Levi: Riding Trek with Icelandic Horses

Snowy forests look even better from horseback. This gentle Icelandic horse trek near Levi gives you a quiet way to see Lapland’s fells, forests, plains, and roads. I like the small groups of up to six and the calm, well-behaved horses. I also like that beginners get clear instruction before setting out. The main drawback is the cold, so you need serious layers and warm shoes.

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour ride, with the route and speed adjusted to your ability and the weather. The chance to try the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt is a special touch, though this is not a fast-paced riding adventure. Children must be at least seven, and riders must weigh no more than 95 kg.

Five things to know before riding

• The horses are Icelandic and known for the tölt: You may get to try this distinctive, smooth gait during the ride.
• No previous riding experience is needed: The guide gives initial training before the group leaves.
• The group is limited to six people: That makes it easier to adjust the pace for beginners and more experienced riders.
• You can choose one or two hours: The shorter option works well for first-time riders or tight schedules.
• Winter clothing matters: Bring warm clothes and warm shoes, since the cold is a real part of the experience.
• The age and weight limits are firm: Children must be seven or older, and the maximum rider weight is 95 kg.

Meeting the horses near Levi

The ride begins at Lapland Saga, with another starting option at Design Hotel Levi. Your exact meeting point depends on the booking choice, so check it carefully before setting off.

You should arrive at the stable 15 minutes before the start. That buffer is useful in winter, when finding the right place and getting dressed can take longer than expected. If you have arranged pickup, be ready 20 minutes before the activity begins. The driver waits only five minutes after the planned pickup time.

This is a small operation rather than a large bus tour. With a maximum of six riders, the guide can pay closer attention to how each person is handling the horse. That matters if you are new to riding, nervous around horses, or traveling with a mixed group of beginners and experienced riders.

The horses are a major part of the appeal. Feedback consistently highlights their gentle temperaments and reliable behavior. That does not mean you should treat the ride casually. Horses remain animals, and you still need to follow the guide’s instructions, but calm horses make a big difference for a first ride.

The activity is guided in Finnish and English. If your group has different riding abilities, tell the operator about your wishes when booking. The route and pace are adjusted to the participants’ experience and to the weather.

The 10-minute briefing keeps beginners comfortable

Before riding, you receive about 10 minutes of safety instruction and initial riding training. This is short, practical preparation rather than a full riding lesson, but it is enough to help you understand what to do before leaving the stable.

If you have never ridden before, this part is especially important. You learn the basic instructions needed for the trek and get a chance to settle in with your horse. One first-time rider described the explanations as clear and said the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

I would pay close attention here, even if you have ridden before. The guide needs to explain how this particular group will ride, how the horses respond, and what pace is suitable in the snow and cold. The instructions also help the guide decide how far the group can go.

The ride is described as easy, but easy does not mean effortless. Sitting on a horse for an hour or two can be tiring if you are not used to it. A one-hour trek is the sensible choice if you are uncertain about your balance, your fitness, or your interest in riding.

Riding through fells, forests, plains, and roads

Once the group leaves, the focus shifts to the scenery around Levi. You ride through the forests, across open plains, and along roads, with the surrounding fells providing the classic Lapland setting.

The appeal here is the pace. Horse riding lets you move through the snowy countryside more slowly than a snowmobile tour and with less effort than walking through deep winter conditions. You have time to notice the shape of the trees, the open spaces, and the changing views around the route.

Do not expect a racing experience. The guide sets the speed based on the abilities in the group and the weather. A mixed group may move at a steady, careful pace, especially if one or more people are riding for the first time.

That is a good trade for safety and comfort. Experienced riders may find the ride too restrained if they are hoping for a fast canter, but the activity is designed to serve beginners as well. The description specifically promises a personalized experience, not a high-speed horseback excursion.

The winter setting also adds practical limits. Cold, wind, snow, and visibility can affect the route. The path may change according to conditions, and you should treat the published scenery as the general character of the outing rather than a guarantee of one exact route.

Trying the Icelandic horse’s smooth tölt

One special feature is the chance to try the tölt, a gait associated with Icelandic horses. It is one of the reasons this breed is popular for riding. The gait is known for feeling smooth, although the guide decides if and when it is suitable for your group.

For a beginner, simply riding calmly and safely may be the main achievement. You should not feel pressured to try anything beyond your comfort level. The guide will match the activity to the riders’ ability and to the trail conditions.

For someone with riding experience, the tölt adds a little more interest than a basic walk through the woods. Still, the route and speed depend on the whole group, so experienced riders should book this for the horses and scenery rather than expecting a technical riding session.

The best approach is to tell the operator what you hope to do when you book. If you want to try the tölt, have previous riding experience, or prefer a very gentle pace, that information helps the guide plan the outing.

A five-minute photo stop in the Arctic scenery

The scheduled photo stop lasts about five minutes. It is brief, but it gives you a planned moment to take pictures without holding up the ride.

Your horse and the snowy surroundings provide the main subject. The fells and forest scenery around Levi make this a useful chance to record the experience, especially if you are riding with family or friends.

Five minutes goes quickly. Keep your phone or camera easy to reach, but make sure it is protected from the cold. The operator does not promise a particular viewpoint or photo setup, so think of this as a short pause in the route rather than a formal photography stop.

The photo break also gives riders a moment to reset. In winter, even a short pause can feel cold, so dress for standing still as well as riding.

Ten minutes for free time and shopping

After the trek, there is about 10 minutes of free time and shopping at Lapland Saga. This is a small add-on rather than a long shopping visit.

It gives you a chance to look around, make a purchase, or simply warm up before returning to the hotel or the starting point. Do not build your day around this portion. Ten minutes is enough for a quick look, not for an extended browsing session.

Drop-off is available at Design Hotel Levi or Lapland Saga, depending on the option you booked. If you need to reach another activity afterward, allow extra time for the return and for changing out of riding gear.

What the $111 price gets you

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Levi. The ride lasts one or two hours, but the price also covers the initial riding instruction, riding gear, the guided trek, and pickup if selected.

The value depends on what you want from a winter outing. If you are looking for a quiet, organized introduction to horseback riding, the price is easier to justify. You are paying for the horses, equipment, guide, small group format, and access to the surrounding countryside without needing to arrange the details yourself.

The one-hour option offers better value for a first-time rider who wants to try something new without committing to a long outing. The two-hour option makes more sense if the ride itself is a main part of your day and you want more time in the forest and open country.

The small group is important. With no more than six people, this feels more personal than a large commercial ride. It also allows the guide to make practical adjustments when riders have different levels of experience.

Children and adults pay the same per-person price. That can make the total cost add up for a family, but the activity is intended for all eligible participants rather than only adults.

Warm clothes are part of the equipment

The operator provides riding gear, but you still need to bring warm clothing and warm shoes. One useful lesson from the feedback is simple: wear plenty of layers.

The cold can feel stronger than expected when you are sitting on a horse and moving at a steady pace. You should be comfortable not only while riding, but also during the briefing, photo stop, and any waiting time.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is especially important around horses, where clear attention and steady behavior are necessary.

You should also check the weight limit before booking. The maximum is 95 kg, or 209 pounds. This is a safety requirement, not a minor preference, so do not assume the operator can make an exception.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This experience suits you best if you want:

• A beginner-friendly introduction to horseback riding
• A quiet way to see snowy nature around Levi
• A small group instead of a large organized outing
• A family or friend activity with a shared pace
• A gentle ride with friendly horses
• A chance to try the tölt without booking an advanced riding lesson

It is less suitable if you want speed, long periods of independent riding, or a demanding equestrian workout. The route and pace are controlled by the guide, and the group’s least experienced rider may set the rhythm.

Children under seven cannot join unless they already have previous experience on riding treks. The stated age limit is seven, so families should confirm that every child meets the requirement before booking.

The activity also works best for people who are comfortable outdoors in cold weather. The guide provides riding gear, but the feedback makes clear that warm personal clothing remains essential.

How to choose one hour or two

Choose the one-hour ride if this is your first time on a horse, if you are traveling with young children, or if you have several other activities planned in Levi. It gives you the instruction, riding experience, scenery, and photo stop without taking up much of the day.

Choose two hours if horseback riding is one of your main reasons for booking. The longer option gives you more time to settle into the rhythm of the horse and enjoy the forests, plains, and roads around the stable.

The longer trip is not automatically better. Cold weather and physical tiredness can reduce your enjoyment, especially if you have never ridden before. For many first-timers, a well-paced one-hour outing may feel complete.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Levi plans depend on weather or other bookings.

The minimum group size is two people, and the maximum is six. If you are booking alone, availability may depend on another participant joining the departure.

Pickup is available, but the meeting point varies by the option chosen. Read the pickup details carefully and be ready 20 minutes before the scheduled start. At the stable, arrive 15 minutes early.

The operator offers the experience in Finnish and English. Tell the provider about your preferred pace or any riding wishes when booking, since the route can be adapted to the group and the weather.

Should you book the Icelandic horse trek?

I would recommend this for a first horseback ride in Lapland, especially if you like small groups, calm horses, and scenery rather than speed. The strongest reasons to book are the friendly horse temperaments, clear beginner instruction, and personal feel of a group capped at six.

Book the one-hour option if you are unsure about riding or have a packed schedule. Pick two hours if you already enjoy horses and want the ride to be a central part of your day.

Skip it if you dislike cold outdoor activities, fall outside the age or weight limits, or want a fast, advanced ride. For everyone else, this is a pleasant and well-organized way to experience Levi’s winter setting from horseback, provided you dress warmly and accept that the guide sets the pace.

FAQ

Where does the horse trek start?

The starting location may be Lapland Saga or Design Hotel Levi, depending on the option booked. Check the meeting point in your booking details.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour horse trek. The schedule also includes a 10-minute safety briefing, a five-minute photo stop, and about 10 minutes of free time or shopping.

Do I need previous horse riding experience?

No. Previous riding experience is not required. The guide provides initial training and instructions before the trek.

What languages does the guide speak?

The experience is guided in Finnish and English.

How many people can join the group?

The minimum group size is two people, and the maximum is six participants.

What is the minimum age for children?

Children must be at least seven years old unless they have previous experience on riding treks.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 95 kg, or 209 pounds.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and warm shoes. You should dress in layers because the ride takes place outdoors in cold winter conditions.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup service is available. If you choose it, be ready 20 minutes before the scheduled start, since the driver waits only five minutes at the pickup location.