Lofoten: Guided Horse Riding Tour Over Hov and Hovsund

The most memorable part of this Lofoten tour is the way an Icelandic horse carries you along an Arctic beach, with sea, mountains, and open sky around you. The route also passes Viking remains and old-fashioned fish-drying racks, so this is more than a simple horseback outing.

I like the friendly, trained horses and the careful introduction before you set off. I also like the chance of spotting summer birdlife, including a sea eagle, while riding at a calm pace. The main drawback is that experienced riders may find the tour too gentle, since it cannot be adapted for faster or more advanced riding.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride across Hov beach: The tour follows a relaxed route beside the Arctic coastline, with broad views and fresh air.
• Meet an Icelandic horse: These friendly, trained horses suit beginners and are paired with a guide-led introduction.
• Pass Viking-era remains: Ancient settlement traces add a layer of history to an otherwise scenic ride.
• See traditional fish racks: You may spot the wooden racks used for Norway’s famous dried fish.
• Look for summer birdlife: Sea eagles and other local birds might appear along the coast.
• Bring the right clothes: Long pants and comfortable shoes help, while helmets, gloves, boots, and rain or warm clothing are supplied.

Starting at Hov Gård on Gimsøya

You begin at the stables at Hov Gård in Gimsøysand, on Gimsøya Island. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the horse farm and arrive ready for the stable introduction.

The meeting point matters because this is a small, place-based outing rather than a bus tour that collects you from a hotel. You start and finish at the same stable, making the logistics fairly simple once you are there.

Your guide introduces you to your Icelandic horse and helps you get fitted with a riding helmet. You receive a short lesson on handling the reins before leaving the stable. That briefing is useful even if you have ridden before, since it lets you understand how this particular horse responds and what the guide expects on the route.

No previous riding experience is required. That makes the tour a practical option for a first horseback ride, especially if you want scenery without signing up for a demanding equestrian session.

You must provide each rider’s name, weight, height, age, and experience level in English when booking. The maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds, and children under eight cannot join. Pregnant women are also not permitted on the tour.

Why the Icelandic horses suit beginners

Icelandic horses are the heart of the outing. The horses used here are described as friendly and trained, and the ride is built around a slow, steady pace. That combination should help you focus on the coast instead of worrying about controlling a nervous or overly energetic mount.

The guide stays involved from the first handling lesson through the ride. You are not simply handed a horse and sent out on your own. The introduction gives you basic rein instructions, then the group leaves the stable together.

I like this setup for people who want to try riding but do not spend much time around horses. You still need to listen carefully, follow the guide’s instructions, and behave calmly around the animal. The tour is relaxed, but it is not a photo stop with a horse standing beside you.

The supplied equipment also cuts down on packing. A riding helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm outfits are included. Still, bring comfortable shoes and long pants. The clothing provided is practical protection for the ride, not a substitute for dressing sensibly in coastal Norway.

Backpacks and professional cameras are not allowed. This is worth noting before you arrive. You will need to keep your belongings to a minimum, and you should not plan the outing around carrying large camera equipment.

Crossing Hov beach at a gentle pace

After the stable briefing, you ride over Hov and along an Arctic beach. The slow speed is central to the experience. You have time to take in the coastline, watch your horse, and listen to the guide without the route turning into a test of riding skill.

The beach gives the tour its strongest visual moment. Riding on horseback changes the scale of the coast. Instead of viewing the shore from a car or a marked walking path, you move through it at the pace of the animal beneath you.

The setting also creates the right conditions for photographs, although you need to respect the camera rule about professional equipment. One particularly strong aspect of the outing is the view from above the beach. You get a raised perspective as the route moves beyond the shoreline, rather than seeing only sand and water at eye level.

Weather will shape the feel of this part of the ride. Hov’s open coast can be bright, cool, wet, or windy, and the included rain and warm clothing is a useful safeguard. I would still wear long pants and comfortable shoes underneath the supplied gear.

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, so the beach section is scenic but not a full-day riding expedition. You should expect an easy outing with several points of interest, not long stretches of riding through remote country.

Watching for sea eagles and coastal birds

During summer, you might see local birdlife along the coast, including the majestic sea eagle. The wording matters: this is a possibility, not a promise. Wildlife sightings depend on timing, weather, and luck.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, as long as you set realistic expectations. Keep your eyes open while the horse moves slowly and listen when the guide points out something in the area. The calm pace is helpful here because you are less likely to miss a bird while rushing between stops.

You should not book the tour solely for a sea eagle sighting. Book it for the coastal ride, then treat birdlife as an added reward. The guide’s local insight can help you notice details you might otherwise pass by, even if the largest bird in the area stays out of view.

Riding toward Hovsund and its fishing traditions

From Hov beach, the route continues toward the fishing village of Hovsund. This adds variety to the ride. You are not seeing only open shore, but also a working coastal setting linked to the fishing life that shapes so much of northern Norway.

Along the way, you can catch sight of traditional fish-drying racks. Norway’s dried fish is one of the country’s best-known food products, and these racks show part of the process in the place where that tradition belongs.

The racks may not look dramatic at first glance, but they are a useful reminder that Lofoten is not only a scenic destination. The coast supports an active culture and an old fishing economy. Seeing the racks from horseback connects the scenery with everyday local practices.

You do not stop for food or drinks, and neither is included. Think of the fish racks as a cultural sight, not a tasting opportunity. If you want refreshments, arrange them separately before or after the tour.

Viking remains along the route

The ride also passes ancient remnants from the Viking age. These are not presented as a large museum visit or a formal archaeological tour. Instead, the remains appear as part of the route, with the guide explaining something about the area as you ride.

That makes the historical element light but meaningful. You see the countryside and learn that people used this coast long before modern roads and sightseeing schedules. The combination of horse, shore, fishing racks, and Viking traces gives the outing a strong sense of place.

After leaving the beach, the route includes a gentle climb. This brings more views over the surrounding area and offers the personal high point for many riders who enjoy seeing the shore from higher ground.

The climb should not be confused with a strenuous mountain ride. The whole outing remains slow-paced. You are there to look around and absorb the setting, not to cover difficult terrain or practice advanced riding.

Returning to the stable

After the climb, the views, Hovsund, fish racks, and Viking remnants, you head back to Hov Gård. The activity ends where it began, at the stable.

A return to the same meeting point makes the tour easier to fit into a day on Gimsøya. You do not need to arrange a separate collection at the end, but you do need to plan your own transport to and from Hov Gård.

The finish also gives you a chance to settle the horse back at the farm. Since the outing is short, the return does not feel like an exhausting final leg. It completes a compact route with several different sights rather than stretching one scenic section for too long.

What the $126 price includes

At $126 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Lofoten coast. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: the guide, Icelandic horse, helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain or warm outfits.

You are paying for an organized ride, horse care, safety preparation, and access to a route that combines coastline, village views, history, and local fishing culture. If you would otherwise need to rent riding gear, the included clothing improves the value.

Food, drinks, and transport to Hov Gård are not included. Those extra costs are easy to overlook, particularly if you are building a busy day around the tour. I would check your route and meal plans before booking so the stable location does not create a last-minute problem.

The strongest value comes if you are new to riding or want a simple scenic activity with a guide. Experienced riders looking for speed, longer distances, or technical work may not feel they are getting full value, because the pace cannot be changed for more advanced participants.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some protection if coastal weather or your wider plans become uncertain. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Lofoten activities in advance.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this tour to adults and families with children aged eight and older who want a gentle introduction to horseback riding. It suits people who value scenery, local history, and a guide’s explanation more than speed.

It is also a good match for couples, solo visitors, and anyone looking for a break from driving or walking. The horse provides a different way to see Gimsøya, while the 1.5-hour length keeps the commitment manageable.

Beginners should feel comfortable with the structure. You learn how to handle the reins before leaving, and the horses are friendly and trained. You still need to meet the weight requirement and follow the stable’s safety standards.

I would hesitate to recommend it to an experienced rider who wants to trot, canter, or cover a long route. The tour is specifically slow-paced and cannot be adapted to a more demanding riding level.

It is also not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or anyone over 95 kilograms. Those rules are firm, so check them before making plans for your whole group.

Practical clothing and packing advice

Wear long pants. They protect your legs from rubbing against the saddle and work well with the supplied riding gear. Comfortable shoes are also required, although rubber boots are provided for the ride.

Keep your luggage light. Backpacks are not allowed, and professional cameras are also prohibited. You can still enjoy the scenery and take in the views, but you should not arrive expecting to carry a full photography kit.

Dress for changeable coastal conditions. Rain and warm outfits are supplied, but sensible base layers will make the ride more comfortable. The open beach and higher viewpoint can feel cooler than the stable area.

Give the guide accurate information about your height, weight, age, and riding background when booking. This helps the farm maintain its safety standards and prepare the right horse and equipment for each rider.

My take on Hov Gård’s coastal ride

The tour’s strongest features are the excellent views from the beach and higher route and the pairing of those views with genuinely local details. Viking remains and fish-drying racks prevent the outing from becoming a generic horseback photo ride.

The guide’s role is important, too. You get instruction before setting off and local insight during the route. The feedback from the experience highlights both the guides and the horses, with one rider especially praising the guide who took photos and the view over the beach.

At $126, I see it as a special-occasion activity rather than a casual add-on. You get a horse, safety equipment, warm and rain gear, and a guided coastal route, but you must still cover your own food and transport.

The 4.8 rating from 97 reviews points to a consistently well-received outing, while the practical limits keep expectations clear. This is not a riding lesson, a wildlife guarantee, or an advanced trek. It is a scenic, friendly, slow-paced way to see Hov and Hovsund.

Should you book this Lofoten horseback tour?

Book it if you want an easy first ride, striking coastal views, and a compact route with Viking and fishing connections. The calm Icelandic horses, clear introduction, and supplied riding gear make it a sensible choice for beginners.

Skip it if you need a fast ride, carry professional camera equipment, or want hotel pickup. Also skip it if anyone in your group is under eight, pregnant, or over the 95-kilogram limit.

For the right rider, this is a memorable way to experience Gimsøya. You get close to the coast without rushing past it, and the horse adds a quiet, old-fashioned feel to one of Lofoten’s most scenic corners.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour start?

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

Where does the activity end?

The ride ends back at the Hov Gård meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Do I need previous riding experience?

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

What type of horse will I ride?

You will ride an Icelandic horse. The horses are described as friendly and trained.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guide, Icelandic horse, 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 rider restrictions?

The maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds. The tour is not suitable for children under eight or pregnant women.