Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Reykjavik, Iceland

High interest

Booked 4 times today.

2 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Nick_D ·

Mar 2026

my girlfriend and i absolutely loved this experience. the staff was extremely helpful and friendly and i would highly recommend this to anyone considering. we got extra time to spend with the horses afterwords and didn’t feel rushed at all. so much fun, thank you guys!

· Natalie_S ·

Mar 2026

Excellent from start to finish! The staff was all excellent, the horses are amazing and the ride was the perfect amount of time. Would highly recommend this activity

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Overview

Get out and enjoy nature while getting the chance to ride an Icelandic horse—a breed originally brought to the country by the Vikings—on this equestrian excursion. Enjoy a relaxing ride through lava-laden scenery, rolling green hills, and mountain views. Your excursion is designed based on your experience level and is led by an instructor.

Perfect for travelers who love nature and horseback riding
Choose between morning and afternoon rides
Packages with and without hotel pickup is available
Refuel with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate after your ride

What's Included

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
Helmets, rubber boots, rain gear and warm overall

Pre-booked pick-up and drop-off from pick up points in Reykjavik, unless specified with tour option
Please connect with your operator to confirm pickup location, as it might be from a nearby bus stop.

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please select your pickup point from the list. NOTE: If your hotel or bus stop is not listed, please reach out to us directly so that we can find the nearest pickup point for you. We only pick up from selected pickup points in Reykjavik. Pick-up needs to be pre-booked. Please be sure that you've chosen a tour with pick up included. Please note the weight limit on our tours is 110kg/240lbs and the age limit is 7 years old.

Meeting point

Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
Please connect to your tour provider to confirm pickup location if you have selected pickup as we might not offer transfer were you have asked to be picked up. If you are traveling on your own to our stables, please be there at least 30 min. prior to your tour departure.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

On arrival, meet your instructor to adivse of your ability level—beginner, intermediate, or experienced.

Get up-close to the Icelandic horses, learning about this gentle breed. Descendants of Viking horses brought here in the 10th century, these sturdy, good-nature steeds are known for their tölt, a four-beat gait that makes riding on rugged terrain smooth and comfortable.

Next, watch a short instructional video, don your provided riding gear, and hop into the saddle. Learn to ease your horse into the tölt, and set out behind your instructor. Soon afterward, having watched you riding, your instructor splits you into three groups—beginners, intermediates, and experienced.

Beginners ride slowly over easy terrain, with intermediate and experienced riders tackling more challenging routes at different paces. Just advise your instructor if you want to go slower or faster.

As you ride, soak in the beautiful scenery. Weave through lava fields and moorland, passing volcanic mountains and lakes.

After your trek, savor coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at the stables.

Ishestar Horse Riding Tours

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Age limit is 7 years old

Weight limit is 110kg/240lbs
Used riding gear is not allowed on the tour or near the horses
If you arrive in your own car please be at the stables 30 minutes before your tour starts
Due to possible harm to unborn children, pregnant women cannot ride on our tours
All riders must be able to mount the horse by their own strength from the ground
In our tours up to two children or youth may travel with each adult, paying full fare
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Supplied by

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

Jenny_D

Great experience and very beginner friendly! From the pick-up to arriving at the stables, everything was very smooth and seamless. The driver was great and very try efficient in taking us to the stables (which was 15-20ish mins away from Reykjavík). The horse handlers were knowledgeable, kind, patient and understanding. Perfect both novice and experienced riders. The lava fields were stunning and I’m so glad we did this tour. Definitely a highlight and highly recommend!!!

Reviews

4.8

based on 1,169 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great experience!

Laura_M, Mar 2026

This is a great experience and the ladies did a wonderful job of making everyone comfortable and keeping families together.

Fun

mfrusteri, Mar 2026

It was fun and they are super organized. I only wished I had gone into the more adventurous group. I would have liked to trot and maybe canter.

highlight of our trip!

Nick_D, Mar 2026

Such a fun experience! We...

Amy_S, Mar 2026

Such a fun experience! We learned so much about these very special and majestic horses. The staff was quite friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, especially Maria. We went riding on a path through the lava fields. The scenery and landscape was incredible. The horses were friendly and patient. Our overall group was about 20 people I think. Then we broke into two smaller groups. More experienced riders in one group so they could ride faster and then we had a group that rode as a walking group. So not matter your experience and comfort level, there was something for everyone. The pickup and drop off was super easy. And the horse farm was only a 20-minute ride from the city. The tour description is accurate. I highly recommend this adventure!

Excellent from start to...

Natalie_S, Mar 2026

Excellent from start to finish! The staff was all excellent, the horses are amazing and the ride was the perfect amount of time. Would highly recommend this activity

Best 2 hours of my Iceland trip

Ryan_S, Mar 2026

This was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I went with my very experienced equestrian friend (I’m also experienced just less so) and we had an absolute ball. The guides were so lovely and very knowledgeable, and it’s evident the horses are super well taken care of. Me and my friend went in the faster/more experienced group of riders, and we got to tölt!!! (which was awesome). I seriously had the best time and can not recommend this enough!!

This tour was so fun and...

Catherine_I, Mar 2026

This tour was so fun and I was grinning the entire time. The group was large but they split us off into a slower and faster group to match your experience level. The fast group was able to trot and also attempt a tölt, and although I used to ride and so have a bit more experience, my partner who has never ridden was still able to choose the faster group and had a wonderful time while easily keeping up. The horses are adorable and the staff lovely, highly recommend.

Great experience

Robyn_F, Mar 2026

Everything about this trip was fabulous! The staff were very friendly and the event was well organized. All of the horses were beautiful! My daughter and her friends were able to ride faster because they are experienced riders. I highly recommend this tour

Best horseback tour ever!

Joseph_F, Feb 2026

Highly recommend this tour. It was my first time horseback riding and it could not have been any better. The staff was very professional and friendly. The horses were smooth and the tour, honestly could not have been any better. Highly recommend!

Dress appropriately for...

Jocelyn_J, Feb 2026

Dress appropriately for the weather. The people who work there are very nice! A wonderful way to spend the morning.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Hi Jocelyn, thank you for your lovely feedback. You are absolutely right, dressing for the weather makes the adventure even better. The Icelandic weather can be wild, but that is part of the experience. Luckily we provide proper gear for all kinds of weather. We are happy you enjoyed your morning ride and hope to welcome you back someday. Best regards, Team Íshestar 🐎🌦️

Booking and hotel pick-up...

Alisa_L, Jan 2026

Booking and hotel pick-up worked smoothly. The location for the horseback riding was also very beautiful. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the way guests were treated. Out of four staff members, two were very friendly (and luckily they were the ones guiding the ride). The other two seemed annoyed, unfriendly, and simply recited their script in an unenthusiastic way. As a respectful and friendly attitude is very important to me, I would not visit this stable again for that reason.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi Alisa, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that the booking, hotel pick-up, and riding location worked smoothly for you, and we appreciate your positive comments about the guides during the ride. At the same time, we are very sorry to hear that some interactions with our team did not meet your expectations. A respectful and welcoming attitude is very important to us, and we regret that this was not your experience throughout your visit. Your feedback has been shared internally, and we will use them as a reminder to ensure that all guests feel equally welcomed and valued at every point of their experience, not only during the tour itself. Thank you again for riding with us and for sharing your thoughts. Best regards, Jenny on behalf of the Íshestar team

Awesome horse tour with...

aquilalambert17, Jan 2026

Awesome horse tour with friendly guides. Would definitely come back! Many picturesque stops and cute horses.

This excursion was...

Isabella_P, Jan 2026

This excursion was incredible. If you are looking for an opportunity to connect with Iceland’s beautiful landscape and the incredible Icelandic horses, this is the excursion for you! You are able to learn about the horses, their different temperaments and personalities, through a beautiful guided tour. The staff was very enthusiastic to share the history of the area and the horses. Would 10/10 book again!

Amazing experience!!

Nancy_C, Dec 2025

We had an amazing time riding the horses the staff was super friendly and welcoming. The horses were amazing and well trained. Overall amazing experience!

Wonderful First Horseback Riding Experience

Kathryn_A, Dec 2025

I was given a horse for a beginner (like me) and my daughter who knows how to ride had a horse suited for her ability. It was organized and well run. We were lucky that the time we were in Iceland it was clear and in the 40’s !

I loved this. We had done...

Lien_H, Dec 2025

I loved this. We had done ours at 10 am and it was the perfect to ride to the sunrise. The guides were great and I had such a fun time on this.

First day in iceland and...

Stacey_S, Dec 2025

First day in iceland and was a magical experience, was great to be a longer ride. Tour guide was helpful with instructions and information on the horses and area. Had a great time

Amazing tour with opportunity to tolt

H_L, Nov 2025

This was a really great tour. Easy pick up in the city with a short drive. The horses were really nice...gentle and well trained. The ride was scenic with nice places for pictures. The best part, a few minutes into the ride they split the group up and you had an option of a more advanced ride where you had multipel opportunities to tolt. So fun! Nice warm drinks available before and after the ride. I would give it 6 stars if possible. Really great

An excellent ride

Joseph_C, Nov 2025

The ride was quite nice and we were able to ride fast as well! The family loved the opportunity to get back on a horse. It was fun for me as well as I haven’t been on a horse in 50 years. Everything comes back quickly though!

A must

Camila_R, Nov 2025

A must if you want to see an amazing sunrise over the snowy flat mountains. The pines and the lava fields are breathtaking. Thank you so much

Fabulous Horseback Riding Experience

Renee_L, Nov 2025

If I ever get back to Iceland again I would take this horseback riding trip! The guides were amazing. The horses were beautiful and well trained. Exploring Iceland on an Icelandic horse is a great experience. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings make it exceptional.

Don’t Miss!

Jeffrey_F, Nov 2025

Amazing. Perfect. One of the best excursions I did! Wouldn’t change a thing. The horses are beautiful and very gentle!

A don't miss experience!

Chad_L, Nov 2025

Our guides were incredibly nice and knowledgeable. The horses were beautiful and well behaved and had great personalities. It was a great option for both beginners and intermediate because the team was split off into two groups and more advanced riders were able to trot their horses while the other group took a more leisurely ride. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it as well

Must do while in Iceland!

Lisa_S, Nov 2025

Great time! Trail ride was great guides were friendly, informative and helpful! Highly recommend for your visit!

Great Option for Riders

Anne_G, Nov 2025

Such a fun experience! Convenient to Reykjavik and I enjoyed learning about the Icelandic Horses and the area. As a rider, I loved being able to ride in the faster group.

Great experience

Elliott_P, Oct 2025

This was my favorite part of my Iceland trip. The guides were very informative and kind and the horses were super sweet and easy to ride. It was a completely different experience from all the other trail rides I’ve done here in the US. The icelandic horses are truly special. This inspired me to take riding lessons here at home so I can come back and learn/do more with the Icelandic horses on my next visit.

Scenic Icelandic Horse Ride

Sally_C, Oct 2025

The ride was very scenic! The Icelandic horses were well trained, friendly and majestic. The guides were informative and helpful. They placed us in groups according to our abilities and comfort level. Our guide told interesting stories about the horses and about the area we rode though. We enjoyed our riding adventure!

It can get very windy...

Lauren_D, Oct 2025

It can get very windy very fast so make sure you are wearing a hat or ear protection. You will be able to use snow suits if it chilly and the barn provides them. Make sure you can get up on a horse by yourself they do not have mounting block.

A Memorable Icelandic Experience

Jenny_D, Oct 2025

Icelandic Horseback Riding Among the Lava Fields!

robin_g, Oct 2025

Fabulous staff, loving horses, calm and peaceful. Beautiful scenery. Just the right amount of time! Provided heavy duty rain gear just in case of rain... and sure enough it did rain so take the gear!!