Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall

Ride toward a waterfall, not a riding arena. This short outing from Hestasport combines a gentle horseback ride, the rushing Reykjafoss, and wide views across Skagafjörður. I like the small group size, capped at eight, and the chance to take photos from between your horse’s ears. The guide also gives you basic riding help, which makes this a good fit if you have limited experience.

I also like the friendly, calm service reported by riders, including guide Ellen, who explained the basics and found a safe place for a trot. The main drawback is the short advertised duration of about 30 minutes, especially at $90.12 per person. One ride experience lasted closer to an hour from check-in to finish, but you should still book this for a compact taste of horseback riding, not a long Icelandic trek.

Key points to know before you book

• Reykjafoss is the goal: Ride toward the waterfall and watch water rush down stepped rock into Brandgil canyon.
• The mountain views do much of the work: The route opens onto the broad scenery of Skagafjörður.
• A practical choice for beginners: Guides explain the riding basics, and one guide provided a safe place to trot.
• The group is limited to eight: That keeps the outing more personal than a large riding line.
• The meeting point is outside Akureyri: Start at Hestasport Reception in Varmahlíð, not in central Akureyri.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A short Icelandic ride with a real destination

Many horseback outings offer a pleasant loop and little else. This one has a clear target: Reykjafoss. That matters because the ride feels tied to a place, not just to the novelty of sitting on an Icelandic horse.

From Hestasport, you ride toward the waterfall with the mountain panorama of Skagafjörður around you. The route also brings you near Brandgil, where water rushes down a series of steps into the canyon. The setting gives you two kinds of scenery at once: broad mountain views in the distance and a closer look at moving water and steep ground.

The ride is designed as a quick stop. If your Iceland schedule is packed with driving, this can fit neatly into a day that includes the northwestern part of the country. It is also a useful option for someone who wants to meet Icelandic horses without committing to a full-day horseback tour.

The trade-off is simple. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you have checked in, met the horse, listened to instructions, and taken photographs. I would choose this for a first taste, a family stop, or a scenic break. I would not choose it if your main goal is a long ride through open country.

Meeting Hestasport in Varmahlíð

The listed meeting point is Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, at Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland. The experience ends back at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at Reykjafoss.

Pay attention to that location when planning. The experience is associated with Akureyri, but the actual start is in Varmahlíð in the Skagafjörður area. The supplied information does not include transport from Akureyri, so you should make your own route plan to reach Hestasport.

The mobile ticket is useful for a road-trip schedule. Booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking, which gives you the basic details without a separate wait. Since the activity is offered in English, English-speaking visitors should be able to follow the instructions and riding guidance.

The group limit is eight people. That is small enough to make it easier for the guide to keep an eye on the line and help with basic riding questions. It also gives you a better chance of taking a clean photograph without a large crowd filling the frame.

Getting comfortable on the Icelandic horses

The heart of the experience is not technical riding. It is getting comfortable with an Icelandic horse, following the guide, and enjoying the surroundings. That makes the basic introduction important, especially if you have ridden only a few times.

Guide Ellen received special praise for explaining the basics and making sure riders understood what to do. That is exactly the kind of help I want on a short ride. There is little time for a long lesson, so clear instruction at the start can make the difference between spending the ride tense and spending it looking around.

The horses were described as beautiful and well suited to the outing. A rider with limited experience found the horses easy to handle with the guides’ help. Another account describes a six-year-old who was thrilled by the experience, while a nervous rider became excited by the end.

That does not guarantee that every child or nervous rider will feel the same. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed age, weight, or riding ability policy. If you have a very young child, a strong fear of horses, or special needs, contact Hestasport before booking rather than relying on a general assumption.

Riding toward Reykjafoss

The route’s reward is Reykjafoss, a waterfall where water runs down stepped rock toward Brandgil canyon. The description points to a steep canyon edge, so the views may feel dramatic even though the ride itself is short.

You should expect to pause for photographs near the scenic area. The signature image is taken from between the ears of your horse, with the waterfall and Icelandic scenery ahead. That perspective gives the photographs a personal feel. You are not simply standing in front of a waterfall for a standard snapshot. You are showing the horse as part of the memory.

The canyon setting also calls for attention. The ride brings you safely to the edge under the guide’s direction, but the steep ground is a reason to listen closely and avoid treating the photo stop as a free-for-all. The guide controls the pace and the position of the horses, which is especially useful for first-time riders.

One guide also allowed a trot in a safe area. That is a welcome extra, but it should not be treated as the central promise of the activity. The ride is short, and the ability to trot can depend on the group, the horses, the conditions, and the guide’s judgment.

Why the scenery works so well in photographs

Iceland gives you no shortage of waterfalls, but a horseback photograph changes the usual formula. The horse’s head and ears frame the view, adding scale and character to the picture. The combination of a moving animal, the waterfall, and the mountain panorama can produce a more memorable image than another quick roadside stop.

The scenery around Skagafjörður is broad and open. That makes the ride appealing even for people who are more interested in Icelandic nature than in riding technique. You get a close connection to the horse while looking out toward the mountains.

Weather will affect the photographs. On a clear day, the views should have more definition and the mountain panorama should read well in pictures. Poor weather can cancel the experience altogether, and there is no promise of a replacement ride in the same conditions. If you have several days in the area, keeping some flexibility in your schedule is wise.

The information does not promise professional photography or edited images. Bring a phone that is easy to use, and make sure you can operate it safely without losing your grip or distracting from the guide’s instructions. The strongest photos may come from a simple pause at the right place rather than from a long photo session.

Friendly service makes a short ride easier

The service is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. The staff are described as friendly, accommodating, and helpful from check-in through the end of the ride. That matters more on a brief activity because every minute counts.

A warm welcome can also settle nerves. If you have only ridden a few times, you want staff who explain what is happening without making you feel foolish. The experience with Ellen suggests that the instruction is practical and focused on helping you ride with confidence.

The grounds were described as clean, and the horses as beautiful. Those details may sound minor, but they shape your first impression. A well-kept reception area and calm handling of the horses make the outing feel organized rather than rushed.

The small group cap adds to that sense of care. With no more than eight people, the guide has a manageable group on the route. A private outing is not promised, especially since the price is per person, but one January booking had only one party present. That means a quiet, personal experience can happen at certain times, though you should not count on having the route to yourself.

Is $90.12 fair for about 30 minutes?

At $90.12 per person, this is not a cheap photo stop. The value depends on what you want from a horseback experience.

If you want a long ride, the price will feel high for an outing advertised at approximately 30 minutes. You are paying for the horses, guide, setting, preparation, and the chance to ride to a specific waterfall, not simply for time in the saddle. Still, you should compare it with the cost of a longer tour if riding is a major part of your Iceland holiday.

I see better value here for three types of people. First, a short-term visitor who wants to try Icelandic horseback riding without losing half a day. Second, a family that wants an activity with a clear scenic payoff. Third, an experienced rider who mainly wants a memorable horse-and-waterfall photograph.

The value improves if the total visit runs closer to an hour, as one rider reported. That time included the wider experience from check-in to the finish, not necessarily a full hour of riding. Since the official duration is about 30 minutes, I would budget for a short activity and treat any extra time as a bonus.

The five-star rating across nine reviews points to very strong satisfaction, especially with the staff, horses, scenery, and organization. The sample is small, so I would use it as a positive signal rather than proof that every visit will be perfect.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this ride to beginners who want clear guidance and a gentle introduction. The basic instruction and the chance to trot in a safe area can give you a taste of riding without requiring a high skill level.

It also suits families, with one six-year-old described as delighted by the outing. That example is encouraging, but it is not a formal minimum-age rule. Check directly with Hestasport if your child’s age or riding experience is a concern.

Horse lovers will get the most emotional value from the visit. You are not only seeing Reykjafoss. You are spending time with an Icelandic horse and making the animal part of the scenery and photographs.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to advanced riders looking for challenge or distance. There is no claim of a long route, technical riding, or extended time at a faster pace. The experience is about access, scenery, and a quick encounter with the horses.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The experience is booked an average of 22 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible, especially if your Iceland dates are fixed. The group maximum is eight, so popular times may fill before your trip.

Weather is a real condition of the booking. If Hestasport cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That protection is helpful, but it can still disrupt a tight itinerary.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. I would avoid placing this activity on the only day you have available if your route gives you no room to move.

Should you book the Hestasport ride?

Book it if you want a short, scenic introduction to Icelandic horses, particularly if Reykjafoss and its canyon views fit your route through the Skagafjörður area. The friendly staff, small group, practical riding help, and strong photo opportunity give the outing more substance than a simple horse-handling stop.

Think twice if you expect a long trek or need a precise 30-minute schedule with no possible variation. The price is substantial for the advertised duration, and the meeting point is in Varmahlíð rather than central Akureyri.

My call: this is a good value for first-time riders, families, horse lovers, and anyone who wants one memorable Iceland photograph without giving up a full day. Book ahead, allow extra time around the official duration, and keep your schedule flexible enough for the weather.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride start?

It starts at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the Hestasport meeting point.

How long is the ride?

The advertised duration is approximately 30 minutes. One riding experience lasted about one hour in total, including the wider visit from check-in to the end.

What waterfall does the route visit?

The route heads toward Reykjafoss.

What scenery will I see?

You can expect mountain views across Skagafjörður, along with water rushing down steps into Brandgil canyon.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum group size of eight people.

Can beginners participate?

Most people can participate, and guides explain the basics of riding. One guide also provided a safe area for a trot.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.