Horseback Riding Mosfellsbær: Beginner Mountain Trails

You start in the paddock before the mountain trails, so you're ready in the saddle.

Horseback riding in Mosfellsbær is a beginner-friendly activity where you ride calm, gentle horses at the base of the mountains with an English-speaking guide, helmet and gloves included. The session runs 1 to 1.5 hours of riding, with 2 hours total from arrival to departure. You begin in the paddock getting used to the horse before heading out to explore the countryside where the city meets the foothills. Minimum age is 12. Riders must be able to mount and dismount without assistance and weigh under 100kg.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beginner-friendly horseback riding tour

• Arrive at the stable
• Meet your guide
• Prepare horse and rider
• Get used to sitting on horse
• Ride through Mosfellsbær nature
• Build riding confidence and skills
• Complete 1 to 1.5 hour ride
• Return to stable and finish tour

The experience

The stable sits at the edge of Mosfellsbær, where the landscape shifts from suburban streets to open fields and mountain slopes. When you arrive, a guide meets you and walks through the basics: how to sit, how to hold the reins, how the horse responds to your weight and voice. You spend time in the paddock first, building your seat and your confidence on a calm horse before you ever leave the grounds. This matters because the ride itself is not about proving anything. It is about moving through the terrain at a pace that lets you notice it.

Once you're steady, you head out into the countryside. The horses are chosen for beginners. They are not excitable, they do not spook easily, and they know the trails. The guide sets a slower pace and watches how you are handling the saddle, the reins, the rhythm of the horse beneath you. The total riding time varies depending on your level and how the group is moving, but you can expect around an hour to an hour and a half in the saddle. The whole outing, from the moment you walk into the stable to the moment you leave, takes about two hours.

Helmet and gloves are provided. In winter you also get warm overalls. Comfortable riding shoes or good sneakers are what you wear. The guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout. The best way to reach the stable is bus number 15 from downtown Reykjavik, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• Use of helmet and gloves.
• local English-speaking guide.
• warm overalls in winter.
• paddock preparation before the ride begins.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 28 Jun 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Icelandic Riding

Is this one for you?The pace is slow and the setup is deliberate (you spend time in the paddock before the trails), which is what makes this work for someone who has never ridden before and wants to build confidence in the saddle rather than rush into it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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.

Can I do this horseback riding if I've never ridden before?

Yes, the ride in Mosfellsbær is designed for beginners. You spend time in the paddock first getting used to the horse and building your seat before heading out on the trails, and the guide chooses calm, gentle horses for the group.

How long does the whole experience take from when I arrive?

Total time from arrival to departure is around 2 hours. The actual riding time is 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your riding level and how the group is moving.

What do I need to bring or wear for horseback riding in Mosfellsbær?

Wear comfortable riding shoes, walking shoes or good sneakers. Helmet and gloves are provided. In winter you also get warm overalls. Do not bring used equestrian equipment into Iceland, as it is forbidden by law.

What is the minimum age for this horseback riding activity?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Riders must also be able to mount and dismount the horse without assistance and weigh under 100kg.

How do I get to the stable in Mosfellsbær from Reykjavik?

The best way is to take bus number 15 from downtown Reykjavik. Public transportation options are available nearby the stable.