Horseback riding in Akureyri: Tölt Icelandic horses

Ride mountain trails and learn the tölt, Iceland's unique horse gait

Horseback riding near Akureyri in North Iceland for 90 minutes, where you ride Icelandic horses into the mountains and practice tölt, a smooth four-beat gait unique to the breed. All skill levels are welcome, from complete beginners to experienced riders. The outing includes a brief introduction to handling Icelandic horses, time in the saddle, and coffee with light refreshments back at the stable.

The experience

The ride starts with a short introduction to Icelandic horses and how to handle them before you mount. Then you head out into the mountains for the main riding portion. The tölt (a special gait that Icelandic horses are bred for) is smoother than a trot and lets you cover ground without the jarring of a regular canter, so you get multiple chances to practice it during the outing.

When you return to the stable, there's time for photos with the horses and a chance to catch your breath over coffee and light refreshments. The whole outing runs 90 minutes from start to finish, so it fits into a morning or afternoon without eating the whole day.

What’s included

• A 90-minute guided ride on Icelandic horses into the mountains.
• instruction on handling the breed and practicing tölt.
• coffee and light refreshments at the stable.
• photo time with the horses.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (5 to 89 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Stable Stop

Is this one for you?Book this if your English or German is stronger than Icelandic, since the guide leads entirely in one of those two languages.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the tölt and why is it special to Icelandic horses?

The tölt is a four-beat gait unique to Icelandic horses that feels smoother than a trot because the horse always has at least one hoof on the ground. You'll practice it multiple times during the ride, and the gait makes covering mountain terrain less jarring than on other horse breeds.

Do I need riding experience to book this?

No. All skill levels are welcome, from complete beginners to experienced riders. The outing includes a brief introduction to Icelandic horses before you ride, so first-timers get the basics they need.

How long is the actual riding time?

The whole outing is 90 minutes, which includes the introduction, the ride into the mountains, and time back at the stable for photos and refreshments. Most of that time is spent in the saddle.

When can I book this ride?

The ride runs from February through October, covering Iceland's summer season when the mountain terrain is accessible and weather is milder.

What's included besides the ride itself?

Coffee and light refreshments are served at the stable when you return, along with time for photos with the horses before you leave.