Midnight sun tour

The sun refuses to set in Lofoten. From Hov Gård on Gimsøya, this 90-minute ride follows a gentle route through open coastal scenery, past old Viking settlement sites, a traditional fish-drying rack, and an Arctic beach. I especially like the slow pace and the chance to see the midnight sun on horseback, rather than from a roadside viewpoint.

I also like that beginners are welcome and that the guide gives you riding instructions before the group leaves the stable. The main drawback is practical: you need to arrange your own transport to Hov Gård, since hotel pickup is not provided. One unhappy booking specifically found the access information unclear, so check your route before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• The midnight sun is the main event: The ride begins as the sun hangs just above the horizon, creating a long golden evening in northern summer.
• The route is gentle and beginner-friendly: You receive basic guidance before setting out, and the pace is not designed for advanced riding.
• Ocean and mountains share the view: After a gradual climb, you can look toward the sea on one side and the Lofoten mountains on the other.
• Small groups keep things personal: The maximum group size is eight people.
• Warm riding gear is supplied: Helmets, boots, gloves, warm clothing, and rain gear are provided.
• The 95-kilo weight limit matters: You must provide your weight, height, age, and riding background in English when booking.

Why Gimsøya is a fine place for the midnight sun

Hov Gård sits on the northern edge of Gimsøya, an island in Nordland County. That position gives the ride a clear view toward the sea and the low northern horizon, where the summer sun appears to hover instead of disappearing.

This is not a sunset ride with a quick burst of color and darkness afterward. In the right season, the sun stays near the horizon for hours. Your 90-minute outing catches one part of that long golden period, with the light slowly changing as you ride.

I like this setting because the scenery is not limited to one dramatic viewpoint. You move through it at a walking pace. The ocean, mountains, beach, and old working features of the coast appear along the route rather than being packed into a single photo stop.

The exact light depends on weather and season. Hov Gård will reschedule if conditions are unsafe, which is sensible in a place where rain and poor visibility can change the feel of an outdoor ride quickly. You should arrive with flexible expectations. The midnight sun is a natural event, not a guaranteed clear-sky show.

Getting started at the Hov Gård stables

Your meeting point is the stable at Hov Gård. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to plan your own way there. This is one of the most important details to settle before booking, especially if you are staying elsewhere in Lofoten.

At the stable, you meet the guide and your horse. The guide explains how to ride before the group leaves. That makes this outing suitable for people who have never ridden before or who feel rusty after many years away from a saddle.

The stable briefing is also where the pace of the tour becomes clear. This is a relaxed introduction to horseback riding, not a fast trek. You should expect instructions on how to work with your horse and how to follow the group safely.

A past rider had a particularly good time with guide Liss, who gave useful feedback during the ride and helped create a friendly atmosphere. Another rider described horse Maja as calm and safe. Those details are encouraging if you are nervous, although horses are individual animals and your own ride will depend on the assigned horse and the group.

The group is limited to eight participants. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on riders and offer corrections as needed. It also means the outing is less likely to feel like a large procession across the coast.

The first climb opens the view

Once you leave the stable, the route makes a gentle climb. This early section gives you time to settle into the saddle and get used to the horse’s movement before the views open up.

The climb is not presented as a demanding riding challenge. The slow pace is part of the design, and it works well for beginners who want to enjoy the setting without worrying about advanced techniques.

As the route rises, you get the defining Lofoten view: ocean on one side and mountains on the other. The contrast is the reason this ride is more than a standard stable outing. You are not simply circling a paddock or riding through an enclosed farm area.

I would pay attention to how the scenery changes as you gain height. The open view gives you a better sense of Gimsøya’s position within the island chain. On horseback, you have time to look around, take photographs when appropriate, and notice the changing light without rushing from one stop to the next.

The tradeoff is that the pace may feel too mild if you already ride regularly. The provider specifically says the tour cannot be adapted for more experienced riders. If you want a faster or more demanding outing, you should consider one of Hov Gård’s longer tour options instead.

Riding toward Hovsund and the fish-drying rack

The route continues toward Hovsund, passing a traditional fish-drying rack. These wooden structures are a familiar part of northern Norway’s coastal working culture, where fish has long been dried outdoors in the open air.

This stop is valuable because it connects the scenery to local life. The mountains and sea are beautiful, but the fish rack reminds you that the coast has also been a place of work, trade, and seasonal routines.

The tour also passes old Viking settlement sites scattered along the route. You do not get a museum visit or a long archaeological program, but riding through these areas gives the past a physical setting. The point is not a detailed history lecture. It is the chance to see how earlier settlement traces fit into the same coastal setting you are crossing on horseback.

Since the available description does not specify a formal stop length or a detailed talk at each site, you should not book this as a history tour. Think of the Viking remains and fish-drying rack as features along a scenic riding route, with the guide providing context as the group moves through.

This balance suits me. The tour keeps its focus on riding and scenery, while still giving you a few reminders that the coast has a long human story.

Returning by the Arctic beach

After Hovsund, the route heads back toward the Arctic beach. This part gives the outing a different texture. The earlier climb opens the view from higher ground, while the beach brings you close to the shoreline.

The beach is also a strong setting for the midnight sun. With the sun low above the horizon, the coast can feel unusually spacious and quiet. You may find that the most memorable part is not a single landmark, but the combination of horse, sand, sea, and long evening light.

The route then slowly makes its way back to Hov Gård. That return pace matters. You are not being hurried back to the stable to meet a tight schedule, at least based on the stated 90-minute format. The ride is designed as a calm loop with time to enjoy the surroundings.

Still, 90 minutes passes quickly. You get a taste of riding on Gimsøya, not an all-day expedition. If you want a longer outing, more time in the saddle, or a more advanced riding style, this particular tour will probably feel limited.

What the $156 price gets you

At $156 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on what you want from your Lofoten evening.

The price includes the horse-riding tour and the use of important riding equipment. Hov Gård provides helmets, warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves. That makes the cost easier to justify if you are visiting from a warmer country and do not have proper Arctic outdoor clothing with you.

You still need long pants and closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, and backpacks are also prohibited. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat separately and do not expect refreshments as part of the outing.

I see the price as reasonable for a small-group activity in a distinctive setting, especially because you are paying for more than access to a horse. The setting, guide instruction, supplied equipment, and small group all matter. The value drops if your main goal is speed or technical riding, since the tour stays gentle and cannot be tailored for advanced riders.

The strongest reason to pay this price is the setting. A standard riding lesson could teach you basic skills anywhere. This route adds coastal views, old settlement areas, the beach, and the midnight sun.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This tour is a good match for:

• First-time riders who want clear guidance
• People who prefer a quiet, scenic outing
• Couples or small groups looking for a memorable evening activity
• Visitors who want to see the midnight sun in an active way
• Riders who appreciate horses, but do not need a challenging pace
• People comfortable following a set route and group rhythm

It is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. The maximum rider weight is 95 kilos. You must also provide your age, height, weight, and riding experience in English when booking, so the stable can match people and horses with safety in mind.

Experienced riders should take the warning seriously. You will not be able to request a faster or more technical version of this tour. The operator points experienced riders toward longer options, which is a better choice if you want more time or greater riding challenge.

Timing, clothing, and weather planning

The ride begins while the sun is slowly dipping toward the horizon. The exact starting time varies, so you need to check availability for your date.

Wear long pants and bring or wear closed-toe shoes. The stable supplies boots, gloves, warm clothing, rain gear, and helmets, but you should still dress sensibly for an outdoor activity. The weather can be cool even when the evening looks bright.

You cannot bring a backpack on the ride. Since food and drinks are not included, handle those needs before or after the tour rather than assuming you can carry supplies with you.

Weather is more than a comfort issue here. Hov Gård puts safety first and will reschedule the ride if conditions are unsafe. That policy protects both riders and horses, though it means you should avoid placing this activity on the final, immovable evening of your trip if possible.

The cancellation policy gives you some planning room: 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 you are still arranging your Lofoten schedule.

What the rider feedback tells me

The overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 23 reviews, a strong result for a small outdoor activity. The most useful praise focuses on the guide’s support and the horses’ calm behavior.

Katrine from Norway had an excellent ride with Liss and appreciated the useful feedback during the outing. She also found Maja calm and safe. That is exactly the kind of detail a beginner wants to hear: the guide is engaged, and at least one horse has proven reassuring for a nervous rider.

Ian from the United Kingdom simply described the experience as amazing. That brief reaction fits the appeal of the tour, though it does not answer practical questions about transport, pace, or clothing.

Paula from Mexico had a poor experience because she felt the information needed to reach the location was not clear. She said a private car was necessary and that a refund was not provided. Since hotel pickup is not included, I would treat transport planning as a must-do, not a minor detail.

Taken together, the feedback points to a tour that can be warm, personal, and memorable when the logistics suit you. It also shows why you should confirm how you will reach Hov Gård before booking.

Should you book the midnight sun ride?

Book it if you want a gentle horseback outing with strong scenery, a small group, and a real chance to see the midnight sun from the coast. It is especially suitable for beginners and for anyone who values the mood of the ride more than speed or riding technique.

Skip it if you are an advanced rider seeking a challenge, if you cannot meet the 95-kilo limit, or if reaching Hov Gård without pickup is difficult. Also skip it if your schedule cannot handle a weather-related change.

For the right person, the $156 price buys a memorable slice of northern summer: a calm horse, open sea, mountains, old settlement sites, and a beach beneath a sun that takes its time going down.

FAQ

How long is the midnight sun horse ride?

The tour lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet your guide at the stables at Hov Gård on Gimsøya in Nordland County.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

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

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum weight is 95 kilos.

What equipment does Hov Gård provide?

The stable provides helmets, warm clothes, rain gear, boots, and gloves.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

You should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Backpacks and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Who cannot join this tour?

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