Five Rides in Iceland, from Lava Field to Black Beach

Reykjavík and Mosfellsbær (south-west)

Profile. Trail ride. Ride on Icelandic horses from Reykjavík, 2 hours, from 115 euros, level according to the provider beginners and advanced, guide language English, pick-up possible according to the provider. Short ride on Icelandic horses near Reykjavík, 50 minutes, from 112 euros, level not stated. Private ride near Mosfellsbær, 2 hours, from 135 euros, level according to the provider beginners and advanced. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to Visit Reykjavík, Mosfellsbær lies between mountains and coast, only 15 minutes from the centre. According to the same source, horse tours in the Greater Reykjavík area are a way to get to know the Icelandic horse.

Season. For summer, Visit Reykjavík names 9 to 15 degrees as the highest average temperatures of the year, in winter minus 1 to 4 degrees with snow, rain and strong winds.

Lava fields from Reykjavík (south-west)

Profile. Trail ride. Ride through lava fields from Reykjavík, 2.5 hours, from 115 euros, level according to the provider beginners and advanced, English, pick-up possible. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the Reykjanes Geopark, the Reykjanes peninsula is a young, highly volcanic part of Iceland where two tectonic plates drift apart. Whether the ride leads across Reykjanes is stated by the provider.

Rules. We found no riding rule for lava fields, ask the provider about the route.

Black beach near Vík (south)

Profile. Trail ride. Ride on the black beach near Vík, 1 hour, from 110 euros, level according to the provider beginners and advanced, English, meeting point at the start. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to Visit Iceland, black volcanic sand defines the southern tip of Iceland, where Vík has become an important starting point. The south lies in the Katla Geopark with 9,542 square kilometres, more than 9 percent of the country.

Note. At Reynisfjara beach Visit Iceland warns of unpredictable waves and advises keeping your distance. This is a general note, not for horses. Ask the provider where the ride goes.

Season. According to the Icelandic Met Office the south is the warmest coast on annual average, at 6 degrees.

Golden Circle with Þingvellir (south-west)

Profile. Trail ride and day tour. Ride and Golden Circle from Reykjavík, 9 hours, from 232 euros, level according to the provider beginners, English. How much of it is spent in the saddle is stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the national park, Þingvellir lies in a graben seven kilometres wide between the Almannagjá and Heiðargjá faults. Around the year 930 the Althing was established there, and it met there until 1798.

Rules. According to the park there are two designated horse trails in the national park. Riding on the automobile roads is not allowed because of traffic and blind spots, and riders may not pass through the assembly site or the Almannagjá. Ask the provider whether the tour rides in the park.

Akureyri and Eyjafjörður (north)

Profile. Trail ride. Ride with Icelandic horses near Akureyri, 2.2 hours, from 134 euros, level not stated, guide languages German and English. Viking ride in the north of Iceland, 1.5 hours, from 103 euros, level according to the provider beginners, English. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to Visit Iceland, the long valleys and peninsulas of the north are interspersed with mountains, lava fields and smooth hills carved out by rivers.

Season. From June to August it is 10 to 18 degrees in Akureyri according to Visit Iceland, and the midnight sun lasts from late May to late July. According to the same source the weather is changeable, even in summer you should bring layers and a waterproof jacket. On annual average it is 3 degrees on the north coast according to the Met Office.

What to pack

Waterproof jacket and trousers, layers of wool or fleece, gloves, a hat that fits under the helmet. Sturdy, waterproof shoes. Mind the import rules. According to the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority MAST, used riding equipment such as saddles, bridles, whips and gloves may not be imported, used riding clothes and boots only if washed or cleaned. Ask the provider what they supply.

Questions for the provider

1. Which gaits are possible, is there also tölt?

2. How big is the group, how many guides accompany it?

3. Which level and which weight limit apply?

4. Which equipment does the provider supply (helmet, rain gear)?

5. What happens in storm, rain or snow?

6. How much of the tour is riding time, how much transfer?

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