Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

Red lava, gentle horses, wide-open views. This 2.5-hour horseback tour gives you an easy way to reach Iceland’s volcanic country without committing to a full-day excursion. I like the calm, well-trained Icelandic horses and the way guides match riders to suitable horses and routes. The main consideration is the weather: even with supplied rain gear and winter jumpsuits, riding in Iceland’s wind and cold demands proper layers.

You’ll spend about 1.5 to 2 hours in the saddle, covering 5 to 7 kilometers through the Redhills and nearby lava fields. Beginners get careful help, while experienced riders may ride by Rauðarvatn, try the Icelandic tölt, and take a faster route when conditions allow.

Key details before you saddle up

• Red lava terrain: Ride over natural paths among moss, rocks, hills, and striking red lava formations.
• Two riding levels: Beginners follow a smooth route, while more experienced riders may take a longer path near Rauðarvatn.
• Friendly Icelandic horses: The horses are paired with riders according to experience, comfort, and ability.
• Useful cold-weather gear: Helmets, rain clothing, and winter jumpsuits are available at the stable.
• Easy Reykjavik access: Optional pickup is offered from selected hotels and shuttle stops, or you can drive to the stable in about 15 minutes from downtown.
• Strong value for the time: At $142 per person, you get transport if selected, equipment, instruction, and a long ride rather than a brief photo stop.

From Reykjavik to the red hills

If you choose pickup, be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. A small bus or jeep marked with the Sólhestar name collects riders from selected Reykjavik hotels and pickup points.

The drive is short, according to the practical details supplied for the tour. One early morning ride included a sunrise view from the vehicle on the way to the lava fields, a pleasant bonus if your timing lines up. Pickup is convenient, but you should watch the clock closely. The vehicle may arrive during the stated pickup window, so do not step away from your meeting point.

Driving yourself gives you more control. The stable is about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, with free parking in front. Look for a large white stable with a big orange sign. You need to arrive 15 minutes before the riding time, not at the start time itself.

That small buffer matters. You need time to check in, select a helmet, and put on any supplied clothing. Some riders also changed into riding boots at the stable. Food is not included, so eat beforehand if you need more than coffee or tea after the ride.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

The stable introduction is an important part of the experience, especially if you have never ridden before. The horses are described as calm, pleasant, and well trained, with guides taking care to match each horse to the rider’s experience.

That pairing can make or break a first ride. A nervous beginner does not need the same horse as someone who has ridden for years. The guides also divide people by riding ability and preference, allowing the slower group to keep a relaxed pace while more experienced riders may get chances to move faster.

You will receive a riding helmet, and wearing it is required for everyone. The stable also provides wet-weather clothing when needed and winter jumpsuits in colder conditions. Bring your own warm clothing anyway. Gloves and wool socks are especially sensible in winter, and comfortable, weather-appropriate layers matter in every season.

The restrictions are practical rather than fussy. Shorts, open-toed shoes, backpacks, and professional cameras are not allowed. A phone is more useful than bulky camera equipment, particularly because the guides may help take photos during a stop.

The beginner route through the Redhills

The standard route follows a smooth, natural path along the Redhills. This is the better choice if you are new to riding, uneasy around horses, or simply want to enjoy the scenery without worrying about technical riding.

The route covers volcanic ground shaped by old eruptions, with red lava formations, moss, rocks, and gently rolling hills. It is not a city park ride. You get a strong sense of Iceland’s raw volcanic setting, but from the back of a horse and at a pace that lets you look around.

Most of the ride is walking. That makes the outing approachable for first-time riders and gives you time to settle into the saddle. Several beginners described feeling comfortable after only a few minutes because the horses were steady and the guides gave clear instructions.

You may have the option to trot or go faster, depending on your confidence, the group, and the conditions. Do not assume that speed is guaranteed. The ride is built around safety and group control, not a private gallop across the lava fields.

For many people, that is the right balance. You get a real ride rather than a short circuit around the stable, but you are not expected to perform advanced riding skills.

The Rauðarvatn option for experienced riders

Riders with more experience may follow a route by Rauðarvatn. This path can be longer, and experienced groups may spend more time riding at a quicker pace.

The most distinctive feature for skilled riders is the chance to try the tölt. This is the special four-beat gait associated with Icelandic horses. It can feel remarkably smooth when the horse finds its rhythm, and it gives experienced riders something new to enjoy beyond ordinary walking and trotting.

The route may split after the photo stop, with one group choosing a slower return and another taking a faster way back. That arrangement is useful for mixed groups. You and a partner do not necessarily need identical riding backgrounds to enjoy the same tour, though you may spend parts of the ride in different groups.

Guides have also found places to trot in poor weather, showing that they try to adapt the ride to the day’s conditions. Still, Iceland’s wind, rain, snow, and uneven volcanic ground can affect the pace. If your main goal is fast riding, ask at the stable what is possible that day.

A photo stop among red lava rocks

At some point, the group stops near red lava formations for photographs. A guide can take a group picture using your phone, and you get a chance to capture yourself on horseback against the volcanic scenery.

This is a useful touch because handling a camera while riding is awkward and potentially unsafe. It also gives you a moment to look closely at the rocks and take in the setting without trying to steer a horse at the same time.

The photo stop is not a long sightseeing break. One couple wished for more time to photograph the scenery, so you should set expectations accordingly. You will get a planned picture opportunity, but this is primarily a riding tour, not a photography outing.

Professional cameras are not allowed, and backpacks are prohibited. Pack light and use your phone. Sunglasses can help in summer, when the paths may be dusty, but warm gloves are more important in winter.

Guides who keep beginners at ease

The guides receive some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. They are described as friendly, attentive, patient, and good at helping nervous riders.

Several first-time riders felt safe because instructions were explained clearly and the guides checked on people during the ride. The guide team has included Claudia, Kolgrima, Patri, Claira, and Nina, among others. One guide from the Czech Republic, described as especially warm and chatty, made a strong impression on a recent group.

The exact guide team can change, but the pattern is useful: you can expect English instruction and regular help with horses, helmets, clothing, and riding technique. Guides also add comments about Iceland’s geology and history during the route, which gives the red lava fields more meaning than a simple scenic backdrop.

The supervision is not overbearing. Experienced riders may be offered opportunities to tölt or move faster, while beginners receive the support needed to stay relaxed. One account described a horse becoming unsettled around another horse and a rider falling off without injury. The guides handled the situation and looked after the group. That is a reminder that horses are living animals, not machines, but it also points to the value of having an attentive team nearby.

What the ride feels like in different seasons

The same route can feel very different depending on the month. In summer, the volcanic paths may be dusty, and sunglasses are useful. In autumn, rain and wind can arrive quickly, so the supplied rainwear is more than a nice extra.

Winter brings a different kind of beauty. Snow on the red lava rocks creates a sharp contrast, and one ride took place through snowy scenery. It also brings the greatest need for preparation. Wear warm layers, gloves, and wool socks, then use the stable’s jumpsuit and other weather gear as needed.

The tour runs in weather that can be wet, windy, or cold. Good clothing will not make the conditions disappear, but it can keep them from ruining the ride. Comfortable trousers and sturdy closed shoes are sensible choices. Avoid shorts, sandals, and anything loose that could interfere with riding.

The horses and routes are adapted to different rider abilities, but the activity still requires reasonable physical fitness. It is not suitable for people with recent surgery, serious back problems, limited mobility, or a low fitness level. Pregnant people, wheelchair users, and anyone over 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds, should not book it.

How the $142 price holds up

At $142 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on how much of the package you use.

You receive instruction, a helmet, the horse ride, free parking, coffee, rain clothing, and winter jumpsuits when appropriate. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option, which saves you from arranging a taxi or rental car. You also get up to two hours on horseback, a generous amount of riding time compared with short stable circuits.

That duration is the key value. The experience lasts 2.5 hours in total, but the riding portion takes up roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. You are not paying $142 for a quick ride followed by a long wait in the stable.

The price makes most sense for someone who wants a distinctive Iceland activity and values careful instruction, equipment, and transport. It makes less sense if you only want to see lava fields. You can visit volcanic scenery in other ways, but this tour adds the horse, the Icelandic riding tradition, and a more intimate pace.

Coffee and tea are provided, but food is not. Plan a meal or snack before the pickup. Also remember that hotel pickup is optional, so confirm the exact booking choice before paying.

Who will enjoy this best

I would recommend the tour to first-time riders who want an activity with strong guidance and a memorable setting. The horses are generally described as calm and easy to guide, and the staff takes rider confidence seriously.

It also suits experienced riders who want to try the tölt and take a longer route by Rauðarvatn. You may not get a sustained fast ride, since group ability and weather control the pace, but the chance to ride Icelandic horses on volcanic ground is special in its own right.

Couples, families with suitable fitness levels, and people on short Reykjavik stopovers can fit this into a day without giving up a full morning or afternoon. The optional pickup is especially useful if you do not want to rent a car.

You should think twice if you dislike cold weather, feel uncomfortable around large animals, or expect a private riding lesson. This is a shared group ride, and the pace must work for everyone. The volcanic paths are natural, not polished, and the experience calls for balance, concentration, and a willingness to accept Iceland’s weather.

Practical preparation for a smoother ride

Wear warm, comfortable clothing that allows you to sit and move easily. Closed shoes are required, and sturdy footwear is more useful than fashion boots.

Keep your belongings small. Backpacks are not allowed, and professional cameras are not permitted. A phone is enough for the photo stop, and the guide may be able to take a picture for you.

If you need pickup, choose the pickup option and wait at your stated hotel or stop 30 minutes before departure. If you drive, use the free parking by the stable and arrive 15 minutes early.

The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds. The tour is not suitable for pregnancy, mobility impairments, wheelchair use, back problems, recent surgery, or low fitness. If any of those conditions apply, choose a non-riding activity instead.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if Iceland’s changeable schedule forces you to adjust plans.

Should you book the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

I would book it if you want more than a standard sightseeing stop and like the idea of seeing Iceland at horse level. The strongest reasons are the well-cared-for Icelandic horses, kind guides, beginner-friendly support, and the unusually long riding time.

Choose the pickup option if you are staying in Reykjavik and want the easiest day. Drive yourself if you have a car and prefer control over timing. Experienced riders should ask about the Rauðarvatn route and tölt opportunities, while beginners should say so clearly when being paired with a horse.

Skip it if your body cannot handle riding, if you need guaranteed fast riding, or if cold and wet weather would spoil the day. For everyone else, $142 is a fair price for a well-supported ride through red lava fields, especially with transport and warm gear included. The experience has earned a 4.8 rating from 2,383 ratings, and that fits the picture: scenic, friendly, carefully managed, and much more than a quick horse photo.

FAQ

How long does the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour last?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. You will spend about 1.5 to 2 hours horseback riding, covering approximately 5 to 7 kilometers depending on the riders’ experience.

Where does the tour take place?

The ride takes place in Iceland’s Capital Region, through the Redhills and nearby volcanic terrain. More experienced groups may ride by Rauðarvatn.

Is hotel pickup from Reykjavik included?

Pickup and drop-off are available as an optional booking choice from selected Reykjavik hotels and shuttle bus stops. Pickup begins 30 minutes before the riding time.

Can I drive to the stable?

Yes. If you drive yourself, meet at the stable 15 minutes before the scheduled riding time. Free parking is available in front of the stable, which is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners can follow a smooth route, and the guides match horses and routes to the riders’ experience. You should still be in reasonably good physical condition.

Can experienced riders go faster?

Experienced groups may have opportunities to trot, ride a faster route, and try the Icelandic tölt. The pace depends on the group, the horses, and the weather.

What equipment is provided?

The stable provides a helmet, rain clothing when required, and winter jumpsuits. Coffee and tea are also available. You should bring warm, comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing.

What should I not bring or wear?

Shorts, professional cameras, backpacks, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Closed shoes and warm clothing are required.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.