Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik: 1-hour ride

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/8

Duration1h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Can you ride Icelandic horses on black sand and actually stay in the saddle?

You ride for an hour across black sand beaches on calm Icelandic horses, mostly at walking speed, with a helmet included and the option to try tölt if you're comfortable. Arrive 15 minutes early, expect to be weighed for the horses' welfare, and plan for weather that changes — which is part of what makes the landscape so striking. Public transport reaches the stable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horse riding on black sand beach

Arrive at stable 15 minutes early
Meet friendly Icelandic horses
Ride along black sand beaches
Enjoy scenic views and wildlife
Try tölt gait if capable
Return to stable to end tour

The Experience

The black sand stretches flat and dark under your horse's hooves, the kind of landscape that looks like it shouldn't exist but does. You're riding along Víkurfjara beach near Vik in South Iceland, and the terrain is nothing like the manicured trails back home — it's raw, open, and the horses know every inch of it. The tour runs about an hour, mostly at a walk, which means you're not fighting to stay in the saddle but actually taking in the scale of the place. The Icelandic horses are smaller than you'd expect and built for this kind of ground; they're steady and unfussy, which matters when you're new to riding or haven't been on a horse in years.

The pace is designed for beginners and casual riders, but if you've got some experience and want to try something different, you can ask the guides about tölt — the special four-beat gait that Icelandic horses do naturally. It's smoother than a trot and feels almost weightless once you get the rhythm. In summer, puffins sometimes fly overhead, though spotting them isn't guaranteed. Winter rides are different — the weather shifts constantly, which sounds dramatic but actually just means you see the beach in its real state, not a postcard version. Either way, you're out there for the full hour, so bring a layer you don't mind getting damp.

The stable is where you start and finish, and you'll need to arrive 15 minutes early. There's a weight limit of 100kg (220lb), and the operators do weigh riders — they're clear about it upfront because the horses' welfare comes first. Helmets are provided. If you're staying in or near Vik without a car, public transport options are nearby, though you'll want to check schedules before you book. The ride isn't suitable if you have spinal injuries, serious cardiovascular issues, or are pregnant, and you need to be at least 10 years old to ride.

What’s included

The tour includes an Icelandic horse, a helmet, and one hour of riding along the black sand beaches of Víkurfjara near Vik. You'll mostly ride at walking pace, with the option to try tölt if you're an experienced rider.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Vik Horse Adventure

Is this one for you?Right for riders of any level who want an easy, grounded hour on horseback without the pressure of speed or skill — the walking pace and steady horses are what make it accessible, and the black sand landscape is what makes it worth the trip. Plan for weather that shifts, and know you'll be weighed before riding so the horses stay healthy.