From Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall Tour

The highlands change color by the minute. This 13-hour small-group trip takes you from Reykjavik into Landmannalaugar, where rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and hot springs crowd one remarkable day. I especially like the two-hour Lauga Loop hike and the chance to soak afterward, plus the strong guiding from people such as Ottar, Kalman, HBO, Beggi, and Siggi.

The route also reaches Háifoss and other waterfalls, with photo stops at Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn. The catch is the long ride on rough roads, and several people found the vehicle cramped, especially when full. At $226 per person, this makes sense if you want the highlands without renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but it is a serious day out.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar gets about four hours: That gives you time for the Lauga Loop, photographs, and a hot-spring soak without rushing every minute.
• The hike is easy to moderate, not effortless: Expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on a trail through lava, obsidian, colorful hills, and the foothills of Bláhnúkur.
• Hnausapollur is a superb early photo stop: Its blue-green water looks striking against the dark volcanic ground.
• Háifoss is only part of the waterfall menu: Hjálparfoss and, depending on the day’s routing, Glanni or other extra stops add variety.
• Pack lunch, water, swimwear, and a towel: Food and drinks are not included, and the hot pool has no stated changing rooms or lockers.
• Weather can turn quickly: Snow, rain, wind, and sunshine have all appeared on summer departures, so proper hiking shoes and warm layers matter.

Why Landmannalaugar deserves a full day from Reykjavik

Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s most unusual mountain areas. The colors do not come from painted rock or clever photography. They come from rhyolite, a volcanic rock that can show shades of red, yellow, pink, brown, green, and gray. Against the black lava fields, the effect can look almost unreal.

I like this tour because it does not treat Landmannalaugar as a quick roadside picture. You get around four hours in the area, enough for a guided walk, free time, and a dip in the geothermal pool. That is a much better use of the highlands than stepping out of a bus for ten minutes and moving on.

The region lies within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, a broad area of volcanic peaks, lava, lakes, and geothermal activity. The trip takes you well away from Reykjavik’s easy-to-reach sights. You cross rough highland roads and, as one particularly enthusiastic account noted, may cross rivers by bus. That remote setting is the reason to come, but it also explains the long travel time and bumpy ride.

This is not a light half-day excursion. You leave early, spend much of the day on the road, and can return tired. Several departures have stretched beyond the advertised 13 hours, with one account describing a 16-hour day and another reporting a vehicle breakdown that caused a four-hour delay. Those events do not define every departure, but they are useful reminders to keep your evening flexible.

The road inland: long, rough, and full of changing scenery

The day begins with pickup or a meeting at Tour Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún. Pickup is optional, and the process can take up to 30 minutes if you select it. If you make your own way to the bus stop, arrive ready for a very full day.

The vehicle has Wi-Fi, but do not expect the ride to feel like a luxury coach journey. A full minibus can feel cramped, particularly in the back row. One passenger specifically wished for a better vehicle, while another praised the driver’s handling on rough roads. Both points can be true: the highlands require capable driving, but comfort may be limited.

The first part of the route usually includes a break at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar. This is a useful pause after the opening stretch of roughly 105 minutes, followed by further driving toward the highlands. Use it for the toilet and for buying food or snacks, since lunch is not included.

Guides are a major part of the experience. Ottar was praised for explaining volcanic rock and hot springs during the hike. Kalman received warm praise for his driving, stories, and extra stops. HBO was repeatedly described as caring, funny, and a skilled driver, while Beggi, Siggi, Anna, and Petur were also singled out for personable, informative guiding.

The best guides do more than announce place names. They explain Icelandic life, local stories, Viking tales, trolls, music, and the forces that shaped the ground beneath your boots. Several guides played Icelandic music during the bus rides, which helps make the long stretches feel like part of the trip rather than dead time.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn: volcanic color before the main hike

Hnausapollur is an ancient volcanic crater lake, and it earns its place early in the day. The water has a turquoise-blue tone, while the surrounding ground is stark and dark. You get about ten minutes for photographs and sightseeing, so have your camera ready before the bus stops.

The short visit works well as a preview of the highlands. You see the contrast that makes this area special: colored water, volcanic earth, and very little built development. The drawback is simple: ten minutes is enough for a look, not a proper walk around the lake.

Frostastaðavatn follows, with another short photo stop. The lake adds a calmer note to the route and gives you a chance to see how quickly the scenery changes. In Iceland, a small shift in road position can replace a crater with water, lava, or a broad mountain view.

These stops are also useful for breaking up the drive. Still, you should not mistake them for major hikes. The real walking begins at Landmannalaugar, so save your energy and keep your layers accessible.

The Lauga Loop through lava, obsidian, and rhyolite hills

Landmannalaugar is the heart of the day. You spend about four hours here, including the guided walk, sightseeing, free time, and swimming. The main route is the Lauga Loop, generally described as a 1.5 to 2-hour hike, with one account estimating about six kilometers.

The trail passes through lava fields and striking obsidian formations. Obsidian is volcanic glass, usually black and sharp-edged, and it gives the route a different feel from the soft, rounded hills nearby. Your guide may point out the various volcanic materials and explain how geothermal activity affects the area.

The path also rises toward steaming geothermal pools and works through the foothills of Bláhnúkur. You are not simply walking beside a scenic viewpoint. You are moving through several types of ground, with new colors and shapes appearing as the trail bends.

I would call the hike moderate in practical terms, even though it is often described as easy. The distance is manageable for many people, but uneven ground, slopes, weather, and a full day can make it harder than the label suggests. One older participant found it challenging but rewarding, while another felt it could have continued longer.

You need hiking shoes, water, and clothing suited to changing weather. Summer is not a guarantee of dry, mild conditions. Snow flurries have appeared in August, and rainy days have still produced enjoyable walks and beautiful views. Wind can make exposed sections feel colder than the temperature suggests.

The guide normally stays involved rather than sending you off with a map. Ottar was praised for walking all the way to the summit area with the group and explaining the geology along the way. That support matters on unfamiliar trails, especially when cloud or poor weather reduces visibility.

The hot spring: a welcome reward, with basic facilities

After the hike, you can bathe in Landmannalaugar’s geothermal hot-spring pool. This is one of the tour’s strongest features because it changes the rhythm of the day. After walking over lava and mountain paths, you can sit in warm water with the highlands around you.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Do not count on hotel-style facilities, because changing rooms and lockers are not provided according to the practical guidance for this trip. You will need to manage your belongings carefully and arrive prepared to change without the conveniences of a spa.

The pool is not a substitute for the hike. It is best seen as a simple natural bathing spot, valued for the setting and the timing. Rainy weather can make the water feel especially welcome, while a cold or windy day makes a towel and warm dry layers essential afterward.

You also need to allow enough time to eat. Some people were surprised that the lunch stop came partway through the hiking portion rather than as a separate meal break. Pack food you can carry and eat easily, along with extra water.

Waterfalls from Háifoss to Hjálparafoss

Waterfalls give the day welcome variety after so much volcanic ground. Háifoss is the major showpiece, dropping dramatically through a rugged gorge. It is described as Iceland’s fourth-largest waterfall, and the scale is easy to appreciate from the viewing area.

Nearby Granni adds a second falling stream to the scene, creating the double-waterfall view highlighted by the tour. Depending on the day’s route and conditions, the waterfall portion also includes Hjálparafoss and may include Glanni or extra sites chosen by the guide.

Hjálparfoss has a different mood from Háifoss. It is set within broad volcanic surroundings and feels more peaceful, with water meeting a darker, more open setting. That contrast is useful: Háifoss gives you drama, while Hjálparfoss gives you space to pause.

The planned stops are short, often around 20 minutes at the main waterfall and ten minutes at smaller viewpoints. That is enough to take photographs and hear an explanation, but not enough for a long walk beside every fall. Extra stops have included places such as Sigöldugljúfur, Gjáin, Tear Canyon, Viking ruins, and additional lakes or waterfalls, though these additions should be treated as possible bonuses rather than guaranteed parts of the published route.

A final break in Selfoss helps divide the return journey. After that, expect about an hour back toward Reykjavik, followed by drop-off at one of many central locations.

What $226 buys you, and what it does not

At $226 per person, this is not the cheapest day trip from Reykjavik. The value comes from access. Landmannalaugar’s rough highland roads are not a sensible place for a standard rental car, and reaching the area independently requires the right vehicle, route planning, and confidence with remote driving conditions.

The price includes transportation from Reykjavik, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on board, and Landmannalaugar facility fees. It also bundles several major sights into one day: crater lake, mountain reserve, hike, hot spring, and waterfalls.

You still pay for your own food and drinks. That is not a major problem if you plan ahead, but it does make the day more demanding. Bring breakfast or snacks for the opening drive, a packed lunch, and enough water for the hike.

The small-group format is another reason the price can be worthwhile. It allows the guide to explain rock formations, answer questions, and sometimes adjust stops when weather or road conditions change. The tradeoff is that small vehicles have less legroom than a large coach.

For me, the value is strongest if Landmannalaugar is a priority. If you mainly want a comfortable ride and a few famous viewpoints, a shorter excursion may suit you better. If you want access to the highlands without driving, this tour covers a lot of ground for one payment.

Who should book this highland day trip

You should consider booking it if you want:

• A guided route into remote southern Iceland
• A real hike rather than only roadside photographs
• Colorful rhyolite mountains and black lava
• A natural hot-spring soak after walking
• Several waterfalls and volcanic lakes in one day
• Stories, music, and explanations during long drives
• A small-group experience rather than a large sightseeing bus

You should think twice if you dislike bumpy roads, long vehicle journeys, or uncertain return times. The hike is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and children under eight are not accepted.

I would also avoid scheduling an evening flight, restaurant reservation, or another fixed activity on the same day. Delays are uncommon enough that the tour remains appealing, but Icelandic weather, roads, and vehicles can all affect the timetable.

The minimum practical kit is simple: hiking shoes, water, food, warm and waterproof clothing, swimwear, and a towel. Keep your swimsuit and towel near the top of your bag rather than buried under your lunch.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

The advertised duration is 13 hours. Actual days can run longer because of road, weather, traffic, or vehicle delays.

Where does the tour meet in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional, depending on the selected option. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included as standard, and the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How much time do you get at Landmannalaugar?

You have about four hours at Landmannalaugar for guided sightseeing, the Lauga Loop hike, free time, and swimming.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is described as moderate. The Lauga Loop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and may cover roughly six kilometers, with uneven ground and some uphill sections.

Do I need to bring food?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, so bring snacks, lunch, and water.

Can I swim in a hot spring during the tour?

Yes. You have the opportunity to bathe in the geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar after the hike. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with mobility impairments?

Children under eight are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want Iceland’s volcanic highlands more than a relaxed sightseeing day. The combination of rainbow-colored rhyolite, obsidian lava, Hnausapollur, Háifoss, other waterfalls, and a hot spring is unusually full for one excursion.

I would book with realistic expectations: this is a long, sometimes rough, weather-sensitive day in a basic vehicle. But if you pack well, keep your evening open, and can handle a moderate hike, the $226 cost buys access to a part of Iceland that is difficult to reach on your own. For many visitors, that is money well spent.