Lava fields, horses, and big ocean winds. I love the small-group feel (max 12 riders), and I love that you get full riding equipment plus snacks so you are not digging for gear in Reykjavik. One caution, this tour is family-friendly in spirit, but it is described as medium difficulty for experienced riders, so don’t assume it is a beginner pony ride.

You will head west from Þorlákshöfn toward the volcanic scenery around Krýsuvík, where geothermal steam can rise from the ground in the distance. Then you’ll pause at Strandakirkja, a well known 12th century Protestant church with ocean views, plus wave watching when the wind kicks up.

This tour is run by Alhestar Horse Rental and Tours, starting at AlhestarFaxabraut 6 in Þorlákshöfn, with pickup offered. English is offered, and in customer stories guides like Bjorn are friendly and helpful, while communication can be tougher when the main voice is not speaking English, like with Magnus.

Key Things to Know

• Krýsuvík lava fields and geothermal steam give you scenery that feels different from the usual road trip views
• Strandakirkja (12th century) adds a calm cultural stop right by the ocean
• Small group size (max 12) keeps the ride more personal and easier to manage
• Helmets, gear, and snacks included, so you can pack lighter
• Medium difficulty for experienced riders is the real deciding factor for families

Getting Oriented at Alhestar in Þorlákshöfn

Most Iceland horse tours live and die by the start, and this one begins right where you want it, at Alhestar in Þorlákshöfn. The meeting point is AlhestarFaxabraut 6, and the tour ends back there, which keeps your day from turning into a logistics puzzle.

You should expect a real “get ready” flow, helmets on, equipment fitted, and a quick run through what you’ll do. The good news is that equipment and helmets are included, so the first hurdle is not “do I have the right boots.” Still, you want good footwear because Iceland outside can be slippery and windy.

This is also where you’ll get your first sense of how the group is handled. The tour limits numbers to 12 travelers, so guides can actually supervise, not just herd.

The Ride From Þorlákshöfn Toward Krýsuvík’s Lava Fields

The main riding route runs west from Þorlákshöfn toward the lava fields of Krýsuvík. This is not a gentle, flat stroll. It is more about riding through Iceland’s rough, volcanic backdrop, with open views to mountains and the sea.

One of the most interesting elements is the geothermal angle. Krýsuvík is known for geothermal activity, so you may spot pale steam rising from the ground. From horseback, that far-off, white haze reads differently. It feels less like a “feature on a map” and more like the land is still working.

If the day is cold and windy, treat that as part of the experience. Iceland weather can move fast, and on a ride you feel it in your hands and face before you feel it anywhere else. The route is scenic, but it is also exposed.

A practical tip for comfort: plan to keep your hands steady and your body warm. Even if the horse is sure-footed, your job gets harder when you are chilly. Wear layers you can adjust, and avoid bulky jackets that bunch up around your arms.

Where the Stops Really Matter, Lava Scenery and Strandakirkja

A good horse tour is not only about the ride. It is about those in-between stops where you stop being a passenger and start seeing Iceland as a place, not a postcard.

After the lava views, you’ll visit Strandakirkja, described as a Protestant church from the 12th century. It is known in Iceland, and it also comes with one of the most useful things you can get on a half-day like this, perspective. You look out at the ocean from a high, meaningful spot, and you understand why people settled here when travel was harder and weather was more real.

You can also expect the waves. On windy days, the cliffs can look dramatic, with surf crashing below. That is not just pretty. It helps you register the power of the coast, especially after riding through volcanic ground inland.

Then you get a small café break nearby, where you and the horses can rest and have snacks. That short reset is more valuable than it sounds. Riding uses leg strength and balance, and a break lets you recover before you head back.

How Long This Feels: Four Hours Total, Riding Time Varies

The tour is listed as a 2 hour approx. experience in one place, but it is also described as a 4 hours riding tour with snacks and a full itinerary. In practice, what matters is not the brochure math, it is what you feel in your legs.

Plan on a half-day experience. Part of that time is likely spent getting horses ready, fitting equipment, and traveling within the area. Even riders who were happy with the scenery have described a longer stretch to reach the farm and saddled horses, followed by about an hour riding time on the trail.

So, if you are choosing this for a tight cruise or port day, treat it as a four-hour block you need to protect. Do not assume it is a quick two-hour ticket you can flex. Your best move is to build a buffer into your schedule.

Snacks, Beverages, and What Gear Actually Covers

Included with the tour are helmets and riding equipment, plus snacks and beverages. That combo is a real value play in Iceland. It cuts down on extra spending and reduces decision stress. You are not hunting for a helmet store or buying snacks at the last minute.

What you still need to bring is comfort and traction. The tour explicitly points you to warm and comfortable clothes and good shoes, sneakers or boots. The listing even spells out a simple reality: good shoes are not included, and warm clothing is on you.

Here is how I would think about it:

• If you get cold, you will grip harder and move stiffly. That makes riding feel harder.
• If your shoes slip, your balance suffers even if the horse is steady.

Wear layers, and if you have to choose between fashion and function, choose function. Iceland is not impressed by style on a windy farm day.

Icelandic Horses and Medium Difficulty: The Real Suitability Test

This tour is labeled family-friendly, and it is offered in a small-group format. But it is also described as medium difficulty and intended for experienced riders. That tension is the key thing you should resolve before you book.

If you have never ridden before, you might still be a calm, attentive person. But medium difficulty is about more than being brave. It is about your ability to sit, react, and keep your posture stable as terrain and pace change.

If your group includes riders with solid experience, you will likely enjoy the ride more because you can focus on what you came for, the scenery and the motion of Icelandic horses.

Quick self-check:

• Can you mount and dismount comfortably without rushing?
• Can you keep your balance when the horse moves over rough ground?
• Are you comfortable with riding in wind and cold for longer stretches?

If your answers are shaky, consider another tour that is aimed at beginners, even if it costs a bit more time.

Small Group Size and Supervision, With a Note on Language

The cap is 12 travelers, and the value of that is simple: supervision is realistic. Horse riding is safer when the guide can actually see what each rider is doing.

English is offered, and guides are described as friendly and helpful in at least one account where Bjorn was leading. Still, one customer story mentions the owner Magnus not speaking English, which made communication difficult.

That does not mean the tour is bad. It does mean you should go in prepared to follow nonverbal cues if needed. In real life, a good guide keeps instructions clear, repeats what you need, and adjusts for the group.

Bring a calm mindset. If you are waiting for perfect English to explain every movement, you may get frustrated. If you focus on what your guide demonstrates, you’ll do fine.

Price and Value: Is 180 USD Fair for This Day?

At $180 per person, this is not a budget add-on. But it can still be a strong value if you compare what is included.

You get:

• 4 hours riding tour (with a real itinerary, not just “sit on a horse for 30 minutes”)
• Helmets and riding equipment
• Snacks and beverages
• A small-group experience

Where the value can wobble is when schedules do not match expectations, like if you are expecting a quick two-hour ride. Also, if you are adding your own transportation to get to the meeting point, your true cost can creep up.

One thing worth noting is how far in advance it is often booked, around 53 days. That suggests demand, likely because Þorlákshöfn gives a calmer base than the city.

My practical take: if you want Icelandic horse time and you can handle medium difficulty, $180 starts to make sense. If you are unsure about rider skill or timing, that price becomes harder to justify.

Weather and Timing: The Wind Is Part of the Show

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That matters because horse tours are not like walking tours. Wind, rain, and icy ground can change what is safe and comfortable.

The good part is that the itinerary is designed around views that make sense in varied weather. Lava fields and steam can look even more dramatic in foggy or gray weather. And the church stop gives you ocean views even if the ride slows down.

If you are planning around a cruise stop in Iceland, treat the day as weather-dependent and build extra time. Short delays can be common on any farm outing, especially when animals and equipment are involved.

What to Bring, So You Don’t Feel Miserable Halfway Through

The packing list here is simple:

• Warm and comfortable clothes
• Good shoes, sneakers or boots

That is enough to get you started, but I would translate it into a more specific mindset. Wear gloves or something that protects your hands. Wind plus cold plus repeated hand position is when discomfort stacks up.

Also consider layers you can remove. Iceland can swing from chilly to pleasantly tolerable quickly.

And one more practical point: helmets are included, so focus your effort on staying warm and stable. Not on accessories you do not need.

A Few Red Flags to Weigh Before You Book

This is rated 4.2 out of 5 based on 21 reviews, which is decent. Still, there are clear downsides you should know so you do not get surprised.

First, there are reports of cancellations by the operator less than 24 hours before the event, with refunds not always seen immediately. Second, one customer described being charged an extra $75 for transportation between a cruise ship in Reykjavik and the activity area, which they felt was not described clearly beforehand. Third, there are mentions of communication being tricky when the guide or owner did not speak English well.

How to protect yourself:

• Double-check how you will get to the meeting point and what, if anything, is covered by pickup.
• Keep your day flexible if you are in a port city.
• If language is a concern, plan to rely on demonstration and simple commands, not complex explanation.

None of this means you should avoid the tour. It just means you should book with your eyes open.

Who This Horse Tour Is Best For

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a more active way to see Icelandic nature near Þorlákshöfn
• Like small groups with real supervision
• Are comfortable riding at medium difficulty level
• Enjoy volcanic scenery, not just waterfalls and city stops

It may not be a great fit if you:

• Have very limited riding experience
• Need a perfectly beginner-friendly ride structure
• Have strict time pressure and no weather flexibility

Families can enjoy it when everyone is ready for the ride demands. But the “medium difficulty” label is the deciding factor.

Should You Book This Family Horse Riding Tour in Thorlákshöfn?

If you are an experienced rider (or you have riders in your group who are), I think you should seriously consider it. The combo of Krýsuvík lava fields, the chance of geothermal steam in the distance, and the stop at Strandakirkja gives you a day that feels tied to Iceland’s real terrain, not just a loop around town.

You should skip it or look for another option if you are a beginner and your group cannot handle medium difficulty. Also, if your travel day is tight, plan for weather and possible schedule shifts.

If you want an authentic Iceland horseback outing where gear and snacks are covered and the group stays small, this one can deliver. Just match the booking to rider skill first, then enjoy the scenery.

FAQ

How long is the Family Horse Riding Tour in Þorlákshöfn?

It is described as about 2 hours in one place, and it is also described as a 4-hour riding tour with snacks and an itinerary. Plan a half-day block to be safe.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is AlhestarFaxabraut 6, 815 Þorlákshöfn, Iceland.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Riding equipment and a helmet are included, along with snacks and beverages, and the riding portion of the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring warm and comfortable clothes and good shoes, sneakers or boots.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

The tour is marketed as family-friendly, but it is also described as medium difficulty intended for experienced riders, so you should confirm rider comfort and ability for your group.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.