served after the ride.