Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

GYG

Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

★ 4.8(2,646 reviews)

• Guide works in English
• Duration per the operator: 2.5 hours

from $143

See dates, price and what is included at the operator

A two-and-a-half-hour ride through red lava country

This tour takes you out of Reykjavik on horseback for 2.5 hours, into the lava fields that give the ride its name. Sólhestar Horse Riding runs it, with departures from the city itself. The ride suits anyone who wants a proper taste of Icelandic riding without committing to a full day in the saddle. English is the language of the tour, and your guide leads in English as well. At 143 USD per person, it sits among the cheaper options in its category of 13 horse-riding tours, with only two priced below it. The itinerary takes in Reykjavik and Vík í Mýrdal, though the bulk of your time is spent on horseback crossing the red lava terrain south of the city.

Photographs from the operator Sólhestar Horse Riding. They show the listing, not your day.

What the price covers and what costs extra

The 143 USD entry price buys you the ride itself, the guide, and the horse. Food is not part of the deal, which puts this tour in a minority within its category: only three other listings in the group of 12 state the same. You should eat before you go or bring something for after the ride. Hotel pickup is available, but only as a paid extra. The operator sells it separately rather than folding it into the base price, and it is the only listing in its group of 12 that does so. If you want to be collected from your accommodation, budget for that additional cost on top of the 143 USD. Free cancellation is offered, though no deadline is attached to the offer. The ride itself is not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly if that matters for your group.

A score backed by nearly 2,700 riders

The 4.8 rating here comes from 2,646 reviews, which makes it the most-reviewed horse-riding tour in its category. No other listing in the group of 13 comes close to that volume of feedback. The Viking Horseback Tour in Hafnarfjörður scores slightly higher at 4.9, but with only 125 reviews behind it. The Icelandic Horse Riding Tour with pickup option matches the 4.8 score but has 1,905 reviews, still well short of this one. What the number of ratings tells you is that this tour has been run many times over and the experience has stayed consistent enough for thousands of riders to rate it highly. The rank of 1 of 13 by number of reviews reflects the breadth of evidence, not just the height of the score. A 4.8 from 2,646 people carries more weight than a perfect score from a handful of riders.

Riding weather across the year

Reykjavik's temperatures stay cool even at their warmest. July and August bring highs of 15 and 14 degrees, with lows around 9 degrees, making them the most comfortable months for a ride. June reaches 13 degrees. From September the temperatures slide, with October at 8 degrees and November down to 5. The winter months of December, January and February hold highs of just 3 degrees and lows of minus 2. A 2.5-hour ride in those months means you are out in the cold for a sustained stretch, so winter riding demands serious layers. The spring months of April and May, at 7 and 10 degrees, offer a middle ground. The tour runs at a set time of day, and the short duration means you are not out at the coldest part of the day or the darkest hours, whichever season you choose.

Meeting your horse and setting out

The ride starts from Reykjavik, and if you have not paid for the pickup extra, you make your own way to the meeting point. Sólhestar matches you with a horse suited to your experience level, so first-time riders and seasoned equestrians both get an animal that fits. The Icelandic horse is known for its sure-footedness across rough terrain, and the red lava fields here provide exactly that kind of ground. The guide sets the pace and keeps the group together. Weather in Iceland can change quickly, and if conditions turn poor, the guide may adjust the route or shorten the ride. That is the operator's call to make, and it is made with safety in mind. The lava terrain itself is uneven in places, and the ride continues in light rain, so waterproof outer layers are worth having.

Who should take this ride

This tour fits riders who want a solid introduction to Icelandic horses without a full-day commitment. The 2.5-hour length works well for those new to riding or travelling with people who are not sure they want to spend nine hours in the saddle. It also suits anyone watching their budget, since it ranks among the cheapest quarter of tours in its category. If you want a longer day out, the Full-Day Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour runs for nine hours at 267 USD, though its 4.1 rating from 86 reviews suggests a less consistent experience. The Small-Group Horse Volcano Riding Tour offers three hours at 187 USD with a 4.6 rating from 236 reviews, a step up in both time and price. For riders who already know they enjoy being on horseback and want more time in the saddle, that longer option makes more sense. This tour is not for anyone who needs wheelchair access, and the lack of included food means you should plan your own meals around the ride.

GYG

Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

Dates, remaining places and the current version of what is included are at the operator. This page reflects the state of the catalogue, not the state of this morning.

from $143

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