1+ hour Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík/Mosfellsbær

Icelandic horses have a special trick: the tolt, a smooth four-beat gait that can make riding feel wonderfully steady. This private outing takes you from the stable near Mt. Úlfarsfell onto open countryside, with a guide who adjusts the horse and pace to your ability.

I like the private format, since you ride only with your own group and can ask for help without keeping pace with a large string of horses. I also like the personal start: you learn about your horse, groom it, and build a little trust before setting off.

The main catch is practical. The ride suits people who can mount and dismount without a mounting stool, weighs under 110 kilograms, and has moderate fitness. Weather can also cancel the outing, and the stable is in Mosfellsbær rather than central Reykjavík.

Key points to know before booking

• The ride is genuinely private: Only your group and the guide take part, so the pace can be adjusted to your riding level.
• You may experience the tolt: The guide introduces Icelandic riding techniques, with faster gaits possible for capable riders and suitable conditions.
• Mt. Úlfarsfell provides the setting: Expect countryside views, open fields, horse trails, and possible views toward a lake and nearby hills.
• It works well for beginners: Guides begin with mounting, dismounting, basic commands, and riding technique before heading out.
• The horses receive careful individual attention: Guides match riders with suitable horses and may have you groom them before the ride.
• Plan for about two hours total: Actual riding usually lasts around one to one and a half hours, followed by light refreshments.

Why Icelandic horses make this ride different

This is not simply a short horse ride with Icelandic scenery in the background. The horse is part of the experience. Icelandic horses have long played an important role in the country’s rural life, and your guide explains that connection while showing you how Icelandic riding differs from ordinary trail riding.

The most distinctive feature is the tolt. It is a special gait associated with Icelandic horses, and the guides introduce it when your ability and the conditions make that sensible. You do not need prior riding experience to join, but you should not expect every first-time rider to spend the whole outing at a fast pace.

That personal approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Guides first ask about your experience, then select horses suited to your confidence and ability. Some riders have worked up to trotting, tolt, or even galloping across open ground, while beginners have received a slower, carefully controlled ride.

The horses are described as gentle, responsive, and well trained. That matters more than fancy scenery. A calm horse gives you time to listen, correct your posture, and enjoy the ride instead of worrying about staying in control.

Starting at the stable in Mosfellsbær

Your meeting point is Icelandic Riding at Akrar 2, 271 Mosfellsbær. The activity ends at the same place. The stable is outside central Reykjavík, so allow extra time to reach it and do not assume that hotel pickup is included in the standard arrangement.

Bus number 15 from downtown Reykjavík is given as the best public transport option. One account also describes the owner arranging a taxi to and from a Reykjavík hotel, but that appears to require direct coordination rather than being a guaranteed feature of every booking. If you plan to use a taxi, confirm the pickup details clearly, since the stable can sometimes be difficult to locate on Google Maps.

Once you arrive, the guide meets your group and begins with the horses. This is a good point to slow down. You are not rushed straight into the saddle. You discuss your riding background, learn the basic procedure, and get introduced to the horse chosen for you.

The preparation can include grooming. That small task is worthwhile, especially for a first-time rider. It gives you a chance to notice the horse’s size and temperament, and it helps you feel less like a passenger being placed on an animal.

Learning to ride before heading out

The guide covers mounting and dismounting, basic riding commands, and the fundamentals of different gaits. You are expected to be fit enough to mount and dismount without a stool, so this is not a suitable choice if you need physical assistance getting onto the horse.

Beginners receive extra instruction and a pace that matches their comfort. This is where the private arrangement pays off. A guide can spend more time explaining how to sit, hold the reins, and communicate with the horse instead of moving on because a larger group is waiting.

If you already ride, tell the guide exactly what you can do. The experience can be adjusted for riders who want to learn the Icelandic style and try the tolt. Accounts from experienced riders describe sure-footed horses crossing different types of ground, with faster riding on hillsides and through streams when appropriate.

That does not mean advanced riding is guaranteed. The guide has the final say based on weather, terrain, the horse, and your control in the saddle. If you do not follow instructions or the guide feels you cannot safely ride, the activity may be canceled without a refund. Read that condition carefully before booking.

Riding around Mt. Úlfarsfell

The riding portion lasts about one to one and a half hours. The exact length and pace vary with the group’s riding ability, so two people booking together may not receive the same amount of faster riding as a pair of experienced riders.

The route explores the countryside around Mt. Úlfarsfell. You may ride through fields and along a horse trail running parallel to the road, with wide views over the mountain and nearby countryside. The scenery is open and spacious rather than urban, which makes this a pleasant change from Reykjavík’s streets and museums.

Some accounts describe seeing a lake, streams, and striking views across the area. Weather makes a big difference here. On a clear day, the mountain and surrounding countryside should be the main attraction. On a cold or windy day, the ride can still be enjoyable, but you need proper layers and realistic expectations.

Your guide handles the route while you concentrate on the horse. Guides have also taken photographs during the ride, which is useful because holding a phone while riding is a poor idea. Do not treat photos as a formal guaranteed inclusion, but you may find that the guide captures natural moments without asking you to stop constantly.

The ride itself can feel more relaxed than a standard nose-to-tail trail outing because the group is private. You are not automatically tied to a large line of horses moving at the slowest possible pace. Still, the guide will set limits for safety, especially when someone is new to riding.

The smooth tolt and Icelandic riding style

The tolt is the experience’s signature detail. It is often described as smooth, and riders with suitable experience have enjoyed trying it during this outing. For a beginner, simply learning how to sit correctly and guide a responsive Icelandic horse may be the more rewarding goal.

I like that the riding instruction is not limited to basic safety. You learn how to ride in an Icelandic way and how your voice and commands help the horse respond. That creates a better connection than simply sitting in a saddle while a horse follows the one in front.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed gallop or a long, athletic ride. The tour is advertised for a wide range of abilities, and the guide tailors the outing to the least experienced or least confident rider in the group. If everyone in your party is experienced, tell the stable in advance so the guide understands what you hope to do.

For a first ride, the calm horses and private instruction are major advantages. For a skilled rider, the chance to try the tolt and ride across varied ground adds interest. The same tour can therefore feel very different depending on your experience.

The horses and the human side of the tour

The care given to the horses is a recurring strength of this experience. Guides know the individual animals and match them to riders rather than handing out horses at random. That can make a big difference for a nervous beginner or a child who is old enough to ride but still uncertain.

Named horses also become part of the memory. One rider had trouble pronouncing Snjoprinsessa and nicknamed her Snickers. That kind of small moment captures the tone of the outing: personal, friendly, and centered on the animals rather than on rushing through a checklist.

Guides mentioned in the feedback include Jonina, Linnea, and Lily. An owner-guide has also personally matched riders with horses, explained the animals’ personalities, and taken photographs along the route. Guide assignments can change, but the service is built around individual attention.

The cultural side adds substance. You learn about the horse’s place in Icelandic life while handling and riding it. This is a more direct way to understand Iceland’s equestrian tradition than simply seeing horses from a tour bus window.

Price, time, and what you receive

The price is about $144.82 per person. That is not a cheap one-hour activity, but the total visit lasts roughly two hours, and the riding time is usually 60 to 90 minutes. You also receive private guiding, riding instruction, horse preparation, countryside access, and light refreshments afterward.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want the lowest-cost horseback ride available, a shared group outing may cost less. If you want a private experience where the pace can be adapted and the guide can spend time with your group, the price becomes easier to justify.

The private setup is especially valuable for mixed-ability parties. A parent and child, two first-time riders, or an experienced rider accompanying a beginner can receive more useful instruction than they would in a large group. Group discounts may also be available, so check the final price for your party rather than assuming the per-person rate is fixed.

This is best treated as a half-day addition to a Reykjavík visit, even though the ride itself is shorter. You need time to reach Mosfellsbær, prepare, ride, have refreshments, and return to the city. It is not an activity to squeeze between two tightly timed excursions.

Weather, clothing, and riding limits

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and this experience requires good weather. If the stable cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Wear comfortable riding shoes if you have them. Walking shoes or good sneakers are also recommended. Dress for wind and changing temperatures, since you will be outside for the riding portion and may feel colder once you are moving slowly.

A crucial Iceland rule concerns riding equipment. Used horse or equestrian gear that cannot be washed may not be brought into the country. This helps prevent the spread of disease to Icelandic horses, which have a protected and isolated population. Do not pack used riding boots, helmets, or other uncleanable equipment without checking the rules.

The maximum rider weight is under 110 kilograms. You must also be able to mount and dismount without a stool and have moderate physical fitness. Service animals are allowed, and the stable is near public transportation.

The minimum age is 12. That makes the tour suitable for many families with older children, but it is not designed for younger children. A 12-year-old who is comfortable following instructions may have a wonderful time, while age alone does not guarantee riding ability.

Who will enjoy this private ride most

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction and a calm horse
• Families with children aged 12 or older
• Couples or small groups who prefer a private outing
• Experienced riders curious about the tolt and Icelandic riding style
• Anyone who wants countryside scenery without committing to a multiday riding trip

You may want another activity if you are over the weight limit, cannot mount independently, dislike unpredictable weather, or want a guaranteed long gallop. The ride is also less suitable for anyone expecting a fully urban pickup service, since the stated meeting point is the stable in Mosfellsbær.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 54 ratings, and 98 percent of people who rated it recommend it. Those numbers fit the strongest features: gentle horses, attentive guides, excellent scenery, and a clear fit between the guide’s pace and the rider’s ability.

Cancellation and booking advice

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the activity is often reserved well ahead of time, booking early is sensible if your dates are fixed, especially for a private group.

I would also send the stable your riding experience, approximate weight, ages in the group, and transport plan. That gives the guide useful information before choosing horses and helps avoid confusion over a taxi or bus connection.

Should you book this Icelandic horse ride?

Book it if you want more than a quick photo on horseback. The private setting, careful horse matching, patient beginner instruction, and chance to learn the tolt give this outing real substance. You get countryside views near Reykjavík without giving up personal attention.

For experienced riders, ask in advance what pace and terrain may be possible. For beginners, arrive ready to learn rather than expecting speed. If you meet the weight, fitness, age, and mounting requirements, this is one of the stronger ways to add Iceland’s horse culture to a Reykjavík stay.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Icelandic Riding, Akrar 2, 271 Mosfellsbær, Iceland. The activity does not end in central Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

Plan on about two hours from arrival to departure. Riding time usually lasts around one to one and a half hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group and the tour guide participate in the activity.

Do I need previous riding experience?

No. The guides work with beginners and experienced riders, teaching mounting, dismounting, basic riding, and gaits before adjusting the pace to your ability.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years.

Is there a rider weight limit?

Yes. Riders must weigh less than 110 kilograms.

How do I reach the stable from Reykjavík?

Bus number 15 from downtown Reykjavík is given as the best public transport option. The meeting point is in Mosfellsbær, and any taxi pickup arrangement should be confirmed directly.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.