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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 30 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

For the more adventurous-minded, racing across icy wilderness, surrounded by nothing but mountains and fresh powder, is a heart-in-the-mouth thrill.

Snowmobiles (also known as a skidoo) are surprisingly fast (you can hit speeds up to around 45mph/70kph), and they enable you to reach remote areas inaccessible on foot.

Best places to do it

Vatnajokull is the best glacier for snowmobile adventures, with large expanses of ice and snow to race across, and several offshoot glaciers in addition to the main ice sheet. Its size means it can accommodate a number of different operators, all of who offer slightly different routes. Trips onto Vatnajokull can easily be arranged in Skaftafell and the surrounding areas.

Langjokull, the ‘Long Glacier’, is another great place. Tour companies like Arctic Adventures combine a snowmobile trip with a visit to one of the glacier’s many ice caves.

Myrdalsjokull is a glacier on the south coast, often used for day trips from Reykjavik. Snaefellsjokull on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula also has tours.

If you want to see the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano up close (or at least as much as you can see of it, since it’s buried under ice), the easiest way to do it is by skidoo. South Adventure offers a couple of possible trips.

Price from: £60
Minimum age: 6
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Duration: 2+ hours

Getting there & doing it

Trips onto Vatnajokull can easily be arranged in Skaftafell and the surrounding areas.

Most tours last half a day, while others take up a full day, and combine the snowmobiling with glacier walks or ice cave visits. Generally you’ll be in a small group of between three and eight other riders.

You’ll need to wear warm base layers, but the snowmobiling company will supply the other necessary equipment.

Note that you will need a driving licence to be able to drive a snowmobile. Children over 6 can sit on the back of your snowmobile but obviously are not allowed to drive their own.

When to do it

Snowmobiling tours theoretically are possible year round, but it does depend heavily on location and seasonal conditions – some glaciers (e.g. Vatnajokull) are often too extreme for beginners to explore safely in winter. Langjokull and Myrdalsjokull are ordinarily accessible most of the year, but do enquire ahead when you book.

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

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Iceland Tour with Horseback Riding
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Price: €68

Rating 4.51 / 5 [336 ratings]

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

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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.

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Horseback Riding in the Icelandic Meadows with Mountain Views

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Horseback Riding in the Icelandic Meadows with Mountain Views
Icelandic Horseworld offers a unique experience with the Icelandic horse! When joining a ride with us, you will ride in the beautiful landscape of southern Iceland, viewing mountains and meadows along the way. We specialize in rides for small groups which are seldom more than 6 riders. Our horses are very dear to us and we'll make sure that you will be riding a well educated horse with a good tölt. We have horses for more experienced riders as well as some very trustworthy horses for beginners and even those who have never ridden before. We are located 1 hour drive south of Reykjavik. Age limit: 10 years Weight limit: 110 kg/242 lbs

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Rating 4.98 / 5 [94 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.

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Rating 4.77 / 5 [189 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.

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Rating 4.79 / 5 [504 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

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Rating 4.80 / 5 [182 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.

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Rating 5 / 5 [39 ratings]

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The Valley Ride Private HORSE RIDING Tour

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The Valley Ride Private HORSE RIDING Tour
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Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik

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Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
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Snowmobiling Experience on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

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Snowmobiling Experience on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
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Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier from Gullfoss

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Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier from Gullfoss
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Golden Circle & Glacier Snowmobiling Day Trip from Reykjavik

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Golden Circle & Glacier Snowmobiling Day Trip from Reykjavik
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Golden Circle Day Trip from Reykjavik with Glacier Snowmobile Experience

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Golden Circle Day Trip from Reykjavik with Glacier Snowmobile Experience
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Ice Cave & Snowmobile Tour from Gullfoss

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Ice Cave & Snowmobile Tour from Gullfoss
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Golden Circle Super Jeep adventure with snowmobiling

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Golden Circle Super Jeep adventure with snowmobiling
Super jeep and Snowmobile adventure on the most popular route in Iceland. The Golden Circle includes Thingvellir national park, Geysir and Gullfoss. To add on an extra special we go for a 1 hour snowmobile ride on Langjökull glacier. What better way to see the most popular sites but in a full size Super Jeep. An unstoppable vehicle specially modified in Iceland to get around safely where regular cars can’t go. Note that you need to hold an International driving license to operate a Snowmobile in Iceland and the price is based on two persons sharing a snowmobile.

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Snowmobiling and Golden Circle Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavik

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Snowmobiling and Golden Circle Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavik
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Golden Circle Super-Jeep Tour and Snowmobiling

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Golden Circle Super-Jeep Tour and Snowmobiling
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Rating 4.74 / 5 [190 ratings]

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Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier and Bathing in the Secret Lagoon

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Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier and Bathing in the Secret Lagoon
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Price: €354

Rating 4.55 / 5 [107 ratings]

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Iceland

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