Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik
Recommended by 96% of travelers
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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 mountains. Your excursion is designed based on your experience level and is led by an instructor.
- Get into Icelandic nature without the hassle of driving
- Choose between morning and afternoon rides to suit your schedule
- Reykjavik hotel pickup is available on request
- 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
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.
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.
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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
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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 1,267 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Hesed_P, Aug 2026
This tour gives you the opportunity to be in a slow group and a fast group which was really cool and hasn't been an option of horseback riding tours i've been on elsewhere. The fast group allows you to try the icelandic horse trot which I eventually managed to go with my horse on our last attempt. What I liked about it was I didn't feel discouraged from joining the fast group despite being a beginner, but they were also very clear that you must have excellent balance and control of your horse to do so. It was responsible customer service.
It took a while to get our group situated with a horse. It could probably be a faster and more efficient system with more guides but I also think it's on purpose since total riding time is only 1 hour. That's really my only feedback, longer riding time. The place was great, the briefing was the perfect intersection of succinct but thorough, facilities and gear were in good shape, and the horses are well trained and well cared for.
Evelyn_N, Aug 2026
Pleasant. Group divided into a better group and a less good group. Some of the “better “ people should have been with the less good people
Beth_K, Aug 2026
A wonderful experience. From pickup to drop off, everything and everyone were great. The staff are knowledgeable, helpful and so friendly. They take care to ease any worries and enable those more experienced to go through the gates with the horses. They take care on safety with good equipment. And the horses are beautiful and wonderful. The ride gives a chance to take in the older lava friends and other scenery.
Katie_R, Aug 2026
I’m an experienced rider and my husband and two boys have very little riding experience. Our guided ride was absolutely perfect for all of us. I did opt to split off with a faster riding group to experience the Icelandic Horse tölt which was a really fun experience. Their focus on safety, basic riding instruction, pairing riders with horses who were a good fit, and having guides spread throughout the group to support riders when needed was really wonderful. I had no concerns leaving my boys and husband in the care of the guides for them to stay with the less experienced riding group and we all had a lot of fun riding through beautiful scenery. The trail guides clearly have a lovely system they have refined over many years of experience doing guided trail rides. And the Icelandic horses lived up to their great reputation of being steady, kind, generous horses for people of all riding levels.
Chance_R, Aug 2026
Was literally my favorite part of my Europe trip so far, our first time on a horse and they were such sweet creatures, from the host helping us with our transportation troubles to the ladies helping us learn to guide the horses for the first time were just the sweetest and most helpful humans ever. Definitely 10/10 recommend!
Corinne_H, Aug 2026
What incredible friendly well socialized uniquely wonderful horses and guides. I had a wonderful time and learned a lot. We were so lucky and got sunny weather!
Judith_W, Aug 2026
Good instructions before getting on. Horses all looked health and fit. Trail leaders were fun and helped along the way. Beautiful landscape! Very enjoyable, I'd recommend.
Debbie_P, Aug 2026
The team is very helpful and it was great that rainwear was available. The horses were very well behaved
Eileen_S, Aug 2026
It is a very well-maintained horse ranch. The horses were great and the young ladies who took us on the tour were very professional and fun. I would highly recommend this excursion.
Joan_S, Aug 2026
There is a slow pace and fast pace, we were a family ranging in age 7 to 73 so most of us used the slow pace. It is somewhat uncomfortable sitting in the saddle which was the complaint from all ages but it was a beautiful day and the guides were great!
Joel_M, Aug 2026
We absolutely LOVED this experience! Truly one of our favorite things we’ve done in Iceland.
From the very beginning, everyone at Íshestar was wonderful. When I was making the reservation, they were so responsive and helpful with my questions, and that same warmth carried right through to the day of our ride.
I especially have to give a huge shoutout to our guides. They were SO friendly, kind, funny, patient, and just genuinely lovely people to spend a few hours with. They immediately made us feel welcome and comfortable, and you could tell how much they cared about the horses and about making sure everyone had a great experience.
And the horses! ❤️ Getting to ride these beautiful Icelandic horses through that incredible landscape, in the rain no less, was just magical. We were wet, muddy, smiling, and having the best time. It felt like we were actually experiencing Iceland rather than just sightseeing in Iceland.
This is one of those experiences I know we’ll talk about long after the trip is over. If you’re coming to Iceland and even THINK you might want to ride an Icelandic horse, do it. And absolutely do it with Íshestar.
Thank you to everyone there for giving us such a special day. We loved every minute of it! 🇮🇸🐴❤️
Robert_L, Aug 2026
It was fantastic! The five young ladies that rode with us were really knowledgeable about the history of the area and of course experts with the horses. The horses are wonderful.
Sandra_W, Aug 2026
Our guides were great! They were very thoughtful, great at instructions and helping. We were happy to see that they divided groups on experience.
Cindy_M, Jul 2026
Very easy, pretty, nice people.
Horses well taken care of.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan_F, Jul 2026
This was a well-organized and fun opportunity to meet and ride the Icelandic horse. Trails were well-maintained. Staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone was safe and happy.
Melanie_H, Jul 2026
Great group of kind and helpful ladies! If you’re a beginner, they choose a nice horse for you. If you’re an expert or have rode before, they will choose a different horse for you. Reason being, after 15 minutes of riding, you can choose to go a slow pace or a faster pace with a horse. The group separates off into two. The slow pace - you get a more relaxed, scenic experience. Faster pace group, I presume it’s more about the ride. Either way, it was a nice ride! They help get you on the horse and everything. Some children were riding by themselves too and they had a pleasant time riding. Got to pet the horses after. Definitely a great experience!
Babrara_M, Jul 2026
Make sure you wear clothes that you don't mind if they get dirty. Also if you ride more that trail (like the faster ride) you may need gloves
mark_v, Jul 2026
Great experience, great staff, horses were excellent. Make sure you go with the experienced group and not beginners group, even if you are a beginner! Gives you a much fuller experience!
faith_w, Jul 2026
The tour guides are super sweet, kind, and very knowledgeable. The horses were well trained, beautiful, and easy going. Mine whose name I cannot pronounce without messing it up was an absolute Joy( his name in English). He was a bit dramatic, snackish, and a big sweetheart. He kept sneaking snacks of the grass as we passed by. The guides taught me how to redirect him to back on track. If you want a fun activity for all ages this is it.
Jane_W, Jul 2026
The employees were very friendly and helpful answering questions and making sure all the gear fit properly. They were happy to take picture and videos on the trail ride.
Sederick_O, Jul 2026
I had such a fun time. The team members took good care of us and made sure that we were safe. I’d recommend this to anyone that’s interested.
Stacey_A, Jul 2026
Just beautiful, great staff. Very engaging. Loved the horses and the beautiful scenery. Well run organization.
Ddstieger, Jul 2026
Wonderful! One of the highlights of our trip to Iceland! The guides were terrific and the scenery was amazing.
elena_r, Jun 2026
It was okay experience, the staff wasn’t too friendly and the path is not pretty. We have booked a different one this time and it was like a day and night experience.
Randy_B, Jun 2026
Any stage of rider can enjoy a breathtaking ride on one of these beautiful unique horses. The girls leading us were great and the horses were easy to manage.
Pamela_C, Jun 2026
That if you have any experience with horses you should go in the fast track. A wonderful day in the sun great guides
Kailie_S, Jun 2026
Friendly easy pick up and drop off, as well as check in experience. Great staff and instruction provided. Had an amazing time visiting with the friendly Icelandic horses, and loved the little extra time at the end in the paddock after dismounting to visit with them. Amazing time. Next I’ll go for a longer one for sure!
Franziska_B, Jun 2026
This is absolutely incredible. Our guides were very knowledgeable. We opted for the pick up version and the van was prompt picking us up. Very nice young man, Nicolas. Once we got to the facility we were educated and then went on this amzing ride with these beautiful horses. So very sweet. We all rode single file and then we split off into the groups. The ones who wanted to go fast and then there was a slow group for beginners. They catered to all of us. Thank you for a fabulous time.
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Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Franziska,
Thank you for this wonderful review! We will make sure Nicolas hears your kind words, punctuality and a warm welcome from the very first moment are something we truly value. We are so glad the whole experience from pickup to ride felt seamless and that our horses won your hearts! We hope to welcome you back someday! We always love seeing pictures of our guests enjoying their moments with our horses, if you ever feel like sharing and tagging: @ishestarriding or #ishestarriding
Best regards,
Team Íshestar
andrea_t, May 2026
2 adults and 2 children aged 9 and 10 had a fantastic afternoon. We were fortunate to have good weather and throughly enjoyed the beautiful trail. All non riders, we had calm, lovely horses. The people who work there clearly love the horses and treat them so well. They were very kind and helpful and made the experience. We would all highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear Andrea,
Thank you so much for this heartwarming review! We are delighted your whole family had a fantastic time, and that the little ones enjoyed their first riding experience. Our team truly loves our horses and it means the world to hear that shines through. We hope to welcome your family back again someday :)
Best regards,
Team Íshestar
Meghan_P, May 2026
I am so glad we did this experience! I learned so much about the Icelandic horses and got to spend a lot of time with them. They are so beautiful and friendly. We took a two hour ride through an 8000-year-old lava field and it was incredible. This is a unique and cool way to experience the land. Our guides were kind and fun and made sure we were well cared for. The ride accommodated all experience levels. I would absolutely do this again.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello and thank you for your lovely feedback!
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your ride, the beautiful scenery of the lava field, and the company of our lovely horses and guides.
We always love seeing pictures of our guests enjoying their moments with our horses, so if you ever feel like sharing, please tag us: @ishestarriding or #ishestarriding
Best regards,
Team Íshestar
From $156.91
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