The Best, Most Unique Horse Riding in Reykjavik, Iceland
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Horse Riding in Iceland. Are you one of the many? You know, the people who have an infatuation with the sturdy little fluffy ponies from Iceland? I mean, how can you resist this face:
Well, I totally get it! I do too! And Iceland…what a beautiful bucket-list place! So why not combine the two and explore Iceland on a horse? Or, rather, a pony? Let’s start with horse riding in Reykjavik, Iceland.
In doing research on Iceland, I’ve found that the entire country is gorgeous. So much to see and do! So in this article, I’m going to focus on South Iceland, particularly Reykjavik, the capital, which is in Southwestern Iceland.
Reykjavik, the Capital of Iceland
Reykjavík was the first permanent settlement in Iceland, 874 AD, founded by a Norseman. However, it wasn’t unit the 1750’s that local sheriff Skúli Magnússon, the “Father of Reykjavík”, established wool workshops in the area allowing it to quickly become a hub of wool production. This was after many years of starvation because of the trade monopoly the Danish king put on Iceland in the early 1700s. After the establishment of these wool workshops, the city became a busy trading port, which was then boosted when the Crown declared free trade for Iceland with all nationalities.
The word Reykjavík translates literally as “smoky bay”. The name refers to the steam that used to rise from the hot springs and geothermal vents. Nearly two-thirds of the country’s population lives in the Reykjavik area – about 123,000 people.
Horse Riding Near Reykjavik
Horse Riding in Iceland – the Golden Circle
Horse Riding in Reykjavik, Iceland: This 7-day horse riding tour was nominated by CNNgo as one of the greatest horse treks in the world! The best way to visit the hot springs area of Geysir and the Golden Waterfall – Gullfoss – is by riding through the beautiful countryside of South Iceland. The other key attraction on this Golden Circle tour is Thingvellir National Park. Book This Holiday Now!
Geysir Hot Spring Area
A favorite stop along your horse riding in Iceland – Golden Circle tour is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 100 feet into the air every few minutes. This geyser shares the title of most famous geyser in the world with Old Faithful, in Yellowstone National Park, USA.
Gullfoss (Golden) Waterfall
Another stop on your horse riding Reykjavik, Iceland tour is the Gullfoss Waterfall. The water in Gullfoss Waterfall flows from Lake Hvítárvatn, which is on the southeast side of the Langjökull Glacier. Langjökull is the second-largest icecap in Iceland, after Vatnajökull. The water coming from Langjökull Glacier fills the glacial river, Hvítá, which in English is ‘the White River.’ This wide river then rushes relentlessly southwards.
The water cascades down in two stages, one 36 ft high, and the second 71 ft high, into the 105 feet deep and 1.6 mile-long crevasse below. This crevasse was created at the end of the Ice Age by catastrophic flood waves and is deepened by close to 10 inches a year by the constant erosion from the water.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2004. It is the visible site of the mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and are being pulled apart at a rate of almost an inch per year, creating the Thingvellir Rift Valley. The geology here is spectacular to behold. You’ll also be riding through this National Park on your horseback riding in Iceland adventure.
Book My Golden Circle Holiday NOW! >
This horseback riding in Iceland tour is perfect for those who don’t have the required riding experience for the highland tours, or for those who want a nice, easy ride with beautiful scenery. Keep in mind that riding days can be long so you should be in good physical shape and have the basic horsemanship skills. See this article on how to Get Fit for Your Horse Riding Holiday.
The first riding day you will get acquainted with the unique Icelandic Horse and its special extra gait as you take an easy trek along the banks of the majestic Thjórsá River.
Usually, you will change horses once or twice a day. On most of the longer tours, Íslandshestar herds spare horses along in a free running herd, the traditional way of riding in Iceland.
Each days’ riding will be between 9 and 25 miles, so make sure you get in riding shape before you go, so you can enjoy every day! See getting in shape tips here.
Horse Riding in Reykjavic Iceland: What’s Included:
- All horse riding days
- Entrance fee to Secret Lagoon
- 6 nights accommodation
- Transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
- Daily full board meals
- Use of rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, and riding helmet
What’s NOT Included:
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages
- Individual travel insurance (I recommend World Nomads – see link below)
Other Must-See Items While in the Reykjavik Area
Since you are going on what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, make sure you factor in extra days to see the other top destinations of the area in addition to your horseback riding in Iceland holiday:
Blue Lagoon – Transportation & Admission – Book Now >
After your 7 days horseback riding, a trip to the beautiful Blue Lagoon is in order! On this relaxing, half-day tour package, you’ll head by transfer to the healing, geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. Soak at your leisure in the milky blue, mineral-rich outdoor spa with premium admission tickets, which include a towel, bathrobe, slippers, and complimentary beverage, plus a silica or algae face mask.
- Premium admission tickets to the Blue Lagoon with round-trip transfers
- Relax with door-to-door pickup and drop-off from your hotel, airport, or cruise port
- Unwind before or after your trip, or pamper yourself during a long layover.
- Enjoy additional masks, beverages, or meals at your own cost
A great addition to your horse riding in Reykjavik, Iceland holiday is Scuba diving the Silfra Fissure. Ideal for experienced divers, this diving trip in Thingveiller National Park allows you to discover the incredible Silfra fissure — the continental plates that separate North America and Eurasia. During two dives, marvel at ancient lava formations and swim into the void between two tectonic plates. This small-group tour is limited to four people and includes all diving gear and round-trip transport from Reykjavik. An accredited diving qualification is required.
Silfra Fissure is the splitting rift between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. This is one of the only places on Earth where you can see the continents split apart with your own eyes — and swim between them! Some parts of the fissure are so narrow that you can stretch out your arms and touch both continents at once.
What’s Included
- Half-day diving experience in Thingveiller National Park
- All diving gear is included
- Discover the Silfra fissure the tectonic boundary between two continents
- Ideal for experienced divers with a credited diving qualification
- Receive personalized attention in a small group, limited to four divers
- Round-trip transport from Reykjavik is optional
The water at Silfra Fissure is some of the clearest in the world. For context, at most diving places across the world, 100-200 feet of underwater visibility is considered extremely good. Silfra, however, has over 300 feet of visibility. It isn’t possible to fully determine how far this visibility stretches because the fissure itself isn’t long enough.
