A short ride can change your Iceland view. The Siggi Horse Riding Tour is interesting because you get Icelandic horses, guidance geared to how you ride, and routes chosen for wind and weather. I especially like the chance to practice the tölt gait, and I like the scenery mix from meadows to lava ground, plus farmland along the way. One possible drawback is that it is only about 2 hours, so you will want to treat it as a focused outing, not a full afternoon adventure.

You ride in the countryside around Hveragerði and Ölfus with professional English-speaking guides, and you are not left guessing what to do. You also get the key gear, including helmet and weather protection, which matters when the wind picks up.

The route can take you across the river Varmá and through a lava field area, then end on good riding paths in nearby meadows south of the farm. You may even pass several farms and get a quick look at how agriculture has shifted over the past decades, not just a scenic photo stop.

Key things I’d focus on before you book

• Route choices based on wind and weather so the ride stays comfortable and scenic
• Icelandic horses with the special tölt gait you can actually feel under you
• Helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls provided, so you are not gambling on clothing
• River Varmá, lava field, and meadow trails in one 2-hour outing
• Pickups and drop-offs around Reykjavík make it easier if you are staying in the city

Price and what $132 buys you in real life

At $132 per person for a roughly 2-hour tour, this is not the cheapest activity in the Capital Region. The value comes from three things you would otherwise pay for separately: guided horse time with safety gear, the English-speaking instruction, and transportation from Reykjavík.

In Iceland, horse riding is one of those activities where the logistics can eat your day. Here, pickup and drop-off are built in from many Reykjavík-area points, including BSÍ main bus station, multiple bus stops, and select hotels. That means you can plan a tight schedule without renting a car or adding extra transit steps.

You also get riding and safety equipment: helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. That can save you from buying or scrambling for the right layers on short notice. If you already own hiking boots and a warm jacket, you are mostly covered.

If you are staying outside Reykjavík with your own transportation, the price may feel less “all-inclusive” because you might be able to reach a farm on your own. Still, the guided instruction and the Icelandic horses stay the main draw, and those do not get cheaper.

Where the ride starts: Reykjavík pickup that actually makes sense

The tour includes transfer to and from Reykjavík, with pickups tied to two start times: 8:00 and 13:00. Your ride will depart at those times, and you should plan to wait at your pickup point about 5 minutes early.

Pickup options are spread across the city. You may see stops such as:

• BSÍ main bus station
• Harpa area bus stops (examples include Bus stop #5)
• Pond area bus stop near Tjörnin (Bus Stop #2)
• Culture House area (Safnahúsið, Bus stop #6)
• City Hall area (Ráðhúsið, Bus stop #1)
• Several other bus stops including locations around Snorrabraut, Austurbær, Höfðatorg, and Vesturbugt

Look for a white or grey bus or van with the Eldhestar logo. This matters because in Reykjavík the streets and signage can confuse you, especially if the weather is changing fast.

If you hate time pressure, I’d still give yourself a cushion. Reykjavík can run smoothly, but weather and timing can be unpredictable in winter, and you do not want to be late to the meeting point.

Ölfus riding base: how the guide shapes your route

Once you reach the riding area near Ölfus, the whole experience becomes more than “sit on a horse and go.” The guides choose the best riding routes based on conditions like weather and wind. That is a big deal in Iceland. Wind can turn “pretty” into uncomfortable quickly, and mud can change trail footing.

The core ride setting is the farm’s surroundings. You may ride across the river Varmá, pass through a lava field area, and then finish on riding paths in the meadows south of the farm. Along the way, you get views of volcanic mountains and farmland, plus chances to observe working farms.

There is also a practical teaching component. The ride is a good opportunity to experience the Icelandic horse gait called tölt. In plain terms, your guide helps you settle into the rhythm so your body stops fighting the horse’s natural movement.

The scenery loop: Varmá river, lava field, and meadow trails

One reason this tour works well is that your scenery changes instead of repeating the same view for two hours.

Here is the typical “feel” of the route:

• You start moving through scenic countryside around the farm.
• You may cross or ride near the river Varmá, which adds that classic Icelandic water-and-fields contrast.
• You can pass through a lava field area, where the ground and visual texture shift from green meadows to volcanic rock tones.
• You finish on good riding paths in meadows south of the farm, so the ending feels smooth and open.

You are not just collecting views. Those different surfaces and trail types are part of why you get to experience the Icelandic horse’s movement in a more complete way. Lava-ground areas and meadow paths both demand attention from you, and the guide keeps things controlled and safe.

The route also has an educational angle. You may pass several farms and learn how agriculture has developed over the past decades. Even if that part feels like a quick roadside lesson, it makes the countryside feel lived-in, not like a set.

Learning the tölt: what to expect and how to help it click

The Icelandic horse tölt is famous for a reason. It’s a distinctive gait that can feel smooth once you match it. The best part of this tour is that it gives you a real chance to experience it, not just admire horses from a distance.

What you should know going in:

• The guide will help you with posture and timing so you can relax into the gait.
• You will likely spend time transitioning between normal riding moments and the moments where you experience the tölt more clearly.
• Weather and trail conditions can affect how often you practice, since route choices depend on wind and conditions.

For you, the goal should be comfort more than performance. If you try to control every movement, you will feel clunky. If you focus on a steady seat and listen to the guide’s cues, the tölt often becomes easier fast.

It also helps to wear comfortable clothing that lets you move. If your legs feel stiff, the horse gait can feel harsher than it needs to be.

Icelandic horse safety and first-timer comfort

Horse riding sounds simple until you’re actually on a living animal with its own pace and balance. This is where the tour earns its high rating.

The horses are described as well trained to take care of riders. That shows up in how the experience feels: you are guided through what to do, and you are not thrown into chaos. The guide support is a big reason people say they learn a lot about the horses and even get used to the tölt during the ride.

For first-time riders, the value is not that you become a horse expert in two hours. The value is that you leave understanding what to pay attention to, how the horse communicates, and what your body needs to do to ride comfortably.

For experienced riders, you still get the benefit of local instruction. Icelandic horses have their own feel, and Icelandic terrain is its own challenge, especially around lava fields and river areas.

What to wear, what to bring, and what to leave behind

This tour gives you a lot of the cold-weather protection. You still need to plan your personal layer system.

What to bring:

• Hiking shoes
• Comfortable clothes

You are also provided with:

• Helmet
• Rain gear
• Winter overalls

So you can keep your personal packing pretty simple. Still, make sure your shoes have decent grip. Lava terrain and wet patches can make footwear matter more than you expect.

Not allowed:

• Professional cameras
• Backpacks

Small waist bags are allowed. That is a smart option if you want your phone, a snack, or a lip balm without carrying a bag around.

If you are the type who likes to go heavy on photography, this is important. You can still use normal personal gear if it is allowed under their camera rules, but professional equipment is a no.

Duration reality: how the 2-hour plan feels on the ground

The tour is listed as about 2 hours total. Within that, you should expect 1.5 to 2 hours of actual riding.

That structure matters for your schedule. You are not going to be changing into gear at a walk-in pace. You will be moving from pickup to farm to riding time, and then back to Reykjavík.

It is also why this makes a great “one strong Icelandic afternoon” activity. You get a real experience with a clear time boundary. If you try to cram too much into that same window, the day can get stressful.

If you have a tight itinerary, I would treat this as either:

• a morning activity that lets you enjoy the rest of Reykjavík later, or
• an afternoon activity if you can keep dinner flexible after the ride.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip it

This is a good fit if you want:

• the chance to ride Icelandic horses
• guided instruction and safety support
• a route that includes river scenery, lava areas, and meadows
• an opportunity to experience tölt under real riding conditions

It may not be a fit if you:

• are traveling with children under 7 years old
• need wheelchair accessibility
• weigh over 264 lbs (120 kg)

Also, if you rely on a backpack for your day essentials, remember backpacks are not allowed. Plan for a small waist bag instead.

If you dislike cold, know that you are provided weather gear, but you should still dress smart. Iceland weather is part of the experience.

Small practical tips that help you enjoy the ride more

These are the kinds of details that make the difference between okay and great:

• Wear hiking shoes with traction, not slick sneakers.
• Bring clothing that stays comfortable even if the wind changes.
• Avoid a bulky bag plan. A small waist bag is your friend here.
• Pay attention to the guide instructions about how to sit and respond. For tölt, your relaxation matters.

One more thing: since routes depend on wind and weather, the “perfect” version of the route is never guaranteed. The upside is that the guides are working to get you the best available riding experience under the conditions.

Should you book the Hveragerði Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

I think you should book if you want a guided Icelandic horse experience that focuses on real riding time, safety gear, and the chance to feel tölt in the countryside near Hveragerði and Ölfus. The combination of river Varmá scenery, lava field terrain, and meadow trails makes this more than a basic trail ride. Add Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, and it becomes easy to fit into a short Iceland stay.

I would hesitate if you are looking for a half-day nature hike or a long ride lasting most of the day. This one is compact, about 2 hours total, and it is designed to be intense in quality, not long in duration.

If you want an authentic Iceland activity with good guidance and a high chance of leaving feeling like you truly understood the horses, this is a strong choice.