Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall

The best part of this outing is the way it puts you on horseback beside Reykjafoss, where water runs down a series of steps into the Brandgil canyon. You get the classic Icelandic horse experience, but without giving up half a day. The photo angle between your horse’s ears is especially good here, with Skagafjörður’s mountain panorama behind you.

I like the small maximum group of eight, since a guide can give more attention to each rider. I also like that the ride suits people with limited time, including beginners who want a gentle introduction to Icelandic horses rather than a long-distance trek.

The main thing to check is the timing. The tour is advertised at about 30 minutes, yet one detailed account describes roughly an hour from check-in through the end of the ride. At $90.12 per person, that difference matters, especially if you are fitting this stop into a tight driving schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Reykjafoss is the main reward: You ride toward a waterfall that drops in steps into Brandgil canyon.
• The mountain view comes with a memorable photo angle: You can take pictures between the horse’s ears near the canyon edge.
• Small groups make the ride more approachable: No more than eight people are booked for one outing.
• Guides help first-time riders: Ellen has been praised for explaining the basics and keeping the ride safe.
• You may be able to trot: A safe area is used for trotting when the conditions and group allow.
• The listed duration is short, but allow extra time: The ride says about 30 minutes, while the full visit may run closer to an hour.

Starting at Hestasport in Varmahlíð

Your meeting point is the Hestasport reception at Cottages and Riding Tours, Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland. The activity begins and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer after riding.

That simple start is useful if you are already passing through the area. You check in at the Hestasport grounds, meet the staff, and get ready for the horse ride. The setup has earned strong praise for friendly service, clean grounds, and an easy check-in process.

The activity is listed in connection with Akureyri, but the exact meeting address is in Varmahlíð. Treat the address as the detail that matters when planning your day. Do not assume that a booking connected with Akureyri begins in the city itself.

The group limit is eight people. That is a good middle ground: large enough to make the outing social, but small enough that the guide can keep an eye on riders. A very small booking is also possible. In January, one couple found themselves as the only people on the ride, which suggests the experience can feel quite personal outside busy periods.

Meeting the Icelandic horses

The horses are a central part of the outing, not just transport to the waterfall. Hestasport works with Icelandic horses, a breed closely tied to riding culture in Iceland and well suited to the country’s rough, open ground.

The available information does not promise that you will choose your own horse, groom it, or spend a long time in the stable. What you can expect is contact with friendly Icelandic horses and a guided ride toward Reykjafoss. If you are looking for a long stable visit or a full riding lesson, this is not the right format.

For a first ride, the short length is useful. You can get close to the horses without committing to several hours in the saddle. One six-year-old rider came away thrilled, and another less-confident rider finished the outing excited rather than frightened. Those details suggest that the staff are used to helping people who have little riding experience.

Still, do not treat the ride as a completely passive photo stop. You will be on a horse and will need to listen to the guide. Basic instruction is part of the process, and the guide makes sure riders understand the essentials before heading out.

Riding toward Reykjafoss

The route leads toward Reykjafoss, the single named stop on the outing. The appeal is not only the waterfall itself. You get the changing view as the horses carry you toward the water, with the mountain panorama of Skagafjörður opening around you.

Reykjafoss is described as a place where water rushes down steps into Brandgil canyon. That gives the stop more shape than a standard roadside waterfall visit. You are not simply walking up, taking one picture, and leaving. The horses bring you close to the canyon edge, where the water, rock, and wide mountain view come together.

The wording about the canyon edge is worth noting. The setting is steep, so you should follow the guide’s directions carefully and keep your attention on the ride rather than focusing only on your phone. The safety of the route depends on the conditions and the group following instructions.

The ride is short enough that the scenery remains the focus. You are not signing up for a hard endurance trek or a full-day horseback route. That makes it a practical choice for a quick Iceland stop, families, first-time riders, and anyone who wants one strong riding memory without building an entire day around it.

Getting the famous between-the-ears photo

The tour specifically makes room for photographs from the saddle. Near Brandgil canyon, you can frame the view between the ears of your horse, with the waterfall and Icelandic scenery ahead.

This kind of picture works because it records both parts of the outing: the horse and the place. A normal waterfall photograph could come from any walk-up viewpoint. The view from the saddle gives your picture a clear sense of being there on horseback.

You should not expect an extended photography session with unlimited stops. The tour is brief, and the exact amount of time available for pictures will depend on the guide, weather, and pace of the group. Have your phone or camera ready before reaching the best viewpoint.

The activity is also weather dependent. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and poor conditions may lead to a cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from forcing a horseback ride when the route is not suitable, though it can require a last-minute change to your day.

What the guides add to the ride

The guide has an important job here. With only about 30 minutes of advertised riding time, the outing must move along, but beginners still need a clear introduction.

Ellen has been singled out for explaining the basics, checking that riders understood how to ride, and taking the group to the waterfall. She also allowed trotting in a safe area, giving riders a little more than a walking-only outing. Trotting is not presented as a guarantee, so think of it as a possible extra rather than part of the fixed promise.

Amrei has also led a well-organized ride, including a quiet January outing with only two people. That kind of small booking can make the experience feel calmer, especially if you are nervous around horses.

The staff are described as friendly and accommodating from arrival through departure. That matters more here than it might on a simple sightseeing bus. You are handling an animal, riding near a steep canyon, and learning the basics in a short period. A patient guide can make the difference between feeling rushed and feeling in control.

The tour is offered in English. The information does not list other languages, so English is the language to expect when receiving instructions.

Is $90.12 good value?

At $90.12 per person, this is not a cheap photo stop. The value depends on what you want from Iceland.

If you want a long horseback journey, the price may feel high for an activity listed at about 30 minutes. The short duration is the clear limitation. You are paying for the horses, guide, setting, small group, and organized access to the waterfall area, not for hours in the saddle.

I see stronger value if you are short on time or unsure about committing to a longer ride. You get an authentic Icelandic horse experience, a guide-led route, a waterfall, a canyon, and the chance to trot if conditions permit. That is a lot of variety packed into a small outing.

The group cap of eight also supports the price. A guide can give basic riding help and manage the group near the canyon. If you happen to book during a quiet period, the experience may be even more personal, though you should not pay expecting to receive a private ride.

For families, the value also comes from the low commitment. A six-year-old enjoyed the activity, but the supplied information does not state a minimum age, weight limit, or riding requirement. Ask Hestasport directly if those details affect your plans.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The published duration is approximately 30 minutes. Plan for more time at Hestasport because check-in, preparation, instructions, mounting, photographs, and the return to the reception can extend the total visit. One account placed the full experience at about an hour.

This is important if you are driving between sights or have a fixed reservation later in the day. The ride itself may be short, but you should not schedule another activity immediately afterward without a cushion.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because good weather is required, Hestasport may cancel the outing if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For an outdoor ride near a canyon, this is a sensible condition, but you should keep some flexibility in your Iceland plans.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would choose this outing if you fit one of these profiles:

• You want to ride an Icelandic horse but have only a short window.
• You are a beginner and prefer a guided introduction.
• You want a horse-centered photo at a waterfall rather than a standard viewpoint picture.
• You are traveling with a child who is excited about horses.
• You prefer a group capped at eight people.
• You want a brief outdoor activity with a clear start and finish at one reception.

You may want another tour if your main goal is several hours on horseback, a remote route, or a detailed horse-care session. The available details do not promise those things.

I would also think carefully if your schedule is rigid. The weather policy is fair, but a cancellation or time change can affect your day. And if your party includes someone who is uneasy around horses, the short format helps, but it does not remove the need to ride an actual animal near a steep canyon.

The practical call

I would book this ride if you want a compact, scenic introduction to Icelandic horses and Reykjafoss. The combination of small groups, friendly instruction, and strong photo opportunities gives the outing more substance than a quick stable visit.

Before paying, confirm the exact meeting time and how much total time Hestasport recommends beyond the listed 30 minutes. Keep your phone ready for the canyon photographs, wear clothing suitable for Icelandic weather, and leave room in your schedule in case the visit runs closer to an hour.

For a short and memorable horse ride, the price is reasonable when you value the setting and personal guidance. For a long riding adventure, it is too brief. That is the key choice.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride begin?

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

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the Hestasport meeting point.

How long is the ride?

The advertised duration is approximately 30 minutes. The full visit may take longer, with one detailed account describing about an hour in total.

What waterfall does the ride visit?

The ride heads toward Reykjafoss.

What is special about the photo opportunity?

You can take photographs between your horse’s ears near the edge of Brandgil canyon, with the waterfall and mountain views ahead.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Most people can participate, and the guide explains the basics of riding. A six-year-old enjoyed the experience, but the provided information does not state a minimum age or other riding requirements.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If Hestasport cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time.