A two-hour ride that feels like a day. I love how this Siggi Tour takes you off the main roads on a sturdy Icelandic horse, with a real mix of scenery like green forest and geothermal country. You also get an English-speaking guide who explains how these horses and Icelandic traditions shaped local life.

My other favorite part is the setup. You get helmets and waterproofs, plus free pickup and drop-off so you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time enjoying the ride. The only real catch is weather, because the experience requires good conditions, so plan to stay flexible if the forecast turns.

Key things to know before you ride

• Helmet and waterproof gear included, so you are not stuck shopping for rainy-day protection
• English-speaking guide to help you understand both the route and Icelandic horse history
• Free pickup and drop-off, a big time saver if you are visiting from Reykjavík or staying nearby
• Max group size of 50, which keeps things organized for a ride this short
• Weight limit 120 kg, so check this first if you are unsure
• Designed for most travelers, with instruction that supports both experienced and new riders

Entering Iceland’s horseback route from Hótel Eldhestar

The experience starts at Hótel Eldhestar, and you end back at the same meeting point. That sounds simple, but it matters because it keeps the day from feeling like nonstop transport. With free pickup and drop-off offered, you can show up, get kitted out, and jump into the ride without a stressful self-drive plan.

This is a short tour, about 2 hours total. That means you are getting a focused slice of South Iceland, not a full-day saga. The upside is you can pair it with other nearby sights, and you are not locked into a long schedule.

One more practical detail I appreciate: it is run by Eldhestar horse riding, and your ticket is mobile. That reduces paper hassle, especially in the field where you might be managing phones, layers, and camera gear.

Gear and safety: helmets, waterproofs, and confidence on horseback

Horseback riding in Iceland can be cold and wet even when you think it is mostly fine. I like that this tour includes helmets and waterproofs, because it removes a lot of guesswork. You still need to dress in layers underneath, but you are not showing up hoping your jacket will hold up.

Safety also feels built into the way the ride is run. The experience is described as safe, and the tour highlights helmet and waterproof use as part of the standard kit. For nervous first-timers, this is exactly what you want to hear, because gear is only half the story. The other half is how the guide manages the horses and the pace.

If you are new to riding, go in expecting instruction and hands-on care. The tone around the experience is supportive, including for riders with less experience. If you take that to heart, you will have an easier time settling into the motion and focusing on balance instead of worrying you are holding anyone back.

Riding the Reykjafjall slopes and spotting that rare green forest

Once you are on board, the route is built around variety in a relatively short time. You first ride up a hill on good riding trails, then you move along the slopes of Reykjafjall (often described as Reykjafell in the tour overview). This is the part where you start to feel the rhythm of Icelandic riding, steady but not rushed.

Then comes one of the more surprising bits: a green forest, described as rare in Iceland. That matters more than it sounds. In Iceland, a lot of scenery is open, rocky, and windy. When you get a stretch of forest, it changes everything, from sound to temperature. You feel slightly sheltered, and your brain stops trying to read every rock formation for clues about the weather. It is a nice reset.

As you ride, your guide keeps the story moving and helps you connect what you are seeing to the bigger Iceland picture. You will be traveling across countryside on Icelandic horses, not just along a single stretch of trail. That variety is one reason a 2-hour ride can still feel like a mini adventure.

What you should watch for

• If the ground is damp, keep your eyes on footing rather than constantly looking around
• If you get motion-sick, bring a small fix like ginger or focus on the horizon early
• Take a moment to check how your waterproof gear fits before you start moving uphill

Hot springs above Hveragerði: colorful geothermal country and the 2008 earthquake

The ride then shifts into geothermal territory above Hveragerði, a town known as the hot spring capital of the world. The path passes many hot springs, and you also get the chance to see the geothermal area described as impressive and colorful.

Here is the history thread that makes this stop more than just a visual. The area changed dramatically during an earthquake in 2008, and it is described as constantly changing. That is one of those facts that helps you understand what you are seeing. Iceland is not a museum. Even when the road looks stable, the ground under it can still be active, reshaped by forces you cannot see.

After that geothermal section, the route continues along volcanic hills above the village. You get a sense of how Hveragerði sits between major natural features, with the description noting its location between volcano Hengill and the wide plains of the southern lowlands.

This is also a section where views matter. You get a nice view of Varmá (the route description mentions it directly), and the terrain starts to open up so you can look farther ahead. If you are the type who likes photos, this is where you will likely stop mentally and say yes, that is worth the camera pause.

A note on expectations

You are not walking through a museum walkway with tight railings. You are riding through active terrain. That is the point. Just be ready to feel the wind, and to notice smells that come with geothermal areas, since you are close to hot springs during parts of the route.

Why Icelandic horse history matters on a short ride

The tour is not only about scenery. It also includes learning about the history of Icelandic horses from your guide. That makes the experience feel more grounded, because you are riding animals that are closely tied to Icelandic culture and survival.

On a short ride, you might wonder how much you can learn without it turning into a lecture. What works here is that the information is tied to what you are doing. You are on the horse, seeing how the trail and pace work, so the guide has an easy way to explain why these horses are suited for Iceland.

That matters if you are not an expert. You do not need background knowledge to enjoy this part. Even if all you care about is the views, understanding the horse gives you a better appreciation of why the ride feels the way it does, steady and sure-footed in ways that are hard to fake with the wrong breed.

Time, group size, and what a 1.5 to 2-hour tour really feels like

The overview says 1.5 to 2 hours, and it is listed as 2 hours (approx.). In practice, with short rides, you are usually dealing with a few time blocks: arriving, gearing up, getting assigned to a horse, then the ride itself. You should plan for the day to feel like a compact activity, not a long wandering outing.

Group size is capped at a maximum of 50 travelers. That number sounds big until you remember the ride is time-limited and horses move in a controlled way. Still, it is good to know the tour is not a private one-person adventure. If you want total silence and space, this may not be your best match.

That said, the experience is built as a guided ride through varied areas. In other words, it is not just you and the trail. You get route leadership and a calm structure, which is exactly what makes a short horseback ride work for most people.

Price and value: what $134.15 buys you in Iceland

At $134.15 per person, this is not a budget activity. So the real question is whether it delivers value beyond paying for a horse.

Here is what you get that supports the price:

• Gear included: helmets and waterproofs. That can save money and effort.
• Pickup and drop-off included: you are not trying to time a drive, navigate unknown roads, or waste daylight in transit.
• An English-speaking guide: guidance plus education about Icelandic horse history.
• A variety route in a short window: forest, geothermal hot springs, and views above Hveragerði.

You are also paying for the animal care and the logistics of running a guided ride. Horseback tours always have a cost structure that includes training, tack, stabling, and safety supervision. For many people, that is the hidden value, because it turns what could be stressful into something that feels straightforward.

If you are trying to decide whether it is worth it, think like this: would you spend money on a guided tour if you had a limited time window in South Iceland? If the answer is yes, then this likely fits. If you are only looking for a photo walk, you might prefer a self-guided route. This ride is about motion, guidance, and animals, not just standing in scenic places.

Who should book the Siggi Tour, and who might want something else

This tour is a good match if you:

• Want a short horseback experience without committing to a full day
• Like guided explanations, especially about Icelandic horses and how they connect to local life
• Prefer a structured activity with helmets and waterproofs provided
• Want a route that combines forest and geothermal sights rather than staying in one type of terrain

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want total privacy or a tiny group
• Have concerns about riding in cold or wet conditions, and you do not cope well with weather changes
• Are above the weight limit of 120 kg

If you are a beginner, you do not have to pretend you know what you are doing. The experience is set up to teach and support, not just toss you on and hope for the best. That is especially important on uphill segments and during shifts from forest to geothermal areas.

Should you book the Siggi Tour?

I recommend booking the Siggi Tour from Reykjavík-area access if you want an efficient, guided horseback ride that hits multiple South Iceland highlights in about 2 hours. The value hinges on the included gear, the free pickup and drop-off, and the fact that the tour is designed to work for both experienced and new riders.

Book it when the weather forecast looks stable, because good conditions are required. If you hate surprises and poor forecasts ruin your mood, plan a flexible day around it. But if you are up for a real Iceland experience, with horses, trail riding, and hot-spring country you cannot reproduce on foot in the same time, this is the kind of activity that makes your trip feel more lived-in than just scenic.

FAQ

How long is the Siggi Tour?

It is listed as about 2 hours.

Do they offer pickup and drop-off?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included.

What gear is provided for the ride?

Helmets and waterproofs are included.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The weight limit is 120 kg.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.