is a riding holiday in Iceland right for you?

Who does riding in Iceland suit best?

Iceland suits the adventurous type, someone who’s happy to live without their usual luxuries and comforts for up to a week. You’ll be sleeping in shared accommodation with shared bathrooms, you’ll be riding for up to 7 hours a day and across lava fields at a quick pace which means you’ll likely be getting dirty and sweaty.

The exciting part is the riding with loose horses, the incredible views, the chance to ride 2 horses, both of which you’ll bond deeply with and making new friends from across the world

If that appeals to you or sounds like something you’d be happy to try, even if it’s out of your comfort zone, Iceland would be a great destination to try.

Fitness vs skill level

When discussing any riding holiday, it’s important to talk about the fitness and skill level required for a ride and which is most important. This is to both make sure you’re comfortable and safe and so is everyone around you.

In my opinion, skill level is the most important thing to discuss first. To ride in Iceland you need to be the top end of intermediate to an advanced rider. You need to be able to ride up to a gallop in light seat, mount and dismount on your own and be confident riding over difficult terrain. It’s crucial that you’re honest about your riding level to keep yourself safe and those around you. You could also be rejected by the operator if you’ve massively under reported your riding level and sent home without a refund.

In terms of fitness, it is both to your benefit and the benefit of your horses that you’re as fit as possible before riding in Iceland. You’ll be in the saddle for up to 7 hours a day over up to 7 days a week which really takes a toll on your body. I can personally recommend if you have dodgy joints to make sure you’re strengthening the muscles around them before going because I made that mistake and ended up having to wrap my ankle with vet tape on the first day :). Make sure you’re upping your riding hours before going and getting in the gym if you can.

Common concerns riders have

• Can I cope with riding for 7 hours a day?

This is really up to the fitness you can build before going and what you honestly think you’re capable of. As someone with hypermobility who hurt their ankle on the first day, the pain was personally worth it for the experience of that holiday. That’s something to consider.

• Can I go solo?

Absolutely. Iceland is a great ride to try solo because you’ll likely meet other solo riders and as you spend so much time with everyone, it’s a great chance to meet new friends.

• What will the weather be like?

You’ll likely have grey and cloudy days with some rain, and if you’re lucky some days of sun. This isn’t the holiday for you if you can’t cope with riding in the rain and cold.

• How much gear can I bring? Do I need to pack my hat and boots?

You can bring as much gear as you want within reason. Their is a support vehicle to transfer your items however there is a finite amount of space so be considerate. You don’t need to bring your hat if you don’t want to as there are hats you can borrow but we recommend bringing boots you’re comfortable riding in.

Who might be better suited to a different destination?

Riders who:

• Want luxury and comfort when they travel

• Don’t want to spend long days in the saddle

• Don’t want to get dirty and sweaty riding

• Don’t want to ride in bad weather

• Don’t want to share accommodation

• Are beginner / novice / low intermediate

Want some more information?

Download our free guide which details what it’s really like to ride in Iceland.