Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour Including Pick Up from Reykjavik

Iceland’s famous horses are small, sturdy, and wonderfully calm. This half-day outing from Reykjavik takes you just 15 minutes into the countryside for a guided ride across open fields, lava areas, streams, and mountain-backed scenery. I like the easy city pickup and the care taken to match each rider with a suitable horse. I also like that complete riding gear is provided, a major help in Iceland’s cold, wet weather. The main consideration is that this is a guided trail ride, not a riding lesson or a fast, open gallop.

The tour suits complete beginners, children from age seven, and riders with more experience who want to try the Icelandic horse’s special tölt gait. You may cross a creek and have chances to trot or tölt, but the pace depends on the group and the horses. If you have bad knees or a sore back, the saddle time may be demanding.

Key points to know before booking

• A short trip from Reykjavik: The farm is about 15 minutes outside the city, so you get a taste of rural Iceland without giving up most of your day.
• Warm clothing is supplied: Helmets, boots, gloves, rain gear, and winter snowsuits or coveralls help protect you from wind, mud, rain, and snow.
• Good for first-time riders: The horses are calm, the staff helps with mounting, and the horses generally follow one another along the trail.
• A real Icelandic horse experience: The ride can include streams, lava fields, mountain views, and a chance to feel the tölt, a smooth gait unique to Icelandic horses.
• Family-run atmosphere: Laxnes Horse Farm has operated since 1968, and the owners and staff are closely involved in the experience.
• Plan around pickup time: Collection begins one hour before departure and can take up to 20 minutes, especially when several hotels are involved.

From Reykjavik streets to Laxnes Horse Farm

The day begins with pickup at your Reykjavik hotel or guesthouse. This sounds simple, but you need to read the pickup instructions closely. Several central hotels sit in Reykjavik’s no-pickup zone, so you may be directed to a nearby bus stop or another approved meeting point. The operator sends updated instructions when needed.

Pickup starts one hour before the scheduled departure. The actual drive to the farm takes only about 15 minutes, but the early collection window allows time to gather everyone. I would not schedule a tight museum visit, airport transfer, or cruise departure immediately after the ride.

Cruise-ship passengers can be collected at the main port terminal. That makes the outing useful on a port day, though you should allow enough time for transport and return. One particularly helpful arrangement described by a rider involved pickup from a hotel and drop-off at the ship, even after hotel plans changed.

The farm’s setting is part of the appeal. You leave the city quickly and reach a working horse property with mountain views and open countryside. Laxnes is a family-run farm dating from 1968, and that long connection gives the place a lived-in feel rather than the atmosphere of a temporary tourist setup.

Getting fitted for the ride

At the farm, staff provide the basic equipment. Expect a helmet, riding boots, gloves, and waterproof outerwear. In winter, snowsuits or warm coveralls may be supplied. This matters in Iceland, where a bright morning can turn cold and wet before you return.

The coveralls are especially useful because trail riding can be muddy. They also let you wear ordinary travel clothes underneath instead of packing a full riding wardrobe. Some riders use the provided boots, while others wear suitable boots of their own. A boot with a small heel is useful for riding, but the farm supplies equipment as needed.

Before choosing horses, staff ask about your riding background. You do not need to be an experienced rider. A first-time adult can be matched with a dependable horse, while a more confident rider may receive a horse with a little more energy. The same approach works well for families. An eight-year-old beginner can ride a gentle mount while an adult receives a horse suited to an amateur level.

The horses are relatively short compared with many riding horses. That makes mounting less intimidating, especially for children, and staff can give you a boost if you need one. Even so, this is still an active experience. You need enough balance and mobility to mount, sit in the saddle, and handle several hours of transport, changing weather, and uneven ground.

A beginner-friendly trail ride

Instructions are brief and practical. You learn the basic controls, how to sit, and how to follow the group. If you are hoping for a private lesson with detailed coaching, this is not the right choice. The horses know the trail and usually travel in a line, which keeps the ride manageable for people who have never handled a horse.

That simplicity is a strength for many people. You can focus on the scenery, your horse, and the feel of the ride instead of worrying about complicated commands. Guides remain nearby to help with mounting, dismounting, and any moments when a rider needs extra support.

The horses are the heart of the outing. Icelandic horses are compact, hardy animals bred for Iceland’s conditions. They are also known for their distinctive tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that can feel steadier than a conventional trot. The exact amount of tölt or trotting depends on the group, the guide, and the horses that day. You should not book this tour expecting a guaranteed fast ride.

The ride itself lasts a good portion of the three-and-a-half-hour outing, with transport and preparation included in the overall time. One rider found the trail longer than expected, while others appreciated having plenty of time in the saddle. That difference comes down to personal comfort. If you love horses, the length is a benefit. If your knees, hips, or back are sensitive, it may feel like a long session.

Streams, lava fields, and mountain views

The countryside around the farm gives the ride its sense of place. You may pass through open country, beside streams, and across a creek. Some rides include river or creek crossings, which add a small adventure without making the outing extreme.

Mountain views frame parts of the route, and snow can cover the peaks in colder months. Lava fields and old stone or open ground help you picture the stark setting in which Icelandic horses have worked and lived for generations. The scenery is not a distant postcard viewed through a coach window. You are moving through it at horse speed, with time to notice the weather, the footing, and the quiet.

Weather can change the character of the outing. A clear sunrise ride may offer crisp light and broad views. Snowfall can make the farm look especially striking, while rain and wind call for the waterproof gear provided by the farm. The ride requires good weather, so poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Pack warm layers even if coveralls are supplied. Several people found the ride cold, especially around hands and feet, and recommended hand and foot warmers in winter. Waterproof layers help, but warm socks and gloves still make a difference. The farm provides protective clothing, not a guarantee that you will feel cozy in every Icelandic storm.

The horses and the people behind the farm

Laxnes feels personal because the owner and family are closely involved. Pickup may be handled by the owner, who can share details about the farm and its long-running family connection. At the stables, staff help with equipment, horses, and mounting rather than leaving you to work everything out alone.

The horses are treated as working animals, not just photo props. They are described as gentle, well cared for, and full of individual character. Some are quiet and steady for beginners. More spirited horses may be available on request, though the final match depends on safety and the group.

That careful matching is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A confident adult and an absolute beginner can ride together without forcing both onto the same kind of horse. Children can also take part, provided they are at least seven and accompanied by an adult.

The guides keep the ride calm and orderly. Their role is not to deliver a long lecture about Icelandic culture. Instead, they help you ride safely, keep the group together, and enjoy the route. If you want technical riding instruction, ask about it before booking, since the standard outing focuses on a guided trail ride.

Coffee, cocoa, and a warm finish

After the ride, you return the equipment and head indoors. Hot coffee, tea, or cocoa and a pastry are often provided, giving you a welcome chance to warm up. After a winter ride, this simple finish may be as appreciated as the scenery.

The warm room also gives you time to see the farm at a slower pace. You may have seen the horses working on the trail, but around the stables you can appreciate their size, markings, and different personalities. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with the family and staff making time for basic questions and goodbyes.

The snack is not a full meal, so eat before the tour if you need something substantial. The ride takes energy, and the cold can make you feel hungrier than expected.

What the $152.37 price includes

At $152.37 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Reykjavik. The price makes more sense when you count the transport, horse, guide, helmet, boots, waterproof or winter clothing, and the roughly three-and-a-half-hour commitment.

You also avoid arranging a rental car or finding your own way to a farm. For a short stay in Reykjavik, that convenience has real value. The countryside is close enough for a half-day outing, yet far enough to feel separate from the city.

The value is strongest if you want an authentic horse experience rather than a quick photo stop. You get time to ride, not just time to pet a horse. The family-run setting and access to Icelandic horses add something that a generic urban activity cannot provide.

The price is less attractive if you already ride regularly and want long stretches of independent trotting or galloping. The group can include beginners, and the horses generally follow a line. In that case, look for a longer or more advanced riding program instead.

The group size is capped at 15 people. That is large enough to keep the tour affordable, but small enough for guides to manage the riders and horses. A quieter experience may be possible on a less busy departure, but the standard group size can vary.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to families, first-time riders, casual horse lovers, and anyone who wants an easy countryside trip from Reykjavik. Children age seven and older can join with an adult, and the calm horses make the activity approachable for people with little or no riding background.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can be an amateur rider while another is a complete beginner, since horses are selected to suit different abilities. Experienced riders should tell staff about their preferences, but they should still expect a controlled group ride.

You may want to skip it if you have serious knee or back trouble, dislike cold weather, or want a formal lesson. The ride is active, the conditions can be muddy or chilly, and the instructions are intentionally short.

Book at least several weeks ahead if your schedule is fixed. The experience is often reserved around 43 days before departure, which suggests that popular dates can fill early. Leave room in your plan for the pickup window and changing weather.

Cancellation and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time, with a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

The operator can cancel for poor weather because safe riding depends on conditions. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Children must be with an adult, the minimum age is seven, and the maximum group size is 15.

Do not arrive intoxicated. For safety, the operator can refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, and that refusal does not qualify for a refund.

Should you book the Laxnes horseback ride?

Book it if you want to meet Icelandic horses properly, ride through rural scenery, and enjoy a well-organized outing without renting a car. The gentle horses, careful matching, warm clothing, helpful staff, and hot drink afterward make this a strong choice for beginners and families.

Think twice if your main goal is speed or advanced riding. This is a calm, guided trail ride with a mixed-ability group, not a private lesson or a galloping adventure. For most visitors, though, the chance to cross a creek, pass lava fields, feel the tölt, and return to Reykjavik in half a day makes the $152.37 cost reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

Pickup is offered from hotels or guesthouses in Reykjavik. Some central hotels are in a no-pickup zone, so you may receive instructions for a nearby location.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes, including pickup, transport, preparation, riding, and return to Reykjavik.

How far is the horse farm from Reykjavik?

The riding destination is about a 15-minute drive from Reykjavik.

How early does pickup begin?

Pickup starts one hour before the scheduled departure and may take up to 20 minutes while the vehicle collects all passengers.

Can cruise-ship passengers join the tour?

Yes. Cruise-ship passengers can be picked up at the main port terminal.

What equipment is provided?

The farm provides basic riding equipment, including helmets, boots, and rain clothing. Snowsuits or warm coveralls are used in winter, and gloves may also be provided.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. Beginners are welcome, and staff match horses to each rider’s experience level.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is seven. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.