The Icelandic horse is small, sure of itself, and mildly offended if you call it a pony. Twenty minutes outside Reykjavík you can find out what the fuss is about, on riding paths through lava fields and green hillsides.

What you'll do on this Reykjavík horse riding tour

Íshestar's stables are a short 20-minute drive from central Reykjavík. Before setting off, riders are split into groups by skill level, so everyone gets a ride that matches their experience. Group sizes are kept limited.

Riding time is 1.5 to 2 hours, and the whole tour takes around four hours including transfer. Back at the stables there's complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and the staff are happy to answer questions about the horses.

What's included

• Riding helmet and rubber boots
• Rainwear or a warm outfit for the ride
• Trained guides who speak English, Scandinavian languages and German
• Coffee, tea and hot chocolate after the ride
• Free safety boxes at the stables for valuables

Good to know before you go

The minimum age is 7 and the weight limit is 110 kg (240 lbs). If you're driving yourself, be at the stables 30 minutes before departure.

You can't ride with a backpack or bag, so plan to leave them in the lockers. If you're bringing your own riding gear from abroad, Icelandic rules require boots, trousers, jackets, gloves and the like to be washed at 40°C, dry cleaned or disinfected before you arrive, and used leather gear can't be brought into the country at all.

Pro tip: Dress in warm layers under the rainwear provided and keep your phone in a zipped pocket. Icelandic weather changes fast, and it's always a few degrees colder on a horse.