Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

Few things beat Iceland by horseback. This 2.5-hour Red Lava tour pairs you with a calm Icelandic horse and guides who keep the pace friendly, even if you are brand new. I also like that you can choose a morning or afternoon departure and ride routes that match your comfort level.

Two parts I really like: first, the gear support. You get rain clothing and winter overalls to help you stay warm and dry, plus riding help from start to finish. Second, the ride itself is built for both beginners and experienced riders, with different route options depending on how your group is doing.

One thing to consider: weather and footing matter. In icy or snowy conditions, the ride can feel more demanding, even if the team does its best to keep it safe and comfortable.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group, big attention: capped at 15 travelers, so you get hands-on guidance as you get outfitted and mounted
• Route choices on Hólmsheiði: a smoother path for beginners, or a more advanced option if your riding feels confident
• Tölt might be on the menu: many riders get a chance to experience the Icelandic horse gait called tolt
• Lava terrain plus real history: you pass through areas tied to 5,000-year-old volcanic activity and early forestry
• Plan for real Reykjavik-area weather: even on clear days, expect wind and wet conditions, especially outside summer

Red Lava Horse Riding Near Reykjavik: What the 2.5 Hours Feels Like

This is one of those tours that makes Iceland feel close. You start in Reykjavik, get paired with your horse, then spend the bulk of the time riding through red lava terrain and mossy surroundings. The total time runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, but the riding portion is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your group and the route chosen.

The best part is that the experience does not assume you already know how to ride. Icelandic horses are known for being steady, and the guides are set up to match horses to riders based on experience and comfort. That is a big deal if you are nervous. You are not just dropped into the saddle and told to figure it out.

Meeting the Team at Solhestar: Pairing, Outfitting, and First Mount Nerves

The tour starts at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik at Surtlugata 19. You arrive, get ready, and the team works through the full outfitting process before you go anywhere. One of the small but important touches is the range of weather gear. They offer rain clothing and winter overalls, which helps a lot if Iceland decides to throw in wet conditions mid-tour.

Then comes the part that matters for safety and enjoyment: finding the right horse match. You get matched before you ride, which is why so many people walk away saying the horses felt calm and easy to handle. If it is your first time, I’d pay attention during the setup. The better you listen and ask questions, the faster the ride turns from stressful to fun.

If you can, show up wearing warm layers and socks you trust. Even with provided gear, your comfort will depend on staying warm and keeping your feet happy in the boots. In winter, some riders recommend having ski gloves on hand because the wind can make it feel colder than the forecast suggests.

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: Lava Hills and a 5,000-Year Volcanic Reminder

After setup, you move toward the Heiðmork Nature Reserve. This is not just a scenic pause. You learn and see a landscape shaped by very old volcanic activity, including lava hills tied to a volcano age of about 5,000 years.

What I like about this stop is the pacing. It gives you a break after getting mounted, but it also explains why the area looks the way it does. Lava terrain can look simple from afar, but up close you start noticing textures, moss patterns, and the odd geometry the ground makes. Even if you are not a geology person, you get a sense of scale: this is terrain formed long before humans shaped Iceland in the way you are seeing now.

Rauðavatn and Early Forestry: The 20th-Century Human Footprint

Later you stop around Rauðavatn. This part focuses on the start of forestry in Iceland, when the first steps were taken at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a good reminder that Iceland is not only fire and lava. It is also the story of people trying to shape and grow things in a tough environment.

From a riding perspective, this stop also works as a mental reset. By the time you are in the red hills area, you have already handled the initial excitement of mounting and then gotten a taste of the pace. A short cultural and historical pause keeps the tour from feeling like it is all movement without meaning.

Hólmsheiði Riding Routes: Smooth Paths for Beginners, More Challenge for Confident Riders

This is the main event. The Hólmsheiði segment is designed for small groups and flexible routes, typically about 5 to 7 kilometers depending on experience. Total tour duration stays around 2.5 hours, but most of the riding you came for happens here, about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Here is how the route thinking helps you:

• If you are a beginner, you may ride a smoother, more predictable path along the Redhills. This is the kind of track that helps you focus on balance and learning the Icelandic horse rhythm.
• If your group includes more experienced riders, you might go by Rauðarvatn with a route choice that gives a different feel to the terrain and ride flow.

Either way, you are in a natural setting that makes horseback riding feel like the right tool for the job. On foot, lava terrain can be slow and uneven. From horseback, the ground becomes a moving canvas, and your attention shifts from where to step to what to notice.

Trying the Icelandic Horse Gait (Tölt): When It Happens and Why It’s Fun

One reason people book Icelandic horse tours is the tolt. This is a distinctive gait that feels different from the typical walk-trot rhythm. On this tour, riders often get the chance to experience tolt, with varying speeds depending on how you and your horse are doing.

Even if you are nervous, try to stay open to it. Guides tend to watch closely and keep the experience controlled. If you feel unsteady, you can focus on steady cues and posture first. If you feel good, you can enjoy the extra sensation when the gait switches.

Also, bring your phone out at the right moments. Guides take photos using your phone and will help you capture the red rocks and the lava field views without making you fumble while mounted.

Getting Warm After the Ride: Tea, Coffee, and the End-of-Tour Reset

At the end, you return to the starting point. It is common to get warm drinks after the ride, like tea and coffee, which is a smart comfort move in a country where weather can flip quickly.

This is also where you hear quick feedback from the guides about how your ride went and what you handled well. For many first-timers, that moment matters as much as the riding did, because it helps turn your first-time horse experience into a real confidence boost.

Pickup and Timing: How to Avoid the Usual Reykjavik “Where Are We?” Stress

This tour offers pickup as an upgrade for door-to-door service from Reykjavik hotels or the bus terminal. The key detail is that pickup is only from hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus terminal in Reykjavik.

Timing works like this:

• Pickup starts about 30 minutes before departure.
• Pickup can take up to 20 minutes.
• Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for tours that depart at 9:30.
• Afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for tours that depart at 13:30.
• You should be ready at the pickup point on time. If you are not there by 5 minutes after pickup starts, the booking can be canceled.

My practical advice: double-check your voucher and enter a working phone number reachable in Iceland. You do not want your day to depend on a slow message reply.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At about $139.13 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Reykjavik. But it is also not “just a horse ride.” You are paying for a guided, safety-focused experience close to town, with:

• small-group limits (up to 15 travelers),
• gear support for rain and winter conditions,
• horse matching for different rider comfort levels,
• and route choices that let beginners enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed.

You should also factor in convenience. Being based near Reykjavik with hotel pickup means you spend less time planning transport and more time experiencing the ride. If you are short on Iceland time, that convenience alone can be worth real money.

Finally, the high approval score and strong rating (4.8 with hundreds of ratings) are a good signal that the experience is working for most people. That matters when you are paying for something where safety and comfort are part of the deal.

Who Should Book This, and Who Should Reconsider

This works especially well if:

• you are a first-time rider and want guided help without feeling rushed,
• you want an activity that blends scenery and quick context about Iceland’s terrain and history,
• you want a tour that can adjust the route for different experience levels,
• you care about staying warm, since the tour provides weather gear.

You might think twice if:

• you are extremely sensitive to uneven footing and plan to ride during icy conditions,
• you have physical limitations that make mounting or balance difficult. One rider with a knee replacement did choose to sit out and the team handled it kindly, but you should still plan realistically for your own comfort and mobility.

Also note the weight limit: max 110 kg. If you are close to that limit, confirm before booking.

FAQ

How long is the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

The tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes total. You’ll typically ride about 1.5 to 2 hours during that time.

Do I get pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup is offered as an upgrade for door-to-door service from Reykjavik hotels or the bus terminal. Pickup is only from hotels, guesthouses, and the BSI Bus terminal.

What gear do they provide for weather?

They provide rain clothing and winter overalls. Riding footwear and additional jacket or pants may be available, and it is smart to come prepared for wind and wet conditions.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It’s beginner-friendly, and guides also adjust routes based on rider experience. Even so, you should still expect a real horseback experience, not a gentle petting-only session.

Can I experience the tolt gait?

You may be able to experience the tolt gait. Guides determine what’s appropriate based on your riding comfort and the route.

What if the tour is canceled for weather or you need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should You Book This Red Lava Horse Ride?

If you want a high-value Iceland activity that feels personal, book it. The combination of small-group size, horse matching, and provided weather gear is a strong setup for first-timers and mixed experience groups. You also get meaningful stops, not just riding in a circle.

If you are traveling in colder months, plan for wind and possible icy trails. Dress for it, keep your expectations realistic, and talk to the guides during outfitting so your horse and route choice fit you.

Overall, this is one of the best ways to get out of central Reykjavik and experience real lava terrain on Icelandic horses without turning the day into complicated logistics.