Five gaits. One short drive from Reykjavik. This Reykjadalur horse ride is a classic Iceland experience that pairs 5-gaited Icelandic horses with a small group setup, so you get real coaching instead of just sitting back and hoping for the best. It’s also beginner-friendly, and the route stays close to the ranch area, which makes it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.

My favorite part is how much control you get on the saddle for such a short time: you’ll learn the basics, then (if you feel ready) try the signature Icelandic pacing called tölt. One drawback to plan for is bugs: in some seasons, riders report that helmet bug-netting can make the difference between fun and a long, itchy struggle.

Key Things to Know Before You Saddle Up

• Small groups mean hands-on help: expect guidance throughout, not a quick handoff.
• A true Icelandic horse experience: you can ride a 5-gaited Icelandic horse and experience the extra gait(s).
• Gear is built for weather: winter jumpsuit, rain layers, and helmets are included.
• Close to Reykjavik: it’s a practical outing for people who don’t want to spend the whole day driving.
• Time-efficient riding: it’s about 1.5 hours on horseback inside a ~2-hour overall slot.

Meeting at Sólhestar Horse Rental in Reykjadalur

Your tour starts at Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur in Reykjadalur, in the Vorsabæjarvellir Valley area (address: Reykjadalur 9, 810 Hveragerði). This is one reason the ride works well for most itineraries. You’re not committing to a long, complicated journey. If you’re basing yourself around Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, Hveragerði/Reykjadalur is a manageable add-on.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in and get your gear sorted. There’s no hotel pickup listed, so you’ll need your own transport (rental car) or arrange a taxi/bus connection to the meeting point. The good news: once you’re there, the rest is simple—ride instructions, then saddle time, then you return to the same meeting point.

The Timing: About 2 Hours Total, With Real Riding Time

The full experience runs about 2 hours (approx.), and the riding portion is described as roughly 1.5 hours. That matters because Iceland horse rides can feel either too short to learn anything or too long when the weather turns sour. This one lands in the sweet spot: enough time to practice your cues, build confidence, and experience at least part of what makes Icelandic horses special.

You’ll also likely spend some of that total time getting fitted for your winter gear and helmets, and going over safety and how to steer. The inclusion of coffee and/or tea is another hint that the experience is designed to keep you comfortable during the waiting and post-ride decompression.

Gear That Saves You From a Weather Guessing Game

Here’s a big value point: you’re provided winter jumpsuit, rain clothing, and helmets. This is not just “nice to have” in Iceland—it’s the difference between enjoying the countryside and thinking about your soaked clothes for the next three days.

A couple of practical notes:

• Helmet fit matters. Make sure it sits securely and doesn’t shift when you move your head.
• If you’re prone to cold hands, bring gloves anyway if you have them. The tour provides rain gear and warmth layers, but your personal comfort still depends on what you wear under the jumpsuit.

One review downside showed up for bugs. One rider says bug nets for helmets weren’t provided, and the swarms turned a great idea into a miserable ride for them. Another rider later reports getting bug nets and says flies were bad that year everywhere. Translation: conditions can change fast. If insects are a concern in your travel week, it’s worth asking what’s currently included for helmet bug protection before you go.

Icelandic Horses and the 5-Gait Experience

This is where Reykjadalur really earns its keep. You’re riding a 5-gaited Icelandic horse, and the tour is built for multiple experience levels—including true beginners. In practice, that means you’re not expected to already know how to mount, stop, or maintain balance while your horse figures out how much mud it can donate to your boots.

What you should watch for is the extra movement. One rider specifically mentions experiencing the fifth gait, written as tort (and others mention tölt). The English details can vary, but the idea is consistent: Icelandic horses have a smooth, efficient pace that feels different from a typical western walk/trot. When it clicks, it’s one of the coolest things you can do in Iceland without signing up for a full-day trek.

The horses are described as gentle and well behaved, even if they still have a little spirit. That’s realistic. You’re in a country trail environment with animals that react to surroundings. The guides help you channel that energy into a controlled ride.

What the Ride Feels Like: Fields, Low Rivers, and a Little Road Time

You’ll ride through Iceland’s countryside just 45 minutes from Reykjavik, which is a key reason the outing is so easy to add. Expect a mix of terrain rather than a single flat loop. Riders mention going through low rivers and getting a real taste of what horseback trail riding feels like outside the town center.

The exact route can vary, but one rider described a pattern like:

• a short stretch near the road,
• a turn into open fields,
• then a return along the mountain base.

That road-adjacent time isn’t automatically bad—you still get movement and views—but one review calls it out as less ideal than using new paths the entire time. So if you’re chasing uninterrupted countryside quiet, just know you might spend at least part of the ride near road shoulders.

Weather also plays a role. One rider rode in dreary, low-light conditions and still found the experience great. That’s good news. Even when the sky is gray, you can still enjoy the motion, the animal experience, and the fresh air.

Coaching Style: Guides, Patience, and Quick Learning

This tour wins points for guidance. Reviews highlight friendly, patient support and clear instruction for first-time riders. You’ll be on a 5-gaited horse, which means there’s more to learn than a basic walk. The guides manage that by starting with safe basics, then building up as you gain comfort.

Guide details in the reviews are limited to nationalities rather than names. One group mentions two French guides, and another ride notes a young woman guide from Germany. Regardless of where your guide is from, the pattern is the same: friendly coaching, and enough patience for beginners.

The ride is also structured enough that experienced riders can still get value. You may find it feels like a “learn and practice” session rather than just a scenic stroll, especially if you take the time to follow instructions closely.

Group Size: Small Enough to Feel Personal

This is a small-group tour with a max listed cap in the 14 range, and it’s also described as maximum 18 in the overview. Either way, you’re not looking at a huge line of riders. That matters because in horseback riding, the bottleneck is often the person closest to the horse—not the landscape.

Small group size tends to mean:

• more time for individual corrections,
• a calmer start,
• less waiting around.

And if you’re traveling with kids or nervous first-timers, the small-group feel usually translates to less chaos.

Price and Value: $126.50 for Gear, Coaching, and Time on Horseback

At $126.50 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity on Iceland’s menu. But it’s also not priced like a high-end private excursion. The value comes from what you get bundled into that ticket:

• helmet and weather gear (winter jumpsuit and rain layers),
• coffee and/or tea,
• and guided riding on Icelandic horses with the chance to try the gait that makes them famous.

If you’re comparing to tours where you’d need to rent clothing or purchase extra layers, the included kit becomes a real savings. If you’re comparing to longer multi-hour rides, the short duration can be a plus—you’re buying a focused experience that doesn’t blow up your whole day.

One more quiet value point: you can’t always control weather in Iceland, but you can control how much uncertainty you take on. This tour keeps driving time manageable and concentrates the experience into a tight window.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This ride is designed for both adults and children from 9 years old. It also lists a maximum rider weight of 110 kg. If you fit those limits, you’re set.

Best fit:

• First-time riders who want real instruction without feeling like they’re holding up the group
• People who want a genuine Icelandic horse experience without a full-day commitment
• Families who prefer a calm, guided pace rather than a long hiking day

Consider another option if:

• You strongly dislike any possibility of bugs or road-adjacent riding and you’re very sensitive to discomfort.
• You’re looking for an all-day, remote ride far from access points. This one is close to Reykjavik by design, so the focus is access and coaching, not isolation.

Practical Tips to Make Your Ride Better

A few small tweaks can turn this from good to great.

• Ask about helmet bug nets: the feedback is mixed. In some periods, flies/bugs can be intense, and the netting (if provided) can save the ride.
• Dress for rain and cold even if it looks fine: Iceland changes fast. The winter jumpsuit and rain gear help, but your base layers still matter.
• Bring a dry plan: you’ll come back to the meeting point at the end, so make sure you’ve got a way to change into dry clothes right after.
• Follow guide cues quickly: with Icelandic gaits, small adjustments matter. If you listen early, you’ll likely spend less time fighting the movement and more time enjoying it.
• Don’t overthink the fifth gait: the goal is to experience it safely. If your horse is in the mood and your comfort level is there, you’ll feel it.

Should You Book the Reykjadalur Horse Ride?

If you want a hands-on intro to Icelandic horses with the chance to experience the extra gait(s), I’d say yes—especially if you’re short on time and don’t want to spend your day on the road. The combination of small-group support and included winter gear is what makes this feel like a practical, value-priced activity rather than a fragile “tour gamble.”

Book if:

• you’re a beginner or mixed-experience group,
• you want a smooth, guided pace through Reykjadalur,
• and you’re okay with the reality that weather and insects can affect comfort.

Skip or switch plans if bugs will ruin your day even with gear, or if you’re craving a ride that is purely away from roads and access points the whole time.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding tour in Reykjadalur (Smoky Valley)?

The experience is about 2 hours total (approx.). The riding time is described as roughly 1.5 hours.

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

You meet at Sólhestar Horse Rental Reykjadalur, Reykjadalur 9, 810 Hveragerði, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this tour beginner-friendly?

Yes. It’s described as beginner-friendly with no prior experience needed, and it’s suitable for both adults and children age 9+.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are a winter jumpsuit, rain clothing, helmets, plus coffee and/or tea.

Do you get hotel pickup?

No. Pickup at hotels is not included.

What are the age and weight limits?

The tour is suitable for children from 9 years old, and it lists a maximum rider weight of 110 kg.