Red lava, calm horses, and simple Reykjavik logistics. What makes this ride special is the small-group feel, plus a real chance to experience Icelandic horse gaits like the tölt. One thing to think about is season and trail conditions, since colder months can mean icy footing if weather turns.

I like that you get practical help from the first minute, including winter overalls and rain gear before you even mount up. You’ll also get a short, clear plan with a good mix of prep time, nature reserve sights, and 1.5-2 hours of riding, all close to the city. The trade-off is that you should be ready to dress for wind and wet, and pay attention to guidance if you are new or returning to riding.

Quick hits: what makes this red lava ride work

• Small group, max 15 riders means more time with your guide and less waiting around
• All experience levels are supported, with route options depending on comfort and ability
• Tölt moments are built in, not just a theory lesson at the stable
• Winter overalls and rain clothing provided so you are not gambling on what you packed
• Heidmörk and red hills terrain gives you that classic lava-and-hills feel without long travel days
• Warm drinks afterward help you reset fast, especially when the weather is doing its thing

Getting to Solhestar: Surtlugata 19 and the pickup timing that keeps you calm

The day starts at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, at Surtlugata 19 in Reykjavik. If you book the upgrade, you can get door-to-door pickup from Reykjavik hotels or the bus terminal, and pickup is also available from guesthouses and BSI Bus terminal. The operation is designed so you are not wandering around the city trying to find the stables.

Pickup begins 30 minutes before departure. Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour start, and afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for a 13:30 start. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes, so plan to be ready when your group is called. Also note this important detail: if you are not at the pickup point latest 5 minutes after pickup starts, there is a chance your booking could be canceled.

One more practical point: the tour is confirmed at booking, and it uses a mobile ticket. If you want fewer headaches, double-check the phone number you add to your booking details, since the team may need to reach you last minute while you are in Iceland.

Solhestar prep: rain gear, winter overalls, and matching the right horse

Your first stop is all about getting you equipped and paired. They get you ready at the stables, and you are offered rain clothing and winter overalls depending on conditions. That matters more than it sounds, because Iceland can shift from dry to wet fast, and wind can make cold feel louder than the forecast.

Then comes the part that makes or breaks the experience: horse matching. You spend time getting fitted and paired, and the staff tries to match you with a horse that fits your comfort and experience level. On tours like this, calm horses are not an accident, they are the result of choosing the right match and giving you clear riding cues.

If you’re worried about your balance, it helps that the setup is beginner-friendly. That does not mean the ride is slow all the time, but it does mean you are not treated like you have to “figure it out” on your own.

Heidmörk Nature Reserve: lava hills plus a volcano story

After mounting, you head toward Heidmork Nature Reserve for about an hour. This is where you get the “Iceland without the long drive” feeling. You’ll see lava hills, and you also get history context about a volcano that is said to be around 5,000 years old.

What I like about this kind of stop is that it gives the ride meaning. You are not just moving through scenery for scenery’s sake. You also learn why the ground looks the way it does, and why the area feels rugged and strangely shaped even when it’s quiet.

The trade-off is timing. You may not get long photo stops at every angle like you would on a bus tour. But you will still have plenty of chances to look up, stop your hands from gripping too hard, and enjoy the view as you ride.

Rauðavatn and the forestry detail you might miss on your own

One of the coolest side stories on this ride is connected to Rauðavatn. The route may include a stop or ride focus here, and the explanation is that this area relates to the first steps of forestry in Iceland in the early 20th century.

That detail is useful because it reframes what you might think you are looking at. Instead of seeing only bare ground and volcanic textures, you get a human timeline layered on top of the natural one. It also helps you understand why some areas look like they are in a process, not a finished landscape.

If you like your tours with small educational “thread” moments, this one delivers. It’s brief, but it sticks.

Hólmsheiði: the red hills ride and the route choice that matches your comfort

The main riding happens around Hólmsheiði, which is described as the most popular part of the tour. This is where you ride in small groups, and you get personal, friendly service throughout.

The distance is roughly 5-7 km, and it can change based on rider experience. The important detail is that route choice is part of the design. You may ride on a smoother path along the Redhills, which is great if you want a more comfortable pace and stable footing. If you’re in a group with more experienced riders, you may take a route by Rauðarvatn.

Either way, you are riding on natural paths, not a parking-lot track. It’s the kind of route that helps you relax into the horse’s rhythm, which is key for beginners trying to look around instead of staring at the ground.

Total tour time is about 2.5 hours, including prep and transitions. You can expect 1.5-2 hours riding, which is a solid amount of time to feel like you actually did something outdoors instead of just sitting on a horse for a photo.

The Icelandic horse experience: calm mounts, tölt chances, and what to expect at first

Most riders come for the horses, and this tour leans hard into what Icelandic horses do best. You’ll get instruction before you start, and you continue getting guidance while you ride, including help for things like moving around safely and adjusting how you hold the reins.

A major highlight is the chance to experience the tölt, the famous Icelandic four-beat gait that can feel smooth once you match the horse’s rhythm. Many people love this because it’s not something you can just assume you will get on every horseback tour. Here, tölt moments are part of the experience flow.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm and easy to ride, with staff careful about matching you properly. I also like the consistency in how that support is framed. You are not asked to brave it. You are coached to feel steady.

If you are very new, remember this: even calm horses move like animals. Some riders find the physical feel surprising at first. One small note from a rider comment: an English saddle can feel different, with a different balance compared to what you might imagine. If you have balance issues, it’s wise to focus on the option that stays at walk levels, at least initially, and let the guide steer you from there.

What to wear and bring: socks, gloves, and using the gear they provide

This tour is outdoors in real weather. The good news is that Solhestar provides rain clothing and winter overalls, and many riders also mention that there are jacket and pants options plus riding boots available during outfitting. Still, your base layer matters.

From what people recommend, here’s the practical checklist I’d follow:

• Wear good socks so your feet stay warm inside the boots
• Dress in layers so you can adjust when you start moving
• If you have them, bring warm ski-style gloves or something windproof
• If it’s wet, take full advantage of the rain gear they offer rather than improvising with a thin rain jacket

One thing I’m glad to see in the setup is that warmth is treated as part of safety, not an afterthought. Guides also provide hot drinks afterward, like tea and coffee, which helps you warm up right away instead of freezing back in Reykjavík.

Also, consider your timing. In winter and shoulder season you might get wind-driven cold, even if the sun comes out. Dress for that.

Guides in action: friendly support, photos at the red lava, and small-group attention

The human side of this tour is where it earns its high scores. The guides are repeatedly described as kind, helpful, and attentive from the stable to the end of the ride. Two names show up in standout comments: Claudia and Klara, both praised for friendly, supportive service.

What you feel during the ride is the small-group structure. When the group stays small, the guide can check on you, adjust instructions if you look tense, and keep an eye on footing. That’s especially helpful for beginners who feel their confidence rise once they realize they’re not being left behind.

There’s also a nice photo workflow. People often talk about the guides taking photos using riders’ phones at the lava rocks, so you get images without having to stop everything yourself. If you want less time fumbling with a camera in wind, this is a real benefit.

Group size, weight limit, and who the ride fits best

This is a maximum 15 travelers tour, which is big enough for a fun group dynamic but small enough for hands-on help. There is a weight limit of 110 kg, which you should confirm when you book.

As for who it suits, the tour is designed to be beginner-friendly and also work for more experienced riders via route choices. One person even mentions it being their first ride and feeling comfortable by the end.

If you want a “taste” of Icelandic horse culture while staying based in Reykjavík, this fits well. If you only want a quick peek and no real riding time, you might prefer a shorter activity. But if you want time on the horse, plus the lava-hills scenery and a bit of local context, this is a strong match.

Price and value from Reykjavík: what $139.13 actually buys you

At $139.13 per person, this tour is not the cheapest thing on a Reykjavík itinerary. The value comes from what’s included and how long you’re actually riding.

You’re paying for:

• A short drive to the stables area and a structured plan
• Equipment support, including rain gear and winter overalls
• A guided ride with routing choices for different experience levels
• 1.5-2 hours on horseback, within a total about 2.5 hours
• Small-group attention, plus warm drinks afterward

When you compare that to many “half-day” activities that cost similar money but deliver less actual time outdoors, the riding time here is the key. Also, pickup is part of the convenience equation, because you are in Reykjavík, not renting a car for a single activity.

One more practical value signal: it’s commonly booked in advance, with an average booking time around 41 days ahead. If you’re traveling in peak season or want a specific timing, that early demand is your clue to lock it in.

Weather reality check: icy trails in late season can change the feel

A balanced review has to say this part out loud. This tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Still, not all “bad weather” is the same. Some riders had a stressful ride in late October when there was snow and the trails were icy, including concerns about footing and horse fit for the rider. That doesn’t mean the tour is unsafe by default, but it does mean you should pay attention to conditions when booking.

If you’re sensitive to traction, pick a time when trails are more likely to be stable. If you’re new, trust the guide’s pairing process and tell them honestly how you feel at the start. A good match reduces stress immediately.

Should you book this Red Lava horseback ride?

I’d book it if you want a true horseback experience close to Reykjavik, with enough guidance to help you relax and enough riding time to feel it mattered. The high rating and very strong recommendation rate, with an average 4.8 score from 386 people and 96% recommending it, is a good indicator that most people come away happy with the staff, the horses, and the ride length.

You should think twice if you are booking late in the season with icy trail risk, or if you know you struggle when footing is uncertain. In those cases, dress for the weather, be clear about your comfort level, and focus on the riding pace and route that fits you.

If you’re after a memorable, beginner-friendly way to see lava hills and Icelandic horse gaits, this one delivers the goods, especially when conditions cooperate.

FAQ

How long is the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour from Reykjavik?

The tour is about 2 hours 30 minutes total, with roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of riding depending on the route and rider experience.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $139.13 per person.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

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

What time does pickup start?

Pickup starts 30 minutes before departure. Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for a 9:30 tour start, and afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for a 13:30 tour start.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

No. This is beginner-friendly, and routes can be chosen based on experience. You can typically ride at a pace that matches your comfort level.

What should I wear for the ride?

Wear warm layers and bring warm socks. Rain clothing and winter overalls are offered for outfitting, and riding boots may be available as part of the gear.

What if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.