Reykjavik: Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

Evening light makes Iceland feel almost unreal. This three-hour ride from Reykjavík combines friendly Icelandic horses, the red volcanic formations of Rauðhólar, and the green hills of Hólmsheiði in a small group limited to eight riders. I like the personal feel of a family-run stable, and I like that the outing finishes with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and warm kleina pastries at the hosts’ home. The main consideration is the price: at $202 per person, this is not a casual add-on, especially if you are watching your Iceland budget.

The tour suits beginners and riders with little experience, thanks to an opening lesson and steady guidance along the route. I also appreciate the included pickup within the Reykjavík area, riding helmets, and rain clothes. Still, you need to accept Icelandic weather as part of the deal. The ride goes ahead rain or shine, and it is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points before you book

• Small group of eight or fewer: You get a more personal ride, with room for questions and individual help.
• Rauðhólar’s red lava formations: The route brings you into one of the most distinctive volcanic areas near Reykjavík.
• Hólmsheiði and Stallion Valley: Green hills and open riding trails add a softer side to the volcanic scenery.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A short lesson helps you get comfortable before leaving the stable.
• Evening pickup from Reykjavík: Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM within the Reykjavík area.
• Warm finish at the stable: Hot drinks and deep-fried sweetbread called kleina make a welcome ending.

Why this evening ride feels different

Iceland offers many ways to see nature, but horseback riding changes your pace. You are not behind a coach window or rushing from one photo stop to another. You move through the countryside at the rhythm of the horse, with time to notice the changing ground beneath you and the broad evening light overhead.

This outing takes place during the Icelandic summer season, when the evening can remain bright for a long time. The exact feel depends on the date and weather, but the tour is built around that special northern light. The result should feel calmer than a daytime sightseeing stop, especially after a busy day exploring Reykjavík or the Golden Circle.

The small group matters here. With a maximum of eight riders, the guide can offer more direct instruction than you would usually get in a large stable group. That is particularly useful if you are nervous, have only ridden a few times, or need help adjusting to the Icelandic horse.

The company, Viking Horses, is family-run. That detail shows in the way the experience is arranged: pickup, equipment, instruction, riding, and refreshments all fit together as one hosted visit. The stable is about 15 minutes from Reykjavík, close enough for an easy evening outing but far enough to reach open countryside.

Pickup from Reykjavík and arrival at the stable

Pickup is included within the Reykjavík area, with collection scheduled between 6:30 and 6:45 PM. You should wait at your accommodation or at the pickup point you selected. Since the pickup window is short, be ready ahead of time rather than stepping out at the last minute.

The short drive is one reason this tour works well in a city-based Iceland plan. You do not need to spend a full day reaching a remote riding center. The stable is surrounded by mountains, green countryside, and the volcanic formations of Rauðhólar, so the change from city to open nature happens quickly.

Once you arrive, you receive a riding helmet and can use the supplied rain clothes if needed. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Comfortable footwear matters more than fashion here, and warm layers are sensible even during summer. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and this activity runs in all conditions.

Do not bring a backpack, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The no-backpack rule is practical on horseback, where bulky straps and loose items can get in the way.

Starting with a short lesson

The ride begins with a short riding lesson. For a beginner, this is an important part of the experience rather than a formality. You get a chance to learn the basic controls, understand how to sit comfortably, and become familiar with the horse before heading onto the trails.

The Icelandic horses are described as friendly, well trained, and happy. That does not mean you should treat the opening moments casually. Horses are animals with their own moods and movements, so listen closely to the guide and follow the stable’s instructions.

The lesson also gives you time to settle your nerves. One of the strongest reasons to choose this tour is the support for riders with little experience. Guide Monica has been praised for helping novice riders, taking photos and videos, and making the outing easy to follow. Her practical help is especially useful if you want a memory of the ride but do not want to handle your phone while mounted.

If you already ride regularly, you should keep your expectations measured. This is designed for beginners and less experienced riders, not for an advanced riding lesson or a fast, technical trek. The value comes from meeting the horses and seeing the countryside at a relaxed pace.

Through Hólmsheiði’s green hills

After the lesson, the ride heads into Hólmsheiði. This area brings green nature and open hills into the experience, giving you a contrast to Iceland’s more severe volcanic scenery. The route includes a variety of riding trails, so the outing is not simply a short circle around the stable.

The evening setting adds to the appeal. In summer, the low northern sun can give the hills a soft glow, though the exact conditions depend on the date and clouds. You might find the colors changing as you ride, with the greenery taking on a warmer tone and the volcanic rock becoming more striking.

For me, this part of the tour is valuable because it lets you experience the countryside rather than just look at it. You feel the movement of the horse and the uneven trail, while the guide can point out details about Iceland, the horses, and the surrounding area.

The ride also includes Stallion Valley. The name adds a memorable touch, but the key appeal is the setting itself: a quieter stretch of countryside where the horses and open ground become the focus. Do not expect a dramatic sightseeing stop with facilities or a long break. This is a riding route, and much of the pleasure comes from the steady movement between locations.

Seeing the red lava at Rauðhólar

Rauðhólar is the visual centerpiece of the outing. Its red and striking lava formations give the ride a color and texture that differ from the green hills of Hólmsheiði. This is the kind of scenery that makes a horseback outing feel tied to Iceland rather than like a standard riding session you could book anywhere.

The volcanic formations are close to the stable, so you spend less time in transport and more time on the horse. You can expect the route to pass through this unusual red-rock area as part of the broader ride. The exact route and views can vary with weather and trail conditions, but the volcanic setting is a central part of the experience.

You should also keep the terrain in mind. This is an outdoor activity over natural trails, not a smooth park ride. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and you need closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. If your main goal is simply to photograph Rauðhólar, a walking or driving visit may give you more control over where you stop. If you want the scenery paired with Icelandic horses, the riding tour offers something more memorable.

The horses themselves are part of the attraction. Icelandic horses are compact, distinctive, and central to the country’s riding culture. You get time to bond with them and learn their temperament, rather than treating them as background props for a quick photograph.

Finishing with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina

The final refreshments are a small feature with a big effect. After several hours outdoors, a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate gives you a chance to warm up and talk with the hosts. The sweet bite is kleina, a deep-fried Icelandic sweetbread that fits naturally with a country-style welcome.

This ending also helps separate the experience from a basic trail ride. You are not simply dropped back at the stable and sent to find your own dinner. The hosts invite you into their home for light refreshments, giving the tour a more personal finish.

Do not expect a full meal. The food is a snack, not a replacement for dinner, so plan your evening accordingly. If you choose a late meal afterward, the included hot drink and pastry should be enough to tide you over.

The refreshments are also useful if the weather turns wet or cold. Since the tour runs rain or shine, the warm finish offers some comfort after time outside. Rain clothes are included, but you should still wear proper layers rather than relying on the supplied gear alone.

What $202 gets you

At $202 per person, this is a premium short excursion. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Reykjavík, a three-hour experience, the riding lesson, helmet, rain clothes, live English-speaking guidance, and hot beverages at the end.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience and personal service. You do not need to arrange transport to a stable, rent riding equipment, or find a separate activity for your evening. The group limit of eight is another important part of the value. A smaller group can mean better help for beginners and less waiting around for other riders.

The price is harder to justify if you have extensive riding experience and mainly want a long ride. The tour is built around an accessible pace, an introduction to the horses, and scenic trails near Reykjavík. You are paying for the complete hosted experience, not just saddle time.

I would compare it with the cost of other guided activities in Iceland, but I would also ask what kind of memory you want. A bus tour can cover more distance. This ride offers a closer connection with one place, one group of horses, and one evening setting.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some protection if your plans change. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are organizing several Iceland activities at once.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This tour is a strong match for:

• First-time riders who want instruction and support.
• Couples or small groups looking for a personal evening activity.
• Visitors who want to see Icelandic horses without leaving Reykjavík for a full day.
• Riders who enjoy countryside scenery at a calm pace.
• Anyone interested in the contrast between green hills and red volcanic rock.

It is less suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments. It also may not satisfy advanced riders looking for speed, technical challenges, or an extended trek.

You should be comfortable spending three hours outdoors. The weather can be wet, windy, or cool, and the activity continues in those conditions. Pack warm clothing and wear closed-toe shoes. Since backpacks are not allowed, keep your personal items small and manageable.

How the experience is rated

The tour has a 4.4 rating from 27 reviews, with especially strong praise for the horses, the guides, and the beginner-friendly support. The most consistent strengths are the animals’ gentle temperament and the warm approach from the people running the stable.

Specific praise has gone to guide Monica for clear instruction and for taking photos and videos during the ride. That can be a real benefit for new riders, who often want pictures but cannot safely take them while handling a horse.

The pickup has also been described as quick and easy, which matters when you have a limited evening schedule. The horses are repeatedly described as beautiful, friendly, well cared for, and well trained for novice riders.

A rating is only one part of the decision, of course. The tour has a small number of published ratings, so I would focus more on the clear pattern in the feedback: personal service, gentle horses, good help for beginners, and attractive scenery. Those are exactly the elements this experience promises to deliver.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an easy introduction to Icelandic horseback riding, prefer a small group, and like the idea of ending with a hot drink in a family-run stable. The combination of Hólmsheiði’s green hills, Stallion Valley, Rauðhólar’s red lava, and friendly Icelandic horses gives the evening real character.

I would skip it if $202 feels too high for a three-hour activity, if you want a fast or advanced ride, or if you dislike being outside in uncertain weather. For a beginner who values support, pickup, equipment, and a personal welcome, the package is easier to justify. For everyone else, check your priorities first, then decide if the horses and volcanic scenery are worth giving up one Reykjavík evening.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik evening horse riding tour?

The activity lasts three hours.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place between 6:30 and 6:45 PM from accommodation or a chosen pickup location within the Reykjavík area.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavík area are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is suitable for beginners and people with little riding experience, and it begins with a short riding lesson.

What equipment is provided?

Riding helmets and rain clothes are provided.

What should I wear?

Bring warm, comfortable clothing and comfortable closed-toe shoes.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Are refreshments included?

Yes. The tour ends with hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, along with deep-fried sweetbread called kleina.