Midnight sun tour

On Gimsøya, the sun does not quite leave the sky. From Hov Gård, you ride out while it hangs low above the horizon, turning the Lofoten scenery gold without ever slipping fully into night. It is a calm way to meet the islands, especially if you want more than another viewpoint reached by car.

I like two things here. First, the route gives you a fine mix of ocean, mountains, beach, and traces of older settlements. Second, the tour is made for beginners, with time to learn how to handle your horse before you leave the stable. The main consideration is transport: hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Hov Gård.

Key points to know

• The midnight sun is the star of the ride: Hov Gård sits on the northern edge of Gimsøya, a strong spot for the long summer light.
• The pace is gentle: You ride for 90 minutes, with a relaxed route suited to first-time riders.
• The views keep changing: Look for ocean on one side, mountains on the other, then the beach and Hovsund ahead.
• The route has local character: You pass an old fish-drying rack and areas dotted with traditional Viking settlements.
• The group stays small: No more than eight people ride together, which allows the guide to give individual help.
• Plan for the weight and age rules: The maximum rider weight is 95 kilos, and children under eight cannot join.

Riding beneath Lofoten’s long summer light

The midnight sun is not simply a late sunset with a different name. In northern Norway, the sun remains above the horizon for part of the summer, giving you a soft, low light through the night. At Hov Gård, the ride begins as the sun slowly dips toward the horizon, so the light changes while you are on horseback.

That timing matters. You are not riding in harsh midday brightness, and you are not waiting in darkness for a special effect. The whole outing takes place in a long golden hour, with the sun hovering over the edge of the sea.

I would choose this trip for the light as much as for the horses. Lofoten is famous for sharp peaks and open water, but those views can feel very different under the midnight sun. The low light brings out the contours of the mountains and gives the shore a quieter, softer look.

The tour lasts 90 minutes. That is long enough to get comfortable, see several types of scenery, and feel that you have gone somewhere, but short enough for a first ride. If you have spent a full day hiking or driving around Lofoten, this shorter format is useful. You get a special evening activity without giving up the entire night.

Starting at Hov Gård’s stables

Your guide meets you at the stables. Before setting out, you learn how to ride with your horse and receive basic instructions. This opening lesson is important for beginners. You can ask questions, get used to the reins, and find a comfortable position before the group moves onto the route.

The tour is conducted in English. The group is limited to eight people, so the guide can keep an eye on each rider. That small size is especially helpful if several people have never ridden before, since the pace can remain steady instead of turning into a crowded line of uncertain riders.

The horses are part of the appeal, but the practical setup matters just as much. Hov Gård supplies helmets, warm clothing, rain gear, boots, and gloves. You still need long pants and closed-toe shoes, and you should not bring a backpack. These rules make sense on horseback, where loose straps and bulky bags can get in the way.

One rider, Katrine, had a horse named Maja and found her calm and reassuring. That detail gives you a useful picture of the experience: this is built around steady horses and careful instruction rather than speed or technical riding.

Climbing toward ocean and mountain views

After the introduction, the ride makes a gentle climb. This is not presented as a demanding ascent, and the tour is intended for people with no previous riding experience. As you gain a little height, the view opens on both sides, with ocean in one direction and mountains in the other.

This is where the ride earns its price. You are not simply circling the stable in a fenced area. The route takes you into the open scenery of Gimsøya, where the setting changes as you move. From the saddle, your viewpoint is higher than it would be on foot, but the pace remains slow enough to look around.

The horses set the rhythm. You will not race across the island or cover a huge distance in 90 minutes. That is good news if you want time to take in the views, but it may feel too restrained if you are an experienced rider hoping for a faster pace.

Hov Gård is clear about this point. The midnight sun tour cannot be adjusted for advanced riders. If you want a more demanding ride, you need to consider one of the longer options instead. I would not book this outing expecting cantering, technical riding, or a lesson aimed at improving advanced skills.

Passing Hovsund and the fish-drying rack

The route continues toward Hovsund, taking you past a traditional fish-drying rack. These racks are a familiar part of northern Norwegian coastal life, used to dry cod in the open air. Even without a long historical talk, the sight gives the ride a sense of place.

It is a small detail, but it helps keep the experience tied to Lofoten rather than turning it into a generic horseback excursion. The islands have long depended on the sea, fishing, and seasonal work. Seeing the rack along the route connects the scenery to the daily life that shaped these communities.

The ride also passes by ancient Viking settlements scattered around the route. The supplied information does not promise a formal archaeological tour or a lengthy history lesson, so keep your expectations in check. You are seeing traces of the past as part of a scenic ride, not joining a specialist history excursion.

Still, I like this combination. The route gives you something to notice beyond the mountains and the sun. You can watch the terrain, think about the coastal communities that used it, and then return your attention to the horse beneath you.

Returning along the Arctic beach

After Hovsund, the ride turns back toward the Arctic beach. The return route gives you another change of setting, shifting from the higher views and coastal details to the shoreline. The beach is the natural final highlight, especially with the sun still hanging low.

A beach ride can sound dramatic, but this tour remains slow-paced. You should expect a quiet approach to the shore rather than a fast run beside the water. That suits the purpose of the trip. You have time to look toward the sea, watch the light, and stay aware of your horse.

The return to Hov Gård is gradual. You make your way back to the stable after the beach, ending where you began. Since the meeting point is at the stables and no food or drinks are included, bring anything you want to eat or drink before or after the ride. The activity itself is focused on riding, not on a meal or a farm visit.

What the $156 price buys you

At $156 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill 90 minutes. The price is easier to justify if you value the combination of a small group, trained horses, riding instruction, safety equipment, and a route designed around the midnight sun.

You are also paying for a setting that is difficult to reproduce elsewhere. A short horse ride in an ordinary place would not offer the same mix of low summer light, open sea, mountain views, beach, fish-drying traditions, and Viking-era traces.

The included clothing helps with value. Northern Norway can feel cold or wet even in summer, and the stable provides warm clothes, rain gear, boots, gloves, and helmets. You still need to arrive dressed in long pants and closed-toe shoes, but you do not need to pack every piece of outdoor gear for a 90-minute ride.

There are clear limits. Hotel pickup is not included, and food and drinks are extra. You also need to provide your name, weight, height, age, and riding experience in English when booking. That may feel like a lot of personal information for a short activity, but it helps the stable match the ride to the horses and maintain safe conditions.

I would see the price as fair for a special Lofoten activity, not as a budget excursion. It suits a trip where the midnight sun is one of your main reasons for visiting. If you are only looking for a low-cost way to see the island, a walk or drive may give you better value.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This tour fits first-time riders, casual riders, and people who want a gentle outdoor activity with strong views. You do not need previous experience, and the guide teaches you the basics before you leave. A small group also makes the first few minutes less intimidating.

It is a good choice for couples, friends, and families with children aged eight or older, provided everyone meets the other requirements. The slow pace lets you share the scenery instead of concentrating on technical riding.

It also suits photographers in spirit, though you cannot bring a backpack. You may be able to carry a small phone or camera only if the guide and stable rules allow it, but the supplied information does not promise photography arrangements. Do not book this expecting a dedicated photo stop or a professional photography tour.

Experienced riders should think carefully. The stable says the route cannot be adapted for a more advanced level. If you want a stronger riding challenge, choose a longer tour instead. This outing is about atmosphere, scenery, and an easy introduction.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. The maximum weight is 95 kilos. These are firm planning points, not minor footnotes, so check them before paying.

Weather, clothing, and safety

The stable puts safety first and will reschedule if weather conditions are unsafe. That is sensible in an exposed coastal area, where rain and wind can change the feel of a ride quickly. A rescheduled tour may affect your plans, so avoid placing it on the final available evening of your stay if you have flexibility.

Dress in long pants and closed-toe shoes. The stable supplies helmets, warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves, but your base clothing still matters. Comfortable trousers will make it easier to sit in the saddle, and closed shoes are required for safe riding.

Leave your backpack behind. Backpacks are not allowed, so pack lightly and follow the stable’s instructions about anything you carry. Food and drinks are not included, and no hotel pickup or drop-off is provided.

The booking details also require your name, weight, height, age, and experience level in English. Give accurate information. The stable needs it for safe planning, and it helps the guide understand who may need the most support once the horses are prepared.

The guide makes the difference

A gentle route still depends on good instruction. The guide teaches you how to ride with your horse before departure, then offers feedback as you continue. One particularly positive account described guide Liss as helpful during the ride and easy to talk with, while the horse Maja was calm and safe.

That combination matters. A first ride can be enjoyable when the horse feels steady and the guide gives clear corrections without making you nervous. It is also useful for experienced riders to know that help is available, even if the ride itself is not advanced.

The small group limit of eight supports this approach. You are not guaranteed a private lesson, but the group is small enough for the guide to notice basic problems with posture, reins, or confidence.

The experience is available in English. If you need another language, this is not the right assumption to make, since English is the stated tour language.

Getting to Hov Gård

You meet at the stables, not at a hotel or central pickup point. Since transportation is not included, plan this part before booking. You may need your own car or another arranged way to reach Hov Gård, and you should not assume public transport or a last-minute taxi will be simple.

This is the biggest practical weakness of the experience. The ride itself is short, but reaching a rural stable can take more planning than reaching a town attraction. Build in time to arrive before the start, since the safety briefing and horse preparation happen before the route begins.

Check the exact meeting details when you reserve. The supplied information identifies Hov Gård’s stables as the meeting point but does not include hotel transfer. That makes your transport plan part of the booking decision.

Booking flexibility and final advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Lofoten schedule depends on weather, road conditions, or other outdoor plans.

The booking process also asks for your age, height, weight, name, and riding experience in English. Have those details ready. The maximum weight is 95 kilos, and the tour does not accept children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

You should book this midnight sun ride if you want a quiet, scenic introduction to horseback riding and have a reliable way to reach Hov Gård. The strongest reasons are the low summer light, the mix of ocean and mountain views, the Arctic beach, and the chance to pass traditional coastal and Viking-era sites at a human pace.

Skip it if you want an advanced ride, a fast route, hotel pickup, or a longer excursion. At $156, the value comes from the setting and the carefully managed small-group experience. For a first-time rider looking for one memorable evening on Gimsøya, that is a reasonable trade.

FAQ

Where does the midnight sun horse ride begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The horse ride lasts 90 minutes.

What language does the guide speak?

The tour is conducted in English.

Do I need previous horse-riding experience?

No. The tour is suitable for beginners, and the guide teaches you how to ride with your horse before leaving the stable.

How many people can join the tour?

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 clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves.

Can I bring a backpack?

No. Backpacks are not allowed, and open-toed shoes are also prohibited.

Is transportation to Hov Gård included?

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

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

If weather conditions are unsafe, the stable will reschedule the tour. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.