Tölt without the guesswork. This is a 2-hour guided Iceland horse ride in the countryside around Hveragerði, with routes chosen on the day for weather and wind. You’ll move through meadows, lava-field terrain, and along a small river area, all while getting real instruction on the Icelandic horse’s special gait.

I love the focus on hands-on comfort: you get professional English-speaking guidance, safety gear, and a route designed for enjoyable riding rather than just sightseeing. And I especially like the chance to experience the tölt, not as a vague concept, but as something you can learn to recognize and settle into.

One thing to think about: this is active riding time outdoors, so conditions matter, and the tour isn’t for everyone (for example, kids under 7, wheelchair users, and people over 120 kg).

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth It

• Icelandic horses plus real instruction: guides help you get comfortable with the tölt and how the horses move
• A route that adapts to the day: weather and wind shape the best riding trails
• Volcanic scenery you can actually ride through: lava fields, meadows, and a river crossing area
• You pass working farms: you’ll get context on how agriculture has developed over the decades
• Included transfers from Reykjavík: pickup and drop-off make the day easy

Hveragerði Horse Country: Why This Ride Feels More Like Iceland

Hveragerði sits in a part of Iceland where nature and farming sit close together, and this Siggi tour uses that setting well. The idea isn’t to do a quick photo stop and call it a day. Instead, you ride through farmland and volcanic terrain at a pace that lets you notice what’s around you.

You’ll travel from a farm-area starting point into scenery that includes meadows, lava-field areas, and a small river passage (including the area around the river Varmá). Along the way, you’ll see volcanic mountains in the distance and a patchwork of fields and farms.

What makes this more valuable than a generic “horse ride” is the way the tour connects movement with understanding. Passing farms gives you a sense of how agriculture changed over the past decades, so the view isn’t just pretty—it adds context to what you’re seeing.

Reykjavík Pickup to Ölfus: Getting There Without Stress

This tour is set up for an easy Reykjavík day. You’re picked up at multiple points, including BSÍ main bus station plus select hotels and bus stops. The departure timing is split into two daily start periods: one at 8:00 and another at 13:00.

You’ll look for a white or grey bus/van with the Eldhestar logo, and you should be at your pickup spot about 5 minutes before the scheduled time. If you’re juggling airport timing, tours, or dinner plans, this pickup structure helps because it’s built around fixed departure windows rather than a vague “sometime in the morning” start.

Drop-off returns you to Reykjavík at a long list of locations, including places like the Pond area (Tjörnin), Harpa bus options, and several central stops. That matters because you spend less energy figuring out local transport once you’re back—your evening stays intact.

The 1.5–2 Hour Riding Plan: Meadows, Lava Ground, and River Views

The riding time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on conditions. That’s a sweet spot: long enough to feel like you actually experienced Iceland on horseback, but not so long that it turns into a full-day endurance event.

Your guides choose the best riding routes based on weather and wind conditions, so the exact trail can shift. What stays consistent is the overall mix of terrain and views: meadows, volcanic areas, and small river surroundings.

A typical flow looks like this:

• You start from the farm area and ride through the nearby countryside.
• You pass through lava-field terrain and areas around scenic farmland.
• You cross or ride by the river area (including the Varmá river area).
• You end on good riding paths in the meadows south of the farm, where the ride feels smoother and more open.

Why this mix is a big deal: lava fields can feel intimidating in pictures, but on a guided horse ride, they become part of the adventure. You get the novelty of volcanic ground while still having trails that are meant for riders.

What you might like most about the route

• You’re not just riding on flat ground; you get variety in terrain and scenery
• You see volcanic mountains and farmland from angles you wouldn’t get on foot
• You pass multiple farms, which adds meaning to what you’re seeing

A small consideration

If the wind is strong or weather turns, the guide may adjust the route to keep the experience comfortable. That’s normal and usually a good sign—the goal is a better ride, not a rigid checklist.

Icelandic Horses and the Tölt: What You’ll Learn While Riding

This is where the tour earns its high rating. Icelandic horses have a special gait called tölt, and the ride is designed to give you a real chance to experience it. You’re not expected to be an expert horse rider, but you are going to be taught how to notice what the horse is doing and how to stay comfortable.

The guides are professional and provide instruction in English, which makes a big difference when you’re learning something physical. You’ll get safety gear, and you’ll also get guidance so you can focus on your position and rhythm rather than trying to guess what comes next.

One of the best practical benefits of this approach is confidence. When the horses are well-trained and the instruction is clear, even first-timers tend to feel like they’re part of the ride instead of just hanging on.

Safety Gear and What to Bring (So You’re Not Miserable)

The tour includes riding and safety equipment: a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls. That’s smart because Iceland weather can shift quickly, and you don’t want to rely on your own jacket layers working perfectly.

You should bring:

• Hiking shoes (you want grip and stability)
• Comfortable clothes that work under or with the provided gear

Small items you should know about:

• Small waist bags are allowed, which is handy for keys, a phone, and minimal personal stuff.
• Backpacks are not allowed.

Camera rules:

• Professional cameras are not allowed. If you’re hoping for serious gear shots, you’ll need to rethink that plan.

From a comfort standpoint, the included gear does a lot of the heavy lifting. Your main job is wearing footwear that feels stable and clothes that you can move in.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Look Elsewhere)

This experience is a solid fit if you want a guided, scenic horseback ride without needing prior experience. It’s also a great choice if you specifically want Icelandic horses and the chance to experience tölt with instruction.

It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 7 years
• Wheelchair users
• People over 264 lbs / 120 kg

So if you’re traveling with mixed ages or mobility needs, check this early. It’s easier to make a plan change before you’re standing at the pickup point.

Also, it’s an outdoor activity. Even though you’ll have rain and winter gear, you should still be ready for the reality of Icelandic conditions—cool air, wind, and wet ground.

Price and Value: Does $132 Make Sense?

At $132 per person for a tour that lasts about 2 hours, the value depends on what you’re comparing it to. Horse tours in Iceland often cost more than you expect, but this one includes several things that reduce the real cost of your day.

Here’s what you’re getting for your money:

• Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavík
• An English-speaking guide
• Helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls
• 1.5–2 hours of riding in Icelandic countryside

If you had to rent gear, pay for separate transportation, or add on guide service, the total would rise fast. This is the kind of pricing that starts to feel reasonable when you consider that the tour handles both the practical parts (getting you there and back) and the core experience (guided riding with equipment).

For me, the big value anchor is the combination of included transfers plus meaningful scenery: river area, lava terrain, meadows, and agricultural context along the way.

Weather and Route Choices: How the Tour Keeps It Comfortable

The tour doesn’t treat weather like an obstacle—it treats it like a steering wheel. Your guide selects the best riding routes based on the day’s conditions, including wind.

That approach is practical. Wind can be a big factor for comfort on horseback, and volcanic ground can be trickier depending on rainfall and surface conditions. When a tour adapts, it’s usually because the provider wants riders to have a good experience, not just a scheduled one.

So if you’re visiting in a week with mixed forecasts, this tour still has a good chance of delivering. It’s built to adjust while keeping the core scenic mix.

Should You Book the Hveragerði Siggi Horse Riding Tour?

I’d book this if:

• You want Icelandic horses with guided help that focuses on comfort and the tölt
• You like the idea of riding through meadows, lava-field areas, and river scenery
• You want Reykjavík pickup and drop-off so your day stays simple

I’d think twice if:

• You need a fully indoor or low-activity plan
• You’re traveling with someone who fits the tour’s limits (age, mobility needs, or weight restriction)
• You’re planning to shoot with professional camera equipment (the tour doesn’t allow that)

If your goal is a genuinely Iceland-style experience—horses, volcanic terrain, and a guide handling the details—this one fits the bill.

FAQ

How long is the Siggi horse riding tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours total, with 1.5 to 2 hours of riding time, depending on conditions.

Where does pickup happen in Reykjavík?

Pickup includes BSÍ main bus station, certain hotels, and multiple bus stops in Reykjavík. The tour also lists many specific pickup locations, and transport starts at 8:00 and 13:00.

Do I get an English-speaking guide?

Yes. The tour includes a live tour guide in English.

What equipment is provided?

You’ll receive riding and safety equipment, including a helmet, rain gear, and winter overalls.

What should I bring?

Wear hiking shoes and comfortable clothes. A small waist bag is allowed.

Are cameras allowed?

Professional cameras are not allowed. Backpacks are also not allowed.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

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

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