Tölt on Icelandic horses feels oddly smooth. This 2-hour Ishestar ride from Reykjavik blends Icelandic horses with coaching that helps you find the tölt fast, plus lava-field scenery that looks like nowhere else on earth. I also love how the guide sizes you up at the start and keeps the pace comfortable by matching you to the right group. One catch: you must be able to mount the horse yourself from the ground, since there is no mounting block.

If you’re choosing between a morning and afternoon departure, you’re basically choosing your light and weather odds. You’ll get provided riding gear, then head out with the instructor behind you, with group splits after you’re riding so beginners, intermediates, and more experienced riders all get a ride that fits. If bad weather cancels the tour, you will either switch dates or get a full refund.

Key highlights at a glance

• Real tölt coaching so you can feel that famous four-beat gait, not just sit and hope
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 30 riders and ability-based splitting
• Lava field and moorland scenery with volcanic mountains and lakes along the route
• Weather-ready gear including rain gear and warm overall clothing
• Warm drinks after your ride (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate) to finish strong

Reykjavik pickup and the ride start you will actually use

This tour is built around Reykjavik convenience. You can choose a ride option with pickup from select Reykjavik locations, but you must pre-book it as part of your tour selection. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, you are asked to contact the operator so they can find the nearest pickup point.

Your meeting point is Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. Even with pickup, it is worth reading your exact pickup point closely, since pickup can be from a nearby bus stop instead of right outside your lodging. You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which keeps the start simple when you are juggling flight times and changing daylight.

If you drive yourself, plan to arrive at the stables 30 minutes before your start time. That time buffer matters in Iceland, where parking, weather, and getting kitted up can take longer than you expect.

Gear, shoes, and staying warm when the wind changes its mind

The stables provide a full layer of help so you can focus on riding, not shopping. You are given helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall. That gear is a big part of the tour value, because it removes the risk of realizing you brought the wrong layers when the wind picks up.

A practical tip from riders who have done this: wear gear you do not mind getting ruined. You should expect mud and wet surfaces, and those provided rubber boots can save you, but your regular shoes may still get dirt on them before you swap into boots. Also, Icelandic wind can make cold creep into the small gaps, so a hat or ear protection can be helpful if you run hot or cold easily.

One rule to note: used riding gear is not allowed on the tour or near the horses. It sounds fussy, but it is also about keeping the horses comfortable and clean, and it protects everyone.

Finally, this is an outdoor activity that depends on conditions. The tour does require good weather, and if it cannot run safely due to weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

The horses and why the tölt feels different

Icelandic horses are not just a cute novelty. They are known for the tölt, a four-beat gait that can feel smooth even on rough ground. That matters in Iceland because your trail can cross lava fields and moorland where a standard walk or trot might bounce you around.

Before you ride, you meet the instructor and they assess your ability level. You will be grouped as a beginner, intermediate, or experienced rider. Then you watch a short instructional video, suit up in the provided gear, and hop into the saddle.

From there, the goal is not just to move forward. You learn how to ease your horse into the tölt. That is the key skill on this tour. Once you get it, the ride goes from sightseeing to a real riding experience, where your position and cues matter.

The tour also includes learning about the horses themselves, including their Viking-era roots. Icelandic horses are described as descendants of horses brought to Iceland in the 10th century, and that history becomes part of why the tölt is such a signature feature here.

What the 2-hour experience actually feels like on the trail

Even though this is short, it does not feel rushed. You start at the stables, get trained, then ride with your instructor leading. Soon after you are riding, the instructor splits you into groups based on what they observed and how you’re handling the gait and pace.

Once you’re underway, you pass through scenery that looks built for photos: lava fields and moorland, with volcanic mountains and lakes in the distance. It is a mix of open views and rugged terrain, and that variety is what makes the ride more than a loop around the barn.

The route and pace depend on your group. Beginners ride slowly over easier terrain. Intermediates and experienced riders handle more challenging routes and different paces. You can tell the instructor if you want to go slower or faster, which helps if you are between levels or you are easing into the saddle.

Expect the ride to be guided and active. You are learning, not just touring. When it works, that makes the 2 hours feel like a highlight, not a checkbox.

Group splitting that keeps safety and fun in balance

This is one of the most important parts of the experience, because it changes how the ride feels for everyone.

After the initial riding phase, the instructor divides riders into the three ability categories. That means beginners are not stuck behind faster riders, and advanced riders are not forced to slow down for the whole group. The goal is simple: match effort to experience.

There is also the human factor. You’re not just “another name on a list.” You get coached, then you get sorted, and you have clear guidance for pace. The tour is capped at 30 riders, which helps the operation feel controlled rather than chaotic.

Safety is handled through instruction and grouping, and this matters more than you might think if you have ridden before or you have not. Also, you must be able to mount the horse from the ground on your own. If you need help stepping up, this could be a problem.

After your ride: warm drinks and a quick reset

When you finish the trek, you do not just mill around and leave. You get a real cooldown moment at the stables with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It is a small detail, but it is also smart for Iceland, where you can go from winded and cold to calm and warm fast.

You will also have time to notice the horses up close again and take in how well cared-for they are. That “after” part is part of what makes the experience feel complete, especially if this is your first horseback day in Iceland.

Price and value: why $133 feels fair for what you get

At $133.02 per person, this is not a bargain-basement activity. But you are paying for more than just time on a horse.

Here is what is built into the cost:

• Instruction before you ride, including learning how to ease into the tölt
• Equipment: helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall
• A guided trek on Icelandic terrain with ability-based pacing
• Warm drinks at the end (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate)
• Option for pre-booked pickup from select Reykjavik points

That combination adds up. You save time and money not having to rent proper gear, and you get the real Icelandic horse experience with gait coaching, not a generic trail ride where you are mostly passive.

Also, the operation limits group size to 30 riders. Smaller groups usually mean fewer issues with pacing and instruction.

One more value angle: booking earlier helps. The tour is typically booked about 41 days in advance on average, which is not a guarantee, but it suggests this is a popular plan during the season.

Who this suits best, and who should rethink it

This tour is ideal if you want hands-on nature time and a real riding experience, not just a quick photo stop. It is especially good for people who like the outdoors and want to see lava fields and moorland up close, while still getting guidance and structure.

You will likely enjoy it if:

• You want to try the tölt and you are open to learning cues
• You want a pace that fits your ability level, with group splitting
• You do not want to worry about Iceland weather gear, since it is provided
• You prefer a guided activity that lasts about 2 hours

You should rethink booking if:

• You cannot mount the horse yourself from the ground
• You exceed the 110kg/240lbs weight limit
• You are under 7 years old
• You are pregnant, because pregnancy is listed as not allowed due to possible harm to unborn children
• Your physical fitness is not moderate enough for riding and handling uneven terrain

If you have kids, the rules matter: children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and up to two children or youth can ride with each adult paying full fare.

Should you book this Icelandic horseback tour from Reykjavik?

My take: if your ideal Iceland day includes horses, views, and a guided experience that teaches you something, this is an easy yes.

Book it if you want tölt coaching, a short but meaningful ride through lava and moorland, and gear support so you can enjoy the day even when Iceland weather gets moody. The ability-based splitting is a big deal, because it keeps the ride fun for beginners and more adventurous riders alike.

Skip it if mounting from the ground is not realistic for you, or if your schedule is too tight and you cannot handle the chance of weather cancellations. Also, if you are hoping for a long hiking style trek, this is more “ride focused” than “all-day explore.”

If you do book, plan for wind, dress with practicality in mind, and treat the instructor’s guidance as the point. That is when the ride clicks, and the tölt feels like magic instead of work.

FAQ

Do I need to choose pickup in advance?

Yes. Pickup must be pre-booked, and you should select a tour option that includes pickup. Pickup is only from selected Reykjavik locations, and if your hotel is not listed you need to reach out to confirm the nearest pickup point.

How long is the horseback riding experience?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What does the tour include?

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are included, along with helmets, rubber boots, rain gear, and a warm overall.

What are the age and weight limits?

The minimum age is 7 years old. The weight limit is 110kg/240lbs. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can pregnant women ride?

No. Pregnant women cannot ride on these tours due to possible harm to unborn children.

What is the cancellation rule?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.