Want Iceland horses without a long day?

This short ride from Hestasport in Akureyri gets you to Reykjafoss for waterfall views and a focused photo moment near Brandgil canyon.

I love how the experience stays simple, quick, and well organized for a small group. You also get great scenery, including the step-like waterfall water rushing into Brandgil, plus time to take pictures with your horse close enough to get that classic photo angle.

One thing to consider: it runs outdoors and needs good weather, and the actual time on horseback is brief, so it is best if you want a highlight, not a full day on the trails.

Key highlights worth prioritizing

• Short duration with real payoff: about 30 minutes on the ride, built around one standout waterfall.
• Reykjafoss and Brandgil canyon views: you travel toward a dramatic drop where water pours into the canyon.
• Small group size (max 8): you get more attention and less waiting around.
• Photo-friendly setup: you can take pictures from a close, safe position near the canyon edge.
• Beginner-friendly coaching: guides teach the basics and help you feel steady.
• English available: clear instruction, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.

Short ride, big canyon views: Reykjafoss from Akureyri

This is a smart choice if you are in Akureyri with limited time but still want an Iceland memory that feels fully out of the ordinary. The ride heads toward Reykjafoss, a waterfall with that eye-catching look of water dropping down in steps. As you ride closer, the scenery shifts from open mountain country into a more dramatic canyon setting around Brandgil.

What makes this one feel special is the focus. Instead of a long, meandering route, you get a tight experience built around one destination and one viewpoint. You will also spend time looking out over the Skagafjörður mountain panorama, then angle toward a steep canyon edge for photos.

The timing is also a big part of the appeal. Even if the ride is listed at about 30 minutes, you should expect a longer total experience once you add check-in and the time needed to get ready. That is exactly why this works for couples, solo travelers, and families who do not want to spend half the day just getting to and from a trail.

Meeting at Hestasport Reception, Vegamót 560 Varmahlíð

Your day starts at Hestasport Reception, at the cottages and riding tours location on Vegamót 560, Varmahlíð. The tour begins there and ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easier to plug into your Akureyri schedule.

You will use a mobile ticket, so there is no need to fuss with printing. You should also plan around the fact that the group is kept small, with a maximum of 8 travelers. Small groups matter on horseback tours because you are not stuck waiting while someone else takes a long time to get ready.

The tour is offered in English, so you can follow instructions without guessing. Confirmation is provided at booking time, which helps you feel organized before you arrive in Iceland and start juggling multiple activities.

Your horseback route toward Brandgil canyon edge

The core experience is a short ride from Hestasport toward the waterfall area at Reykjafoss. Along the way, you get that mix Iceland does well: quiet moments with mountain views, then the gradual build toward something more powerful. In this case, it is the water rushing down the stepped drop into the canyon of Brandgil.

You will be guided to positions where you can get photos safely. The experience is designed around getting close enough for memorable pictures, including that fun idea of taking photos with your horse close to you, even between the ears. The goal is to give you images that look like you actually worked with the horse for the shot, not just snapped a quick picture from a distance.

There is also a safety-first approach built into how the ride is handled. One traveler noted that the guide taught the basics and even took the group to a safe area where you could trot. I would treat that as a possibility that depends on your comfort and the conditions on the day, but the key point is that guides do not throw you into a complicated ride.

Also, because this heads toward a steep canyon edge for photos, the experience is best when you are comfortable taking a steady stance and following instructions closely.

Photo-friendly moments with your horse near Reykjafoss

If you care about photos, this tour is set up for it. The experience explicitly builds in picture time, and it does not rely only on scenery from far away. Instead, you get a chance to photograph you and your horse in a way that feels personal and a bit playful.

The setting helps too. Reykjafoss is the kind of waterfall that photographs well because of the stepped flow, and the Brandgil canyon setting gives you those dramatic lines and depth. When you add the horse into the frame, the result looks distinctly Iceland, not just a generic animal-and-water shot.

I also like the idea of taking photos with your horse’s head and ears in the foreground. It is one of those details that makes the image look real, not staged. And since the ride is short, you spend more time at the photo moment and less time on transport or long stretches where you are waiting for the next viewpoint.

Quick note for your expectations: this is not an all-day photo expedition. It is a focused run to one waterfall, so if you want a longer sequence of stops and angles, you might prefer a longer ride. But if you want one strong photo set and a great story to bring home, this does the job.

Guides on the ground: Ellen’s riding basics, plus Amrei in winter

A good horseback tour is all about calm, clear guidance. In this case, the riding basics are taught, so you are not expected to magically know what to do. One traveler specifically mentioned Ellen, describing how she explained the essentials and made sure everyone understood the basics of riding before getting too far from the start.

Another traveler shared that during a quieter season in January, the experience felt organized, with Amrei guiding the group and keeping the ride enjoyable even for a small child who was a bit anxious at first. That detail matters. If you are bringing a child or you are not the most confident rider, you want an operator that can keep things predictable and friendly.

You should also notice the tone of the staff from the feedback: super helpful, accommodating, and focused on making the experience work for the whole group. That is a big deal on horseback tours because the ride is only part of the equation. Your comfort depends on how well they manage the pre-ride briefing, the mounting or positioning, and the flow during the ride.

How long it really feels, and how to plan your Akureyri day

The duration is listed at about 30 minutes, but plan your day as if the total experience may be closer to around an hour once you count the full process. That time buffer matters in Iceland where weather and timing can shift quickly, and it also helps you avoid the stress of running from activity to activity.

This is a great option when:

• You have limited time in Akureyri.
• You want a straightforward activity that does not eat your whole day.
• You are pairing it with other sights and need a controlled time slot.

It is also well suited for families who want a horse experience without committing to hours in the saddle. One review mentioned a 6-year-old who was thrilled, and another described the experience as an easy win for people who had only ridden a few times.

If you are someone who loves long rides, sweeping trails, and multiple waterfall stops, then this might feel short. But if you want a clean, memorable hit of Iceland scenery plus Icelandic horses, it is a solid match.

Price and value: what $90.12 buys in a small group

At $90.12 per person, you are paying for an organized horseback experience with a real destination. The value is not only the ride itself. It is the combination of:

• a guided route to Reykjafoss,
• time set aside for photos,
• English language support,
• small group size (max 8),
• and the fact that the operation is designed around a single, high-impact viewpoint.

For many visitors, the price feels reasonable because it is time-efficient. You are buying a focused adventure rather than a half-day commitment with lots of moving pieces. And since it is short, it reduces the chance that the day gets derailed by fatigue, long waiting periods, or complicated logistics.

Weather is the other pricing factor. This experience requires good weather. If Iceland decides not to cooperate, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That safety net helps protect your money and your schedule.

Practical tips before you go to the waterfall

Because this is a horseback ride, the biggest practical factor is being ready for instructions and consistent handling. The guides teach the basics, but you still need to listen carefully and follow directions the moment you meet your horse.

Here are a few smart things to plan for:

• Treat this as outdoors time. Iceland can shift fast, and the tour requires good weather.
• Expect the canyon area to be dramatic. You will be near a steep drop for photos, so keep your focus on the guide’s positioning and timing.
• If you want the best photos, be ready when the guide calls it. The photo moment is part of the planned flow, not an open-ended free-for-all.
• If you are new to riding, go in with the mindset that you are there to learn quickly. The guides provide the basics so you can ride confidently enough to enjoy the views.

If you are traveling with kids, this is one of the more workable options because the ride is short and the staff support the experience. Still, choose a calm day if you can, because the point is to keep things steady and enjoyable for everyone.

Should you book this Reykjafoss horseback photo stop?

If your goal is a fast, guided horseback experience with Icelandic horses and a clear payoff, I would book it. This is especially attractive if:

• You want Reykjafoss and Brandgil canyon scenery without spending all day.
• You like the idea of getting close for photos, including that close, creative shot angle with your horse.
• You prefer a small group environment where the guide can give hands-on help and keep things organized.
• You want English-speaking guidance and a straightforward route.

I would think twice if:

• You want a long riding day with lots of changing trail scenery.
• Weather is looking unstable and you would be disappointed if the tour gets rescheduled.
• You feel uneasy with the idea of standing and taking photos near a steep canyon edge, even with guidance.

For many visitors, this tour hits the sweet spot: short enough to fit a packed itinerary, but scenic and photogenic enough to feel like a real Iceland highlight.

FAQ

How long is the horseback tour to Reykjafoss?

The ride is listed at about 30 minutes, and the experience typically feels like a short, guided outing overall.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Hestasport Reception at the cottages and riding tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland.

What waterfall does the ride go toward?

The ride goes toward Reykjafoss.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $90.12 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.