polar hestar

We had been looking forward to this excursion for months. What I didn't expect is that I fell in love on this trip. With Iceland and with horse riding. As a complete (quite large) novice the guides were extremely patient with me, helping me initially on my horse (big shout out to the lovely Clara), and giving me kind encouragement, and getting me to trot. The scenery was incredible - and our time was over far too soon. The coffee and cakes at the end of the treck as we watched our horses be released into their paddock were a lovely way to finish. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough for all abilities. I plan to take riding lessons later this year - I want to return to Polar Hestar and am thinking of taking part in the longer trecks that they do sometime in the future. Do it - you won't regret it!

We were one adult and two children (11 and 9) of good/moderate ability. Voted the highlight of our week long (and fun packed) trip by the children. Super friendly, they made every effort to ensure we made the most of our ride, matched us up to perfect horses for our ability. Great scenery. The cakes at the end are a special treat. Certainly worth the drive from Akureyi and beat the two other stables we visited in the country hands down!

Our family of four adults all very novice at horse riding had a wonderful experience. We were not treated at all like novice riders and were allowed the freedom of trotting and cantering alongside the guides. The horses were wonderful with their own personalities and were very responsive to us ! Cake and drinks after were very tasty and the whole experience was so enjoyable and relaxing Thank you Polar Hestar

Not the best ride I have had in Iceland but value for money. We didn't learn anything about the area or the horses which disappointed us. However there was nothing wrong just we expected more having had a more informative experience with Viking in Reykjavik. The ride was good and all off road apart from a few crossings. The views are great and horses forward going and very responsive.Cake and coffee afterwards was a pleasant surprise.

My review is late - I traveled there 3 years ago - but I feel like it was yesterday. It was one of the most magical horse farms and places I have ever been to. Our guides were fantastic (and I'm still friends with 2 of them on Facebook!). The horses were so special. Accommodations - rustic - but I felt like that was part of the charm. It is truly one of my most favorite places of all time and I DREAM about going back. We stayed there 5 days - everyone SO warm and friendly. Just a great experience. GO!!!

From the pick up at the airport by Stefan, to the pancakes as we got in his car, the visit was off to a pleasant start.The horses were cared for, and we were not treated like first time riders. The cakes which Juliane baked were so delicious that even I, who does not eat sweets ate every crumb! After the rid I had the pleasure and honor of feeding some newborn lambs.Now to the ride: this was truly the most amazing ride of my life! The trails took us to beautiful sights, and we were able to ride for hours without any other signs of human life. Our horses were as trustworthy as any I have ridden and spooked at nothing. They tolted for miles and galloped just as long.My daughter and I have ridden all over the world, including daily at home, and at multiple stables in Iceland, I can say with all certainty, that this was the most exhilarating experience to date. We will be heading back in April, and will be a yearly event for us!Most importantly, our guide was personable, and I would like to thank the whole family and staff for the hospitality.

I have been horese riding before but this was the first I really enjoyed it. Icelandic horses must suit me and our famliy were professional helped by our guides. We went for a two hour ride which took us through the empty wind swept countryside and it was a geat experience especially seeing my son cantering up the hill. I hope to go again but for a longer ride next time

I have ridden all over Iceland and the world and was ranked nationally in the US. I can, without doubt, call this the best ride of my life. I arranged the trip via email with Juliane and was picked up at the airport in Akureyri (greeted with the most delicious pancakes) and driven out to the farm. Stefan gave my mother and I detailed information about the farm and surrounding farms (we are interested in buying something locally). We arrived at the farm and had ample time to get ready and head out with a private tour through the fjord. Our guide (Svenja) was fantastic. She saw that we were experienced and didn't try to give us a lesson, which was a nice change of pace. The horses were well cared for and absolutely lovely. We spent the next six hours tölting and galloping through the fjord, through picturesque towns and vistas. We took breaks to rest the horses and take in the beauty of northern Iceland. Lunch was simple, but delicious (vegetarian sandwiches and juice) served on a bluff overlooking the water. On our way back we rode up over a mountain and rode the sheep trails back to the farm. We were greater with delicious, fresh baked pastries, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. One of the highlights was bottle feeding a 10 day old lamb. They treat guests as member of the farm and I will go back for rides for years to come!

I wanted to go horseback riding while in the north of the country, which I have heard is the best location for horseback riding. I had a short tour, only an hour and a half, through the mountains nearby the stables. The surroundings are absolutely amazing; my photos just couldn't do them justice. The horses seemed generally calm and strong, and the guides were great. I don't often go horseback riding (this was only the third time in my life), but I never had the occasion to be worried. I highly recommend the experience and this company!

Paid 8000 krona per person (approx $80 CAD) for a 1.5 hour ride with our host Veronica. She was very pleasant (despite us getting lost and being a bit late!), and through her conversation we learned a lot about the local area. The location is about 30 minutes East of Akureyri. The horses were very well trained and attentive - we were beginner to intermediate riders - and felt quite comfortable during the ride where we were allowed to tilt and gallop on several occasions (something you often do not get to do). The scenery was beautiful - many mountains and sheep ranches in the area. Afterward a large complementary tray of delicious baked goods, coffee and tea awaited us for a relaxing way to unwind. Overall a fantastic experience, probably our best in Iceland, and one that I would HIGHLY recommend.

Had a lovely ride in beautiful scenery, horses were great and well matched to rider experience. Plenty of chances to try the tolt, we were only a small group with some riding experience so we had a nice canter too. Guides we're very good and we were given hot drinks and cake afterwards which was a really nice touch. I'd definitely recommended this place to try out riding an Icelandic horse.

My friend and I arrived in Akureyri on a monday morning in February and decided we wanted to go horse back riding. The tour office called Polar Hestar and the owner Stefan drove down to pick us up and take us back to his farm that afternoon. Along the way Stefan stopped to show us the rolled up sod houses and a beautiful tiny church. At the farm after suiting up in bright orange coveralls and riding helmets we were on our way with our guide Miriam. The horses are well trained and comfortable to ride - they know the routine. The scenery was outstanding, we rode in a gorgeous valley between two mountain ranges and it was stunning! We were dressed for the weather and the coveralls break the wind so there were no issues with being cold even thought we did this in the middle of February. The cookies and hot chocolate were a really nice way to end our ride. Thank you to Juliane ( Stefan's wife) for driving us back to Akureyri. A big thank you for accommodating just the two of us that day - we enjoyed it enormously and highly recommend it to everyone!

We went on a 2 hours hack with Polar Hestar and it was brilliant. The horses were well behaved and forward going, the guide was nice and very knowledgeable and the view of the glacier and the countryside were truly amazing. That was a once in a lifetime experience!!! My husband who is a beginner rider enjoyed the experience as much as I did. Furthermore, it was reasonably priced and we were offered a yummy piece of cake and a hot drink at the end. We also got picked up from the tourist office in Akureyri and the drive was beautiful.

My husband and I scheduled a trip with Polar Hestar for a short morning ride, and we could not have been happier. Juliane was extremely prompt in answering my emails, and helping me to schedule. They came and picked us up at our hotel for a small fee, and even pro-rated the ride for us, since we could not do the full two hours, which I thought was great! After our ride on the awesomely nice and furry horses, we were welcomed into their home for coffee, hot cocoa and homemade goodies, which was such a nice touch! Stina, our guide was amazing, extremely nice, professional but very fun to be around. She did a great job briefing us on the horses but you could tell it wasn't robotic and that she really loved her job, just like Juliane and Stefan the owners. We would totally ride with this company again and think there is no better way to see the country-side of Iceland! PLEASE NOTE - they do not take credit card so have cash ready!

I've been on a few riding holidays. I've ridden gaited horses. I've ridden Icelandic horses before. I went to this farm for the Fall Horse Roundup (three days of trail rides, one day of bus tour, the horse round up and the splitting of the herd the next day). It is my best riding experience ever. These Icelanders like fast rides, over difficult terrain, and the icelandic horses are phenomenal. Very different ways of riding from what we have elsewhere. The views were breathtaking. Every day after the ride we were invited in for a selection of cakes. During this week almost all meals were taken at the farm, and it was excellent: a good way to get to know traditional icelandic cooking. The little cottages where we slept (shared accommodation) were very simple, but comfortable and clean. Of course this holiday was geared to experienced riders, and it was VERY exciting, but I never felt scared, even cantering downhill after sunset, because the horses are very sure-footed and you can feel how stable they are, in their mind as well as on their feet. And I've seen beginners ride them; well-trained horses are suitable for beginners, too. I can't think of anything negative to write. Stefan is a great trainer and guide, Julianne an excellent organiser and cook and hostess.