Midnight sun tour

The midnight sun turns this gentle horseback ride into a slow trip through Lofoten’s best scenery. From Hov Gård on Gimsøya, you ride toward Hovsund with the ocean on one side, mountains on the other, and the sun hovering near the horizon.

I like the beginner-friendly instruction and the small groups of no more than eight riders. I also like the route’s mix of natural and cultural sights, from the traditional fish-drying rack to ancient Viking settlement areas. The main drawback is practical: there is no hotel pickup, and one booking experience makes clear that you may need your own car to reach the stable.

Key points to know before booking

• Midnight sun from Gimsøya: Ride during the long golden light near the northern edge of Lofoten.
• Made for beginners: Your guide explains how to ride and work with your horse before setting off.
• A gentle 90-minute route: Expect a calm pace rather than advanced riding or fast movement.
• Ocean, mountains, and beach: The route opens to wide views before returning along an Arctic beach.
• Small group of eight: The limited group size allows the guide to offer personal help.
• Important limits: The maximum weight is 95 kilos, and the ride is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Riding beneath Lofoten’s endless summer light

Hov Gård sits on the northern edge of Gimsøya, a strong location for seeing the midnight sun. During the summer season, the sun dips toward the horizon but does not fully disappear, leaving the area in a long, soft glow.

That light matters on horseback. You are not rushing between viewpoints or trying to frame a photograph from a moving vehicle. The horse sets the pace, giving you time to notice the changing colors over the water and the shape of the mountains across the island.

The ride begins while the sun is slowly dropping. The result is an extended golden hour that gives the 90-minute trip its character. You should still expect the actual light to depend on the weather. If conditions are unsafe, the stable will reschedule the ride, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

I would choose this tour for the atmosphere rather than for distance or speed. Lofoten by horse is intentionally slow. That is good news if you want time to look around, but it may disappoint you if you already ride regularly and want cantering, technical trails, or a more demanding outing.

Starting at Hov Gård with a calm introduction

Your guide meets you at the stables. Before leaving, the guide explains how to ride with your horse and gives you the basic information needed for the route. No previous riding experience is required, so you do not need to arrive knowing how to control a horse.

This introduction is one of the tour’s strongest features. A short lesson can make a major difference if you are nervous, have only ridden once or twice, or simply want to understand how the horse responds. The guide also needs your name, weight, height, age, and riding experience in English when you book. That information helps the stable match the outing to safe conditions for both horse and rider.

You receive a helmet and can use warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves supplied by the stable. Still, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes from the start. Do not bring a backpack, and do not arrive in open-toed shoes. The combination of weatherproof clothing and proper footwear matters in northern Norway, where conditions can change even during a bright evening.

The group is limited to eight people. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on riders and give extra help when needed. Guide Liss received especially warm praise for giving useful advice along the way, keeping the ride comfortable, and pairing one rider with a calm horse named Maja. Guide assignments and horse names can vary, but the practical lesson is clear: tell the stable honestly about your experience level.

Climbing for the first wide view

The ride begins with a gentle climb from the stable. This is where the setting opens up. As you gain a little height, the route gives you ocean on one side and mountains on the other.

The climb is not presented as strenuous, and the ride remains slow-paced. Still, you should be comfortable sitting on a horse for the full 90 minutes and following the guide’s instructions. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not offered to pregnant women or children under eight.

This section is a good reason to avoid overpacking. Backpacks are not allowed, and you will be more comfortable with your hands free for the reins. Keep your camera or phone secure and easy to use, but remember that handling devices while riding may distract you from the horse and the guide.

The scenery is the main reward here. You get a broad view rather than a series of formal stops. The horses move at a measured pace, so the route feels more like a quiet ride through the surroundings than a sightseeing circuit with a checklist.

Passing Hovsund and the fish-drying rack

The route continues toward Hovsund, passing a traditional fish-drying rack. These wooden racks are closely linked with the fishing culture of northern Norway, where cod has traditionally been dried in the open air.

This is a small detail, but it adds useful context to the ride. You are not only looking at sea and mountains. You are also passing a working piece of coastal culture that helps explain why Lofoten’s settlements developed where they did.

The tour also takes you by old Viking settlement areas scattered along the route. The information provided does not promise a formal archaeological visit or a guided history talk, so you should not expect a museum-style stop. Instead, these places form part of the route itself, adding a layer of age and human history to the natural setting.

I like this mix because it gives the short ride more variety. You see the scenery, learn a little about the area through what you pass, and remain in the saddle rather than repeatedly stopping for presentations. If you want detailed Viking history, this may feel too light. If you want a scenic ride with cultural details along the way, the balance works well.

Returning beside the Arctic beach

After Hovsund, the ride heads back toward the Arctic beach. This return section brings the water close again and gives the outing a different feel from the earlier climb.

The beach is not described as a long walking stop, and you should not expect time to swim, eat, or explore independently. You remain with the group and gradually make your way back to Hov Gård. That steady return is part of the appeal: the ride does not try to pack too much into a short time.

You should plan food and drinks separately. Neither is included, and the 90-minute trip is too short to serve as a full evening activity with a meal. A separate meal before or after the ride may work better, depending on your schedule.

The route’s gentle pace also makes it suitable for people who want a first taste of riding in Lofoten without committing to a longer excursion. If you are an experienced rider, look at the stable’s longer tour options instead. This midnight sun ride cannot be adjusted to make it more advanced.

What the $156 price means

At $156 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing stop. You are paying for the horse, guide, safety equipment, riding clothes, boots, gloves, and a small-group setting in one of Lofoten’s most sought-after natural conditions.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. For a beginner, the price includes more than simply sitting on a horse. You receive instruction before setting off, access to safety gear, and a guided route that combines the midnight sun with coastal and mountain views.

The price is harder to justify if you already ride often and mainly want a challenging trail. The tour is slow and cannot be customized for advanced riders. In that case, a longer or more technical option from Hov Gård may offer better value.

There is another cost to consider: transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. One disappointed booking experience specifically points to the need for a car to reach the location, so do not assume you can simply walk from your accommodation or rely on a transfer. Confirm your route to the stables before paying, especially if you are staying elsewhere on Lofoten.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to plan your transport.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time riders who want clear instruction and a relaxed pace
• Couples looking for a quiet outdoor activity during the midnight sun
• Small groups who prefer personal guidance over a crowded outing
• Visitors who want scenery, coastal culture, and a little local history in one short ride
• Riders who enjoy gentle horse tours more than speed or technical trails

The ride is less suitable for advanced equestrians, anyone above the 95-kilo weight limit, children under eight, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments. You also need to be comfortable wearing a helmet, using the supplied riding gear, and following the guide’s directions.

The English-language format makes the practical instruction accessible to international visitors. When booking, give accurate details about your age, height, weight, and experience level. This is not needless paperwork. It helps the stable maintain safe pairings and make sensible decisions about the ride.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Lofoten weather can be unpredictable, even during the midnight sun season. The stable provides warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves, and unsafe weather leads to a rescheduled tour. You should still arrive prepared with long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Avoid open sandals or shoes that could slip off. Do not bring a backpack, since it is not allowed on the ride. A small camera or phone may be useful, but keep your hands available for riding and follow the guide’s instructions about when it is safe to take pictures.

The supplied gear is particularly useful for visitors packing light. You do not need to buy specialist riding equipment for one short outing. The key is to dress for changing conditions and tell the stable what you need when you book.

The rating is 4.6 from 23 bookings, with strong praise for the guide’s useful advice and calm horses. One serious complaint concerned access and the lack of a refund after the rider could not complete the activity. That makes the practical checks especially important: confirm transportation, check the weight limit, and read the suitability rules before reserving.

Should you book the Hov Gård midnight sun ride?

Book it if you want a slow, scenic introduction to horseback riding in Lofoten. The combination of ocean views, mountains, a fish-drying rack, old Viking settlement areas, and the midnight sun gives this short outing more substance than a basic stable ride.

I would make this a good choice for a first-time rider, a couple, or anyone who values atmosphere over speed. The small group and included clothing add real value, and the guide’s instruction should help you feel more secure in the saddle.

Skip it if you are an experienced rider looking for an advanced route, or if reaching Hov Gård without hotel transport will be difficult. Check the 95-kilo limit and the age and mobility rules before booking. If those details work for you, this is a memorable way to meet Lofoten’s summer light at a horse’s pace.

FAQ

Where does the midnight sun horse ride begin?

The ride begins at the stables at Hov Gård, on the northern edge of Gimsøya in Nordland County.

How long is the experience?

The horse ride lasts 90 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

Starting times vary. You need to check availability for the date you want.

Do I need previous horse-riding experience?

No. The guide teaches you how to ride with your horse before leaving the stables.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum weight is 95 kilos.

What should I wear?

Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. The stable provides helmets, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to and from Hov Gård.