A herd of Icelandic horses of varied coat colours running across a green field with snow-capped mountains behind

Adventure & Air

Icelandic Horse Riding

Small, shaggy and entirely unbothered by anything the weather throws at it, the Icelandic horse has carried riders across this landscape for over a thousand years. No new bloodlines have been allowed onto the island since 982 AD, and the result is a breed found nowhere else — sure-footed, famously calm, and gifted with two gaits no other horse naturally has. A ride from a farm along the Golden Circle route is a gentle, unforgettable way to meet them.

Duration

1 – 2.5 hours

Departs From

Farms on the Golden Circle route

Best Season

Year-round

Suitable For

First-time riders welcome

The Breed

Iceland's unique five-gait horse

Includes

Helmet & full riding gear

The Experience

Meet the Herd

Iceland has no wolves, no big cats — nothing that has ever hunted a horse here — so these horses are famously unbothered by visitors, often walking straight up to say hello rather than shying away. Your guide matches you with a horse suited to your experience, fits your helmet, and runs through everything you need before you set off, no riding experience required.

A small group of calm Icelandic horses standing beside still water with mountains reflected behind them

Riding at the Tölt

Every horse walks, trots and canters — the Icelandic horse adds a fourth gait, the tölt: smooth enough that riders can hold a full drink at speed without spilling it. It makes for a remarkably comfortable ride over open country, whether you're out for an easy hour or a longer ride along the coast.

Two riders on Icelandic horses cantering along a black sand beach with sea stacks in the background

Easy to Pair With the Golden Circle

Most riding farms sit right along the route between Reykjavík, Gullfoss and Geysir, which makes a ride simple to add onto a Golden Circle day — a couple of hours in the saddle before or after the waterfall and the geysers, without adding a separate trip to your itinerary.

A rainbow arcing over Gullfoss waterfall on Iceland's Golden Circle route, seen from above the canyon

Good to Know

Helmets and full riding gear are provided, and rides run year-round — even in winter, farms offer shorter routes suited to the season. Dress warmly in layers, wear trousers you can move in, and closed shoes with a small heel if you have them. No riding experience is necessary; guides keep beginner and experienced riders on routes matched to their comfort.