Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall

The best part of this ride is the view from between the ears of an Icelandic horse. You follow the trail toward Reykjafoss, where water rushes down rocky steps into Brandgil canyon, with the mountain panorama of Skagafjörður spread around you. It is a quick way to add horses, open country, and a waterfall to your Iceland trip.

I like the small group size, capped at eight, and the friendly, careful instruction. I also like that the ride is built around photographs, not just riding in a circle. The main point to watch is the timing: the tour is listed at about 30 minutes, while one rider described the full experience as closer to an hour, so confirm the schedule if your day is tightly planned. Weather can also cancel the ride.

Key points

• Reykjafoss by horseback: Ride toward a waterfall where water steps down into the Brandgil canyon.
• Photos from the saddle: The route is designed for memorable pictures between your horse’s ears.
• A compact introduction to Icelandic horses: Guides explain the riding basics before setting out.
• Small groups: The maximum is eight people, allowing for a more personal outing.
• Varmahlíð meeting point: You start and finish at Hestasport Reception, not in central Akureyri.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund, while poor weather brings a date change or full refund.

A Short Ride With a Big Icelandic View

This experience gives you a close look at two things strongly tied to Iceland: the country’s sturdy Icelandic horses and its wild watercourses. You do not need to commit half a day to a long horseback expedition. Instead, you make a quick stop at Hestasport, learn the essentials, and ride out toward Reykjafoss.

That short format is the main appeal. If your Iceland route already includes long drives, waterfalls, and sightseeing stops, a 30-minute ride can fit into the day without taking over your plans. You still get the feel of sitting on an Icelandic horse, the quiet pleasure of moving through open country, and a clear goal at the end of the route.

I would think of this as a scenic introduction rather than a full riding adventure. The attraction is not distance or technical riding. It is the combination of a friendly stable, a compact route, the waterfall, and the chance to take a picture that feels much more personal than a standard roadside stop.

Finding Hestasport in Varmahlíð

The meeting point is Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, at Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland. The activity begins and ends there, so you should plan to arrive at the stated meeting point rather than assume the ride leaves from Akureyri itself.

The experience is associated with Akureyri in the tour information, but the actual start point is in Varmahlíð. That difference matters. If you are building your day around northern Iceland, check your driving plan carefully and allow enough time to reach Hestasport before the riding start.

You receive a mobile ticket, and the activity is offered in English. Confirmation comes at booking. The small maximum of eight people should help keep the check-in and instruction period manageable, though the exact feel of the group will depend on how many people book your departure.

Hestasport also offers cottages, but this activity does not state that an overnight stay is included. I would treat the reception as the meeting and riding base unless you have booked lodging separately.

Getting Comfortable With an Icelandic Horse

Before setting out, you receive the basic riding guidance needed for the outing. One particularly useful account describes guide Ellen explaining the essentials and making sure the group understood the basics before riding toward the waterfall.

That is important if you have only ridden a few times. The experience is not presented as a demanding horseback trip, and the instruction helps take away some of the worry that can come with mounting an unfamiliar horse. Icelandic horses are the stars of the outing, but the guide’s calm handling is just as important for first-time or rusty riders.

The stable’s horses are described as beautiful, and the grounds as clean. Those small details matter. A well-kept base and approachable staff make a short activity feel organized from the first few minutes, especially if you are riding with a child or someone who feels unsure.

A six-year-old was described as thrilled by the experience, and a nervous rider was said to have enjoyed it by the end. That gives me a useful sense of the atmosphere, but it is not an official age or ability guarantee. The supplied information says most people can participate, so you should still ask Hestasport directly if you have a specific concern about age, riding experience, or mobility.

Riding Toward Reykjafoss

Once you leave Hestasport, the ride heads toward Reykjafoss. The route’s appeal is the gradual change from stable time to open scenery. You are not simply being shown a horse and then returned to the reception. The ride has a clear destination and a visual payoff.

The mountain panorama of Skagafjörður forms the setting. The view is broad and spacious, giving you the sort of Icelandic scenery that can be difficult to absorb from a car window. On horseback, your pace is slower, and the surrounding country becomes the main event rather than a quick backdrop between stops.

The route also brings you toward Brandgil, a steep canyon. At Reykjafoss, water rushes down a series of steps into the canyon, creating a scene with movement and texture. The waterfall is not just a marker on the route. It gives the ride a strong finish and provides the setting for the photographs that are central to the experience.

You should not expect an extended trail ride through every corner of the area. The tour is short, and its purpose is a close, scenic encounter rather than a full day in the saddle. I see that as a benefit for many people, but experienced riders looking for distance or a faster pace may find it limited.

The Photo Moment Between the Horse’s Ears

The most distinctive feature is the chance to take photographs from the saddle, looking between the ears of your horse toward the waterfall and canyon. That viewpoint gives the pictures a sense of participation. You are not only standing in front of Reykjafoss for a standard portrait. The horse becomes part of the frame.

The wording of the experience promises beautiful pictures and impressive memories, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Weather, light, horse movement, and your own comfort in the saddle will affect the result. The guide brings you safely to the edge of the steep canyon, yet the exact photo opportunity will depend on conditions and the group’s pace.

This is one reason I like the small group limit. With no more than eight people, the guide has a better chance of helping riders position themselves and enjoy the view without turning the stop into a crowded production. The experience is still a group activity, not a private photography session, but the size is modest.

Bring a willingness to pause. The value here comes from noticing the water, the canyon, the horses, and the mountain view, not from racing through the route to tick off Reykjafoss. The tour is brief enough that the photo stop should feel like a central part of the outing rather than an interruption.

What the Guides Add

The staff receive the strongest praise in the available feedback. They are described as kind, friendly, helpful, and accommodating, with good service from check-in through the end of the ride.

Guide Ellen is specifically praised for explaining the riding basics and leading the group to the waterfall. Another outing in January was guided by Amrei, who was described as pleasant company during a private-feeling visit when the riders were the only people booked.

Guide names can change by departure, so you should not book on the assumption that Ellen or Amrei will lead your ride. Still, these accounts point to the type of service you can expect from Hestasport: direct help, a warm welcome, and attention to riders who are not fully confident.

One rider also described being allowed to trot in a safe area. That is worth noting, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure. The ride is shaped by weather, horse, group ability, and guide judgment. If trotting is important to you, ask before booking.

How Long Does This Experience Take?

The official duration is approximately 30 minutes. That makes it one of the easier horseback activities to add to a busy northern Iceland schedule.

There is one practical wrinkle. A rider described the whole experience as about one hour, likely including check-in, instruction, mounting, and the ride itself. I would therefore avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward. The stated riding duration is short, but the full visit at Hestasport may take longer.

This distinction is especially useful if you are driving between destinations. A 30-minute ride sounds easy to slot into a plan, but you still need time to find the reception, get ready, receive instruction, and finish the return to the meeting point. The activity ends back at Hestasport, which simplifies your transport plan, but it does not make the stop instantaneous.

The short length is a good match for families, first-time riders, and people who want a taste of horseback riding without soreness or a major time commitment. It is less suited to anyone seeking a long route, extended time with the horses, or a full riding lesson.

Is $90.12 a Fair Price?

At $90.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall. You can view many Icelandic waterfalls without paying for an organized activity. The price is paying for more than the waterfall itself, though.

You are also paying for access to Icelandic horses, a guide, basic riding instruction, stable support, a small group capped at eight, and a carefully chosen route toward Reykjafoss. The photo viewpoint adds another layer of value, especially if horseback riding is one of your personal goals in Iceland.

For a quick introduction, I think the price can make sense. It gives you a distinct experience rather than another roadside photograph. The value is strongest if you have always wanted to ride an Icelandic horse, if you are short on time, or if you want a family activity with a clear scenic focus.

The calculation changes for experienced riders. If you measure value by hours in the saddle, $90.12 for an approximately 30-minute ride may feel high. In that case, a longer Hestasport outing could suit you better, though this particular activity is specifically aimed at a shorter visit.

Weather, Safety, and Comfort

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly and a canyon-side riding route should not proceed when the weather is unsuitable.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Icelandic time, so keep that in mind if you are changing plans from another time zone.

The route reaches the edge of a steep canyon, which is part of its scenic character. The guide is responsible for bringing the horse safely to that point, and the ride is not described as a free-roaming activity. You should listen closely to the instructions, particularly around the waterfall and canyon.

The available information says most people can participate. It does not provide a detailed list of clothing, footwear, weight limits, or accessibility arrangements. Ask Hestasport directly about any personal requirement rather than guessing.

Who Will Enjoy This Ride Most?

I would recommend this outing to several types of people:

• You want a first taste of riding an Icelandic horse without giving up half a day.
• You are traveling with a child who is excited by horses and can follow the guide’s instructions.
• You want a waterfall visit with a more personal angle than walking from a parking area.
• You care about photographs and like the idea of including the horse in the frame.
• You prefer a small group and English-language guidance.
• You have only ridden a few times and want support before setting out.

I would be more cautious if you are an accomplished rider looking for a long, challenging route. The short duration is the defining feature, not a flaw to be overlooked. You may also want another plan in reserve if your Iceland itinerary cannot handle a weather-related change.

Final Call: Book It for the Experience, Not the Mileage

Book this ride if you want a friendly, compact encounter with Icelandic horses and a waterfall setting. The combination of Reykjafoss, Brandgil canyon, Skagafjörður views, and saddle-level photographs gives the outing a clear identity.

I especially like it for a first ride, a family stop, or a busy day when a longer tour will not fit. The strongest reasons to choose it are the small group, the supportive instruction, and the chance to see the waterfall from horseback.

Skip it if your main goal is many hours of riding or the lowest possible price for a waterfall visit. Also check the Varmahlíð meeting point carefully, and leave extra time around the listed 30-minute duration. For the right visitor, this is a neat little Iceland experience with more character than its short schedule suggests.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride start?

The ride starts at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity finishes back at the Hestasport meeting point.

How long is the ride?

The listed duration is approximately 30 minutes. The full visit, including check-in and riding preparation, may take longer.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. English is one of the offered languages.

How many people can join the ride?

The activity has a maximum of eight participants.

What happens if the weather is too poor for the ride?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.