A calm afternoon horseback ride near Reykjavik sounds simple, then you crest a hill and suddenly you’re staring out over volcanic mountains, lakes, and the city. I love that the tour matches you with a friendly horse based on your experience, so the ride feels comfortable right away. I also love the volcano payoff, especially the red lava rock field at Rauðhólar, which is visually stunning and easy to photograph.

The one thing to consider is weather. This ride runs rain or shine, so you need to dress for wet, chilly conditions even if the forecast looks decent. Guides like Cille and Viggó are there to keep things smooth, but your best move is coming prepared with warm layers, so you can focus on the ride, not shivering.

Key things to know before you ride

• Small-group format (up to 10) means more personal attention and easier horse matching.
• Beginner-friendly instruction includes a lesson and safety briefing before you head out.
• The tölt gait is often part of the ride, giving you a famously comfortable way to travel on Icelandic horses.
• Hólsmheiði forest plus Rauðhólar deliver two very different types of scenery in one afternoon.
• Photo stops with viewpoints help you slow down and enjoy the volcanic views.
• Hot tea or coffee with cookies back at the hosts home makes the whole thing feel cozy, not rushed.

Why an afternoon Reykjavik horse ride feels like the right kind of Iceland

This tour is built for people who want something active but not exhausting. You’re not driving deep into the interior, and you’re not trying to pack a whole day of sightseeing into one schedule. Instead, you get out to a farm outside the city, settle in, ride for about 1.5 to 2 hours, and return while you still have energy left for Reykjavik.

The big win is how close it is to town. The volcanic area you’ll visit is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, which matters. Iceland day trips can turn into long commutes fast. Here, you spend more of your time in motion on horseback and less time sitting on a bus.

Pickup, meetup at Crescent East Street, and meeting your horse

The experience starts with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area. Pickup begins between 13:30 and 13:45, so you’ll want to be ready at the lobby or the given pickup point. It’s a small thing, but it reduces stress, especially when Reykjavik can feel like a “slow start” city where everyone moves at once later.

After pickup, you’ll meet at 8 Crescent East Street for the start of the activity. That’s where the day’s pace sets: a focused, organized briefing, then you transition straight into riding prep. This is also where you’ll get acquainted with your horse.

Your horse selection is based on your previous riding experience, which is key. Icelandic horses can be very steady and friendly, but they still ride differently depending on temperament, gait comfort, and how used they are to new riders. Getting matched well is what turns a ride from a tense experience into one where you can actually enjoy the view.

The 45-minute safety briefing that makes everything calmer

You get a safety briefing for about 45 minutes, before you head into the hills. This isn’t a quick “stand here, don’t touch that” moment. You’ll be taught how to handle your horse, what to watch for, and what you should do once you start moving in a group.

For beginners, this matters because Icelandic riding includes a few concepts that are not always intuitive at first. The tour is suitable for riders with little experience, but you’ll still get real instruction. For experienced riders, it helps everyone line up on the same signals so the group moves smoothly.

This is also when you’ll likely go over basics like posture, holding the reins, and how to respond if your horse changes gait. The payoff is that you spend less time guessing and more time riding.

Your short lesson, your riding comfort, and the tölt experience

After safety, you go into the guided riding time, about 75 minutes with a guide. Before you head out, you’ll get a riding lesson suited to your comfort level. Then the tour leads you over hills around Reykjavik with scenery that keeps widening as you climb.

This is one of the best parts: you’re not just walking. You’ll get to ride tölt, the famous Icelandic horse gait that’s described as the fourth gait. In plain terms, tölt is often smoother than a normal trot, so it can be a way for you to enjoy speed and movement without the jarring bounce that makes some people feel tense.

If you’re hoping for more energy, you might also find moments where the ride picks up. The overall impression is that the horses are fun to ride and the guidance keeps things controlled. That balance matters in Iceland, where wind, rain, and uneven ground can make you focus whether you want to or not. Good teaching helps you relax.

And you’ll get a little cultural context too. During the ride, you’ll learn how Icelanders have traveled across the country for centuries using these horses. That connection turns the ride from a novelty into something you understand.

Hólsmheiði forest: a change of feel from open views

Once you’ve been over the hills and out through the wider volcanic area, you’ll move into Hólsmheiði forest. This section is valuable because it changes the rhythm. Open views are dramatic, but forest trails feel intimate.

In the forest, you tend to feel the pace of the horses more clearly, and you can better focus on rider basics like holding your line and staying relaxed. It’s also a good place for your brain to catch up after the big sky moments. You’ll go from “wow, I can see the whole area” to “okay, this is peaceful and skill-based.”

If rain is falling, forest cover can help a little, but you should still expect wet conditions. The good news is you’re provided rain clothes and a helmet, and you can control comfort with layers underneath.

Rauðhólar: the red lava rock stops that make the tour memorable

The most photogenic moment comes at Rauðhólar, a striking red lava rock field. You’ll ride out there and have a photo stop with scenic views on the way. The stop itself is about 10 minutes, which is short enough to keep the flow moving, but long enough to grab the shots you came for.

Why it’s such a strong highlight is simple. Iceland’s volcanic textures are already dramatic, but Rauðhólar adds a rare color hit. The red lava rock looks different than most greys and blacks you see on rock formations around the island. It makes the ride feel like you went somewhere special, not just around the outskirts of town.

You’ll also keep seeing views of mountains, lakes, and Reykjavik during the ride. Even when the weather is mixed, the high contrast volcanic surfaces make it hard to look away.

Back at the hosts home: tea, coffee, cookies, and a real decompression moment

After the ride, you return to Reykjavik and wrap up your evening. But before that, you get a small “reset” stop at Rauðhólar with coffee or tea for about 15 minutes, plus cookies.

This part is underrated. Iceland weather can swing fast, and even if you felt fine during the ride, your body cools down after you stop moving. Hot drinks turn the end of the tour into something you look forward to, not something you just endure until you get back to your hotel.

Also, eating on a schedule matters when you’re traveling. Having cookies and something warm helps you keep your energy up for the rest of your day in Reykjavik.

Price and value: what $188 buys you in real terms

At $188 per person for roughly a 3-hour tour experience (with pickup and total time closer to 3.5 to 4 hours), you’re paying for more than “access to a horse.”

You’re also getting:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik
• A safety briefing and a lesson
• Riding helmets and rain clothes
• A small group capped at 10 participants
• Hot beverages and cookies after the ride

In other words, this price covers the whole human side of Iceland horse riding: trained handling, instruction, and a guided route to the best nearby scenery. If you’ve ever tried to wing it with an activity like this, you know how quickly planning, gear, and horse-handling details turn into stress.

The value is strongest if you want a relaxed afternoon with real guidance and a clear payoff. If you’re looking for an all-day epic that goes deep into Iceland, this won’t be that. But for a near-town volcanic ride, the structure makes sense.

Who should book this, and who might prefer something else

This tour is a great fit if:

• You’re a beginner or have little riding experience and want confidence building
• You want comfort-focused riding, including tölt
• You care about volcanic scenery without committing to a long drive
• You prefer a smaller group environment where horses and guidance can be tailored

It may not be ideal if:

• You’re over 243 lbs (110 kg), because the tour is not suitable above that weight limit
• You’re traveling with a baby under 1 year
• You hate being outdoors in wet weather, since the ride happens rain or shine

If you’re traveling as a family, the setup is designed to support beginners, and the instruction format makes it workable for younger riders who can handle the basics during a lesson. The key is making sure your child can sit safely and comfortably through the ride and follow instructions while the group moves.

What to bring: warm clothing is the real checklist

The only specific requirement called out is warm clothing, and that’s the one you should take seriously. Rain or shine means you might end up wet through even with provided rain gear, depending on wind and the pace.

Here’s how I’d prepare:

• Wear warm layers that you don’t mind getting damp
• Bring gloves if you run cold, especially for stops when you’re not moving
• Use sturdy footwear with a good grip for uneven ground around the farm

You’ll get a helmet and rain clothes, which takes away the hardest gear decisions. Still, your comfort depends on what you wear under that layer.

Languages and group size, for easier communication

The tour guide is live and speaks English, German, and Icelandic, which is useful if you want to ask questions during the lesson or at stops. The group is limited to 10 participants, so you get enough space for a calm ride while still traveling as a group.

That small size is part of why this feels personal. It also helps the guide manage the pace, especially if beginners need extra time to feel settled.

Should you book Reykjavik’s Mjölnir afternoon horse ride?

If you want a straightforward way to experience Icelandic horses, with a comfortable gait like tölt and a volcanic stop at Rauðhólar, I think this is a smart pick. The mix of instruction, short scenic pauses, and warm drinks makes it feel like a complete experience, not just a ride-through.

Book it if you like:

• A small-group vibe
• Beginner support
• Volcanic scenery close to Reykjavik
• A relaxed afternoon that leaves you time for the rest of the day

Skip it if you want:

• A full-day tour
• A guaranteed dry experience
• A ride that works for riders above the stated weight limit

If you’re on the fence, my advice is simple: the combination of nearby volcanic scenery and beginner-ready instruction is exactly what this time of day is for.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding tour?

The tour experience lasts about 3 hours. The time in the saddle is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, and the total duration is about 3.5 to 4 hours when you include the rest of the tour time.

When does hotel pickup start in Reykjavik?

Pickup begins between 13:30 and 13:45. You should wait in the lobby of your hotel or at the given pickup location.

How big is the group?

The group is small and limited to 10 participants.

What’s included with the tour?

Included items are hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area, riding helmets and rain clothes, a riding lesson, hot beverages, and cookies.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It’s suitable for beginners and riders with little experience.

Does the tour run in rain or shine?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

What should I bring with me?

Bring warm clothing. You will be provided helmets and rain clothes, but dressing warmly underneath matters.

What languages are the tour guides available in?

The live tour guide speaks English, German, and Icelandic.

Is there any weight or age restriction?

It is not suitable for people over 243 lbs (110 kg). Babies under 1 year are also not suitable.