Best Horse Riding Tour in Iceland (2026): 4 Picks
The horse riding tours we would book ourselves: an easy lava-field ride near Reykjavík, the hot-spring valley, and longer rides for confident riders.
The short version
- Best for most people: Íshestar's Lava Tour, €115, two hours, 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, fine for complete beginners.
- Want a view at the end? Sólhestar's Reykjadalur ride, €118.06, goes up the hot-spring valley above Hveragerði.
- Confident riders who want more saddle time: Viking Horses' morning tour, €174.17, about three hours, small groups.
- Driving the South Coast? Ride on the black sand at Vík for €109.31 and skip the transfer.
For most people, the best horse riding tour in Iceland is Íshestar’s Lava Tour: two hours, €115, through the lava fields just outside Reykjavík, with pickup available and horses that are used to people who have never ridden.
The Icelandic horse is small, sturdy and calm, and it has a fifth gait, the tölt — a smooth, fast walk that feels like gliding. Almost every tour lets beginners try it if the group is up for it. Our horse riding: tölt and combos guide covers the combo days (riding plus Golden Circle, caving or snorkelling). This page is the plain shortlist.
1. Lava Tour — Íshestar Riding Tours
- Book: Lava Tour – Horseback Riding through the Lava Fields
- Price: €115 per adult
- Duration: about 2 hours, including kit and briefing
- Departs: Íshestar’s stables in Hafnarfjörður, or pickup in Reykjavík
The easy choice. A big, well-run stable close to the city, a ride of a bit over an hour through moss and lava, and back in Reykjavík by lunch or mid-afternoon. It fits on an arrival or departure day.
Suits: first-timers, families with older children, anyone short on time. Not for: experienced riders who want to cover ground — the pace is set for the least confident person.
2. Hot Spring Valley ride — Sólhestar
- Book: Hot Spring Valley Horse Riding Tour – Reykjadalur
- Price: €118.06 per adult
- Duration: about 2 hours 15 minutes
- Departs: Hveragerði, 40 minutes east of Reykjavík; pickup available
Almost the same price as the Lava Tour, with better scenery: steam vents and the valley above Hveragerði. You ride, you don’t bathe — for the hot river itself, see Reykjadalur: hike, horse or night.
Suits: people who want something to look at besides lava, or who are heading to the Golden Circle or South Coast anyway. Not for: anyone without the extra travel time from Reykjavík.
3. Morning Tour — Viking Horses
- Book: Viking Horses Morning Tour
- Price: €174.17 per adult
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Departs: near Reykjavík, pickup or meet on location
A smaller stable, smaller groups and more time in the saddle. More money, but more riding and more chance to tölt properly.
Suits: people who have ridden before and want a real ride rather than a taster. Not for: nervous beginners or anyone counting euros — the two picks above do the basics for less.
4. Black Beach Riding Tour — Vik Horse Adventure
- Book: Black Beach Riding Tour
- Price: €109.31 per adult
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Departs: Vík, meet on location — you drive there
An hour on the black sand near Vík. Short, but there is nothing else like it, and it costs less than the Reykjavík rides.
Suits: self-drivers spending a night on the South Coast. Not for: anyone based in Reykjavík without a car — it is two and a half hours each way.
Our honest take: how we picked
- Tours we can sell today, with prices shown per adult in EUR.
- Beginner-friendly first, because most people asking have not ridden in years.
- Short travel from where people actually stay: Reykjavík first, the South Coast second.
- Private rides left out of the main list. They cost roughly three times as much and only make sense if you want a guide to yourself.
- None of these tours has a tour-level rating yet, so we ranked on value, location and the riding itself. We won’t borrow a stable’s Google score.
When to go
Riding runs all year. Summer gives long light and green fields. Winter rides are colder and shorter, and the light is low and pretty, but wind can cut a ride short or cancel it. Operators cancel when it is unsafe; you get a full refund or a new date. Dress for the weather — stables lend rain gear and helmets.
FAQ
Do I need riding experience?
No. All four tours take beginners. The Viking Horses ride is the one that rewards experience.
Is there a weight limit?
Usually yes, around 110 kg, because the horses are small. Check the tour page before you book.
Can children ride?
Most stables take children from about six to eight years old. The exact minimum age is on each tour page.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, waterproof trousers and sturdy shoes or boots with a small heel. Helmets are provided.
What is the tölt?
The Icelandic horse’s extra gait — a smooth, fast walk with almost no bounce. Guides usually let groups try it if everyone is comfortable. For a gentler look at the horses, try Icelandic farm visits.
