The Viking Horse Riding Experience in North Iceland

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Akureyri, Iceland

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience the northern Icelandic landscape at its rawest on this small-group wintertime horseback-riding tour. You'll follow in the steps of Vikings as your trusty Icelandic horse leads you along old farmers’ trails toward the impressive Reykafoss waterfall. Suitable for all levels of horseback-riding experience.

Ride through snow-covered landscapes near Akureyri
Small-group tour (maximum 8): A more personal experience
Experience the Icelandic horse's unique "tölt" gait
All levels of riding experience welcome, including beginners

What's Included

English speaking guide
Riding Helmet
Thermal Overalls or Rain Gear as required
Coffee and/or Tea

Free coffee of tea before and after the tour

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Hestasport Reception - Cottages and Riding Tours
Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland
Please come to our reception 20 minutes before the departure time. In google maps search for "Hestasport Reception" (it is on road number 752 in Varmahlíð)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Hestasport Reception - Cottages and Riding Tours

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Most travelers can participate
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please specify your experience level in "Special Requirements" field: Beginner/ Occasional Rider/ Intermediate/ Experienced
Weight Limit 100kg/220lbs
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Sara_P

We had a wonderful afternoon ride with Lara. She was very attentive and informative. The tolting was amazing, the walk to the falls was beautiful, and the river crossing (while watching another herd of horses cross the bridge) was an added bonus! A great experience overall.

Reviews

5.0

based on 46 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Excellent experience

Becky_G, Dec 2025

This riding experience was excellent! We decided to book it again the following day. The horses were lovely and so well behaved, we felt very safe on them and was even shown how to do the tolt, which was amazing! The guides were brilliant and helped all of the riders as well as providing us with knowledge as we rode the tracks. Would definitely recommend!

Best day ever

Phyllis_P, Nov 2025

One of the top highlights of our Iceland trip!! Maddie was such a lovely guide. My partner and I had no riding experience but these horses were so gentle and easy to ride. The only thing to be aware of is that there are three different Hestasport locations (the reception, the stables, and the accommodation cottages). We accidentally drove to the cottages instead of the reception, so we were running a little late, but once we got to the reception, everything was very clear and easy. Highly recommend booking this experience if you are in Iceland!!

Unparalleled Scenery!

Phillip_S, Sep 2025

From the front desk check-in to dismounting our rides, each staff member and guide was so kind and knowledgeable. Reykjavoss Waterfall was lovely and the hills so green. Don't forget your gloves, ear warmers and gators!

100/10 would recommend!!!...

Clara_S, Sep 2025

100/10 would recommend!!! it was so fun and the horses are beautiful! the landscape is stunning and the guides were fantastic

Wonderful Experience

Sara_P, Aug 2025

Gorgeous Ride

Serenity_B, Feb 2025

Incredible experience! Very professional, and well cared for and trained horses. I was fortunate to have a private ride, and enjoyed seeing a gorgeous waterfall and taking in the mountains. I was thankful to use the overalls they have to be warmer from the wind. Very much recommended ❤️

Amazing experience from start to finish.

Sarah_C, Jan 2025

Me and my partner had an amazing experience with hestasport. It was an out of this world experience being able to ride through the snowy landscape and see the waterfall. We were very lucky as it’s quiet this time of year and we’re the only ones on the tour - our guide was lovely and really friendly making sure we were confident and happy as we went on. The horses were lovely and we would definitely book again if we were returning to the area. We also stayed at the cottages which were also run by Hestasport and again was a wonderful experience, definitely make sure to check it out if you are staying over the night in this area you won’t be disappointed.

Fun for all!

lynn_r, Dec 2024

This was definitely a highlight of our recent ten-day trip to Iceland! The horses were calm, sure-footed and well trained. Our guide Franca was amazing - she gave us a lot of tips that made the ride fun and relaxing for riders of all experience levels (including two with no previous riding experience). The setting was beautiful and we had a great time!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for such a nice review! :)

Fantastic time!

Hayley_C, Jul 2024

This was such a fun experience! It was my husband’s first time ever riding a horse and he loved it. Everyone was super friendly and helpful and went over the basics really well. The ride was a little over 1.5 hours along a gorgeous path/trail that went next to the river and turned around at the waterfall. Our guide took some great photos of us on the horses in front of the waterfall too! I wouldn’t have minded some tips or extra guidance during the ride (like tips for trötting) but we had so much fun. The horses are adorable and it was great to experience their personalities during the ride. Highly recommend!!

Great experience.

Matthew_S, Jul 2024

Great guide and amazing setting for horseback riding. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Icelandic horses and the countryside.

Would recommend this very one

Nicolas_D, Jun 2024

Our host was calm & sympathetic. We were offered a warm beverage. Indications were clear & complete. Our guide was warm, kind and knowledgeable. Everything was as advertised. We loved it. Thanks again !

lovely ride

Severin_S, May 2024

Absolute lovely horse ride through the beautiful landscape of iceland. We went to a nice waterfall and even got the chance to try the famous tölt gait. The experience was great and we even were able to get some hot drinks after the ride. Thanks again <3

Unforgettable Experience and Trip Highlight

Elizabeth_K, Mar 2024

This tour was amazing! Once in a lifetime experience riding through the scenic mountains. Our guide (Felecia) was amazing! So kind and so helpful, even got us the perfect group photo in front of a waterfall. The horses were the stars! Fed them a well deserved treat at the end.

Amazing experience

Pia_J, Feb 2024

Lovely host and guide , stunning nature and mostly wonderful horses ……….. We really had a super nice ride and can’t recommend this trip enough . For sure we will file back given the opportunity - perhaps now we have tried the winter ride it would be nice to come back and experience in the summer

Awesome Experience

Rachael_G, Oct 2023

Our host Eli was fantastic. The tour was beautiful and we got to do many things like cross a river/ switch gates/take pictures in front of a waterfall. Highly recommend!

One of our best experiences

Emily_O, Oct 2023

My husband and I were very fortunate to have our first horse riding experience in a beautiful Icelandic landscape. This was the one of our best experience during this trip.

Amazing!!!

Jill_H, Jun 2023

It was amazing!!! The girls that took us riding took their time to explain how to ride the horses and then we went for this beautiful, scenic ride along the river!!! Highly recommend this tour!!!

Really great

Alessandra_L, Jan 2020

It was snowing but our ride was still very beautiful, the 90 minutes was also a great value for price. Great location as well and friendly horses

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Riding in snowfall is a very special experience indeed! Thank you for taking a ride with us, we hope to see you again in the future.

Einmalig!

Caroline_H, Dec 2024

Gebucht hatten wir die Tour spontan einen Tag vorher. Aufgrund des schlechten Wetters und Straßensperrungen war eine Anreise dann nur erschwert möglich (3 h Fahrt anstatt 1 h). Die Inhaberin war aber so zuvorkommend und ließ uns den Termin - noch am Tag der Tour - verschieben. Vielen Dank noch einmal dafür. Heute war dann nun endlich unsere Reittour. Mein Mann und ich saßen das 1. Mal auf einem Pferd. Im Vorfeld wurde unsere Reiterfahrung und Körpergröße abgefragt, sodass das richtige Pferd ausgesucht werden konnte. Wir haben 2 ganz liebe und geduldige Wallache zugeteilt bekommen, die uns sicher durch das Geländer gebracht haben. So haben wir uns zu jeder Zeit sicher gefühlt. Was natürlich auch an unserem netten Guide Franka lag. Sie hat uns interessantes über die Pferde erzählt und man konnte ihre Begeisterung spüren. Auf dem Rückweg durften wir sogar den Tölt ausprobieren. Damit hätten wir am Anfang nicht gerechnet. Insgesamt können wir den Anbieter Hestasports daher nur empfehlen. Das Erlebnis war unvergesslich.

Alles super

Natalie_M, Jul 2024

Es war super schön und alle waren super freundlich und sehr lieb. Wir kommen sehr gerne wieder. Sehr empfehlenswert

Toller Ausritt

Carina_D, Jun 2023

Tolle Reittour, pferde sind in gutem Zustand, Guides waren sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit, Pferde sind Anfängergeeignet . War ein toller Ausritt zu einem schönen Wasserfall.