Midnight sun tour

The sun refuses to set here. From Hov Gård on Gimsøya’s northern edge, you ride into Lofoten’s long golden evening, with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other. I like the gentle pace and the small group size, which give beginners room to learn without feeling rushed. I also like the route’s local character, passing old Viking settlements, a traditional fish-drying rack, and an Arctic beach.

The main catch is access. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to the stables. This is also a calm introductory ride, not a fast or technical outing. Experienced riders may find the 90-minute route too easy, and the tour cannot be adapted for a more advanced level.

• Golden-hour riding: The sun hangs just above the horizon, creating a long, warm evening instead of ordinary daylight.
• Beginner-friendly horses: Your guide teaches you how to ride before the group leaves the stable.
• Gimsøya scenery: Look across open sea in one direction and toward Lofoten’s mountains in the other.
• Old coastal details: The route passes ancient Viking settlements and a traditional fish-drying rack.
• Small group setting: With no more than eight participants, instructions and support should be close at hand.
• Practical comfort: Helmets, warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves are provided.

Why Gimsøya Is a Fine Place for Midnight Sun

Hov Gård sits on the northern edge of Gimsøya, an island in Nordland County surrounded by the familiar ingredients of Lofoten: sea, peaks, beaches, and working coastal traditions. Its position matters because the midnight sun is not just a clock-related oddity here. In the right season, the sun drops toward the horizon but does not fully disappear, leaving the evening lit for hours.

You begin as the sun is slowly dipping. That timing gives the ride a soft, low light, with the horizon doing much of the visual work. I like this better than a standard daytime outing because the changing light makes even a familiar road or pasture feel different as the ride progresses.

The setting also gives you a look at several sides of Lofoten in a short time. One side opens toward the ocean. The other faces the mountains. Since you are on horseback, you move slowly enough to notice the shift between these views instead of racing past them in a vehicle.

The exact start time depends on availability and season. Check the date carefully when booking, especially if your main goal is the midnight sun. The tour is built around the late light, so timing is part of the experience rather than a minor detail.

Getting Comfortable in the Stable Before You Ride

The tour starts at the Hov Gård stables, where your guide meets you. This is useful for first-time riders because you do not simply climb onto a horse and follow the group. The guide gives you an introduction to riding before departure, helping you understand how to work with your horse and how to stay safe.

That short lesson is one of the strongest parts of the experience for beginners. You can ask questions while still on solid ground, get used to the basic instructions, and settle your nerves before the route begins. The pace is designed for people without riding experience, so you do not need prior training to join.

The group is limited to eight people. That number is large enough to make the outing social but small enough for the guide to offer individual help. A recent booking gave special praise to guide Liss for useful feedback during the ride and for creating a pleasant conversation along the way. That kind of attention matters more on horseback than it does on a simple walking tour.

You will receive a helmet, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves. Still, bring long pants and closed-toe shoes for the time before you are fitted with the provided equipment. Do not bring an open backpack, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Pack light, since the operator specifically prohibits backpacks on the ride.

The Gentle Climb and the First Wide Views

After leaving the stables, the route makes a gentle climb. This is not described as a steep or demanding section, and the whole outing follows a slow pace. For a new rider, that is welcome. You have time to pay attention to your horse, listen to the guide, and look up without trying to manage a fast-moving animal.

As the route rises, the views open. The ocean appears on one side, while mountains fill the other side of the scene. This is the point where the location of Hov Gård pays off. You are not confined to a wooded trail or a fenced riding arena. The wider setting becomes part of the ride.

I would expect the horses to set much of the rhythm here. The supplied description makes clear that Lofoten by horse is slow-paced, and that is important to understand before booking. You should think of this as a scenic introduction to riding, not as a chance to test speed, practice advanced skills, or cover a large distance.

The route may suit you if you want a quiet way to take in the coast. It may disappoint you if you want long stretches of trotting or a more demanding ride. The operator specifically directs experienced riders toward longer tours, and this particular outing cannot be adjusted upward for advanced participants.

Passing Viking Settlements Along the Riding Route

One unusual feature is the chance to ride past ancient Viking settlements scattered along the route. The supplied details do not promise a formal archaeological talk or a stop with an extended guided explanation, so you should not book this as a dedicated history tour.

Still, those sites add meaning to the scenery. You are moving through a coastal setting that has supported people for a very long time, rather than simply circling a modern farm. The old settlement areas help connect the sea, the mountains, and the practical life of the island.

This is also where a slow horse ride works well. You have more time to notice small traces and ask the guide questions than you would from a passing car. The experience is less about collecting a list of sights and more about seeing how the route links natural scenery with older human activity.

The route continues toward Hovsund. The information provided does not list a long stop there, so expect the place to be part of the ride rather than a separate sightseeing visit. If you want a detailed account of every historical site, ask the guide what you will see on your chosen departure.

Hovsund, the Fish-Drying Rack, and Coastal Life

On the way to Hovsund, the route passes a traditional fish-drying rack. These racks are a practical sign of northern coastal life, where fish has long been preserved in the open air. Even without a lengthy explanation, the structure helps you read the surroundings as a working fishing region rather than a postcard-only destination.

I like this detail because it gives the ride a local anchor. The midnight sun and mountain views are the obvious attractions, but the fish-drying rack points to the daily work that shaped the area. It is the kind of small sight you might miss on a standard scenic drive.

The route then turns back toward the Arctic beach. The description does not promise a beach stop for swimming, food, or a picnic. Treat it as a scenic section of the ride, with the coast providing another change of setting before you return to the farm.

You should not expect food or drinks during the tour. The $156 price covers the horse-riding experience, not refreshments. Bring anything you need for before or after the ride, but remember that backpacks are not allowed while riding.

The Arctic Beach and the Ride Home

The beach section gives the route a clear sense of progression. You begin at the stables, climb for broader views, pass through coastal and historical points, reach Hovsund, and then return by way of the beach. That variety helps the 90-minute outing feel like a proper route rather than a short circle around the property.

The ride back is described as gradual and unhurried. By then, beginners should have had time to get more comfortable with their horses. The light may also have changed, keeping the return trip visually different from the outward leg.

A recent booking praised a horse named Maja as calm and reassuring. That is encouraging for someone who feels uncertain around horses, though individual animals naturally differ. You should still listen closely to the guide and follow the stable’s safety instructions.

Weather is a real factor in northern Norway. The operator provides rain gear and warm clothing, but unsafe conditions can lead to a rescheduled tour. That policy is sensible. A beautiful route is not worth forcing in weather that could put horses or people at risk.

What $156 Buys You

At $156 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend 90 minutes. The value depends on what you want from Lofoten. You are paying for a guided horseback experience, equipment, a small group of up to eight people, and access to a carefully chosen coastal route at midnight-sun time.

For a first-time rider, the price is easier to justify because the guide provides instruction and the operator supplies the main clothing and riding equipment. You do not need to rent a helmet, boots, gloves, or rain gear separately. That saves packing space and reduces the worry of arriving without suitable Arctic clothing.

The value is weaker for an experienced rider who wants skill development or a longer outing. The tour is intentionally slow and cannot be adapted for advanced riders. In that case, a longer tour from Hov Gård may make better sense.

You should also include the cost of reaching Hov Gård, since transport is not included. No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided. The tour information does not specify a transfer service or public transport arrangement, so if you are without a car, confirm how you will get to the stables before committing.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 23 ratings, with praise for the calm horses, helpful guidance, and the experience itself. There is also a clear warning from one booking about insufficient arrival information and a refund dispute after the person found they needed their own car. That makes transport planning especially important.

Who Should Book This Ride

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a gentle introduction
• Couples or small groups seeking a scenic evening activity
• People who value coastal scenery more than speed
• Visitors interested in seeing Viking settlement areas and old fishing details
• Anyone hoping to photograph or simply watch the midnight sun from a quiet setting

It is less suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments. The maximum rider weight is 95 kilos, and you must provide your name, weight, height, age, and riding experience in English when booking. Those details help the stable match riders safely with horses and equipment.

Experienced riders should choose a longer option if they want a more active outing. This tour is not a private lesson and cannot be modified to suit a higher skill level. You may enjoy the views, but the riding itself could feel limited.

The small group format is a practical advantage. A group of eight or fewer gives the guide a better chance to monitor everyone, which is useful when people have different levels of confidence. It also keeps the route quieter than a large coach-style activity.

Booking Tips for a Smooth Evening

Plan your clothing around comfort, even though much of the protective gear is supplied. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, then use the provided boots, gloves, warm layers, and rain gear as needed.

Give accurate personal details when you reserve. Your weight, height, age, and experience level are mandatory information, and they are used for safety planning. Be honest about your riding background. This is not the time to claim experience you do not have.

Check the start time and the weather forecast close to the date. The midnight sun is seasonal, and the available departure time affects the quality of the light. Bad weather may lead to a new date, so leave some flexibility in your schedule if you can.

Allow time to reach Hov Gård without rushing. Since pickup is not included, you are responsible for getting to the stables. If you are relying on anything other than a private car, confirm the arrangement directly before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if the weather or your wider Lofoten plan is still uncertain.

Should You Book the Hov Gård Midnight Sun Tour?

Book it if you want a calm, beginner-friendly horseback ride with excellent coastal views and a strong sense of place. The combination of midnight sun, ocean, mountains, Viking settlement areas, Hovsund, a fish-drying rack, and an Arctic beach gives the short route plenty of variety.

Skip it if you are an experienced rider seeking speed, technical work, or a longer saddle outing. Also pause before booking if you cannot easily reach Hov Gård, since transport is not included and that has caused practical trouble for at least one person.

For the right rider, the appeal is simple: you learn the basics, settle onto a calm horse, and move through Gimsøya while the sun lingers at the horizon. That is a memorable way to see Lofoten, provided you understand that the ride is gentle, the duration is short, and the logistics are yours to arrange.

FAQ

Where does the midnight sun horse tour take place?

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

How long is the horse ride?

The experience lasts 90 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $156 per person.

Do I need prior horse-riding experience?

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

What is included in the tour?

The horse-riding tour is included. Helmets, warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves are also provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What should I wear?

Bring long pants and closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum weight is 95 kilos.

Who cannot join this activity?

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