southern Iceland: Black beach riding tour

Black sand, gentle horses, wide-open views. This two-hour ride near Grímsstaðir gives you a memorable way to see southern Iceland, with the Westman Islands offshore, Eyjafjallajökull inland, and the sea breeze around you. I especially like the small groups of no more than six and the chance to feel an Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt, a gait found in only a few horse breeds. The main drawback is the price, $194 per person, plus the need to arrange your own transport to the farm.

I also like the calm, friendly tone described by riders who worked with guides Jette, Helena, and the wider FossTravel team. The horses are chosen for their gentle nature, and one review praised a particularly sweet and safe mount. Still, this is not a sightseeing bus stop with a quick photo. You need basic riding experience, warm clothing, and enough mobility to get on and off a horse on your own.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride across volcanic black sand: The route follows the coast near southern Iceland, with calm waves and open views rather than a fenced riding arena.
• Feel the Icelandic tölt: This smooth gait is a special part of riding an Icelandic horse and can make the journey comfortable for riders with basic experience.
• Look toward two famous sights: The Westman Islands appear out at sea, while Eyjafjallajökull rises inland.
• Small groups keep the ride personal: The advertised group size is limited to five, with a maximum of six riders.
• Plan for cold, wet weather: Rainwear and helmets are supplied, but you still need warm layers, sturdy boots, gloves, and riding clothes.
• Allow extra time for the drive: The farm is about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík, between Hella and Hvolsvöllur.

Why this black beach ride feels different

Southern Iceland has plenty of ways to see its volcanic coast. You can drive past it, photograph it from a lookout, or walk along the sand. Horseback riding gives you a slower pace and a much lower viewpoint than a car, while the steady movement of the horse keeps the scenery changing around you.

The black beach itself is the star. Ancient volcanic material gives the sand its dark color, and the shore is framed by a combination of ocean, mountains, and open sky. The supplied details describe calm waves beside the riding route, with the Westman Islands on one side and Eyjafjallajökull on the other. That pairing gives you a useful sense of southern Iceland’s geography: island-studded sea to one side, glacier-covered mountain country to the other.

I like that the ride is not presented as a high-speed stunt. The horses carry you across the sand with confidence, and the guides focus on helping you feel comfortable. For a first-time rider with some basic experience, that matters more than a long list of thrills.

The mood can change with the weather. In late autumn, one rider described being heavily bundled up yet still feeling cold while watching the sunset from the beach. That is not a warning to skip the tour. It is practical Iceland advice: a beautiful beach ride can still be a chilly one, especially when the wind comes off the water.

Meeting the Icelandic horses at Grímsstaðir

The ride operates from Grímsstaðir, a farm in the southern part of Iceland. The farm is between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, and the drive from Reykjavík takes about an hour and a half. You are responsible for getting there, so this tour fits best into a self-drive day rather than a Reykjavík stay without a rental car or private transfer.

At the farm, you receive riding equipment and a safety helmet. Rainwear is included, which is useful in southern Iceland, where the weather can turn damp even when the sky looks friendly. You should still arrive dressed for the conditions, since supplied rainwear is only part of the protection you need.

The guides introduce you to the Icelandic horse, a breed prized for its gentle character and smooth gaits. The staff speak English, and the listed guide languages also include Scandinavian languages and German. The named guides in the recent feedback were Jette and Helena, both praised for creating a calm ride despite different riding levels within the same group.

That last point is important. Mixed-ability groups can be awkward on horseback. A confident rider may want more movement, while a beginner may need clear, simple support. The feedback from a group of five says the ride worked well despite very different levels of riding experience. I would still tell an experienced rider not to book this expecting a private, fast-paced training session. The emphasis is on a safe and enjoyable coastal outing.

The two-hour route along the volcanic shore

The ride begins with the practical business of getting settled on the horse. You need to be able to mount and dismount without physical assistance, and the tour sets a minimum age of 10. The stated weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

From there, the route heads toward the black beach. The supplied description focuses on moving along the coast, enjoying the ocean air, and seeing the Westman Islands and Eyjafjallajökull. No separate sightseeing stops are listed, so you should expect the ride itself to be the main event rather than a series of organized photo breaks.

That is a strength for some people. You get two hours of continuous time with the horse and the scenery, rather than spending much of the outing standing around. It also means you may want to take photographs when the pace and guide allow, instead of assuming you will stop at every viewpoint.

The beach offers a broad visual setting. The dark sand creates a strong contrast with the pale surf, while the mountains and islands give your eyes something to follow. On horseback, you can take in the view without the engine noise of a bus or the close quarters of a car.

I would pay attention to the waves and wind, not just the color of the sand. The coast is part of the experience, and the cool ocean breeze is specifically part of the ride. Bring a scarf or buff, and do not count on a sunny forecast to make the beach warm.

Feeling the tölt on an Icelandic horse

The special treat here is the tölt. Icelandic horses can use this smooth four-beat gait, which is one reason the breed has such a strong reputation among riders. The description promises the chance to feel it, but the exact amount of tölt you experience can depend on the horse, the group, the surface, and the guide’s judgment.

That is not a flaw. A good riding guide will match the pace to the people and the conditions. A rider with basic experience may enjoy the sensation without needing advanced skills, while a more experienced rider can appreciate the horse’s movement and responsiveness.

The wording about riding ability deserves attention. Basic riding experience is necessary, even though the tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders. Those statements work together if you read them carefully: you do not need to be an expert, but you should already know the basics of sitting on a horse and following riding instructions.

This is not the right pick if you have never ridden and are hoping for a first lesson from scratch. It is also not suitable if you cannot safely mount and dismount on your own. If you are comfortable at a basic level, the guides are there to help you feel at ease throughout the ride.

What the guide support adds to the outing

A small group makes a real difference on horseback. With five participants advertised and six as the maximum, the guide can keep a closer eye on the line of riders and respond to differences in pace or confidence. You are not one person in a long procession disappearing behind the horse ahead.

The feedback gives the staff high marks for friendliness and professionalism. One rider singled out the owners and staff, while another praised the way Helena led a group of five. Jette was also credited with guiding a memorable ride on well-behaved horses. Those details point to the quality that matters most here: steady handling and a relaxed atmosphere.

The horses also receive strong praise. One rider described the assigned horse as very sweet and safe. That is exactly what you want on a beach ride, where the setting may be unfamiliar and the ground differs from a standard riding track.

Still, no horse ride is completely passive. You need to follow instructions, keep your balance, and remain aware of the horse and the riders around you. The guides can help, but they cannot take over your physical responsibility. Wear clothing that allows you to move comfortably and avoid anything loose that could become annoying in the wind.

Clothing that can make or break the day

The clothing list is not filler. You should plan for cold, wind, and possible rain.

Bring:

• Long underwear and warm socks
• A wool or fleece sweater
• A windproof jacket
• A scarf or buff
• Unused gloves
• Riding breeches or leggings
• Waterproof or water-resistant riding or hiking boots
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

The request for unused gloves is worth noting. Riding equipment and rainwear are provided, but you should bring your own gloves for warmth and comfort. Boots need to be suitable for riding or hiking and should resist water. Comfortable clothes are essential because you will spend two hours in the saddle.

Layering is better than relying on one thick coat. You may feel warmer while moving, then cool quickly when the wind reaches you. The late October and November feedback makes the point clearly: even with heavy clothing, the beach can feel cold at sunset.

Sunglasses and sunscreen may sound optimistic in Iceland, but bright coastal light and reflected glare can still bother your eyes. Pack them. Icelandic weather is not required to follow your clothing plan.

The $194 price and what you receive

At $194 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense when you look at what is included: a two-hour ride, a helmet, riding equipment, rainwear, a trained guide, and a small group.

The small group is the strongest value point. You are paying for access to a quiet, specialized setting and a guide who can work with a maximum of six riders. That is different from a large commercial ride where individual attention may be limited.

The cost is harder to justify if you are only mildly interested in horses or if you already have several expensive southern Iceland activities planned. The beach views are beautiful, but you can see volcanic shores without booking a riding tour. The added value comes from experiencing them on an Icelandic horse and having the chance to feel the tölt.

I would consider this good value for a rider who sees the horse as part of the trip, not just as transportation to a viewpoint. For a family or couple with one enthusiastic rider and one reluctant participant, the price may require more thought, especially since everyone joining the ride needs to meet the age, weight, and mobility requirements.

Driving to the farm between Hella and Hvolsvöllur

The meeting instructions are detailed, but you need to pay attention. Between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, look for the road sign marked Oddi. Turn onto Oddavegur and follow it all the way down. The road begins as asphalt and continues as a gravel path.

At the end, where you cannot drive straight ahead, turn right. Grímsstaðir farm is on the right side of the road.

Transportation is not included, so give yourself enough time to find the farm and arrive without rushing. The gravel section is especially worth noting when planning your schedule. You do not want to calculate the drive only from Reykjavík to the main road and then treat the final stretch as an afterthought.

Because the ride takes place in the South Iceland region, it can fit into a longer self-drive day between Reykjavík and other southern sights. I would avoid placing it between tightly timed attractions. The tour lasts two hours, and weather or road conditions may affect how relaxed the day feels.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Riders with basic experience who want scenery rather than formal instruction
• People who enjoy horses and want to try the Icelandic tölt
• Small groups seeking a quieter, more personal outing
• Visitors already driving through southern Iceland
• Families with children aged 10 or older who meet the riding requirements
• Anyone happy to spend two hours outdoors in changeable weather

I would be cautious about booking it if you have never ridden before, cannot mount or dismount independently, dislike cold wind, or want a fast and athletic ride. The experience is gentle in spirit, but it still asks you to sit comfortably on a horse for two hours.

The tour also suits different riding levels better than many group activities. The feedback from a mixed-ability group suggests the guides can manage varied confidence levels. Even so, tell the operator about your experience when booking so the group can be handled well.

Should you book the Black Beach Riding Tour?

Book it if you want to connect southern Iceland’s scenery with its most distinctive horse breed. The black sand, sea air, Westman Islands, and Eyjafjallajökull give the ride a strong sense of place, while the small group and gentle horses keep it approachable.

Skip it if you are looking for the cheapest way to see the coast or a true beginner lesson. At $194, the tour earns its price through the horse, the guide, the small group, and the unusual setting. Bring serious cold-weather clothing, plan your drive carefully, and you will give yourself the best chance of enjoying the ride rather than simply enduring the weather.

FAQ

How long is the Black Beach Riding Tour?

The horseback riding experience lasts two hours.

Where does the tour take place?

It operates at Grímsstaðir in southern Iceland, between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík.

Is transportation to the farm included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to Grímsstaðir.

What is the minimum age for the ride?

The minimum age is 10 years old. Children under 10 cannot take part.

Is riding experience required?

Basic riding experience is necessary. The tour can suit beginners and experienced riders, but you must be physically able to mount and dismount the horse independently.

What is the weight limit?

The weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes riding equipment, a safety helmet, rainwear, and a trained guide. You should bring warm layers, gloves, suitable riding or hiking boots, riding breeches or leggings, and weather protection.