Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

Red lava, calm horses, and real Reykjavik convenience. This 2.5-hour horseback tour from Solhestar Horse rental pairs lava hills and volcano history with a guided ride that can include the famous Icelandic tölt. You get picked up, dressed for the weather, then matched to a horse that fits your level.

Two things I really like: the small-group setup (max 15) that keeps the guidance personal, and the fact that you’re kitted out before you mount, with rain clothing and winter overalls when conditions demand it. Even when it is wet or windy, you are not just “hoping for the best.” You also get a warm-up afterwards, with tea and coffee mentioned in guide service experiences.

One consideration: the tour depends on good weather, and if you’re riding in colder shoulder seasons, icy footing can make the experience feel more stressful than scenic. If you know you freeze easily or you hate slipping, plan carefully.

Key highlights you should know before you go

• Small groups, real attention: max 15 riders, with a guide who can adjust pace and support
• Horse matching for your comfort: they pair you with a horse that fits how you ride
• Weather gear is part of the deal: rain clothing plus winter overalls help a lot in Iceland
• Route choice for different experience levels: options around Redhills or Rauðarvatn
• Tölt moments are a priority: guides often give riders a chance to experience it during the ride
• Short hop from Reykjavik: meeting point is in the city area, and pickup is offered

Why a Red Lava Horse Ride feels different near Reykjavik

This tour is built around one simple idea: you should spend more time riding and less time figuring things out. From Solhestar, you head into Heiðmörk Nature Reserve and then out to the riding area near Hólmsheiði. The terrain stays tied to Iceland’s signature look, lava formations, red hills, and mossy ground that looks otherworldly when you move through it on a horse.

What makes it special is the mix of help and freedom. You get guided riding and support, but there’s also enough time in the saddle to settle into the horse’s rhythm. One rider called out that even beginners felt at ease quickly, which is exactly what you want on your first Icelandic horse experience.

Price and what $139.13 buys you (and what it does not)

At about $139.13 per person for a roughly 2.5-hour outing, you are paying for three big things:

First, you are paying for a live animal experience with guided instruction. Second, you are paying for the weather solution. Rain clothing and winter overalls are provided so you can actually enjoy the ride instead of treating it like outdoor survival training. Third, you are paying for a small-group ride with route options, not a big cattle-car tour.

It is not a private tour, though. You ride with up to 15 people, and you will be grouped by ability and what the guide thinks works best that day. If you are looking for total one-on-one time, you might need a different style of booking. But if your goal is Icelandic horses plus lava terrain with solid support, this price typically feels fair.

Also note the duration split: the total tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, with about 1.5 to 2 hours actually riding. That is enough saddle time to feel like you did the thing, not just sat on a horse for a photo and a goodbye.

From Reykjavik pickup to Solhestar: the easy start matters

Pickup is part of the value here, and it keeps the experience low-stress. The tour offers door-to-door pickup from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus terminal. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

Timing is specific:

• Morning tours: pickup at 9:00, departure around 9:30
• Afternoon tours: pickup at 13:00, departure around 13:30

Pickup can take up to 20 minutes, so expect a little window of “we are close, but not exact.” One detail to take seriously: if you are not at the pickup point no later than 5 minutes after pickup starts, there is a chance your booking can be canceled. Bring a phone number that works in Iceland, and make sure it is in your booking details so they can reach you quickly if anything shifts.

When you arrive, you start at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Solhestar prep: matching, rain gear, and getting your seat right

Before you ride, you do not just “show up and swing into the saddle.” You get ready for the tour first. That prep time is around 30 minutes, and it includes two practical wins.

1) You get outfitted. They offer both rain clothing and winter overalls, depending on the season and conditions. In Iceland, this can be the difference between enjoying the ride and spending it shivering while thinking about how warm your hotel room is.

2) You get matched to a horse. Icelandic horses have their own personality, and the guides aim to pair you with one that fits your experience. Multiple riders specifically praised how calm and easy the horses were, including for first-timers.

If you are new, pay attention to the mounting and basic riding instructions. One beginner noted the guidance continues during the ride too, not just at the start. That is important. The guide can correct your posture and help you feel steady on turns, up or down small slopes, and when the route shifts.

Quick tip from how people describe the experience: wear good socks, and if you have ski gloves, bring them. Wet and windy Iceland weather can soak through more than you expect.

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: lava hills and a 5,000-year volcanic backdrop

Your first main riding environment is Heiðmörk Nature Reserve. This is where you start seeing why the Red Lava Horse Riding name fits. Lava hills appear around you, and you also learn about the volcano behind the area, described as around 5,000 years old.

What I like about this stop is that it is not just scenery for scenery’s sake. A short history thread helps you understand what you are looking at, lava terrain, and how the land formed. It adds meaning without turning the ride into a lecture.

There’s also a practical rhythm here. You start the tour with gear and horse matching, then transition into a reserve with clear guiding. By the time you reach Hólmsheiði, your body is warmed up, your mind is settled, and you are ready to ride longer in the best conditions your group can handle.

Rauðavatn forestry stop: history meets route planning

Between the lava hills and the main riding segment, you also pass by Rauðavatn, mentioned as the first steps of forestry in Iceland taken in the beginning of the 20th century.

This matters because it explains why the terrain can feel different as you move through the area. Even with the same volcanic origins, Iceland’s land use and vegetation patterns can shift. That gives your ride a little variety beyond “walk through rocks forever.”

Route choice is also part of your experience at this stage. Your guide will set the ride around your ability level. The tour can include:

• riding on smooth paths along the Redhills
• for more experienced riders, riding by Rauðarvatn

That means you should not assume the route is identical for every group. It is designed so beginners are not pushed, and more advanced riders can get a ride that matches their comfort.

Hólmsheiði red hills ride: 5 to 7 km and tölt opportunities

Hólmsheiði is the main act. This is described as the most popular part of the tour, and it is where the riding really takes off.

Here is what to expect:

• small groups
• a total route distance around 5 to 7 km, depending on experience
• about 1.5 to 2 hours riding within the overall 2.5-hour tour

There are two route options again, tied to ability:

• a smoother riding path along the Redhills
• a route by Rauðarvatn for riders who want more challenge

Now for the thing people remember: tölt. Several riders specifically mentioned getting the chance to experience the tolt (tölt) gait. That is a big deal for Icelandic horses, and it is one reason this is worth doing even if you have ridden horses elsewhere.

In plain terms, you are not just going for a slow scenic walk the whole time. Guides aim to give riders opportunities, and beginners often get a version they can manage safely. Experienced riders are also given a chance to ride at a pace that feels fun to them.

If you want the best “first Icelandic ride” moment, arrive mentally ready for weather. The route can be beautiful and still a bit wild. Your job is to sit steady, follow the guide’s cues, and let the horse do its job.

What the ride feels like: guidance on posture and pace

The ride is beginner-friendly, but that does not mean it is effortless. It means the guides can adapt. People describe the staff as friendly and attentive, and they keep adjusting as riders settle in or if someone feels unsteady.

A good sign is that riders of different ages and abilities still found a workable plan. One rider with a knee replacement chose not to continue and staff helped bring them back to the starting point. That tells me the operation is built to manage real-life limits, not just fantasy riders who always feel 100 percent.

Also, there’s a photography element people liked. Guides take photos at the lava rocks from different angles using riders’ phones, so you come home with pictures that actually show you on the terrain you rode.

And yes, you might get a little sore afterwards. That seems normal with any saddle time, and people warn it is worth expecting.

Weather, clothing, and icy footing: how to not ruin your own trip

Iceland weather is not polite. It can be rain, sleet, wind, or a mix in the same hour. The tour’s biggest practical advantage is that they provide rain clothing and winter overalls. That alone raises your odds of enjoying the ride instead of suffering through it.

But there is another layer: you must still dress for grip and warmth. One rider suggested using ski gloves if you have them because wet and wind can numb your hands. Another said you should dress warm in winter time, and that conditions can be more intense than forecasts suggest.

Now the drawback to watch, especially in late fall or shoulder season: icy trails. One less positive account described icy conditions and stress about footing. That does not mean the tour is unsafe, but it does mean you should be honest with yourself. If you struggle with balance on slick surfaces, consider the season carefully and go in with the right gear.

Good news: the tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, it can be canceled and you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Who this tour is perfect for (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a beginner-friendly Reykjavik-area ride on calm Icelandic horses
• want a small-group experience (max 15) with hands-on support
• hope to experience tölt at least once
• want weather gear included so you can ride in real Iceland conditions

It is also a good choice if you are traveling solo. Several riders highlighted that the experience worked well even for first-time solo riders, because the guides handle the prep and keep you moving step by step.

The “think twice” group is smaller, but it exists:

• If you have trouble with balance on uneven or slippery ground, ice seasons can be a concern.
• If cold weather makes you miserable fast, you must dress correctly, or the ride can feel like endurance.
• If you are above the weight limit (max 110 kg), you will not be able to join.

Should you book this Red Lava Horse Riding tour from Reykjavik?

Book it if your Iceland plan includes Reykjavik time and you want a classic horse-and-lava day without a long drive and without skipping the weather gear. The small-group size, the horse matching, and the chance to experience tölt are the big reasons this tour earns such strong ratings.

Don’t book it if you know you cannot handle cold wet conditions, you refuse to wear provided weather gear, or you are worried about balance on uneven terrain during colder months. If you are in that camp, ask yourself what your goal really is: a calm, confidence-building ride, or a flexible “maybe” day.

If you do book, bring warm layers, good socks, and (if you own them) ski gloves. Show up a bit early for pickup. Then let the guides do what they do best, fit you to the right horse and help you enjoy the ride.

FAQ

How long is the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour?

The tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. Riders typically spend about 1.5 to 2 hours on horseback.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik (Surtlugata 19, 110 Reykjavík) and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup offered from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI Bus terminal. You should read your voucher for details.

When does pickup happen for morning and afternoon tours?

Morning pickup starts at 9:00 for tours starting at 9:30. Afternoon pickup starts at 13:00 for tours starting at 13:30. Pickup starts about 30 minutes before departure.

What if I am late for pickup?

If you are not at the pickup point no later than 5 minutes after pickup starts, there is a chance the booking could be canceled. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes.

What clothing is provided?

The tour provides rain clothing and winter overalls.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is described as beginner-friendly and adapted to different experience levels. Guides also choose route options depending on rider experience.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

What is the weight limit?

The maximum weight limit is 110 kg.

What is the cancellation and weather rule?

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