Reykjavik: Small-Group Mjölnir Afternoon Horse Riding Tour

Just outside Reykjavik, the Mjölnir tour puts you in the saddle on a friendly Icelandic horse and takes you toward Rauðhólar, a striking field of red volcanic rock. The ride is not a long wilderness expedition. It is a gentle half-day outing through hills, forest, lava, and open views, close enough to the capital to fit neatly into an afternoon.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, since that gives the guides room to match each rider with a suitable horse and offer help along the way. I also like the warm finish at the hosts’ home, where tea or coffee and cookies take the chill off. The main drawback is the price: at $188 per person, this is a fairly costly three-hour activity, especially if you want a longer ride rather than a compact introduction.

Key points to know before you book

• Rauðhólar’s red lava formations: The ride reaches one of the area’s most unusual volcanic sights, with photo stops built into the outing.
• Icelandic horses and the tölt: You may get to try the breed’s smooth four-beat gait, a memorable part of riding in Iceland.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A riding lesson and safety briefing come first, so you do not need much previous experience.
• Small, personal groups: The tour takes up to 10 participants, with a horse chosen to fit your ability.
• Easy Reykjavik logistics: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, usually beginning around 30 minutes before the ride.
• Rain-or-shine planning: Bring warm clothing and expect changing weather, since the ride goes ahead in rain.

A volcanic horseback ride close to Reykjavik

Many Iceland riding outings require a long drive into the countryside. This one keeps the transfer short. From Reykjavik, you travel to a small family-owned farm in the Capital Region, then trade city streets for hills, trails, and volcanic scenery.

That location is the tour’s biggest practical advantage. You get an authentic Icelandic riding experience without giving up most of your day in a vehicle. The setting also gives you more than a simple paddock ride. You see the city from outside, look toward volcanic mountains and lakes, pass through Hólsmheiði forest, and reach Rauðhólar.

I would think of this as a scenic introduction rather than a serious riding trek. The ride lasts about 75 minutes in the scheduled plan, though the full time in the saddle is described as roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. With pickup, instruction, stops, and refreshments, plan on about 3.5 to 4 hours from collection to return. The stated activity duration is three hours, so allow a little flexibility around the edges.

Meeting your horse at the family farm

Pickup in Reykjavik is included, with collection generally taking place between 13:30 and 13:45. You should wait in front of your accommodation, in the hotel lobby, or at the agreed pickup point. Hotel pickup starts about 30 minutes before the ride itself, so do not schedule a tight afternoon appointment immediately afterward.

At the farm, you get acquainted with your horse before setting out. The staff match horses to your previous riding experience, which matters for beginners and for anyone who has ridden only occasionally. Icelandic horses are compact, sturdy animals known for their sure footing and calm nature, and this outing focuses on friendly, well-trained horses rather than speed.

The first formal step is a safety briefing and riding lesson, listed at about 45 minutes. That may sound long compared with the ride, but it gives you time to adjust your stirrups, learn how to handle the reins, and understand how the group will move together. If you are new to riding, this preparation is useful. If you have plenty of experience, it may feel slow, but the small group should allow the guides to answer questions and check that everyone is comfortable.

Riding helmets and rain clothing are provided. You still need warm layers of your own. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and this tour operates in rain as well as fair conditions. Wear clothes you can move in and plan for a cool, damp ride even if Reykjavik looks pleasant at pickup.

Following the hills toward Hólsmheiði forest

Once the group is ready, the ride heads over the hills surrounding Reykjavik. The pace is designed for a mixed group, with riders of different abilities sharing the trails. You can expect stops for photographs and scenery rather than a nonstop push through the countryside.

The views give you a different angle on the capital. Instead of seeing Reykjavik from a city street or a waterfront lookout, you watch it from the surrounding hills, with lakes and volcanic mountains in the distance. That change of viewpoint is one reason this outing works well early in an Iceland trip. It introduces the country’s open spaces and volcanic setting without demanding a full day of hiking or driving.

The route continues through Hólsmheiði forest. Iceland is not famous for dense forests, so a wooded section feels like a pleasant change from the country’s more exposed fields and lava plains. The forest also gives the ride some variety. You move from open hillside views into a more enclosed trail setting, then back toward the volcanic formations.

A key part of the experience is learning the tölt, the Icelandic horse’s famously smooth fourth gait. It is not guaranteed that every rider will spend a long time doing it, since the guides must keep the pace safe for the whole group. Still, the chance to try this distinctive gait adds something you would not get from an ordinary horseback ride. It connects the activity with the way Icelanders have traveled across the country for centuries.

The smoothness of the tölt does not mean you can ignore basic riding technique. Beginners should listen closely to the guide and follow the horse’s rhythm. Riders with more experience may enjoy the chance to practice the gait, but the outing remains a group ride, not a private training session.

Reaching Rauðhólar and its red volcanic rock

The route’s visual high point is Rauðhólar, a red lava rock field about 15 minutes from Reykjavik. The color and shape of the formations make this stop different from the darker volcanic rock you see in many parts of Iceland. It is a natural photo setting, and the tour allows time to pause rather than simply pass by.

The listed photo stop lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for a few pictures and a look around, but not enough for a long walk or detailed exploration of the entire area. Keep your expectations in line with the schedule. This is a horseback ride that includes Rauðhólar, not a dedicated geology excursion.

The stop also breaks up the riding time. That matters if you are new to horseback riding or find a long stretch in the saddle tiring. You can get off, take photographs, and enjoy the view before the group continues. For confident riders, the pause may feel brief. For beginners, it is a welcome chance to reset.

Photography is best treated as an extra, not the whole point of the tour. You will have several stops along the way, but you are moving with a group and following a guide. Keep your camera easy to reach, and do not expect unlimited time at each viewpoint.

Tea, coffee, and cookies at the end

After the ride, you return to the hosts’ home for hot tea or coffee and cookies. This is a small detail, but it gives the experience a personal finish. You are not simply dropped back at the farm and sent to wait for transport. The drink provides time to warm up, talk about the horses, and let your legs recover.

I especially like this part for an afternoon outing in Iceland. Even a gentle ride can leave you cold after exposure to wind or rain. A hot drink turns the return into a social pause rather than a rushed handoff.

The refreshment stop is short, listed at about 15 minutes. It is not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need something substantial. Tea, coffee, and cookies are included, but lunch is not.

How the small group changes the ride

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel, while still large enough that the pace must suit several riders at once. You should not expect a private lesson or a custom route built around one person’s riding goals.

The benefit is attention. Staff can help you settle on the right horse, explain the safety rules, and watch how the group is managing the trail. The small scale also makes it easier to ask questions about the horses and the tölt.

Guide quality will shape the outing. Cille and Viggó have been specifically praised for their guiding and for making the ride enjoyable. If either guide is leading your group, you may appreciate their help with trotting and their attention to the group’s comfort. Guide languages are English, German, and Icelandic.

The tone is friendly and personal, not polished like a large coach excursion. That suits people who want contact with a family-run farm and a closer look at Icelandic horse culture. It may be less appealing if you prefer complete independence or a fast-paced ride.

What the riding feels like for beginners

This tour is suitable for beginners and riders with limited experience. The lesson comes before the trail ride, and horses are selected according to your ability. That makes the activity approachable for someone who has never ridden in Iceland.

Still, horseback riding uses muscles you may not expect. Your balance, legs, and lower back can feel the work, especially if you have little practice. The stated time in the saddle ranges from 1.5 to 2 hours, so this is not just a short pony ride.

The group will move at a controlled pace. You may trot, and the experience includes the chance to ride the tölt, but the schedule does not promise long stretches of fast riding. One rider enjoyed trotting through the fields and described the horses as fun even in the rain. That gives you a useful picture of the outing: active enough to feel like real riding, but structured around safety and shared pacing.

Families can also find this appealing. A verified booking describes a four-year-old being well cared for and riding with the family. Since individual suitability can depend on the child, horse, and guide, you should confirm your family’s needs when booking. Babies under one year are not suitable for the activity.

Price, value, and who gets the most from it

At $188 per person, the Mjölnir ride is not a bargain activity. You are paying for transport from Reykjavik, a small group, a horse matched to your ability, safety instruction, riding equipment, a scenic route, and hot drinks afterward. The price makes more sense if you value convenience and personal service.

The close location helps the value. You do not spend most of the day traveling to a remote stable. Pickup and drop-off also save you the trouble of arranging transport, which can be useful if you are not renting a car.

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a guided and supported introduction
• Couples and families looking for a calm outdoor activity
• Visitors with a free Reykjavik afternoon
• Riders who specifically want to try an Icelandic horse and its tölt
• Anyone who likes volcanic scenery but does not want a demanding hike

I would be more cautious if you are an advanced rider seeking long periods of cantering, a full-day trail ride, or technical riding instruction. The group format and beginner-friendly design put comfort ahead of speed.

The activity also has a firm weight limit of 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. That is important to check before booking. Warm clothing is essential, and rain is part of the possibility rather than a reason for automatic cancellation.

Timing and booking details that matter

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still changing.

Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your date. Pickup is in the early afternoon, usually between 13:30 and 13:45, with the actual collection beginning about 30 minutes before the ride. Since the total outing can run 3.5 to 4 hours, leave room for a late return to Reykjavik.

The experience operates rain or shine. That makes a waterproof outer layer and warm clothing more than a suggestion. Rain gear is supplied, but your own base layers, socks, and comfortable trousers still matter.

Should you book the Mjölnir ride?

Book this tour if you want a friendly, manageable introduction to Icelandic horses with very little time spent getting out of Reykjavik. The red Rauðhólar formations, Hólsmheiði forest, city views, and chance to try the tölt give the ride real variety. The hot drink at the hosts’ home is a thoughtful finish.

Skip it if $188 feels too high for a short ride, or if you want a full day in the saddle. Also skip it if your plans cannot handle rain or a return time that may stretch beyond three hours.

For beginners, families, and riders curious about Icelandic horses, I think the personal scale and easy transport make the price easier to justify. For experienced riders, the decision rests on what you want most: a scenic cultural outing near Reykjavik, or a longer and faster ride elsewhere.

FAQ

How long does the Mjölnir horse riding tour last?

The activity is advertised as three hours, but pickup, riding, stops, and the return transfer can make the total outing about 3.5 to 4 hours. Time in the saddle is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a riding lesson and safety briefing, and your horse is selected according to your previous riding experience. It is designed for beginners and people with limited experience.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Reykjavik area, a riding helmet, rain clothing, a riding lesson, hot tea or coffee, and cookies are included.

Can I try the tölt?

The tour includes the opportunity to ride tölt, the Icelandic horse’s smooth fourth gait. The amount of time spent doing it depends on your ability and the needs of the small group.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. The tour runs in rain or shine, even though rain clothing is provided.

Who cannot take this tour?

People over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms, are not suitable for the activity. Babies under one year are also not suitable.