Lofoten: Guided Horse Riding Tour Over Hov and Hovsund

Horses carry you along Gimsøya’s Arctic shoreline, where the route links a broad beach, the fishing village of Hovsund, traditional fish-drying racks, and traces of Viking settlement. The relaxed pace lets you look around instead of wrestling with the reins.

I like the use of friendly Icelandic horses and the practical preparation before you leave Hov Gård. I also like that riding gear, boots, gloves, and rain or warm clothing are included, a real help in changeable northern weather. The main drawback is the slow pace: experienced riders looking for a faster or more technical ride may find it too tame.

Key points to know before you book

• A gentle coastal route: The 1.5-hour ride follows Hov’s beach and the coast near Hovsund rather than offering a fast or demanding horseback outing.
• Icelandic horses for beginners: You receive a short lesson on handling the reins, and no riding experience is required.
• A compact slice of Lofoten: The route combines Arctic shore, fishing culture, fish-drying racks, Viking remnants, and possible summer bird sightings.
• Weather gear is supplied: Helmets, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm outfits are included, but bring comfortable shoes and long pants.
• Strict rider limits: The maximum weight is 95 kilograms, and the tour is not suitable for children under eight or pregnant women.
• No need to bring a camera bag: Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed, so keep your kit simple.

Starting at Hov Gård on Gimsøya

You meet your guide inside the stables at Hov Horse Farm in Gimsøysand. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the farm and arrive at the stated starting time.

The first part is not rushed. You meet your Icelandic horse, receive a helmet, and get a short explanation of how to handle the reins. That matters if you are new to riding, or if your last horseback outing was many years ago and your memory of steering is a little uncertain.

I appreciate that the introduction happens before the group leaves the stable. You can get comfortable with the basic controls while standing safely, instead of trying to learn everything once the horse is moving beside the sea.

The tour is guided in English. Specific guide names are not provided, but the guide stays with the group and explains the area along the way. The pace is designed for riders of mixed ability, with no experience needed.

Hov Gård supplies more than the horse and helmet. Gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm outfits are included. That is useful in Lofoten, where a pleasant start can give way to wind or rain without much warning.

You should still wear long pants and bring comfortable shoes. Since backpacks are not allowed, avoid arriving with a daypack full of extra layers. Ask about storing personal items at the farm before you set out if you need somewhere to leave them.

Crossing Hov’s Arctic beach

The ride begins over Hov and along an Arctic beach at a slow pace. This is the part where the tour earns its appeal: you are not simply circling a riding arena or following a wooded farm track.

The open shore gives you room to look out at the coast while the horse does the steady work. You may find the beach the strongest part of the outing if you want wide views and a calm introduction to horseback riding.

The horses are trained Icelandic horses, known here for their sure-footed, compact build and friendly manner. The supplied information does not promise a particular gait or advanced riding work, so you should expect a walking ride rather than a performance.

That distinction is important. If you want speed, jumping, or a chance to show off your riding ability, this is not the right tour. The route cannot be adapted for more experienced riders, and its value lies in scenery, local context, and an easy pace.

For a first-time rider, that same limitation becomes a benefit. You can focus on sitting comfortably, following the guide’s instructions, and taking in the shore without feeling pressured to keep up with an ambitious group.

Summer may bring local bird life along the coast. The most notable possibility is the sea eagle, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Treat it as a welcome bonus rather than a reason to book the ride by itself.

Following the coast toward Hovsund

From the beach, the route continues toward Hovsund, a fishing village. This shift from open shore to working coastal community gives the ride a useful sense of place.

Lofoten is not just a collection of dramatic views. Fishing remains part of the area’s identity, and seeing Hovsund from horseback connects the coast to the daily life that shaped these islands.

The route includes a gentle climb, followed by more views over the surrounding area. It is still a relaxed ride, but the change in height gives you a different angle than the beach section.

I would not book this expecting a long mountain trek. The total duration is only 1.5 hours, and the route stays suitable for a broad range of riders. Instead, think of it as a compact coastal outing with several distinct scenes packed into one ride.

The guide’s explanations add value here. You are not left to guess what you are seeing, and the introduction to local places and remains helps turn a pleasant horse ride into a small cultural tour.

Fish-drying racks and Viking remnants

One of the most unusual details on the route is the chance to see traditional racks used for drying fish. These structures are tied to the familiar sight of Norwegian dried fish, a product strongly associated with northern coastal communities.

You pass them while riding, rather than stopping for a long museum-style explanation. That keeps the tour moving, but it also means the experience is best for people who want a visual introduction rather than a detailed lesson in fish production.

The route also passes ancient remnants connected with the Viking age. These remains are described as traces and settlements along the riding route, not as a preserved archaeological site with a full visitor center.

That difference helps set expectations. You may see signs of the past in the setting and hear about them from the guide, but do not expect a long, formal excavation tour or a large collection of artifacts.

I like this combination of nature and history. A beach ride alone can be beautiful, but the fish racks and Viking remnants give you reasons to pay attention to the ground and buildings around you. The guide helps connect the scenery to the people who used this coast long before your visit.

Because the horse keeps moving at a gentle pace, you may not get perfect viewing conditions for every feature. If a particular Viking remnant or rack matters greatly to you, listen closely to the guide and ask questions when there is a suitable moment.

Returning to the stable

After the coastal section, the route returns to Hov Gård. The activity ends where it began, which keeps the logistics simple once you have reached the farm.

The return ride gives you a final chance to enjoy the views without needing to find a separate pickup point. Since the total ride lasts around 90 minutes, it fits neatly into a day of exploring Gimsøya and nearby parts of Lofoten.

The pace remains slow on the way back. That makes the tour accessible, but it also means the experience may feel short to confident riders who are used to longer hacks or more varied instruction.

The horses and riding equipment are the main practical value here. At $126 per person, you are paying for the guide, the Icelandic horse, safety equipment, and supplied clothing, as well as access to a scenic route that would be difficult to experience in the same way on foot.

Whether that price feels worthwhile depends on your priorities. It is easier to justify if you would otherwise need to buy or carry waterproof clothing and boots, or if you want a guided introduction rather than an independent beach walk. It is less attractive if you already ride regularly and want several hours in the saddle.

What the included gear means in Lofoten

The included equipment makes this activity easier to pack for. You receive:

• A trained Icelandic horse
• An English-speaking guide
• A riding helmet
• Gloves
• Rubber boots
• Rain or warm outfits for the ride

You still need comfortable shoes and long pants. The supplied rubber boots are useful for damp ground and wet weather, while long pants help protect your legs during the ride.

Professional cameras are not allowed, and backpacks are not allowed. This rule may disappoint anyone planning a serious photography session, especially with the possibility of sea eagles and coastal views.

For most people, a phone or small personal item will be more practical anyway. Keep your hands free, listen to the guide, and do not plan the outing around carrying a large camera setup.

The clothing policy also reflects the setting. This is an outdoor activity on the coast, not a sheltered stable ride. Bring the right attitude for changing weather, even though the farm supplies extra protection.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this tour to first-time riders, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a quiet way to see the coast. Children must be at least eight years old, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

It works especially well for people who want several Lofoten themes in one short outing: beach scenery, a fishing village, dried fish, Viking-era remains, and local bird life.

The ride also suits visitors who want a guided activity but do not want a full-day commitment. At 1.5 hours, it leaves room for other plans, though you should allow extra time for getting to Hov Gård and preparing at the stable.

I would be cautious about booking it if you are over the 95-kilogram weight limit, or if you are seeking an athletic ride. The maximum rider weight is firm, and the slow pace cannot be changed for advanced participants.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike riding in rain or wind. The farm provides warm and rain clothing, but no outdoor tour can remove the weather from the experience.

Practical value, timing, and flexibility

The price is $126 per person. That is not a bargain-priced short activity, but the inclusions soften the cost. You receive the horse, guide, helmet, gloves, boots, and weather clothing, rather than paying separately for basic riding needs.

The route also offers more than a generic horseback ride. You see a specific stretch of Gimsøya, pass Hovsund, and learn about fish-drying traditions and Viking remnants. The local setting is the reason to choose this tour over an indoor or farm-only lesson.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. You meet at Hov Gård in Gimsøysand, and the tour returns there.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lofoten plans are still moving around.

These policies do not replace checking the weather and your own schedule. They simply give you some room to adjust if conditions or plans change before the deadline.

The small details that shape the experience

The most praised elements are easy to understand: the horses, the guides, and the views. The beach section is likely to be the personal highlight for many riders, while the calm horses and clear introduction make the outing approachable for beginners.

Some rides feel special because of speed or technical skill. This one works differently. Its appeal comes from sitting quietly above the shore while the horse carries you between natural and cultural points of interest.

The guide may take pictures during the ride, as happened for one participant, but photography help is not listed as a guaranteed inclusion. If photographs matter to you, ask at the farm rather than assuming a photo service is part of the package.

The 4.8 rating from 97 reviews suggests a consistently strong experience, but the conditions still matter. The tour’s success depends on your comfort with a slow pace, outdoor weather, and the stated rider restrictions.

I would also keep expectations realistic about wildlife. Summer may offer sea eagle sightings and other local birds, but the horse ride remains worthwhile only if you are happy with the coast, history, and horses even when no bird appears.

Should you book the Hov Gård horse ride?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic introduction to horseback riding in Lofoten, especially if you are new to horses and like the idea of mixing coastal views with local history. The supplied gear and gentle instruction make it a practical choice for a short outdoor activity.

Skip it if you want speed, a long trail ride, advanced riding practice, or a serious photography outing. The 95-kilogram limit, age restriction, no-backpack rule, and slow pace are not minor details.

For the right rider, $126 buys a well-rounded 90 minutes on Gimsøya: a friendly Icelandic horse, an Arctic beach, Hovsund, fish-drying racks, Viking remnants, and the chance of a sea eagle overhead. That is a fair trade if you value a calm, guided experience more than a demanding ride.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour begin?

The tour begins at the stables at Hov Horse Farm in Gimsøysand on Gimsøya Island.

Where does the activity end?

The ride ends back at the same meeting point at Hov Gård.

How long does the tour last?

The horse riding activity lasts 1.5 hours.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Do I need riding experience?

No. The tour does not require previous riding experience, and the guide gives you a short introduction to handling the reins before departure.

What kind of horse will I ride?

You will ride an Icelandic horse from Hov Gård.

What places will I see during the ride?

The route includes Hov’s Arctic beach, the fishing village of Hovsund, traditional fish-drying racks, and remnants connected with ancient Viking settlements.

What equipment and clothing are included?

The tour includes a riding helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm outfits for the ride.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and long pants. Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed.

Are there age, weight, or health restrictions?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or riders over 95 kilograms, which is 209 pounds.