Red lava plus Icelandic horses makes a great escape. This beginner-friendly ride pairs you with the right horse, then takes you through lava hills and old volcanic terrain with a chance to experience the famous tölt gait. One heads-up: weather and trail conditions can change your comfort level, especially in colder months when ground can get icy.

I like that the tour keeps things hands-on, with friendly staff at Solhestar getting you matched and ready properly. You may also meet guides named Claudia or Klara, who are specifically praised for being attentive and patient. The tour is capped at 15 riders, so you usually get real help instead of shouting over a bus load of people.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Horse matching that considers your experience so you’re not just handed a random mount
• Heiðmörk Nature Reserve with lava hills and the story of a volcano around 5,000 years old
• A main ride in Hólmsheiði with routes chosen around rider ability, from easy paths to faster options
• Weather gear included (rain clothing and winter overalls) for Reykjavik’s moody mix of wind and wet
• About 1.5 to 2 hours in the saddle within a roughly 2.5-hour total tour window

Solhestar Stables and Horse Matching Near Surtlugata 19

Your experience starts at Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, at Surtlugata 19. Plan on some real prep time—about 30 minutes—because the staff will get you kitted up and then match you to a horse that fits your comfort and skill.

This is where the tour earns its reputation. You’re not just signing a waiver and hoping for the best. You’ll be helped with riding setup, and they provide rain clothing and winter overalls so you’re not doing Iceland “fashion” while freezing. If it’s cold or wet, you’ll feel the difference right away.

The best part is that the horse pairing is built around who you are as a rider. In the field, Icelandic horses can be calm and easy, but they still have personality. Some riders end up with a more spirited mount, and that can be fun if you’re ready for it. If you’re nervous or have balance concerns, say so early. You want the horse match to be about your comfort, not just your confidence on arrival.

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: 5,000-Year Volcano Territory

After you’re ready, you head toward Heiðmörk Nature Reserve. This stop is about lava hills and what that terrain means in Iceland’s story—especially the context of a volcano that’s around 5,000 years old.

Why I think this matters: riding here isn’t “just scenic.” The ground is part of the geologic reason you’re out there in the first place. Lava fields and volcanic shapes change how you move—how fast water runs, how wind hits, how the path feels underfoot. Even if you never study geology, you’ll feel the character of the land.

The nature stop is about an hour. Expect time to travel, take in views, and get a bit of grounding before the main ride. If it’s windy, this is also the moment to use the provided layers and keep your hands protected. Several riders recommend bringing warm socks, and that advice holds up fast once you’re sitting still long enough for the chill to creep in.

Rauðavatn Forest Beginnings and the Quiet Meaning Behind the Stop

You’ll also pass through the Rauðavatn area, tied to the first steps of forestry in Iceland in the early 1900s. This is not a big, showy attraction. It’s more subtle than that.

But it’s a solid reminder that Iceland isn’t only about fire and ice. Human history is written into the land too—how people tried to shape what would grow, and how the country adapted. It gives the ride an extra layer beyond photos.

This stop also helps pace the tour. You’re not constantly on the move. That matters when you’re riding. If you’re prone to getting stiff, or if you want a breather before the longer saddle time, this is the kind of built-in pause that makes the whole outing feel smoother.

Hólmsheiði Riding: 5–7 km of Red Hills and Route Choices

The main event happens at Hólmsheiði. This is described as the most popular part of the ride, and the structure matches what you want for a great first outing: small groups, friendly guidance, and routes adjusted based on rider ability.

Here’s the practical bit. You’ll ride roughly 5–7 km, depending on the route and how the group is doing. Total tour time is about 2.5 hours, with about 1.5 to 2 hours actually riding.

Route options matter for comfort:

• For beginners, you’ll likely ride smoother paths, including a route along the Redhills.
• For more experienced riders, you may ride by Rauðarvatn, which can mean a different rhythm and feel.

And yes, you may get the tolt experience. Icelandic horses can do the tolt gait, and riders love when they get a chance to feel it. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy it. The guides will give instruction so you can follow along, and many riders say they get chances to experience tolt at different speeds.

One more reality check: riding is still riding. Even on calm horses, you’ll feel Iceland’s wind, uneven ground, and the natural movement of the animal beneath you. Most people find it manageable, but if you have knee issues or limited mobility, you’ll want to think carefully about whether being in the saddle for 1.5 to 2 hours is right for you. In at least one case, a rider with a knee replacement chose not to continue, and the team was kind and accommodating about bringing her back. That’s a good sign for empathy, not a guarantee of outcomes for every situation.

Gear, Safety, and What to Wear (Seriously)

This tour helps you with outerwear, but you’re still responsible for your comfort. The provided winter overalls and rain clothing are a big deal in Reykjavik weather, but don’t assume one layer solves everything.

What I’d wear or bring:

• Warm socks (people repeatedly call this out for a reason)
• Gloves, especially if it’s windy
• Proper footwear if you have it (riding boots are available, but your feet still need warmth and grip)
• Extra layers under the overalls if it’s cold enough for your body to notice

You should also expect that conditions can swing during a single day—wet, sleet, sun, and wind. One rider notes their trip included rain and sleet, and others emphasize that it can be windier than you expect from forecasts. The gear helps, but the weather still sets the mood.

Safety is a major theme in the positive feedback. Guides are praised for being attentive and for keeping instruction going during the ride, not just at the start. That matters because you often learn the most when you’re already moving—going up and down, adjusting your hands, and figuring out how to sit with a gait you haven’t felt before.

Still, not every day is perfect. If you go in late autumn, or if there’s icy trail footing, the ride can feel less relaxed. One unhappy experience described icy conditions and a stressful ride when the horse didn’t have great footing. That’s not the norm in the ratings, but it is a real reminder: choose your timing with your comfort in mind, and listen carefully to the guide’s directions once you’re mounted.

Time, Pickup, and Getting There Without Losing Your Morning

You’ve got two timing options: morning or afternoon. Pickup can be offered as an upgrade, including door-to-door pickup from Reykjavik hotels or the BSI bus terminal. If you’re using pickup, read your voucher so you know exactly where and when you meet.

Important timing details:

• Pickup starts about 30 minutes before departure.
• 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 can take up to 20 minutes.

Also, don’t play chicken with the clock. If you’re not at the pickup point latest 5 minutes after pickup starts, there’s a chance your booking could be canceled. I know that sounds strict. Iceland is strict on timing because weather and road conditions can scramble routes quickly.

Meet at Solhestar to start, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That keeps it simple after your ride.

One more note: the tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the right kind of flexibility for a horseback outing, because you can’t “power through” ice and wind safely.

Price Value: What You’re Actually Paying For

At $139.13 per person for a roughly 2.5-hour experience, this tour sits in the “worth it if you do it right” category. Here’s why.

You’re paying for:

• A small group size, capped at 15, which improves the ratio of guide support to riders
• Real horse instruction and continuous help while you’re riding
• Included cold-and-wet gear like rain clothing and winter overalls
• Access to the Red Lava area close to Reykjavik, plus guided stops with context
• An experience that’s uniquely Icelandic because it’s centered on Icelandic horses, including chances to experience tölt

If you’re staying in Reykjavik, the convenience helps too. You’re not spending half a day getting to a distant farm. And if you choose pickup from your hotel area or the BSI bus terminal, it lowers friction. Less hassle means you show up calmer, which makes the ride better.

Where the price can feel less like a deal: if you’re going at a time when trails are icy or conditions reduce riding comfort, you won’t get the same relaxed “easy stroll” feel that most people love. This is less about the price and more about matching the activity to the day’s reality.

Who Should Book This Ride (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a beginner-friendly introduction to Icelandic horses
• You want a hands-on guide who helps you stay comfortable while riding
• You like the idea of lava terrain near Reykjavik rather than a long drive
• You’re hoping to feel tolt without needing expert horse skills

You might rethink booking if:

• You’re very sensitive to wind, cold, or uneven footing, especially in late fall or winter months
• You have mobility limitations that make it hard to be in the saddle for 1.5 to 2 hours
• You prefer totally predictable conditions; Iceland weather can be moody and trail surfaces can change

If you do book and you’re nervous, tell the team during setup. The pairing process is the big lever they have to make your ride feel right. And once you’re mounted, keep listening. A few small adjustments based on guide cues can make a huge difference.

Should You Book Red Lava Horse Riding From Reykjavik?

I’d book this if you want an efficient, close-to-town way to ride Icelandic horses through red lava terrain with real guidance and a good chance at tolt. The small-group cap, included gear, and the focus on pairing you with the right horse are the big reasons it earns strong scores.

I’d also choose this with eyes open if you’re traveling in colder months. Wear the gear. Bring warm socks. Consider that icy conditions can turn a fun ride into a tense one for some people. If you’re worried, talk to the staff early and be honest about your comfort level.

If that sounds like you—then yes, this is one of those Reykjavik-area activities that feels like it belongs in Iceland, not in a tour brochure.

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