North Iceland: Horseback Riding Tour

The best part of this North Iceland horseback ride is the variety packed into two hours. You leave the farm for a river, cross a small lake, pass volcanic rocks and moss, cross a black sand plain, then return through a birch forest. That is a lot more interesting than circling a paddock.

I like the gentle Icelandic horses and the chance to try the tölt, a special four-beat gait that feels different from an ordinary walk or trot. I also like the small group, capped at seven, which gives guide Audrey or Anna time to help with horse selection and keep an eye on beginners.

The main drawback is practical: you must arrange your own transport to the farm, and two hours in the saddle can leave you sore. The tour suits riders with basic physical fitness, but it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone with animal allergies.

Key points at a glance

• Try the Icelandic horse’s tölt on a route designed for beginners and experienced riders.
• Cross a small lake and follow a river, with changing footing and scenery along the way.
• Ride over black sand and volcanic rock, then return through a natural birch forest.
• Expect personal guidance from staff such as Audrey, who has been praised for her patience and local stories.
• Ride in a small group of up to seven, a useful size for matching horses and offering basic instruction.
• Bring warm, weather-ready clothing, since rain, wind, cold, and even snow can appear during the ride.

Why this route feels like North Iceland in miniature

Many horseback rides give you one pleasant view and a steady loop back to the stable. This one has a stronger sense of movement. The route changes under your horse’s hooves, from farm fields to riverbank, water, lava, sand, and trees.

That variety gives you a good sample of northeastern Iceland without committing to a full-day riding trip. You are not spending the whole outing on a single open field. One minute you may be following a river, and later you are crossing a broad plain of black sand with volcanic rock and moss around you.

The scenery is not polished or arranged for visitors. It is working countryside and raw volcanic country together. In summer, cows graze in the fields. In autumn, sheep take their place. Those seasonal details help make the ride feel connected to the farm and the local way of life, rather than like a staged horse show.

Meeting the Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is central to the experience, not just a way to get from one view to the next. The tour is built around giving you time to enjoy the breed’s calm nature and distinctive movement.

You can try the tölt, a smooth gait for which Icelandic horses are famous. The exact amount of tölting will depend on the group, the horses, and conditions, but the chance is part of what makes this ride different from a standard beginner trail.

If you are new to riding, you should not feel that the tölt turns this into an advanced-only outing. The tour is specifically suitable for beginners with a basic level of fitness. Guides explain what you need to know, help you feel secure, and select horses with individual riders in mind.

That horse matching matters. One rider specifically found a horse named Lisa to be a perfect fit. You should expect the staff to consider your experience and comfort rather than simply handing out horses at random.

Experienced riders also have something to look forward to. You can enjoy the horse’s movement, the open route, and the different surfaces without being stuck on a slow indoor lesson. The tour aims to keep the experience approachable while still giving confident riders a taste of what the Icelandic horse can do.

Leaving the farm for the river

The ride begins at the farm and heads toward the river. Early in the route, you pass fields where cows graze during summer and sheep are present in autumn.

This opening section gives beginners time to settle into the saddle. You can get used to your horse, the reins, and the rhythm of the ride before the route becomes more varied. It is also a nice point for the guide to check that everyone is comfortable.

The river section brings a little more character to the ride. You follow the water for a while rather than simply crossing it and moving on. That makes the route feel less like a basic farm loop and more like a proper trail through the surrounding countryside.

The ground and weather can affect the pace. This is an outdoor riding tour in Iceland, so you should expect the guide to adjust things to the conditions and the ability of the group. The goal is not speed. The value comes from seeing the surroundings at horse pace, with time to look around.

Water, lava, and open black sand

A small lake is one of the route’s memorable features. You cross it on horseback, adding a little adventure without turning the ride into a demanding expedition.

The itinerary also takes you between volcanic rocks and moss. This is where the geology becomes especially visible. Iceland’s volcanic ground is not just something to view from a roadside lookout. Here, you move through it slowly, with your horse picking a way between the rocks.

The black sand plain creates a sharp change from the greener farm fields and wooded return route. You cross the broad plain before turning back toward the farm. Black sand can make a simple route feel much more dramatic, especially when set against volcanic stone and open sky.

One important point: this is not a sightseeing bus with guaranteed stops at named viewpoints. You are riding through the area, so your views depend on weather, pace, and the group. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a long photography stop at every scenic point.

Returning through the birch forest

The final section leads back through the farm’s natural birch forest. After the open black sand plain and exposed volcanic ground, the trees provide a quieter change of mood.

A birch forest in Iceland is not the same as a dense woodland in many other countries. The trees are part of the local character, and riding through them gives you a closer, more enclosed view of the area. It is a fitting way to finish a route that has already covered fields, river, water, lava, sand, and moss.

The forest also makes the return journey feel different from the outward trip. You are not simply retracing a straight path. The route has its own rhythm: leave the farm, follow the river, cross water and volcanic ground, open onto black sand, then come back through trees.

What the guides add to the ride

The guide can make or break a horse tour, especially for beginners. Audrey has drawn particular praise for being patient, encouraging, friendly, and attentive to each person in the group. That is useful if you are nervous or have never ridden before.

She also shares stories and small facts about the area. This gives the ride more meaning than a silent trip through pretty scenery. Anna has also been praised as an informative guide, especially for explaining the surroundings along the route.

You can expect English-language guiding. The staff provide a helmet and riding equipment, but you need to arrive wearing comfortable clothes and shoes. The basic equipment is included, but proper weather layers are your responsibility unless the operator happens to lend foul-weather clothing, as occurred for one particularly cold and wet outing.

The group limit of seven is a real advantage. A smaller group usually makes it easier for the guide to notice if someone is uncomfortable, answer questions, and keep the pace sensible. It also gives the operator more room to match horses to riders.

Is two hours enough?

For most visitors, two hours is a sensible length. It gives you a real trail ride with several types of scenery, but it does not take up an entire day in an itinerary already filled with Icelandic sights.

Beginners may appreciate the limit. Riding can be tiring in ways you do not notice until you dismount, and one rider reported feeling sore the next morning. Two hours offers a satisfying outing without committing you to a half-day in the saddle.

For experienced riders, the short duration may feel less generous. You will not have time for a long-distance ride or a full day of tölting. Still, the varied route makes the time count, and you get a taste of the Icelandic horse in a natural setting rather than a basic arena session.

Wear clothes that can handle wind, rain, and cold. Conditions have included heavy rain, strong cold, and even snow in places. Comfortable shoes are required, and you should arrive at least 10 minutes early so the staff can get everyone organized.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, this is not a bargain activity, but the price is reasonable if you want a guided ride with equipment, a small group, and a varied outdoor route.

The cost includes the two-hour ride, an experienced guide, a helmet, and riding equipment. It does not include food, drinks, or transport to and from the farm. That last point is important if you are staying far away or arriving by cruise ship. Reaching the meeting point can be awkward without a car, and you should solve that before booking.

You are paying for more than time on a horse. The staff need to prepare and match the horses, manage the group across several types of terrain, and guide riders with different skill levels. The small-group limit also helps explain the price.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a personal introduction to Icelandic horses and a short route with real scenery. It is weaker if you already have extensive riding experience and are mainly looking for a long, fast trail.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to first-time riders, families, couples, and confident riders who want a manageable introduction to Icelandic horses. The calm horses and patient instruction make it approachable, while the river, lake, black sand, lava, and birch forest keep it interesting for people who already know how to ride.

It is also a good choice if you want an outdoor activity that does not require a full day. You can spend two hours in the saddle and still have time for other North Iceland plans.

You should think twice if you have back problems, animal allergies, or a pregnancy. The tour also requires basic physical fitness, and you should be comfortable with the possibility of cold, rain, wind, and uneven ground.

The experience is best for people who accept that Icelandic weather controls the mood. On a clear day, you may get broad views and strong contrasts between black sand, moss, and sky. In poor weather, the same ride can feel tougher, though the scenery still has character.

Practical details before you book

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum of seven participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Iceland plans are still moving around.

Check the starting time before booking because availability varies. Plan your route to the farm carefully, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Bring comfortable clothing that suits the forecast, sturdy comfortable shoes, and enough layers for a sudden change in weather. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Food and drinks are not provided, so plan those separately.

Should you book the North Iceland horseback ride?

Book it if you want a friendly, small-group ride with more variety than a simple farm circuit. The combination of Icelandic horses, the tölt, river riding, a small lake, volcanic rocks, black sand, and birch forest gives you a memorable two-hour sample of northeastern Iceland.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to beginners, thanks to the patient guidance associated with Audrey and the careful horse matching described by riders. Experienced riders should book if they value scenery and the Icelandic horse more than speed or distance.

Skip it if arranging transport to the farm is difficult, if you need a long advanced ride, or if cold and wet weather would spoil the day. For everyone else, $141 is a fair price for a well-supported, highly varied outing that lets you see Iceland from the saddle.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

What landscapes do you ride through?

You ride through farm fields, along a river, across a small lake, between volcanic rocks and moss, over a black sand plain, and through a natural birch forest.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners with a basic physical shape, as well as advanced riders.

Can I try the Icelandic horse’s tölt?

Yes. Trying the tölt is included as part of the Icelandic horse experience, with the exact riding pace guided by the staff and conditions.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to seven participants.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the two-hour horseback riding tour, an experienced English-speaking guide, a helmet, and riding equipment.

Is transportation to the farm included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.