The 15 Horse Riding Tours in Scandinavia That Earn Their Price

1.Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,383 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $142Our pick

Ride 5 to 7 kilometers through Iceland’s Redhills on a calm, well-trained Icelandic horse. Sólhestar matches horses and routes to your riding ability, with beginner and faster groups, a photo stop, warm clothing, and optional Reykjavik pickup. Guides such as Claudia and Patri may lead the ride, with time for tölt if conditions and experience allow.

“this was an amazing activity and the horses were beautiful! definitely would do it again!”

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2.Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,356 reviews · from $141

Ride from Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður through lava fields and green hills on a 1.5-hour guided outing. Meet calm Icelandic horses, try the smooth tölt, and learn about the area from English-speaking guides such as Sonya. Warm overalls, rain gear, boots, and helmets are supplied, with pickup from selected Reykjavík hotels.

“what an absolutely amazing day . horses are well looked after and staff are amazing!!”

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3.Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour with Pickup Option from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,145 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $133Top rated

Ride gentle Icelandic horses from Ishestar’s stables in Hafnarfjörður through lava fields, moorland, and volcanic scenery. Your instructor matches the pace to your ability, and stronger riders may try the tölt, Iceland’s smooth four-beat gait. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with warm riding gear, hot drinks, and optional Reykjavik pickup included in selected packages.

“I was given a horse for a beginner (like me) and my daughter who knows how to ride had a horse suited for her ability. It was organized and well run. We were lucky that the time we were in Iceland it was clear and in the 40’s !”

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4.Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour Including Pick Up from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 784 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $152

Laxnes Horse Farm collects you in Reykjavik and takes you about 15 minutes into the countryside for a guided ride on Icelandic horses. You receive a helmet, boots, gloves, and weather gear, then ride with a horse matched to your experience. Beginners and children age 7 and up are welcome.

“Was given a perfect horse to suit my ability (adult amateur rider) and my partners ability (absolute beginner). Beautiful countryside with river crossings and fantastic views.”

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5.Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 484 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $133

Ride a calm Icelandic horse from a family-run stable to Víkurfjara black-sand beach and back. Guides introduce your horse, explain the area, take photos, and may let confident riders try the smooth tölt. The one-hour ride suits beginners aged 10 and up, with a 100 kg weight limit.

“Fun! Very sweet horses. Guides where knowledgeable and friendly. These guys are definitely not ponies! ;)”

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6.Hveragerdi: Reykjadalur (Hotspring Valley) Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 148 reviews · 2 hours · from $142

Ride for about 1.5 hours through the countryside near Hveragerdi on a calm Icelandic horse. Guides such as Denisa, Patricie, Elsa, and Deni are praised for patient instruction. Beginners get careful support, while experienced riders may be offered a faster stretch. Rain gear, helmets, winter snowsuits, and hot drinks are provided.

“best tour of the entire trip! it was wonderful and our guides were so nice.”

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7.Arctic Trail Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 105 reviews · 2 hours · from $170

Ride your own calm Finnish horse through the forest near Saariselkä on a slow, beginner-friendly trail tour. Maria and the local team provide riding guidance, helmets, and nature commentary, with at least 60 minutes in the woods. Groups are limited to four, and hot drinks await you back at the farm.

“She was so sweet and she really cares about her horses! She knew there pecking order and was able to explain it all to us! It was cold but so worth it!”

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8.Hafnarfjörður: Horseback Riding Tour in Reykjavik Area

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 102 reviews · 50 min · from $132

Ride a calm Icelandic horse for 50 minutes through moss-covered lava fields near Hafnarfjörður. This beginner-friendly outing includes helmets, boots, warm rainwear, a small group of up to six, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate afterward. Expect a steady walk rather than fast riding, with guides sharing horse facts and local scenery.

“very good guide, and lovely horses. Easy for someone who never had any riding experience. Also, we were lucky to have a beautiful sunny day”

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9.Guided Horse Riding Tour Over Hov and Hovsund

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 97 reviews · from $126

Ride a calm Icelandic horse from Hov Gård across Gimsøya’s coastline. Your English-speaking guide teaches basic handling before leading you past Hov beach, possible summer sea eagles, Viking remains, fish-drying racks, and Hovsund. The 1.5-hour ride is gentle and suits beginners, but experienced riders may find the pace too slow.

“absolutely magical! highly recommend to everyone regardless if you have any experience with riding a horse.”

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10.Full-Day Horse Riding & Golden Circle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 81 reviews · 9 hours · from $258

Start with a two-hour ride at a horse farm outside Reykjavík, using Icelandic horses suited to beginners and children aged 7 and up. After a light lunch, continue by coach to Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. English guidance, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and hotel-area pickup are included.

“The horse riding was the highlight of the tour, great place, horses, experienced staff, great ride. The Golden Circle Express however was not very enjoyable. The problem is with the 'Express'. All visits were too short especially the stop at Thingfellir where we had only 35 minutes to explore that vast area. Barely had time to visit the bathroom and no time to stop at refreshments/souvenir shop. Geyser and Gullfoss both had 50 to 55 minutes, but still felt too short. I didn't have time to finish my second bowl of the delicious meat soup at Gullfoss and had to abandon it to make to the bus on time.”

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11.Full-day Golden Circle & Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 11 hours · from $234

Start with a 1.5 to 2-hour ride at Laxnes Horse Farm, where an instructor matches you with an Icelandic horse. After time to warm up, join the bus for Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. English guidance, riding gear, Wi-Fi, and Reykjavík pickup are included.

“Love it and I will definitely come back again 😊”

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12.North Iceland: Horseback Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 2 hours · from $141

Ride for two hours with Lava Horses through North Iceland’s birch forest, black sand plain, mossy volcanic rocks, river, and small lake. Guide Audrey is especially patient with beginners, while experienced riders can try the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt. The small group has no more than seven people.

“Great experience with Audrey! She took the time to talk to everyone and was super encouraging (we were all beginners). We all had a great time!”

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13.The Viking Horse Riding Experience in North Iceland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Ride for about 90 minutes with Hestasport near Varmahlíð, north of Akureyri. You’ll meet calm Icelandic horses, follow countryside tracks toward a waterfall, cross a river, and try the smooth tölt gait. Guides including Maddie, Lara, Franca, Felicia, Eli, and Franka help beginners feel at ease. Dress warmly and check in 20 minutes early.

“Lovely host and guide , stunning nature and mostly wonderful horses ……….. We really had a super nice ride and can’t recommend this trip enough . For sure we will file back given the opportunity - perhaps now we have tried the winter ride it would be nice to come back and experience in the summer”

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14.Hveragerdi: Countryside Charm Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 34 reviews · 1 hour · from $96

Meet friendly Icelandic horses at Eldhestar’s Vellir farm, learn the basics with an English-speaking guide, then ride for one hour along paths through meadows and farmland near Ölfus. No riding experience is needed. Guides such as Stella and Anna have earned praise for their patient, caring approach.

“Oppaat olivat aivan ihania ja kierros todella mukava! Hevoset olivat suloisia. Ei todellakaan haitannut, että minulla ei ollu aikaisempaa kokemusta ratsastamisesta. Tämä oli koko matkani kohokohta!”

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15.Family Friendly Horse Riding Tour in Skagafjörður

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $90Best value

You’ll ride an Icelandic horse for about an hour from Hestasport in Varmahlíð, following small trails, ridges, streams, and river crossings through Skagafjörður. Guides match horses to your experience, supervise the group, and explain the animals. Gear rental and a hot drink are included. Maximum group size is eight.

“It was the best thing we’ve done on the trip and the tour guides were amazing! All of us in the group Highly recommend!”

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