Reviewed · NORWAY
Northern light on horseback
This northern lights tour on horseback is interesting because you are not just staring up from a parking lot. You ride out from Hov Gård into an area with almost no light pollution, so the sky has a real chance to look dramatic. I also love how the experience mixes wildlife viewing energy with a calm, guided ride on Icelandic horses. One drawback to know up front: this tour is deliberately slow-paced and cannot be adapted for more experienced riders.
The setting is on the edge of Gimsoya island in Nordland County, with a very open view to the north. Your guide keeps things moving at an easy pace while you learn about the area as you ride toward the beach and back.
Key points to know before you go
- Low light pollution, open northern view: the location is chosen for clear aurora viewing conditions.
- Icelandic horses in cold-weather comfort: you get proper winter gear so the ride stays enjoyable.
- Slow, beginner-friendly pace: no riding experience required, and the tour stays gentle.
- An itinerary built around sighting time: you start near the stables, look up as conditions are right, then return with continued scenery.
- Ocean sounds and beach views: you hear the ocean on your right as you head toward the arctic shore.
- Practical, safety-first planning: helmets, warm layers, and rain gear are provided, and unsafe weather means rescheduling.
Why this northern lights horse ride from Hov Gård feels special
I like northern lights tours that respect one key truth. Aurora hunting is partly about timing and conditions, and partly about not getting stressed when the night gets cold. This one is designed around that idea, with an easy ride route and a viewing spot chosen for a clear northern horizon.
You also get a change of pace that most aurora tours do not offer. Instead of standing still the whole time, you are moving through the dark on horseback, which can make the experience feel more alive, especially once you start scanning the sky.
The Gimsoya island edge, and why the “no light pollution” matters
The tour starts near the stables at Hov Gård and takes you toward an area with an open view to the north. That open sightline is the main reason they set up the ride where they do. When lights from buildings and roads are low, faint aurora can show better, and the sky looks cleaner even before you spot anything.
On the ground, it helps that the ride is planned around the direction you need to look. You are heading toward the northern sky while still staying close enough to return comfortably within the 90 minutes.
The 90-minute ride, step by step (what you will actually do)
This tour is 90 minutes, which is short enough to stay focused but long enough to give the night sky time to cooperate. Here is the flow, in the order you will experience it.
1) Meet at Hov Gård stables and gear up
You meet your guide inside the stables at Hov Gård. Parking is available by the road, and then you walk up. The stables are past the restaurant on the right, which makes it fairly straightforward to find.
From the start, the tour takes cold weather seriously. You will be provided a riding helmet, rubber boots, gloves, and warm or rain gear for the ride. That matters because the biggest annoyance during an aurora hunt is usually feeling cold, not the aurora itself.
2) Ride out toward the arctic beach, with the ocean nearby
After you begin from the stables, you head toward the arctic beach. A neat sensory detail is that you can hear the ocean on your right as you ride, which gives you an immediate sense of place.
As you move along, you start looking up for northern lights. This is not a one-and-done scan. You get a chance early on, which is helpful if activity is already happening.
3) A gentle climb for more open northern views
At some point there is a gentle climb. The reason is simple: you get more open views toward the north. Even a small change in elevation can help you see more sky, and it can also reduce obstructions like darker ridgelines.
This segment tends to feel like the moment the tour shifts from travel to viewing. Your guide is guiding your attention as much as the horse.
4) Circle back down across the beach and past Viking landmarks
After the viewing time, you circle back down across the beach. Then you pass important Viking landmark(s) before heading home.
I like that the ride is not only about the lights. You get a bit of regional texture and context along the route, so the night feels connected to where you are riding rather than feeling like a detour.
5) Head back at a slow, steady pace
The pace stays slow-paced throughout. That is a plus if you want calm and comfortable instead of intense or technical riding.
Just remember, the tour is designed for a broad range of riders, so it is not trying to be a hardcore riding experience.
Icelandic horses and a beginner-friendly pace
This tour does not require prior riding experience, and that shapes everything about the ride. You can join even if you have never sat on a horse before, as long as you fit the basic requirements.
The tradeoff is that it is not built for speed, advanced maneuvers, or more technical riders. The operator is clear that the ride cannot be adapted for more experienced riders. If you want a workout or advanced control, you will likely find the pace too gentle.
If you are new to horseback riding, this setup is exactly what you want. You can focus on the sky, the scenery, and staying warm, without worrying about keeping up with a challenging route.
What gear you get, and how to dress so you stay comfortable
You are provided a lot of the hard parts of cold-weather comfort. That includes:
- Riding helmet
- Gloves
- Rubber boots
- Rain/warm outfits for the ride
That is valuable because it removes guesswork. You do not need to arrive with a perfect cold-weather setup just to join.
Still, I recommend thinking of the ride like this. You are outdoors looking upward for part of the time, so even if you are moving on horseback, you want layers that work together. You should also plan for damp conditions since rain gear is part of what they provide.
Backpacks are not allowed. So if you bring a day bag, plan to keep it in your car or swap to a small item you can carry without a backpack.
Guide-led viewing: learning as you scan the night
A live English guide is included, and the guide helps you understand what you are looking at and where you are riding. They also share information about the area as you move along the route.
Even if you have read about the northern lights before, I find this kind of guide-led context useful. Instead of only focusing on spotting lights, you also understand the why behind the route, like why you are riding where the view to the north is open.
And because the tour is slow-paced, you are not constantly rushed. You can ask questions and keep your eyes trained upward without feeling like you missed your turn.
Price and value: what $166 buys you here
At $166 per person, this is not a cheap activity. But it also is not just a short walk into the dark. You are paying for multiple things that matter together:
- A guided horseback ride on Icelandic horses
- A viewing-focused route with an open northern horizon and almost no light pollution
- Winter gear provided (helmet, gloves, rubber boots, rain/warm outfits)
- A 90-minute experience with a structured flow, so you are not just wandering
If you priced this out yourself, you would quickly hit costs in guide time, horse handling, and cold-weather safety equipment. Here, those pieces are bundled.
Where the price might feel harder is if you already have suitable gear and you are the type who wants a fast, high-energy ride. This one is built for comfort and viewing time, not adrenaline.
Overall, I think the price makes sense for the combination of aurora conditions plus horseback riding, especially if you want a structured, safe way to do it rather than DIY hunting.
Safety and weather changes you should plan for
Safety is a core part of the experience. You get protective gear like a helmet and cold-weather items, and the operator puts safety first if weather turns unsafe.
If conditions are unsafe, the tour will be rescheduled. That is important because northern light hunting is weather dependent. It is worth planning your trip with flexibility, so rescheduling does not ruin your schedule.
Who this northern lights horseback tour suits best
This tour is a great match if you want a straightforward, guided northern lights hunt with a unique twist. It is also a good choice if you are new to horseback riding and want a slow-paced experience with safety gear provided.
It is not suitable for everyone. You should not book if you are:
- Children under 6 years
- Pregnant women
- People over 209 lbs (95 kg)
Also, backpacks are not allowed, so keep your belongings minimal and simple.
If you are already an advanced rider looking for a more demanding route, the tour cannot be adapted for experienced riders. In that case, you might find better value in a longer or more technical option.
Should you book the Hov Gård Northern Lights tour on horseback?
I would book this if you check these boxes: you want a gentle, beginner-friendly horseback ride, you care about choosing a location with almost no light pollution, and you want gear handled for you so you can focus on the sky.
I would pass if you want a technical riding challenge, you need to carry a backpack, or your schedule cannot handle the possibility of weather-based rescheduling.
If you are traveling in the Nordland region and you are serious about seeing the northern lights without DIY stress, this is a smart, practical way to do it, with the added bonus that you are on Icelandic horses in winter conditions, not just standing around waiting.
FAQ
What is the duration of the northern lights horseback tour?
The tour lasts 90 minutes.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet your guide inside the stables at Hov Gård. You can park by the road and walk up, and the stables are past the restaurant on the right.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $166 per person.
What is included in the price?
Included are the guide, an Icelandic horse, a riding helmet, gloves, rubber boots, and rain and warm outfits for the ride.
What is not included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and food and drinks are not included.
Do I need prior horseback riding experience?
No. The tour does not require any experience, and it is designed to be welcoming for beginners.
Is the tour suitable for children?
It is not suitable for children under 6 years.
Are there weight or pregnancy restrictions?
It is not suitable for people over 209 lbs (95 kg), and it is not suitable for pregnant women.
Can I bring a backpack?
No, backpacks are not allowed.
What happens if the weather is unsafe?
If weather conditions are unsafe, the tour will have to be rescheduled.