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Last updated: 26 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

Icelandic horses – smaller, shaggy-coated and with a distinctive gait known as the tolt – have been specially bred here since Viking times. Found nowhere else, these hardy beasts hold a special place in Icelandic life and culture.

Tour operators offer whole-day and half-day riding tours from stables close to Reykjavik, as well as longer excursions. If you like horses – and even if you don’t – it’s a worthy excursion.

Price from: £50
Minimum age: 6
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Duration: 1+ hours

Getting there & doing it

Tours start from stables located 10- to 30-minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, with transfers included in the tour price. All equipment, including rainwear, is included.

Short rides are offered daily, all year round. Multi-day tours generally run from mid-May to mid-September. Start times vary by operator.

Ishestar is the closest stables to Reykjavik and runs day rides, plus longer Northern Lights, highland and countryside tours to Gullfoss and Geysir. All abilities are welcome.

Eldhestar is one of Iceland’s oldest established stables. They run half-day and whole-day trips. Day trips take in volcanic beaches, mountains and hot springs.

Islenski Hesturinn is another good option for small group tours, and they also offer personalized options for more experienced riders.

Last, but not least, the excellent Skalakot Manor Hotel has its own stable and runs horse treks from its own grounds into the surrounding wilderness.

When to do it

Horse riding is only practical in Iceland when weather permits i.e. when there’s no snow on the ground. That makes summer and autumn the best times to do it: most providers will offer rides from around April until October, but it does depend on conditions. If it’s very wet, tours may be cancelled at short notice for safety reasons.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Iceland Tour with Horseback Riding

Reykjavik

Iceland Tour with Horseback Riding
This tour in the Icelandic countryside takes 1 hour and is ideal for families, groups and guests travelling in their own car. Participants will get a small taste of the Icelandic horse’s qualities and experience the Icelandic countryside on horseback. We meet at our farm and ride on excellent riding paths and along the meadows around Eldhestars farm Vellir.

Price: €68

Min age: 7

Rating 4.51 / 5 [376 ratings]

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Golden Circle, Fridheimar Farm & Horses Small Group Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Golden Circle, Fridheimar Farm & Horses Small Group Tour from Reykjavik
Enjoy a more premium experience of the Golden Circle: This tour provides a more intimate experience, more flexibility and more free time to see the things you want to see. When it comes to enjoying unique historical and local cultures, traveling in a small group is the best way to experience them. Our local guides are experts on the region and local customs and will share not only the must see sites with you but their local knowledge as well. This tour includes free wifi and pickup/drop off at selected locations in Reykjavik.

Price: $93

Min age: 8

Rating 4.70 / 5 [141 ratings]

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Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik

Vik

Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik
We offer scenic riding tours on the beautiful black sand beaches of Vík, South Iceland. Our Black Beach Riding Tour is an easy-going one hour ride perfectly suited for beginners and people who don’t go horse riding often, but we welcome riders of all abilities. Our horses are friendly and sure-footed, perfect to enjoy the wild Icelandic terrain. In the summer there is a chance to spot puffins flying above us, and in winter the ever-changing weather highlights the rugged beauty of the landscape. The tours are mostly at walking speed, but for those who are capable there is the chance to try some tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. Please note we have a weight limit of 100kg / 220lb, and riders must be aged 10+. We ask you to arrive at the stable 15 minutes before departure.

Price: €95

Min age: 10

Rating 4.76 / 5 [283 ratings]

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Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik
Riding the Icelandic horse is must-do at least once during your visit. It connects you to Icelandic history and allows you to experience the most authentic travel method there is in Iceland. Lava tour is a more popular and ideal adventure for beginners as well as experienced. During the tour you will ride in beautiful landscape  with the view of lava, lakes, and mountains around you. For 1.5 to 2 hours, or 4 hours with transfer, your tour offers you a relaxing coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Included are riding helmets, rubber boots, rain wear, or warm outfit for your ride.

Price: €105

Min age: 7

Rating 4.79 / 5 [682 ratings]

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Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik
Amazing landscape - Professional guides - Horses for all level of riders - Experience with riding in lava fields - Only 15 min From Reykjavik Centrum

Price: €105

Min age: 10

Rating 4.80 / 5 [225 ratings]

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Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík

Reykjavik

Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík
*Escape the crowds - Private riding tour* Experience riding an Icelandic horse and learn about the traditions around horsemanship in Iceland. Our little farm is located just 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavík - but still you feel like you are at the countryside when you arrive with us. We only have few horses and our riding centre is very small, that way we feel we can keep the atmosphere personal and authentic. This is a private tour, so it can be customized to your riding level. Choose from our standard daytime tour, or in the summertime you can also opt to do an evening or midnight sun tour. Suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. Full riding time is roughly one hour.

Price: €145

Min age: 12

Rating 4.93 / 5 [44 ratings]

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Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
Want to meet the small but mighty Icelandic horse and get in the most popular tour in Iceland all in one day? If so, you won’t want to miss the Viking Horse and Golden Circle Tour. You’ll ride through the gorgeous Icelandic landscape on a horse descended from the first horses to set hoof on the island in the Viking-Age and then visit the most iconic sites in Iceland: Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir geothermal area. It's a nature-lover's dream, and the best way to make the most of your visit to Reykjavik.

Price: €157

Min age: 7

Rating 4.63 / 5 [135 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Valley Ride Private HORSE RIDING Tour

Isafjordur

The Valley Ride Private HORSE RIDING Tour
This is your private and personal tour. Your guide will pick you up in Isafjordur and take you to our stables in Engidalur. There you will be given the proper safety gear and instructions on how to ride the Icelandic horse in our indoor arena. When our guide feels you are ready it´s off to the beautiful Engidalur valley on horseback. Our guide has a camera on you during the whole ride so you can relive it again when you get home. Pictures, video footage and transportation are all included in the price.

Price: $180

Min age: 13

Rating 4.87 / 5 [155 ratings]

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Iceland

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