South Coast & Black Sand Horse Riding Tour
by BusTravel Iceland · Horse riding · cruise-excursion · South Coast
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Couples
- Suits older travellers
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified





Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at BusTravel Iceland's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.
More photos of South Coast & Black Sand Horse Riding Tour
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Duration
11 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Languages
EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH
Departs
08:00
Minimum age
10
Cancellation
Free until 2 days before
About this experience
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Reykjavík to the mesmerizing landscapes of Vík, where you'll experience the unique charm of Iceland through horseback riding, breathtaking waterfalls, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. This full-day adventure promises an immersive exploration of Iceland's beauty, blending the thrill of horse riding with the awe of cascading waterfalls.
1. Departure from Reykjavík:
Your adventure begins as you depart from Reykjavík in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. As you leave the city behind, the ever-changing Icelandic scenery will captivate you with its dramatic landscapes.
2. Lunch Break & Vík:
Recharge with a delicious Icelandic lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor traditional dishes and fuel up for the rest of your adventure. You'll also have some time to wander around the coastal village of Vík before your horseback riding tour starts.
3. Horseback Riding in Vík:
Arrive in the charming village of Vík and meet your friendly local guides, who will introduce you to the unique Icelandic horses. Known for their gentle nature and distinctive gait, these horses offer a one-of-a-kind riding experience. Embark on a scenic horseback ride through the black sand beaches and rolling hills of Vík, with the North Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. Feel the connection with your Icelandic steed and soak in the breathtaking views that surround you.
4. Skógafoss Waterfall:
Next, venture towards the iconic Skógafoss Waterfall. Marvel at the sheer power of the cascading water as it plunges 60 meters into a serene pool below. Take a leisurely stroll along the Skógá River and capture stunning photos of the picturesque landscape. For the adventurous, climb the stairs to the top of the waterfall for a panoramic view that will leave you in awe.
5. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall:
Continue your journey to the enchanting Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland's most famous attractions. What makes this waterfall truly special is the unique opportunity to walk behind the curtain of water, providing a rare and unforgettable perspective. Feel the mist on your face and listen to the thundering sounds of nature as you immerse yourself in this magical setting.
6. Return to Reykjavík:
As the day comes to an end, relax on the return journey to Reykjavík, reflecting on the incredible experiences and memories created during this Icelandic adventure.
Description from the operator, BusTravel Iceland. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík
- Hvolsvöllur
- Vík & Horseback Riding
- Skógafoss Waterfall
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Reykjavík
Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
WiFi on board
Restroom on board
Horseback Riding Tour
All Fees and Taxes
Not included
Good to know
- Warm clothing and good shoes
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infant seats unavailable
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 2 days before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Golden Circle & Meet the Icelandic Horses | English Guide + Selected German Departures from Magic Iceland Travel is €86 — €79 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| BusTravel Iceland · €165 | Magic Iceland Travel · €86 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 11 hours | 8 hours |
| Changing your mind | Free until 48 h before | Free until 24 h before |
The €79 buys you 3 more hours out and free cancellation up to 48 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 10 cannot join this one.
- Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 11 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
BusTravel Iceland is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about BusTravel Iceland
Read all 2,918 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
We had a wonderful tour to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula today. It was amazing!! Our guide, Vjeran, was exceptional. His knowledge and experience made our tour even more memorable. He even worked in a couple of additional stops to our itinerary which further enhanced our experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in experiencing the majesty of nature in Iceland.
★★★★★ · a month ago
An amazing experience! It was our first time in Iceland, and we couldn’t have asked for a better trip. For six unforgettable days, we travelled along the famous Ring Road with our guide, Vjeran, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and highly professional throughout the entire journey. He made every day enjoyable while showing us Iceland’s most spectacular attractions. The trip was truly unforgettable. Some of the accommodations were also lovely, with welcoming and helpful staff that made us feel at home. There is so much to see in Iceland, and six days go by very quickly, so the itinerary was quite busy. Even so, we had the opportunity to enjoy every activity and appreciate the incredible landscapes along the way. Overall, the experience exceeded all our expectations, helped even more by the fantastic weather we were lucky enough to enjoy throughout the trip. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Iceland!
★★★★★ · a month ago
We had an amazing Golden Circle tour with Darren and Mikki! Darren is a fantastic guide — knowledgeable, friendly, and with a great sense of humor. He told us so many fascinating things about Iceland along the way, but in such a natural and entertaining way that it never felt like a lecture. Darren and Mikki also showed us some wonderful places and made the whole day feel special. The atmosphere was relaxed, fun, and very personal. You can really feel that they love Iceland and enjoy sharing it with people. Highly recommend this tour! If you get the chance to explore Iceland with Darren and Mikki, take it — you won’t regret it! ❤️🇮🇸
★★★★★ · a month ago
During our Iceland vacation, we took two tours with Bus Travel Iceland: the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon; and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. On the exceptional Golden Circle tour with a relaxing conclusion at the enchanting Blue Lagoon, we visited the iconic sites along the way, following a fairly packed itinerary but with adequate time for each stop. The guide was knowledgeable in driving the bus and engaging in providing information and telling stories about the places we visited. Higly recommended the fascinating tour to discover the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Departing from Reykjavik, we visited the main towns and iconic sites from the north to the south coast of the peninsula. The excellent Axel guided us, providing interesting details about the places to visit. His expert bus driving skills and precise planning allowed us to see everything in the allotted time, without excessive pressure or fatigue.
Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- Horse riding in Iceland — the tölt, the Golden Circle combos and who it actually suitsIcelandic horses have a gait no other breed in Europe has. Here's what a riding tour really is, which combo to book, and who should stay on the fence.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Horse riding — questions people ask
Can complete beginners ride Icelandic horses?
Yes, and most people on the tours are beginners. Icelandic horses are small, calm and used to novices, and the one- to two-hour rides on the farm tours (/experience/164615/, /experience/170834/) move at a walk with a taste of tölt, the smooth fifth gait the breed is known for. You get a helmet and a short briefing. If you have ridden before, tell the guide; they will match you to a livelier horse.
Why can't I call it a pony?
Because Icelanders will correct you, politely. The Icelandic horse stands around 13 to 14 hands, pony height elsewhere, but it has been bred as a horse for a thousand years with no outside blood since the settlement. It has five gaits, including tölt and the flying pace. Once a horse leaves Iceland it cannot come back, to protect the herd from disease. Call it a horse; the guides will like you more.
Can I bring my own riding gear to Iceland?
Only if it has been disinfected. Iceland has strict rules to protect its horses from foreign disease: used riding clothing, gloves and boots must be disinfected before entering the country, and used leather tack, saddles and bridles are not allowed at all. The stables provide helmets and rain overalls, so most people bring nothing. Wear long trousers and closed shoes with a small heel if you have them.
Is there a weight limit for horse riding in Iceland?
Yes. Icelandic horses are small, and most stables set a rider weight limit somewhere around 100 to 110 kilograms, sometimes lower for longer rides. The tour page states the exact limit, and stables do enforce it on the day. If you are close to the limit, email us before booking and we will check with the operator. Minimum ages also apply, usually six to eight for a farm ride.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
153 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.
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