Horseback Riding from Reykjavik: 1 Hour in the Saddle

Ride through purple lupins and red lava hills, then share stories over hot drinks

A 3-hour horseback riding activity from Reykjavik that includes hotel pickup, a short riding lesson at the stable, one hour in the saddle through the Hólmsheiði hills and surrounding mountain views, and refreshments afterward. The operator matches each rider with a horse suited to their level and provides helmets and well-maintained saddles. Live guides speak English, German or Danish.

The Experience

The morning starts with pickup from your Reykjavik accommodation 30 minutes before the tour begins. At the stable, you'll get a helmet and a short lesson on how to communicate with the horses, then the guide matches you with a horse suited to your riding level. The horses are well cared for and the saddles are high quality, so the focus stays on the ride itself rather than the gear.

You spend an hour in the saddle riding through the Hólmsheiði hills, fields of purple lupins and forest, with panoramic mountain views and the Red Hills — a 5,200-year-old lava formation — surrounding you. The pace and route adjust to the group's comfort level, and the guide stays with you throughout. After you dismount, the stable offers tea, coffee or hot chocolate while you review photos from the ride before the return trip to Reykjavik.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Reykjavik hotel.
• helmet.
• a short riding lesson at the stable.
• one hour of guided horseback riding.
• tea, coffee or hot chocolate after the ride.
• photos from the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Viking Horses

Is this one for you?You ride the horses yourself for the full hour — this is not a walk or a demonstration — so it suits anyone who wants to actually be in the saddle rather than watching from a distance. The small-group format and matched horses make it work for first-time riders and experienced ones alike, and the morning timing and 3-hour total duration fit easily into a day of exploring Reykjavik.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children ride on this tour from Reykjavik?

Children are welcome from age 8 and up. Infants and small children can be brought along in a pram or stroller at the stable while adults ride.

What happens if I've never ridden a horse before?

The tour includes a short riding lesson at the stable before you mount, and the guide matches you with a horse suited to beginners. The one-hour ride is designed to be manageable for all physical fitness levels.

Is the pickup from my hotel included in the price?

Yes, private transportation from your Reykjavik accommodation is included. Pickup happens 30 minutes before the tour starts, and you're dropped off after the ride and refreshments.

What are the Hólmsheiði hills and the Red Hills like to ride through?

Hólmsheiði is a landscape of rolling hills, forest and open fields dotted with purple lupins. The Red Hills are ancient lava formations roughly 5,200 years old, and the ride passes through views of both with surrounding mountains visible throughout.

What's included after the ride ends?

After dismounting, you receive tea, coffee or hot chocolate at the stable and have time to review photos from the tour before your return transfer to Reykjavik.