Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall

The best part of this short ride is the view from between the ears of an Icelandic horse. You follow the route toward Reykjafoss, where water drops in steps toward Brandgil Canyon, with the mountains of Skagafjörður spreading out behind you. It is a quick way to get close to Icelandic horses without giving up half a day.

I like the small group limit of eight, which gives the guide room to help beginners and keep the pace sensible. I also like the photo setup: you are not just looking at the waterfall, but framing it with your horse in the foreground. Guides such as Ellen have helped first-time riders learn the basics and, when conditions allow, trot in a safe area.

The main consideration is timing. The advertised ride is about 30 minutes, although one detailed account described the full experience as roughly an hour from start to finish. The price is $90.12 per person, so this works best as a focused horse ride and photo stop, not as a long riding excursion.

Key points at a glance

• Reykjafoss is the main goal: Ride toward a stepped waterfall and the Brandgil Canyon area.
• Photos are part of the appeal: The route gives you a natural frame through your horse’s ears.
• Small groups keep things personal: No more than eight people take part.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides explain the riding basics, and most people can participate.
• The setting is the star: You get mountain views across Skagafjörður as well as time with Icelandic horses.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A short ride with a clear Icelandic payoff

This experience gets to the point quickly. You arrive at Hestasport, meet the riding team, and set out toward Reykjafoss. There is no long transfer, no packed schedule of unrelated stops, and no need to commit to an all-day riding trip.

That makes it useful for a few kinds of visitors. You might be passing through northern Iceland with a tight schedule. You might want to meet Icelandic horses but have little riding experience. Or you might be traveling with a child who would enjoy the animals and the scenery, but not manage a long saddle session.

The experience is associated with Akureyri, but the stated meeting point is Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, at Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð. Check your route carefully before booking, since the meeting address is the place you need to reach.

Starting at Hestasport in Varmahlíð

Your ride begins at the Hestasport reception area. This is where you check in, meet the staff, and get ready for the horse. The grounds have been described as clean, and the staff as friendly and accommodating, which matters when you are handling an unfamiliar animal in a new place.

The preparation is brief but important. A guide explains the basic riding points before you leave. That is especially useful if you have only ridden a few times, or if you are bringing a child. One family found the outing suitable for a six-year-old, who was thrilled by the horses and the setting.

You should not expect a long formal riding lesson. The value here is that the guide gives you enough information to feel comfortable on the short route. Ellen has been singled out for explaining the basics clearly and helping the group settle into the ride.

The small maximum of eight people is a real advantage at this stage. A guide can pay attention to individual riders instead of giving one rushed speech to a large crowd. That does not guarantee a private ride, but it does keep the group manageable.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

The horses are not just transport to the waterfall. For many people, they are the reason to book. The experience gives you close contact with Icelandic horses without requiring a full day in the saddle.

That can be a good fit if you love horses but are not an experienced rider. A first-time or nervous rider can ask questions and get used to the horse before the group moves out. One person who had ridden only a few times found the horses easy to manage with help from the guides. Another nervous rider finished the outing feeling excited rather than intimidated.

Still, a short guided ride cannot promise that every horse will feel exactly right for every rider. Horses have their own temperaments, and comfort levels vary. The useful point is that the staff are described as accommodating and attentive, and the small group makes it easier to raise a concern.

If you are traveling with a young rider, keep the short format in mind. A 30-minute ride can be a pleasant first taste rather than an exhausting commitment. The available feedback includes a successful outing with a six-year-old, but the general information only says most people can participate. It does not give detailed age, weight, or riding requirements, so ask Hestasport if those details matter for your booking.

Riding toward Reykjafoss

Once you leave Hestasport, the route heads toward Reykjafoss. The ride is short, so the appeal is not a long journey through several types of scenery. Instead, you get a compact outing with a strong visual target.

The mountain views of Skagafjörður give the ride its sense of place. You are not simply circling a riding arena or taking a short turn on a flat farm track. The route leads toward open views and the waterfall area, giving you something memorable to look at even during the riding portions.

The pace depends on the guide, the horses, and the conditions. If the group is comfortable, there may be a chance to trot in a safe area. That is a welcome extra for riders who want a little movement, but you should not book this expecting a fast or technical ride. The central experience is a calm approach to the waterfall with time for views and photographs.

For a beginner, this is probably the right balance. You get the feeling of moving through the countryside on horseback, but the ride does not ask you to master a long list of skills. For an experienced rider, the short duration may feel limited. The tour is better understood as a scenic introduction than as a serious riding session.

Reykjafoss and Brandgil Canyon

Reykjafoss is the one named stop, and it gives the outing a clear destination. The water rushes down a series of steps toward the canyon called Brandgil. That combination of moving water, rock, and mountain views gives you more than a standard waterfall photo.

The canyon edge is part of the visual experience. The horse brings you toward the area, where you can take photographs with the waterfall and canyon beyond. The description emphasizes reaching the edge of the steep canyon, so listen closely to the guide and follow instructions around the viewpoint.

The most distinctive photo idea is to shoot between your horse’s ears. This puts the animal in the foreground and the Icelandic scenery beyond. It is a simple composition, but it gives the pictures a sense of place that a quick snapshot from a roadside viewpoint may lack.

Do not expect a long independent photo session. The ride is short, and the guide needs to manage the horses and the group. You should have time for impressive images, but the exact amount will depend on weather, rider confidence, and how smoothly the group moves.

The waterfall can also look different depending on conditions. Water, cloud, light, and visibility all affect the scene. This is one reason the operator requires good weather and may offer a different date or full refund if conditions make the activity unsuitable.

Why the small group matters

A maximum of eight people is one of the strongest practical details here. On horseback, group size affects more than personal space. It affects how quickly beginners get help, how long the group waits, and how easy it is to keep everyone together near a canyon.

A small group also makes the experience feel less like a ride conveyor belt. You can hear the guide more easily and get direct help with the basics. If the group is smaller on your date, the ride may feel especially personal. One January outing had only two people, creating what was described as an individual experience.

That said, a group limit of eight is not the same as a private tour. You may still share the guide and the route with other riders. If privacy is important, ask Hestasport about private options rather than assuming the small maximum means a private booking.

The English-language format should work well for international visitors. The guide can explain the basic riding steps and safety information in English, while the relaxed scale gives you a chance to ask for clarification.

Is $90.12 good value?

At $90.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 30 minutes in Iceland. The price makes more sense when you consider what is bundled into the short outing: the horse, guide, access to the riding experience, the route toward Reykjafoss, and the chance to take photographs from horseback.

I see it as good value for someone who specifically wants Icelandic horses and has limited time. You are paying for a focused activity rather than a long sightseeing tour. If you only want to see a waterfall, there are likely simpler ways to do that, but they would not give you the horse-riding element or the same photo angle.

The value is weaker for an experienced rider looking for a substantial ride. The stated duration is approximately 30 minutes, and even the longer account put the complete experience at about an hour. That may include check-in, preparation, instruction, and finishing up, not an hour in the saddle.

Families may find the price easier to justify because the outing combines animals, scenery, and a manageable time commitment. A child can enjoy the horses without spending several hours on an activity that might become tiring.

Timing, weather, and what to expect

The schedule deserves a little caution. The official duration is about 30 minutes, but plan some extra time for arrival, check-in, basic instruction, mounting, photos, and returning the horses. A detailed account described the whole experience as around one hour, so avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

Weather is not a minor detail in northern Iceland. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy protects the riding experience, the horses, and the people near the canyon, but it also means you should leave some flexibility in your plans if possible.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

The experience is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent at booking. Those details make it fairly simple to fit into an Iceland trip, provided you pay attention to the actual meeting address in Varmahlíð.

Who should book this ride?

I would point this toward:

• A first-time rider who wants a guided introduction
• A family seeking a short horse activity
• A photographer who likes natural, unusual viewpoints
• Someone passing through northern Iceland with limited time
• A horse lover who wants close contact with Icelandic horses
• A rider who prefers a small group over a large stable outing

I would hesitate if you want a long ride, a demanding route, or a full day on horseback. The experience is also not ideal for a schedule with no room for weather changes or a slightly longer finish.

The strong points are clear: friendly staff, attractive horses, a scenic goal, helpful instruction, and a small group. The main limits are just as clear: short duration, a relatively high per-minute cost, and dependence on good weather.

Should you book the Reykjafoss ride?

Book it if you want a compact Icelandic horse experience with a real scenic destination. The route toward Reykjafoss, the Brandgil Canyon views, and the chance to frame the waterfall between your horse’s ears give the outing a character that a basic stable ride would lack.

I especially like it for beginners, families, and busy itineraries. You get practical help from the guide, a reasonable group size, and enough time to make a memorable photograph without committing to a long ride.

Skip it if your priority is maximum time in the saddle. At $90.12, the short format needs to match your interests. For the right person, this is a smart, focused stop: horses, waterfall, mountain views, and a distinctly Icelandic photo in one compact experience.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride begin?

It begins at Hestasport Reception, Cottages and Riding Tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The experience ends back at the Hestasport meeting point.

How long does the ride last?

The stated duration is approximately 30 minutes. One detailed account described the full experience, including the surrounding process, as about one hour.

What waterfall does the route visit?

The ride heads toward Reykjafoss, where water runs down steps toward Brandgil Canyon.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Guides explain the basics of riding, and the available information says most people can participate. A guide named Ellen has been praised for helping riders understand the basics.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Because the activity requires good weather, the operator may cancel it and offer a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.