Varmahlid: Viking Horse Riding Tour

North Iceland looks different when you are on a horse. This 1.5-hour ride from Varmahlíð takes you into fjord country, across the Svartá River, and all the way to the waterfall at Reykjafoss. I love two things most here: riding an Icelandic horse that can do the special fourth gait, the tölt, and the calm, controlled way the guides introduce you before you move out. One thing to keep in mind is the weight limit (100 kg / 220 lbs) and that kids must be 6 or older.

The rest of the experience is built for real people, not horseback experts. You meet the team at Hestasport Reception, get fitted with a helmet, and then spend time with your horse before heading out along hillsides with mountain views. You’ll also get small-group attention, which matters when you are learning how to sit, steer, and relax.

The only real drawback is weather. North Iceland can go from dry to damp fast, so you need layers and rain gear, or the ride feels longer than it should.

Key highlights worth your attention

• The Icelandic tölt is the star: you get chances to feel that fast, smooth gait on grassy paths.
• Svartá River views happen up close: you ride with the river and surrounding mountains nearby.
• Reykjafoss by horseback feels special: you reach the waterfall as the ride’s big payoff.
• Small group, patient coaching: it is set up for first-timers and nervous riders.
• Well cared-for, obedient horses: calm animals make the experience easier and safer.
• Guides do more than point: you get stories and a lot of practical help in the saddle.

From Hestasport Reception to your mount in Varmahlíð

This tour starts at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours in Varmahlíð, Skagafjörður. If you are driving, you turn off Ring Road no. 1 onto Road no. 752, then look for the first building on the left, about 150 meters from the junction. It is a white and blue building, easy to spot when you are watching for it.

When you arrive, you do not just show up and get on. You meet your English-speaking guide, get helmeted up, and then you introduce yourself to your horse. That matters more than people think. Icelandic horses are sure-footed, but the comfort comes from how the team handles the first minutes: explain what to do, show how to hold the reins, and make sure you understand how the horse responds. One rider even noted that the guide was very practiced and professional, and that they felt secure from start to finish.

One practical detail: in some cases, you may drive about 20 minutes from the reception area to the actual start point. Plan a little buffer time so you are not sprinting into the schedule.

Why Icelandic horses and the tölt feel like the real experience

If you come to Iceland, you probably have already seen waterfalls. The difference here is the horse. Icelandic horses have their own set of gaits, and one of the famous ones is the fourth gait, the tölt. It is often described as smooth, and that is the point. Instead of the more bouncy rhythms you might expect on other horses, tölt is meant to help you stay balanced while moving.

On this ride, you will spend time on softer grassy paths where you can try the tölt. That is the best kind of setup. You learn the feeling before you are dealing with rougher terrain or longer stretches. And because the guides are there with you the whole time, you are not left to figure it out alone.

Also, it helps that the horses on this tour seem to be calm and well trained. Multiple riders highlighted obedience and good manners. One past rider even mentioned a horse named Siley as handsome and well behaved. You might not ride Siley, but it gives you a sense that the stable is matching horses to riders and keeping them steady.

Following the Svartá River and hillside track with fjord country views

The route is built around North Iceland scenery you can feel with every step. After you get going, you ride along the river Svartá. The river is not just a background detail, either. You move through areas where the water and the mountains are close enough that you notice the shape of the valley as you pass.

Then the ride shifts onto a track along a hillside. The phrase adventure track sounds intimidating until you remember the whole experience lasts 1.5 hours and the guides are actively managing the ride. Think more like, you get a taste of Iceland’s rugged terrain without it turning into a survival contest. Riders who were new to riding repeatedly said they felt secure and guided the entire time.

You are also in a part of the country where the big horizon energy is real. Even without fancy stops, just being on horseback gives you a different scale. Hillsides look taller, and the mountains feel closer, because you are moving through them rather than driving past.

Reykjafoss on horseback: the “wow” moment at the end

The ride’s payoff is Reykjafoss. You reach the waterfall near the end of the tour, and it is presented as a guided moment, not a quick photo stop and run. Multiple riders described it as a beautiful waterfall you can see while still in the riding rhythm. That is why this tour works even if you have already seen other Iceland waterfalls.

What you’ll likely notice first is how the waterfall changes the soundscape. Instead of only hearing your horse and the wind, you get that constant roar that makes the scene feel powerful. Then you look around and realize you are standing in a river-valley world shaped by the terrain you just rode through.

If you like photos, this is one of the few times you get a clear reason to stop. There is no guarantee of a photo setup, but you do have time to take your own pictures at the waterfall once you arrive.

Gear that keeps you comfortable, not just dressed

Icelandic tours live and die by clothing choices. This one gives you helmets, and if needed, it also provides a snow suit. That is helpful because it means you are not forced into heavy shopping if the weather turns chilly or wet.

Still, you should come ready with warm layers. Wear comfortable clothes and warm clothing under what they provide. Bring rain gear. North Iceland weather can be unpredictable, and a 1.5-hour ride gives you little time to “wait it out” if you get soaked.

Also bring gloves and comfortable shoes. Even though riding is controlled, your feet and hands need to work. You are holding on, adjusting, and staying stable, and the wrong footwear can make you feel tense the whole time.

One more Iceland-specific detail: if you bring riding gear from outside Iceland, it must be disinfected. That is not a vibe thing. It is a practical rule you should follow to avoid problems at check-in.

Safety and comfort: how the guides make first-time riding work

This is one of those activities where the staff quality changes everything. The best reviews point to guides who are patient, caring, and clear. Many riders explicitly said it is suitable for people with no riding experience and that instructions make you feel safe.

What I like about that approach is how it reduces fear. Instead of telling you to be brave, the guides handle the “how.” They help you get comfortable with your horse and explain what to do while you ride. That coaching style matters most when you are worried about movement, balance, or controlling the horse.

The horses also seem to be managed with care. Riders repeatedly noted that the horses were well taken care of and obedient. That is what you want: a calm mount that responds predictably to cues, especially when you are learning.

Group size is another quiet advantage. Small group size often means the guide can watch you closely and adjust when needed. You feel less like a passenger and more like a participant who is learning.

Price and value: is $111 for 1.5 hours worth it?

At $111 per person for about 1.5 hours, this is not a “cheap thrill” activity. But it also is not overpriced for what you are getting. You are paying for guided horseback riding in North Iceland with helmets and a snow suit if needed, plus a horse that can handle tölt training and a route that includes Svartá River and Reykjafoss.

The value equation here is pretty simple. You are not just buying access to nature. You are buying:

• a guided experience to the waterfall by horseback
• equipment support like helmets and optional snow suits
• coaching so first-timers can actually enjoy riding
• a small-group feel that reduces stress

If you are already doing the usual waterfall circuit by car, this ride gives you a different story and a different body experience. Even if the ride is short, the memory tends to hit harder because you are part of the landscape from ground level to ridgeline.

Who this tour fits best (and who may want to skip)

This is a good match if you want an authentic North Iceland moment that is not just driving and stopping. It is especially strong for beginners, based on the way guides coach and the calm nature of the horses. If you want to try Icelandic riding culture and feel the tölt, this is one of the most accessible ways to do it without prior training.

It may be less of a fit if:

• your group includes children under 6, since this tour is not suitable for them
• you are above the 100 kg / 220 lbs rider weight limit
• you are not comfortable with basic outdoor riding logistics like layers, rain gear, and gloves

Also, Iceland is big and meeting points can mean travel from the reception area to the ride start. If you are tight on time that day, schedule this with buffer so you are not rushing.

Quick practical notes before you go

• Arrive about 15 minutes before departure so you have time to get fitted and meet your guide.
• Wear layers. Weather changes fast.
• Bring gloves, rain gear, and comfortable shoes.
• Expect a guided ride that ends at Reykjafoss.
• Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly before or after.

Should you book the Varmahlíð Viking Horse Riding Tour to Reykjafoss?

Book it if you want a short, high-reward outing with Icelandic horses, a real chance to experience the tölt, and a waterfall that feels earned rather than visited. I especially think it is worth it if you are a first-time rider, because the whole setup focuses on comfort and clear guidance.

Skip it if you are seeking a long, strenuous trail hike or you are sensitive to cold and wet without proper layers. If you show up prepared, this is the kind of Iceland experience that is both fun and genuinely memorable, because you are not just looking at North Iceland, you are moving through it.