Ride an Icelandic Horse
One of the most distinctly Icelandic things you can do during your stay — meet the Icelandic horse, a small, sure-footed and ancient breed with two gaits no other horse has. The best riding farms in the country are all within an hour of Northern Lights Cabin.
About the Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse is one of the purest and oldest horse breeds in the world. Brought to Iceland by the Vikings more than 1,000 years ago, the breed has been kept isolated ever since — a strict law dating back to 982 AD bans the import of horses into the country, and any Icelandic horse that leaves can never return. The result is a short, hardy, intelligent animal beloved by Icelanders.
What makes the Icelandic horse most famous internationally is its two unique gaits — five in total versus the usual three. Most horses walk, trot and gallop. The Icelandic horse also has tölt and skeið.
Tölt
A smooth, fast four-beat ambling gait. So stable you can carry a full glass of beer without spilling it (it's a national pastime to prove this).
Skeið
The "flying pace" — a two-beat lateral gait used in racing. Fast and dramatic. Usually only experienced riders attempt it.
Walk · Trot · Gallop
The standard three gaits. Beginner tours focus on walk and tölt — accessible to riders with no prior experience.
What to Expect on a Ride
Most farms offer rides for complete beginners. Tours typically begin with a short orientation in the stable — how to mount, hold the reins, and ask the horse for tölt — followed by a gentle walk on quiet trails before progressing to faster paces. Helmets are provided. Group sizes are usually small (6–10 riders) with experienced guides front and rear. Tours range from 1-hour intro rides up to multi-day adventures into the highlands.
In summer, riding takes you through wildflower meadows, along rivers, and onto open lava-fields. In winter, the horses are at their fluffiest and rides become magical short loops through snow with the Northern Lights overhead.
5 Gaits — Not 3
Tölt and skeið are unique to Icelandic horses. The tölt is the gait you came here for — smooth, fast, and unforgettable.
1,000+ Years of Isolation
Brought by the Vikings in the 9th century, the breed has been protected from outside bloodlines since 982 AD.
Beginner Friendly
You don't need riding experience. Most tours include a short orientation and tours start at walk before tölt.
Year-Round
Riding is offered all year. Summer = long evening rides; winter = woollen warmth and Northern Lights overhead.
All Farms Within an Hour
From the cabin in Grímsnes you can reach 5+ excellent riding farms in 15–60 minutes by car.
Nearby Horse Riding Farms
Hand-picked horse-riding operators within an hour of Northern Lights Cabin, ordered roughly by distance from the cabin.
Efstidalur Farm CLOSEST
A working family farm since 1850, ~13 km north of the cabin. Hire a horse on your own or join a guided trek through the Bláskógabyggð countryside. The farm doubles as a hotel with a beloved restaurant, ice-cream shop and geothermal hot tub — perfect for a half-day outing that combines a ride with a meal.
Best for: Families, casual riders, anyone wanting a short, scenic outing close to the cabin.
Season: Summer (riding); restaurant year-round.
Friðheimar SHOW
Not a riding tour, but worth knowing about: Friðheimar hosts a 30-minute horse show called A Meeting with the Icelandic Horse, demonstrating all five gaits with live commentary in 14 languages. Combine it with lunch in their famous geothermal tomato greenhouse — one of the most distinctive Golden Circle experiences.
Best for: Visitors who want to see the gaits demonstrated without riding, or who can't ride.
Season: 1 May – 30 September. Advance booking required.
Eldhestar — Volcano Horses MOST TOURS
Iceland's largest and longest-running horse-tour operator (since 1986), with the widest variety of rides — half-day, full-day, evening, multi-day, beginner to advanced. Tours head into the volcanic Hengill geothermal area and along the Hvítá river. Their on-site Hotel Eldhestar serves food and runs riding holidays of up to 8 days.
Best for: Riders who want the biggest selection, multi-day adventures, or a full riding holiday.
Season: Year-round; winter rides available.
Sólhestar HOT-SPRING RIDE
Family-run since 2010, with 80 horses across multiple locations. Their signature tour is the "Ride to the Hot Springs" in Reykjadalur — combining horse riding with the geothermal valley. Around 15 tours total across difficulty levels.
Best for: Pairing a horse ride with a soak in the Reykjadalur hot river — ties in nicely with our Reykjadalur hike page.
Season: Year-round.
Icelandic Horseworld
A small, personal operator with around 100 horses on a working breeding farm in Hella. Specialises in private and small-group rides (6–8 riders max). Seven tour options from 1 to 5 hours, including "Under the Volcano" with views to Hekla.
Best for: Riders who want small groups, a personal experience, and routes a little further off the beaten path.
Season: Year-round.
Which One Should You Pick?
If you only have a few hours and want the easiest option: Efstidalur — closest to the cabin, on-site restaurant, family-friendly.
If you want the widest tour selection or a full riding day: Eldhestar.
If you want something unique that pairs with a hike or hot-spring soak: Sólhestar's Reykjadalur ride.
If you can't ride but want to see the gaits: Friðheimar's horse show + tomato lunch.
Before You Ride
A few practical tips for a great first day on an Icelandic horse.
What to Wear
- Long trousers — jeans or hiking trousers, not shorts.
- Sturdy shoes with a small heel — hiking boots or short walking boots are perfect. Trainers slip in the stirrup.
- Layers — even in summer it can be cold and wet. Most farms provide waterproof overalls; a warm fleece underneath helps.
- Helmet — always provided. Always wear it.
- Gloves — your hands hold the reins for the whole ride. Bring thin gloves.
When to Go
- Summer (June–August): Long daylight, lush trails, evening rides until 11pm. Peak season — book early.
- Shoulder seasons (May, September–October): Quieter, beautiful autumn colour, still pleasant weather.
- Winter (November–March): Short rides, fluffy winter coats on the horses, and the chance of Northern Lights overhead. Magical, but cold — dress warm.
Booking & Practicalities
- Book ahead. Summer tours often sell out a week or more in advance. Don't show up hoping for a slot.
- Weight limits. Most farms have a rider weight limit (typically around 100–110 kg / 220–240 lbs) for the welfare of the horses. Check before booking.
- Tell them you're a beginner if you are — they'll pair you with a calm, experienced horse. Icelandic horses are famously gentle, but matching is important.
- Pickup vs self-drive. Most farms offer Reykjavík pickup. Since you're already in Grímsnes, self-driving from the cabin is faster and cheaper.
- Photos. Many tours allow a phone in a pocket. Mounts on a moving horse don't work well — pause when you want a shot.
- Cash isn't needed. Iceland is essentially cashless. All farms take card.
Combine With…
- A morning ride at Efstidalur + ice cream from their on-site dairy in the afternoon
- A Sólhestar hot-spring ride paired with our Reykjadalur hike on the same trip
- An Eldhestar half-day + a soak at the Hveragerði public pool afterwards
- The Friðheimar horse show + tomato lunch + Geysir, all on one Golden Circle day