Two hours, and you feel Iceland on horseback. This Ishestar ride gets you up close to Icelandic horses and teaches the tölt, their smooth four-beat gait, on trails of lava and moorland. Pickup from Reykjavik is available, so it’s a simple day plan once you’re in the city.
I love that the instructor sets level groups fast (beginner, intermediate, experienced), so the pace actually fits your comfort. I also like the practical extras: helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are included, plus coffee, tea, or hot chocolate afterward to warm you up again.
One catch: you must mount from the ground on your own. They don’t use mounting blocks, and there’s also a 110kg/240lb weight limit and an age minimum of 7.
In This Article
- Key Things to Know Before You Saddle Up
- Icelandic Horses and the Tölt You’ll Notice Almost Immediately
- Reykjavik Pickup and Getting to the Stables Without Stress
- Meeting Your Instructor, Getting Gear, and Learning the Basics First
- Level Groups: Beginner Pace Versus Intermediate and Experienced Routes
- On-Trail Highlights: Lava Fields, Moorland, Lakes, and Volcanic Mountains
- Weather Proofing: Rain Gear, Wind, and What to Wear
- Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate: The Warm Finish You’ll Appreciate
- Price and Value: What $133.02 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book This Ishestar Horseback Riding Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Icelandic horseback riding tour?
- Is Reykjavik pickup included?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I wear?
- Do I need prior riding experience?
- Are there age and weight limits?
- Can I bring my own riding gear?
- What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?
Key Things to Know Before You Saddle Up
- Tölt coaching: You’ll learn how to ease your horse into the gait that makes Icelandic riding feel so smooth.
- Quick level sorting: After an initial intro, you’re split into riding groups so beginners aren’t dragged along at a faster pace.
- Gear is part of the deal: Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls are included.
- Real outdoor terrain: Lava fields, moorland, lakes, and volcanic mountains are right in the ride plan.
- Max group size is capped: The tour lists a maximum of 30 travelers, which helps keep things manageable.
- Dress for wind and weather: Iceland can turn fast, so use the provided rain gear and plan for chilly gusts.
Icelandic Horses and the Tölt You’ll Notice Almost Immediately
If you’ve only seen Icelandic horses in photos, you’re in for a treat. The big difference here is the tölt—a four-beat gait that feels steadier than a typical walk and calmer than most “riding fast” you’d expect from trail horses. The instructor helps you find it, so you’re not just sitting there hoping the horse figures it out.
You’ll start with an up-close introduction to the horses, plus a short discussion of ability level (beginner, intermediate, or experienced). Then you watch a quick instructional video before getting into gear. After that, it’s time to mount and ride behind your instructor, with guidance on how to settle your horse into the tölt.
What I like about this setup is how quickly it becomes active. You’re not stuck for an hour listening. You’re learning, then applying, then learning again as you ride. For many first-timers, the tölt is the moment that makes them feel like the tour is “worth it,” not just scenic.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik
Reykjavik Pickup and Getting to the Stables Without Stress
This is an easy choice if you want nature time but don’t want to rent a car. Pickup is offered, and you’ll select your pickup point from a list. Just note the fine print: you only get pickup from selected Reykjavik points, and the stop might be a nearby bus stop instead of directly at your hotel.
If your hotel isn’t listed, you’ll need to reach out so you can confirm the nearest pickup point. Pickup must be pre-booked, meaning you should choose the option that specifically includes it. If you’re driving yourself, arrive at the stables 30 minutes early—this is one of those tours where “being on time” is actually part of the experience.
The meeting point is Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður. And you’ll finish back at the same meeting point after the ride, so you’re not dealing with a complicated end-of-day transfer.
Meeting Your Instructor, Getting Gear, and Learning the Basics First
The flow is straightforward. You arrive, meet your instructor, and talk through your ability level so the ride plan makes sense from the start. Then you’ll watch a short instructional video. It’s not a lecture marathon—it’s the quick foundation that helps you ride with less guesswork.
Next comes the gear. You’re provided a helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. This matters in Iceland because even when the sun shows up, conditions can still be windy and wet enough to ruin a day if you show up in thin layers.
One practical point: used riding gear isn’t allowed on the tour or near the horses. So skip the idea of bringing your own tack or “well-loved” boots and thinking it’ll be fine. The tour is set up to standardize what everyone wears around the animals.
Once you’re suited up, you hop in the saddle and head out behind your instructor. The instructor will coach you on easing your horse into the tölt, not just on holding the reins.
Level Groups: Beginner Pace Versus Intermediate and Experienced Routes
After you ride a short while and the instructor sees how you’re doing, the group splits into three categories: beginners, intermediates, and experienced riders. This is one of the best parts of the tour design because it protects your time on the trail. Beginners get slower riding over easier terrain, while intermediate and experienced riders get routes with more challenge and different pacing.
The tour gives you the chance to speak up if you want to go slower or faster. That helps a lot if you’re between levels, or if you’re comfortable on a horse but not comfortable riding on uneven ground.
If you’re intermediate or experienced, you may get opportunities to ride in the tölt more often. Some riders also describe faster gaits for the most advanced groups, including canter and gallop. The key point is that the tour isn’t one rigid experience for everyone—it adapts.
For beginners, the “no surprises” feel is the win. You’re not being tested on day one. You’re guided, then grouped, then moved at a pace that lets you enjoy both the horse and the scenery instead of bracing for what comes next.
On-Trail Highlights: Lava Fields, Moorland, Lakes, and Volcanic Mountains
This ride is built around Iceland’s most dramatic textures. You weave through lava fields and moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes appearing along the way. Even if you’ve seen Iceland from roads already, riding changes the scale. You’re closer to the ground, and the terrain feels more tactile.
The trail also gives you chances to take photos. It’s not a “one perfect view and done” situation. You’ll pass different types of terrain in a short window, so your photos don’t all look like the same postcard angle.
One realistic expectation: this isn’t a long hike. It’s a horse ride, so your time is mostly in the saddle with occasional short stops. That’s a good thing if you want fresh air without committing a full day on foot.
And yes, wind can jump into the picture fast. If you’re out there for a morning or afternoon ride, keep your hat situation tight and protect your ears if you’re sensitive to gusts.
Weather Proofing: Rain Gear, Wind, and What to Wear
Iceland weather is famous for turning on you, but this tour plans for it. You’re given rain gear and warm overalls, so you’re not stuck cold and damp if skies change. One common tip from riders is to avoid your best shoes—rubber boots help, but the stables and trail environment can still be muddy or wet.
If it’s chilly, you may get extra warm layers such as snow suits depending on conditions. The tour staff provides what they can to keep you safe and comfortable, but it still pays to layer under the overalls.
Bring a hat (and if you have ear protection, it can help). Also consider gloves if you run cold—your hands will be on the reins for the entire ride.
This is also where the tour’s “good weather required” reality matters. If the operator cancels due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That’s a normal Iceland trade: you’re booking an outdoor riding experience, not a museum with steady climate control.
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate: The Warm Finish You’ll Appreciate
After the trek, you head back to the stables. Then comes the reset: coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It’s not just a nice touch—it’s useful. If it’s windy or cool, the warm drink helps you feel human again while you dry out.
This post-ride time is also when you can ask quick questions about how your ride went. If you were aiming for more tölt and got it, or if you wanted a slower pace and found it, this is the moment to learn what to request next time.
The overall timing is part of why this tour works. About two hours, give or take, is long enough to feel like you did something outdoors, but short enough that it doesn’t hijack your whole day in Reykjavik.
Price and Value: What $133.02 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
At $133.02 per person for a roughly two-hour ride, the value comes from what’s included. You’re not paying just for a horse and a trail path. You’re paying for:
- Guided instruction and level grouping
- The tölt coaching component
- Helmet, rubber boots, rain gear, and warm overalls
- A warm drink afterward
That package matters because Iceland can force you to buy or rent gear fast if you arrive under-prepared. Here, you’re issued the gear on site, which makes the tour easier to plan and often cheaper than trying to cobble together rain protection on your own.
What’s not included is pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik unless you booked the option that includes it. So your real “all-in cost” depends on whether you select the pickup-included version.
Also double-check your eligibility ahead of time. There’s a 110kg/240lb weight limit, and the age minimum is 7. Pregnant women can’t ride. And you must be able to mount the horse from the ground unaided. If any of that doesn’t match you, the price won’t feel like value because the tour simply won’t work the way you need it to.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
This is a great pick if you want an active Reykjavik day that focuses on real outdoors and a genuinely Icelandic horse experience. It’s especially good for first-time riders because you’re taught before you ride and then grouped by ability almost immediately.
It also suits intermediate riders who want more time in the tölt. You’ll likely get opportunities based on how you ride and what group you end up in.
If you’re sensitive to customer-service vibes, keep in mind that feedback on staff attitude isn’t uniformly perfect. Most interactions are described as welcoming and friendly, but a small portion of feedback points to colder scripted interactions at the stable. That’s not something you can fully control, but it’s worth knowing if you’re the type who cares about warmth at check-in.
Skip this tour—or at least consider another option—if you can’t mount from the ground on your own, if you’re outside the weight or age limits, or if you’re traveling with someone who can’t meet those requirements. Also, if you’re expecting a long hike or lots of off-horse walking, this isn’t that kind of outing. It’s riding-focused.
Should You Book This Ishestar Horseback Riding Tour?
If you want an Iceland experience that feels both classic and hands-on, I think this one earns its place. The tölt instruction is the standout: you’re not just taking a slow stroll across terrain, you’re learning a signature gait that makes Icelandic horses different. Add in the level grouping, and the ride becomes far more comfortable and fun for a wide range of riders.
Book it if you:
- Want an easy Reykjavik day plan
- Like guided instruction and structured pacing
- Appreciate tours that include gear and warm drinks
- Are curious about the tölt and want to try it for yourself
Consider another activity if:
- You can’t mount from the ground unaided
- You’re strict about meeting staff personalities and service style
- You want a long hiking day instead of a two-hour ride
FAQ
How long is the Icelandic horseback riding tour?
It runs about 2 hours (approx.), including the instruction and the ride time, and you return back to the meeting point at the end.
Is Reykjavik pickup included?
Pickup is offered, but only if you choose the tour option that includes pickup. If you book pickup, select your pickup point from the list.
Where do I meet for the tour?
The meeting point is Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
What’s included in the price?
Included are coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and riding gear such as helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall.
What should I wear?
Wear clothing suitable for changing weather. You’ll get rain gear and a warm overall, but you should still dress for wind and cold, and avoid wearing expensive shoes.
Do I need prior riding experience?
No. The instructor assesses your ability level, and you’re split into beginner, intermediate, and experienced groups for a ride pace that fits you.
Are there age and weight limits?
Yes. The tour lists a weight limit of 110kg/240lbs and an age limit of 7 years old. Pregnant women cannot ride.
Can I bring my own riding gear?
No. Used riding gear isn’t allowed on the tour or near the horses, so you should rely on the gear provided.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
