Alta: Horse Riding Under the Northern Lights

About This Experience

This is an evening on horseback from the Flatmoen farm in the countryside outside Alta. A pickup in Alta takes you out to the farm, you saddle up, and the ride follows forest trails and the bank of the Alta River to a wilderness shelter, where a three-course dinner is served. After the meal you ride back to the farm and are driven back to Alta. The whole evening takes about 3.5 hours.

The operator calls it a slow adventure, and the pace suits people who want a calm evening outdoors with horses more than a fast trail ride. The listing does not state a riding-experience requirement, a minimum age or a weight limit, so ask the operator before booking if any of those matter for your group. Groups can be up to 20 people.

The northern lights are the backdrop, not the promise. You watch the sky during dinner and on the ride back, and the operator says plainly that clear skies and sightings are unpredictable and not guaranteed. Dress for a long, cold evening that includes sitting still at the shelter as well as riding.

There are only seven reviews so far, all five stars, so the 5.0 score rests on a small sample. Reviewers write about gentle, friendly horses (one rode a Norwegian Fjord horse) and a young international team who live at the ranch. Two describe strong northern lights on their night, and one saw moose in the distance. One guest was the only rider that evening, so the group on a given night can be far smaller than the cap.

Highlights

• A horseback ride through the forest and along the Alta River
• Dinner at a wilderness shelter out in the countryside
• Time under the night sky to watch for the northern lights
• A calm, slow-paced evening from a horse farm outside Alta
• Away from the town, with the chance of spotting wildlife such as moose

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup in Alta and transport to the farm and back
• ✓ Guided horseback ride
• ✓ 3-course meal
• ✓ Time to watch for the northern lights
• ✓ Live guide in English and Norwegian
• ✓ About 3.5 hours in total, in a group of up to 20

Not Included

• Tips
• Warm outdoor clothing (not listed as provided, so bring your own)

What to Bring

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Warm layers for sitting outdoors after dark
• Warm boots, gloves and a hat
• Camera for the night sky

Good to Know & Caveats

• The northern lights and clear skies are unpredictable; sightings are not guaranteed.
• Pickup is included from Alta; check availability for details and confirm the pickup point on your voucher.
• Start times vary by date: check availability to see starting times.
• The listing does not state a minimum age, a weight limit or a riding-experience requirement; ask the operator before booking if these matter to you.
• The listing's includes box also names a sleigh ride, but the description covers a horseback ride only. Check with the operator if a sleigh ride matters to you.
• Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Pickup is included from Alta, and the exact pickup details show when you check availability.