Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour

A horseback ride over lava feels like time travel. This Reykjavik tour takes you into dramatic volcanic terrain on Icelandic horses, with optional pickup and winter gear so you can focus on the views. It is also built for different comfort levels, from first-timers to people who want a livelier ride.

What I like most is the way the horses feel friendly and steady, plus the fact you are not stuck with one bland route. You choose between riding paths suited to your experience, including a smoother option along the Redhills and a more advanced route that can include faster moments. My only caution is that this is cold-weather riding most of the year, and food is not included, so plan to eat before or after.

What Makes This Ride Worth Your Time

You will spend about 1.5 to 2 hours in the saddle during a total tour time of around 2.5 hours, so it does not feel like a quick photo stop. I also like that you get practical comfort built in: a helmet every rider must wear, rain clothing if needed, and winter jumpsuits when conditions call for it. That matters because if you are warm and not fighting your layers, you actually enjoy the ride.

One more smart touch: you are given tea and coffee during and/or after the experience. It is a small thing, but it helps you settle back in when Iceland weather flips from calm to windy without warning. If you are sensitive to cold, wear warm layers under the provided outer gear and expect your hands and feet to need attention.

A Practical Consideration Before You Book

The biggest possible downside is weather and physical comfort. Even with gear, you will be outside during Iceland conditions, and the tour requires you to be in physical good condition, with restrictions for pregnancy, back problems, mobility impairments, and recent surgeries. Also, there is a weight limit of 110 kg (242 lb), so if you are near that number, check first.

Key Things I’d Tell My Friend

• Beginner-friendly setup so you are matched with a horse and route based on experience
• Two route options including Redhills for smoother riding and Rauðarvatn for more advanced riders
• Winter jumpsuits and rain gear so you can actually enjoy the lava terrain instead of shivering
• Helmet required for all riders, plus a short time to get fitted at the stables
• Tea and coffee provided, which makes the cold feel more manageable
• A lava-rock photo stop where the guide can help with pictures, including on your phone

Meeting the Horses at the Sólhestar Stables

Most days start with a simple plan: arrive at the stable about 15 minutes before the set riding time. If you are using hotel pickup, you are collected roughly 30 minutes before departure time by a small bus or jeep marked with the provider name. If you are driving yourself, there is free parking in front of the stables, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik.

At the stables, you meet the staff, get geared up, and get a helmet that you must wear while riding. You also get a short window to settle in before you mount up, which helps if you are nervous or if it is your first time on a horse. In the reviews, you will see lots of mentions of patient instruction and quick comfort for beginners, which is what you want when you are learning in cold, windy air.

The stable itself is part of the experience. People describe it as welcoming and well set up, and the horses are ready to go once you are matched and equipped. That pacing matters, because a relaxed start means you ride smarter, not more tense.

The Tour Flow: From Short Drive to Real Riding Time

After meeting the horses, you head out for a ride through volcanic terrain south of Iceland. The total tour time is listed at 2.5 hours, but the useful time in the saddle is the real headline: plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours of horseback riding.

Your ride distance is 5 to 7 kilometers, and that number shifts based on your riding experience. The operator aims to keep things comfortable and safe, not to turn it into a long-distance endurance event. If you want value, this is the sweet spot, because you get a meaningful stretch of time with the horses without spending your whole afternoon in transit.

Along the way, your instructor guides you through basic riding cues and group management. Many riders mention that instructors keep it clear and supportive, with helpful checking in during the ride. If you are a complete beginner, that guidance is what makes a lava-field ride feel calm rather than chaotic.

Redhills vs Rauðarvatn: How Your Route Changes

This is not a one-size-fits-all ride, and that is a big reason people feel good about it. You will pick a path most suited to your experience, and the terrain changes accordingly.

On the Redhills route, you ride along a beautiful, smooth path through the red volcanic area. This tends to feel steady and manageable, especially if you are new to horses or prefer a more relaxed pace. It also gives you time to look around, because you are not constantly adjusting for faster movement.

If you are in the more experienced group, you may ride by Rauðarvatn, with a longer and more energetic option. Reviews mention that advanced riders can have moments like tölt sessions, plus a faster option if you are comfortable. In practice, this means you still get the lava terrain, but you also get variety in the horse’s gait.

Either way, the goal stays the same: natural riding paths, red lava formations, mossy and rocky ground, and an Iceland setting that feels raw and real. You are not driving past scenery from a bus seat. You are moving through it.

How the Lava Terrain Feels While You Ride

The tour’s big visual theme is the red lava fields, and the way you experience them is more than just looking. Lava terrain changes the ground texture under your horse, and that affects your balance and rhythm. For most riders, that means the ride feels grounded, slow enough to absorb, and just real enough to be memorable.

People often describe the ride as peaceful, with a steady walk and occasional speed depending on group choice. Even when weather is rough, you still tend to feel the sense of being outside Iceland’s everyday rhythm. You get a mix of walking on paths and open views, which makes photos and landmarks easier to enjoy.

There is also a meaningful detail you should not ignore: you get time to get pictures. A photo stop at red lava rocks is included, and guides may help take photos on your phone. This is one of those rare tours that plans for photos but does not turn the ride into a line of stops.

Gear That Actually Helps in Iceland Weather

What separates a good horse tour from a miserable one is gear. This tour provides a helmet, wet-weather clothing if required, and winter jumpsuits when conditions are cold enough. If you are riding in winter or shoulder season, that outer layer makes a huge difference for comfort and safety.

There are also clear rules about what you should bring and wear. Wear warm clothing and weather-appropriate layers, and expect to use closed shoes that fit well. You are not allowed to wear shorts, use professional cameras, bring backpacks, or wear open-toed shoes. Those restrictions keep the ride safer and keep hands and gear from getting in the wrong place.

A simple tip from the experience itself: bring gloves and warm socks if you are visiting in wintertime. Reviews mention wool socks and gloves specifically, and it is easy to see why once you are sitting still, cold air in your face, and your hands gripping in steering position.

The Instructor Moment: Safer, Faster Learning

The instructor experience is one of the most praised parts of the tour. People talk about friendly, patient guides who explain things well and help riders feel comfortable quickly. Names that come up often include Claudia, Nina, and Patri, and riders describe them as attentive and warm.

This matters because Icelandic horses have their own character. Even when horses are calm and well trained, you still need basic instruction so your posture and rein handling feel right. The tour’s setup helps beginners get stable fast and helps experienced riders choose how energetic they want to be.

Some reviews also mention groups splitting after an initial moment, based on riding preferences such as slower or faster. That is a smart way to keep comfort high, because fast riders do not need to hold up slow riders, and beginners do not have to feel pushed.

Transportation and Pickup: Easy to Get to From Reykjavik

Getting to the stables is usually a smooth part of the day. If you select pickup, you will be collected about 30 minutes before the tour start time from selected hotels and pickup points in Reykjavik. The vehicle is a small bus or jeep with the provider name on the side.

If you prefer to drive, you meet at the stable 15 minutes before riding time. Parking is free in front of the stable. For many people, this flexibility is what makes the tour easy to fit into a Reykjavik plan, especially if you are balancing a ring-road day with something shorter and closer to the city.

The ride itself is mostly outdoors, so your travel day should not rely on tight connections. I like pairing this with a slower evening afterward, because once you ride, you usually feel like you did something real, not just toured a highlight from behind glass.

What You Get, What You Don’t

This tour is priced at $142 per person for a total of about 2.5 hours. You get horseback riding, an instructor, and a helmet for every rider. You also get coffee, and wet-weather clothing plus winter jumpsuits when needed. Free parking is included at the location, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you choose the pickup option.

Food and drinks are not included. That is worth planning for. I recommend eating a proper snack or meal before your ride so you are not hungry once you finish and want to keep sightseeing. After a cold ride, people tend to want warmth and calories, and you will appreciate having them ready.

How Much Value Is This, Really?

At $142, this is not a budget activity. But compared to tours that squeeze you into a short saddle time, the riding here feels substantial. You are in the saddle for 1.5 to 2 hours, and the terrain is genuinely unique because you are riding through red lava areas, not just a generic riding arena.

You are also not paying extra for the stuff that matters in Iceland weather. Many “adventure” tours charge for warm gear or leave you figuring out what to wear. Here, helmets and winter or rain outer layers are part of the package, plus tea and coffee.

So the value equation looks like this: meaningful riding time, guided instruction, safe gear, and a setting that is hard to replicate. If you are visiting for a short time and want one hands-on experience that feels Iceland-specific, I think it is a strong use of your day.

Who Should Book This Horse Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want Iceland nature in a hands-on way. It works for beginners and more experienced riders because you can choose routes and you get grouped by riding experience. If you like animals and want a guided experience that still leaves room to enjoy the views, it is a solid match.

You should skip it if you fall into the listed limitations: pregnancy, back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, recent surgeries, low level of fitness, or if you exceed 110 kg (242 lb). If any of those apply, look for a different kind of Iceland experience that fits your body and comfort needs.

A Few Small Rules That Save Headaches

The tour has clear do’s and don’ts for safety and comfort:

• No shorts
• No professional cameras
• No backpacks
• No open-toed shoes

You also need to be in physical good condition. That is not meant to be intimidating, but it does mean you should be prepared for cold weather sitting on a moving horse and for some basic stability tasks while you ride.

If you are unsure what shoe type is appropriate, pick something closed and grippy. If you are already bringing gloves, make sure they let you grip comfortably and stay warm.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a memorable, Iceland-specific experience that is close to Reykjavik and not overly complicated. The combination of Icelandic horses, red lava terrain, and meaningful saddle time hits the “worth it” zone for most people, especially first-timers who want confidence and structure.

Book it now if your trip timing lines up and you are ready for cool outdoor conditions. If you hate cold, plan better layering, or consider choosing another day with calmer weather if the operator offers options. If you are within the weight limit and physically able, this tour is one of the clearer choices for an active Reykjavik day.

On the other hand, if you have any restrictions like back issues or mobility limits, do not try to push through. In that case, you will likely be happier choosing a different style of Iceland experience that matches your needs.

If you do book, show up early, wear warm layers under the provided gear, and treat the lava ride like the main event. You will spend enough time on the horse to feel the magic, not just snap a picture and move on.