Red lava and Icelandic horses are a short drive from Reykjavik. I love the beginner-friendly approach that pairs you with the right horse, and I love that you can try the famous tölt gait during the ride. The tradeoff is that weather and trail conditions matter a lot, so icy days can feel less carefree.

This is built as a small-group ride (up to 15), and you get options that actually help if your day in Reykjavik is tight, like morning or afternoon timing plus door-to-door pickup from hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus Terminal.

Key things that make this ride worth it

• Horse matching first, so you’re not just handed any saddle and told good luck
• Small-group routes that change with rider experience, including smoother Redhills paths
• Real Iceland scenery on your doorstep, with lava hills and a 5,000-year-old volcanic story
• Tölt time is realistic, not just a theory in a brochure
• Warm-up after the ride, including tea and coffee when weather turns
• Dress-for-weather guidance, with rain clothing and winter overalls provided

How close this Reykjavik horseback ride feels

Reykjavik is a small city, so this tour’s biggest advantage is the convenience. You meet at Solhestar Horse Rental Reykjavík at Surtlugata 19, and then you’re out riding with only a short transfer before you’re actually on the horses.

The timing is also flexible. Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for a 9:30 start, and afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for a 13:30 start, with pickup beginning about 30 minutes before departure. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes, so I’d still plan to be ready early.

Solhestar prep: getting kitted out and matched to your horse

Your tour begins at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, where you’ll spend about 30 minutes getting ready. This is the part that matters more than people expect, because you’ll be outfitted and paired based on your comfort and experience.

You’ll have rain clothing and winter overalls available, which is a big deal in Iceland’s wind and mix-and-match weather. The guides also take time to find the perfect match of a horse for you, and that one step can turn a ride from stressful into fun.

A couple practical tips from real-world ride notes: wear good socks, and if you have ski gloves, bring them. Even with provided gear, hands can get cold and wet, and windy conditions can make you feel it faster than your body expects.

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: lava hills and a 5,000-year-old volcanic story

After you’re mounted, you head toward Heiðmörk Nature Reserve for about an hour. This is where the scenery becomes more than just “pretty hills,” because you get a simple explanation of what you’re seeing: lava hills and the history of a volcano about 5,000 years old.

It’s also a nice change of pace from Reykjavik’s city energy. Riding here lets you see how the terrain shapes movement, which you can feel through the horse’s steps and your own balance on the saddle.

One drawback to keep in mind: this type of riding is always weather-dependent. In late fall or when you get light snow and ice, traction can be reduced, and you may need to lean into a more cautious rhythm.

Rauðavatn stop: a forestry clue from early 20th-century Iceland

At Rauðavatn, the tour adds a historical layer that’s easy to miss if you only stick to waterfalls and museums. This stop focuses on the first steps of forestry in Iceland, taken at the beginning of the 20th century.

Think of it as a “side quest” that adds context while your ride is still moving. You’re not sitting around for long, but you are learning why this part of Iceland looks the way it does.

Hólmsheiði: your actual ride time and the two route options

The most popular part is the ride through Hólmsheiði. This is the section that usually makes people smile, because you’ll cover roughly 5 to 7 km depending on your group and your riding level.

You’ll either ride a smooth path along the Redhills route, or if your group includes more experienced riders, you may ride by Rauðarvatn. Both options keep you on natural riding paths with great settings, but the route choice is about comfort and control, not just distance.

You’ll be riding for about 1.5 to 2 hours, with the overall tour lasting about 2 hours 30 minutes. That timing is a sweet spot. Long enough to feel like a real outing, short enough that you can still plan the rest of your Reykjavik day without rushing.

Icelandic horses and the tolt gait you can actually try

The star here is the Icelandic horse. They’re known for being beginner-friendly, and that shows in how calm and easy many riders find the horses during the outfitting and mounting stage.

What you should look forward to is the tolt, a special Icelandic gait. In practice, the guides create opportunities for riders to experience it, at varying speeds based on comfort and skill. If you’ve seen tolt videos and wondered if it’s real, this is one of the more direct ways to find out.

A small heads-up on riding feel: reviews mention that the saddle setup can feel different, and one rider noted the English saddle changed their balance at first. If you’ve never ridden before, give yourself the first few minutes to settle in, then focus on keeping your body relaxed and your hands steady.

Guides, safety, and why the small group size matters

With a maximum of 15 travelers, you’re not getting herded into a line. You’re more likely to get closer attention and faster help if something feels off, especially at the beginning when everyone is getting outfitted and mounted.

You’ll also get ongoing instruction. Riders specifically note that safety tips continue during the ride, not just at the start, and that guides keep an eye on people who look unsteady.

Real names pop up in the guide praise, including Claudia and Klara. Even if you don’t know who you’ll get, the takeaway for your planning is clear: this operation seems to take personal guidance seriously, not only crowd control.

Price and value: is $139.13 a fair deal?

At $139.13 per person for about 2.5 hours, this ride sits in the “pay once, get a real memory” category. You’re not just paying for a trail, you’re paying for horse handling, pairing, and instruction, plus the convenience of pickup options.

You also get practical gear support. Rain clothing and winter overalls being available reduces the cost and hassle of buying Iceland-specific layers just for one activity. Warm drinks like tea and coffee after the ride are a nice bonus when the sky decides to do its own art project.

And you’re paying for time in the saddle. The ride portion is about 1.5 to 2 hours, which is a meaningful chunk. Short rides exist elsewhere in Iceland, so if you want a real horseback window, this one is built for that.

Pickup, meeting point, and the timing traps to avoid

The meeting point is Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stranded on the far side of town.

Pickup is offered, but you need to read your voucher carefully. Pickup starts 30 minutes before departure, morning pickup at 9:00 and afternoon pickup at 13:00, and pickup can take up to 20 minutes. If you’re not at the pickup point within 5 minutes after pickup starts, there’s a chance the booking can be canceled.

Also, the tour asks you to include a reachable phone number in your booking details that works in Iceland, so they can contact you at the last minute. I strongly recommend you actually test that number before the day of the tour, because Iceland cell coverage and roaming setups can be unpredictable.

What to wear for wind, rain, and slick ground

This tour is weather-dependent. The good news is that they provide rain clothing and winter overalls, but you still need to dress like you expect wind.

From the ride notes I’ve seen, dress warmer than you think, especially in colder months. One rider warned that it can be warmer than the forecast once you’re moving, but wind can still freeze you fast, so layers help. If you have ski gloves, bring them, since they can get wet and cold depending on conditions.

Also: assume wet is possible. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting damp. And if you’re worried about balance, choose the calmest pace you can comfortably manage and tell the guide during matching.

Who this tour is best for, and who should think twice

This is a strong fit for most people because it’s designed to work across experience levels. Beginners get clear support, and more experienced riders can be routed on longer or different paths around Rauðarvatn.

It’s also a good choice if you want to see red lava terrain without committing to a full day trip. You’re near Reykjavik, the tour runs about 2.5 hours, and you’re back in town afterward.

Who might want to plan carefully is anyone booking in seasons where you can get icy trails. One caution from an end-of-October ride described slippery footing and a stressful moment when footing looked uncertain. That doesn’t mean every icy day is the same, but it does mean you should be extra honest about comfort level and ask for a horse match that prioritizes calm, steady movement.

Should you book Red Lava Horse Riding from Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a real Icelandic horse experience close to Reykjavik, with small-group attention and a decent chance to feel the tolt. The mix of lava terrain, a 5,000-year-old volcanic context, and the short, friendly history stop at Rauðavatn makes it feel like more than just a ride in a field.

Skip, or at least rethink timing, if you’re very sensitive to slippery ground or you’re traveling during a period when snow and ice are likely. In those conditions, your comfort depends on trail traction and horse pairing, so choosing the right season and being upfront with your guide is your best insurance.

If you want one outing that’s scenic, hands-on, and not too long, this one is hard to beat.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour from Reykjavik?

The tour is about 2 hours 30 minutes total.

How long will I be riding?

You’ll ride for about 1.5 to 2 hours during the tour.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour meets at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik hotels?

Yes. Pickup is available from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus terminal.

What time does pickup start for the morning tour?

Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour start.

What time does pickup start for the afternoon tour?

Afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour start.

What kind of horses do you ride?

You ride Icelandic horses, and the tour is designed to match riders with a suitable horse.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is beginner-friendly and adapted for all experience levels.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes, the maximum weight is 110 kg.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.