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Golden Circle & Horse Riding Tour

Name: Golden Circle & Horse Riding Tour
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 84903
Price: 32990 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

10 hoursGroup: Larger group, by coachEasyCoach from ReykjavíkAge 8+All year

5.0(1 review)

Path through the Almannagjá gorge at Þingvellir

This Golden Circle horse riding tour combines a two-hour ride on a sure-footed Icelandic horse with the three classic Golden Circle stops. No riding experience is needed, and the day ends with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.

Icelandic horse farmÞingvellir National ParkGeysir geothermal areaGullfoss waterfall

A two-hour ride on a sure-footed Icelandic horse
Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, the three classic Golden Circle stops
A hot drink at the stables after your ride
Small-group tour with pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
No riding experience needed

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up in ReykjavíkYour guide meets you at your pick-up point, from around 9am.

Horse ridingA two-hour ride on an Icelandic horse through the countryside.

The ride starts from a stable near Reykjavík and lasts about two hours. The Icelandic horse is smaller than most breeds, sturdy, and known for an extra gait called tölt, which makes for a smooth ride even for first-timers. The route follows a valley, riverbank or hillside path, depending on the weather that day. Riding gear and a helmet are provided, no experience is needed, and there is a hot drink at the stables afterwards.

Time here · about 2 hours, including a safety talkFacilities · changing area and toilets at the stablesTip · wear closed shoes and warm layers under the riding gear

Þingvellir National ParkWhere the tectonic plates meet and the Vikings held their parliament.

Þingvellir is where Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, first met in 930, and it lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. Chieftains gathered here every summer, laws were recited from the Lögberg (Law Rock), and the plain below still shows where the assembly booths stood. The lake beside it, Þingvallavatn, is the largest natural lake in Iceland. The park is free to enter and open all year.

Walking · easy paths, about 1-2 kmFacilities · visitor centre and toilets

Read our Þingvellir National Park guide →

Geysir geothermal areaHot springs, with Strokkur erupting every few minutes.

Geysir gave every geyser in the world its name. The original Great Geysir now erupts only rarely, sometimes after earthquakes, so the show is Strokkur, a short walk away. It throws boiling water 15 to 20 metres into the air every 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes a good deal higher, so you will see several eruptions while you are here. Keep to the paths between the pools and stay behind the ropes, as the water is very hot.

Walking · short, flat pathsFacilities · visitor centre, café and toilets

Read our Geysir guide →

Gullfoss waterfallThe great two-step waterfall in its canyon.

Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, drops about 32 metres in two steps into a narrow canyon roughly 70 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres long. The water comes from the Hvítá river, which is fed by the glacier Langjökull. Glacial water often turns golden-brown in sunlight, and rainbows hang in the spray on bright days. A path with stairs leads down to a lower level, closer to the water.

Walking · upper viewpoint is easy; lower path has stairsFacilities · café, shop and toilets

Read our Gullfoss guide →

6Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your pick-up point in the evening.

About the Golden Circle horse riding tour

The Icelandic horse is smaller than most breeds, sturdy, and known for an extra gait called tölt, which makes for a smooth ride even for first-timers. This tour starts with a two-hour ride from a stable near Reykjavík, out along a valley, riverbank or hillside route depending on the weather that day.

After the ride and a hot drink to warm up, the day continues into the Golden Circle: Þingvellir, where you can walk through the rift between two tectonic plates; Geysir, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes; and Gullfoss, the wide waterfall on the Hvítá river.

It's a full day out, so wear layers you can adjust, since riding gear goes on over your own clothes and Icelandic weather can change quickly between the stable and the waterfalls.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)

Included

Minibus transfer to and from Reykjavík
Riding gear and helmet
Guided horseback ride
Guided Golden Circle sightseeing
Free WiFi on the bus

Not included

Food and drinks
Optional extras

What to bring

Warm, waterproof outer layer
Hat and gloves
Sturdy, closed shoes

Good to know

Duration is about 10 hours
Minimum age 8; under 8s must be accompanied by an adult
Maximum rider weight around 120 kg
Easy difficulty; no riding experience needed
Runs all year

Questions people ask

Do I need horse riding experience?

No, the ride suits complete beginners as well as more experienced riders.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes, around 120 kg, for the horses' welfare.

What do I wear for the ride?

Riding gear and a helmet are provided; wear warm layers and closed shoes underneath.

How long is the horse ride itself?

About two hours, before the tour continues to the Golden Circle sights.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

5 stars1

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1 star0

Great sightseeing and horse riding

Loved this combo tour of sightseeing and adventure with horse riding in the nature. It was an excellent way to experience Icelandic beauty and wildlife. Wish I could do it again. Maybe one day!

Olivia T. · February 2023

From32,990 ISKPer person