Midnight sun tour

The best part of this ride is the light. From Hov Gård on Gimsøya’s northern edge, you set out while the sun hangs just above the horizon, turning the whole route into a long, slow golden hour. You ride toward Hovsund with mountains on one side and open ocean on the other, then return by an Arctic beach.

I like two things right away. First, the ride is designed for beginners, with time to learn from your guide before leaving the stables. Second, the route has real Lofoten character: old Viking settlement sites, a traditional fish-drying rack, sea air, and broad views rather than a simple horse ride around a field.

The main consideration is pace. This is a gentle 90-minute outing, not a fast or technical ride. If you already ride well and want more challenge, this tour cannot be adjusted for advanced riders. You also need to reach Hov Gård yourself, and the tour has a 95-kilo weight limit.

Key points to know before booking

• The midnight sun sets the mood: The ride begins as the sun drops toward the horizon but does not disappear, creating soft light across the sea and mountains.
• Beginners are welcome: Your guide explains how to ride and handle your horse before the group leaves the stable.
• The route mixes nature and local traces: You pass Viking settlement sites, a fish-drying rack, Hovsund, and an Arctic beach.
• The group stays small: A maximum of eight people makes instruction and supervision more personal.
• Warm equipment is supplied: Helmets, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves are available, though you should still bring long trousers.
• It is a calm ride, not a riding lesson for experts: The tour suits first-timers and relaxed riders better than people seeking speed or advanced work.

Why Gimsøya is a fine place for the midnight sun

Hov Gård sits on the northern edge of Gimsøya, in Nordland County. That position matters because the route opens toward the sea and the low northern horizon, giving you a clear setting for the midnight sun.

The sun does not simply provide a bright backdrop. It changes the feel of the ride. You may begin with normal daylight, then watch the light soften as the sun lowers. Since the sun remains above the horizon, the 90-minute trip can feel like one long evening scene rather than a tour squeezed into a short window.

You should keep your expectations practical. This is not an astronomy excursion, and the experience depends on conditions and season. The central attraction is the combination of low sunlight, horses, ocean, and mountains. If cloud or rain moves in, the view may be less dramatic, though the ride itself can still go ahead if conditions are safe.

The setting also gives you a slower look at Lofoten. From a vehicle, you might pass these views in a few seconds. On horseback, you move at a measured pace, with time to notice the shoreline, the mountain shapes, and the way the light falls across the route.

Getting started at the Hov Gård stables

You meet your guide at the stables, not at a hotel or central meeting point. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Hov Gård. This is the most important planning detail to settle before booking.

At the stable, your guide introduces you to the ride and explains how to work with your horse. The tour does not require previous riding experience, which makes this opening instruction especially useful. You should expect basic guidance before departure rather than a long formal riding course.

The small group limit of eight helps here. A guide can give clearer directions when the group is compact, and a first-time rider is less likely to feel lost in a crowd. One named guide connected with the experience is Liss, whose practical feedback and calm handling have been praised. If Liss is leading your departure, you can expect a guide who pays attention to riders as they go.

You will be given a helmet. Hov Gård also provides warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves. That is valuable in Lofoten, where conditions can change and a beautiful evening can still feel cold. Even with the supplied gear, bring long trousers and wear closed-toe shoes for the stable and ride.

Backpacks and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Pack lightly and keep your hands free for riding. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately rather than expecting refreshments during the outing.

The first stretch: learning to ride with your horse

The early part of the experience is about getting comfortable. Your guide teaches you how to ride with your horse before the group leaves the stable. For a beginner, this is more important than the scenery at first. You need to understand the basic instructions, settle into the saddle, and learn how to respond to the horse.

The horses are described in the experience as suitable for this relaxed style of outing, and one rider specifically found her horse, Maja, calm and safe. That does not mean every rider will have the same horse or the same reaction, but it gives you a useful sense of the intended tone: steady, controlled, and welcoming to people without riding experience.

You should not expect to spend the first minutes racing into the countryside. Lofoten by horse is intentionally slow-paced. That makes it easier to look around, listen to instructions, and enjoy the setting, but it may feel too gentle if you are used to trotting or more demanding riding.

This is also why the tour has a clear audience. If you have never ridden before, or if you want a peaceful way to see the area, the format makes sense. If you already ride and want advanced exercises, a longer option from Hov Gård would be more suitable, since this particular trip cannot be adapted for experienced riders.

Climbing toward ocean and mountain views

After the introduction, the route makes a gentle climb. The climb is not presented as a technical section, but it changes the view. As you gain height, the scenery opens on both sides, with the ocean in one direction and mountains in the other.

This is where the horseback format earns its price. You are not rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint. The horse carries you at a pace that lets the scene develop gradually. The route gives you the kind of wide view that makes Lofoten famous, while the low sun adds a warm glow that you do not get at midday.

The route is scenic rather than strenuous. That is good news if you are nervous about riding or simply want an easy outdoor activity. It also means the tour is not the best choice if your main goal is exercise, speed, or technical instruction.

You should also remember that weather safety comes first. If conditions are unsafe, Hov Gård will reschedule the tour. That policy can disrupt a tightly planned holiday, but it is the right trade-off for an outdoor activity involving horses, changing weather, and uneven ground.

Passing Viking settlement sites on the way to Hovsund

As you continue, the ride passes traditional traces of life on the island, including ancient Viking settlement sites. These are not presented as a long museum visit or a formal archaeological tour. Instead, they are part of the route, giving the scenery a human story as you ride through it.

That detail adds useful context. Lofoten is not only about mountains and sea views. People have lived and worked among these islands for centuries, and the route lets you see some of those traces without stopping the ride for a lecture.

The experience information does not promise a detailed history talk or specific preserved buildings at each site. You should therefore think of the Viking settlement areas as points of interest along the way, not a separate archaeological attraction. If your priority is a thorough Viking history lesson, you may want another activity as well.

The route then heads toward Hovsund. The name marks a destination within the ride, but the value lies in the approach: you are moving through open scenery, with the horse’s steady pace helping you notice the coastline and changing light.

The fish-drying rack and local coastal character

On the way to Hovsund, you pass a traditional fish-drying rack. In Lofoten, this is a particularly fitting sight. The rack points to the region’s long connection with fishing and the practical coastal life that shaped local settlements.

It is a small detail, but small details often make a route feel tied to its place. A generic horseback ride could happen almost anywhere. A fish-drying rack, old settlement traces, sea views, and the Arctic beach make this ride specific to the islands.

Do not expect a long stop with food, drinks, or a tasting. Nothing is included beyond the horse-riding tour, and the ride lasts 90 minutes. The rack is part of the passing route, so enjoy it as a quick visual reminder of the area rather than a full cultural visit.

For me, that balance is one of the tour’s strengths. You get more than a scenic ride, but the experience does not pretend to be a full history tour. It gives you several local details without losing the simple pleasure of being outside with a horse.

Returning by the Arctic beach

The return route brings you to the Arctic beach before the gradual ride back home. This gives the outing a different setting from the opening climb. Instead of looking mainly across a broad mountain and sea view, you get the direct presence of the shore.

The beach is especially well suited to the midnight sun. Low light over sand and water can make the final part of the tour feel quiet and spacious. The wording of the experience suggests a slow approach rather than a gallop or energetic beach ride, so you should expect to pass along the beach at the same calm pace used elsewhere.

That pace has a practical benefit. It gives beginners more time to remain comfortable, and it lets you enjoy the surroundings without trying to manage a demanding horse. The downside is simple: experienced riders may find the beach section too restrained.

From the beach, you make your way back to Hov Gård. The tour ends at the stables, where the route began. Since the total duration is only 90 minutes, this is easy to fit around other plans, but you should allow extra time for getting to the farm and preparing before the ride.

What the $156 price really covers

At $156 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing ride. The price makes the most sense if you value the setting, the small group, the horse, the guide’s instruction, and the supplied outdoor equipment.

You are paying for more than a short ride around a paddock. The route includes the midnight sun setting on Gimsøya, mountain and ocean views, Hovsund, Viking settlement sites, a fish-drying rack, and an Arctic beach. The guide also handles the safety side of matching riders with horses and preparing beginners.

The supplied helmets, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves can also save you from buying or packing specialist clothing. That matters if you are visiting Norway with limited luggage or do not own riding equipment.

Still, the value depends on what you want from horseback riding. If you want a longer route, advanced riding, or a faster pace, the 90-minute format may feel expensive. Food and drinks are not included, and you must handle your own transport to Hov Gård.

I would judge the price as reasonable for a specialized small-group experience in a dramatic setting, but not as an automatic bargain. It is best for someone who specifically wants horses and the midnight sun together.

Who should book this ride

This tour suits adults and children aged eight or older who want an approachable outdoor activity. Beginners are welcome, and the instruction before departure removes much of the worry that can come with trying horseback riding for the first time.

It also works well for couples, small groups, and solo visitors who prefer a quiet activity over a large coach excursion. With no more than eight participants, you get a more personal setting and a better chance to hear the guide’s instructions.

You should not book if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or weigh more than 95 kilos. Those limits are part of the stated safety requirements, so do not assume they can be waived.

Experienced riders should look carefully at the description before paying. The ride cannot be adapted for a more advanced group. Hov Gård offers longer tour options, but this specific midnight sun trip is built around a slow, gentle pace.

You also need to be comfortable making your own way to the farm. One booking experience raised a serious practical concern about needing a private car to reach the site. Since pickup is not included, confirm your transport before you commit.

Clothing, weather, and comfort tips

Wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes. Even though boots and other warm gear are provided, your own long trousers will make the ride more comfortable and meet the basic clothing advice.

Do not bring a backpack. Open-toed shoes are also not allowed. Since you cannot rely on carrying a full daypack on the horse, keep your personal items to a minimum and make any food or drink plans before or after the ride.

Weather deserves attention. Hov Gård provides rain gear and warm clothing, but the tour may be rescheduled if conditions are unsafe. That protects both riders and horses, though it means you should avoid placing this activity immediately before an unmissable departure.

The 90-minute length is a comfort advantage for first-time riders. You get enough time to experience the route and the midnight sun without committing to a half-day in the saddle. If you find riding physically demanding, this shorter format may be easier to manage than a longer tour.

Booking flexibility and key restrictions

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also gives you some breathing room when your Lofoten schedule is still changing.

When you book, you must provide your name, weight, height, age, and riding experience in English. This is not needless paperwork. The details help Hov Gård maintain safe matches between horses and riders and prepare suitable equipment.

The guide speaks English, and the tour is offered as a small-group activity. Check the available starting times for your date, since the 90-minute duration alone does not tell you when the ride leaves.

The meeting point is the stables. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and food and drinks are not included. These are easy details to overlook when you are focused on the midnight sun, but they affect the practical value of the booking.

Should you book the Hov Gård midnight sun tour?

Book it if you want a calm, scenic horseback ride with a strong sense of place. The mix of low sun, ocean, mountains, Viking settlement sites, a fish-drying rack, and an Arctic beach gives the 90 minutes plenty of variety. Beginners get instruction, equipment is supplied, and the group stays small.

Think twice if you want speed, advanced riding, a longer journey, or a tour with transport from your hotel. The $156 price is easier to justify when you care about the setting and the midnight sun itself. Before booking, confirm that you meet the age, mobility, pregnancy, and 95-kilo requirements, then solve your transport to Hov Gård.

For a first horseback ride in Lofoten, this is a well-focused choice. For an experienced rider, it is best treated as a scenic evening outing, not a serious riding session.

FAQ

Where does the midnight sun horse ride take place?

The ride takes place at Hov Gård on the northern edge of Gimsøya in Nordland County, Norway.

How long does the tour last?

The horse-riding tour lasts 90 minutes.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No. The tour does not require previous experience, and the guide teaches you how to ride with your horse before leaving the stables.

What places do you pass during the ride?

The route goes toward Hovsund and passes ancient Viking settlement sites, a traditional fish-drying rack, an Arctic beach, ocean views, and mountain views.

What equipment is provided?

Hov Gård provides helmets, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves.

What should I bring?

Bring long trousers and closed-toe shoes. Backpacks and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 95 kilos.

Who cannot take part in the tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.