Landmannalaugar Hiking, Haifoss Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour

Iceland saves some of its best scenery for rough roads. This 13-hour trip from Reykjavík takes you deep into the Highlands, where Háifoss plunges 122 meters and Landmannalaugar offers colorful rhyolite hills, lava fields, geothermal pools, and an easy guided hike. I like the unusual route, especially the combination of Háifoss and Landmannalaugar, and I like having a skilled driver handle the difficult F-roads. The main drawback is the long day, with several hours spent on bumpy roads and a real risk of delays or cancellation when weather and road conditions turn bad.

I also like the small maximum group of 15, which gives the guide room to keep people together without turning the hike into a parade. Guides such as HBO, Roman, Beggi, Tom, Mia, and Sarah have earned strong praise for their care, driving, and explanations. Still, the operator has had serious vehicle and communication problems, so I would book with realistic expectations and keep the day after this tour free of fixed plans.

Five things to know before you book

• Háifoss is a rare stop on a day tour: The 122-meter waterfall and nearby Granni are a major reason to choose this particular route.
• Landmannalaugar gets the longest visit: You have about three and a half hours for hiking, free time, and a soak in the natural hot springs.
• The F-roads are part of the adventure: Rough, unpaved roads make a capable driver valuable, but they also make the ride tiring and vulnerable to delays.
• The group is capped at 15: That is a useful middle ground between a private tour and a large coach outing.
• Bring your own food and water: Lunch, dinner, and bottled water are not included, and the day begins at 7:00 a.m.
• Weather can change the plan: If conditions make the route unsafe, the operator may offer another date or a full refund.

Why this Highland route is worth your day

At $227 per person, this is not a cheap Iceland outing. But the price covers a full day, transport from Reykjavík, a professional driver, a guide, entrance costs, onboard WiFi, and access to places that are awkward to reach without a suitable vehicle.

The value comes from the route itself. Many easy day trips from Reykjavík focus on the familiar southern sights. This one heads toward Iceland’s interior, where the roads are rougher and public transport is not a practical option. You are paying partly for the scenery and partly for the ability to reach it without arranging a high-clearance vehicle or navigating remote roads yourself.

The trip lasts about 13 hours, so you should see it as a full expedition rather than a quick excursion. You leave at 7:00 a.m. from Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún 6, and return to the same meeting point. Pickup is offered from select Reykjavík hotels, but check the exact arrangement at booking rather than assuming every hotel is included.

The vehicle is described as spacious, air-conditioned, and equipped with WiFi. That matters on a long ride. It also matters because the route can include roughly six hours of driving in total, with a substantial portion on bumpy F-roads.

Hjálparfoss brings an easy first stop

The first stop is Hjálparfoss, where two rivers meet among dark basalt formations. Water collects in a pool below the falls, often noted for its turquoise color. You get about 20 minutes here, enough to stretch your legs, take photographs, and get an early taste of Iceland’s volcanic scenery.

This is a pleasant opening stop because it does not demand a hard walk. After an early departure from Reykjavík, you can step out, breathe cold Highland air, and see how water and basalt shape the area. The visit is brief, so do not expect a long exploration or much time to wander away from the main viewpoint.

I see Hjálparfoss as a warm-up rather than the centerpiece. It helps break up the drive, while the larger visual rewards come later at Háifoss and Landmannalaugar.

Háifoss delivers the day’s big waterfall moment

Háifoss reaches 122 meters, making it Iceland’s fourth-highest waterfall. It drops into a broad gorge, with Granni waterfall nearby adding a second major fall to the view. The setting is open and dramatic, with the water framed by the rough countryside of the Þjórsárdalur area.

You have about 30 minutes at the stop. That is enough to admire the falls and take pictures, but it is not a long hiking visit. The tour description identifies this as the only day tour on the route that visits Háifoss, which gives the stop unusual value if you have already seen Iceland’s more famous waterfalls.

The waterfall is repeatedly singled out as a highlight, and I understand why. Háifoss provides the sort of scale that photographs often fail to capture. Granni also helps make the viewpoint feel more complete, since you are not looking at one isolated ribbon of water but a wider gorge with several strong points of interest.

The approach and road conditions are part of the trade-off. This is not a polished roadside attraction with a short, easy approach from a city. The route takes time, and the drive can be rough. Still, if Háifoss is high on your Iceland wish list, this tour gives it a place in a larger Highland day instead of making you arrange a separate trip.

Bláhylur adds volcanic color and backstory

Bláhylur is a volcanic crater lake created about 1,200 years ago during a massive eruption involving two nearby volcanoes. The lake gives the route a different rhythm after the waterfall stops. Instead of watching water drop into a gorge, you look into a basin formed by fire.

The stop lasts around 30 minutes. That is useful because the area deserves more than a quick bus-window glance. You can take in the shape of the crater, study the colors around the water, and hear the guide explain how eruptions shaped the region.

This is where a good guide adds real value. The scenery is striking on its own, but knowing that the crater formed through a major eruption gives the view a clear sense of place. Guides have been praised for explaining Icelandic geology and settlement history, so listen during the drive as well as at the stops.

The weather will affect the experience. On a bright day, the lake and surrounding volcanic colors should be at their best. In rain, wind, or low cloud, the view may feel more muted. That is true throughout the Highlands, and it is one reason the operator may change the date when conditions are poor.

Landmannalaugar earns the longest stop

Landmannalaugar is the heart of the trip. The area is known for lava fields, colorful rhyolite hills, geothermal activity, and hiking routes through a setting that feels far removed from Reykjavík. You have about three and a half hours here, far more time than at the waterfalls or crater lake.

The planned hike is described as easy and guided. That does not mean you should arrive in city shoes or treat it as a flat stroll. The ground around lava fields and Highland trails can be uneven, and conditions can change quickly. A guided walk helps you follow the intended route and stay aware of the available time.

The strongest part of the experience is the balance between structure and freedom. The guide leads the hike and keeps the group together, but you also get time to pause, look around, and take in the surroundings. One account describes a hike of about 90 minutes followed by lunch and more than an hour in the hot springs. The exact timing may vary, but the schedule clearly allows more than a rushed photo stop.

Guides have made a big difference here. HBO was praised for giving useful information while allowing people time to explore on their own. Roman was praised for watching the group and making sure people saw worthwhile viewpoints. Tom was noted for looking after everyone and driving confidently on difficult roads. Sarah kept spirits up during a major vehicle problem and still worked to preserve part of the hiking experience. Beggi also received strong credit for keeping morale high during a long breakdown delay.

Those details matter because Landmannalaugar is not just a place where you hop off a bus, take one picture, and leave. The guide needs to judge how long the group should hike, when to turn back, and how much time remains for the hot springs. A calm guide can make the difference between feeling hurried and feeling that you had a proper visit.

The hot springs are the proper finish

Before leaving Landmannalaugar, you can soak in the natural hot springs. This is a simple but memorable finish to the hike, especially after a long day on uneven ground. The warm water gives you time to rest while the surrounding Highland setting keeps the experience from feeling like an ordinary swimming pool visit.

Bring what you need for the soak. The tour includes no bottled water, lunch, or dinner, and the supplied details do not say that towels or swimwear are provided. Do not count on buying a full meal during the stop. Pack food and water before departure, and keep your belongings organized so you are not searching through bags when the group is ready to leave.

The hot spring stop is also a reason to protect your time. If the road, weather, or vehicle trouble causes a delay, the hike and soak may be shortened or lost. On a normal operating day, though, three and a half hours at Landmannalaugar gives the tour a sensible pace.

What the F-road ride is really like

The Highlands are not reached by smooth city highways. F-roads can be rough, and one account describes half of the six-hour round trip as bumpy. A skilled driver is therefore one of the most important parts of the purchase, not a minor convenience.

Several guides have been praised as careful drivers, especially on difficult unpaved roads. That can make the ride feel secure and less stressful than driving yourself. You can watch the scenery, listen to explanations, and avoid the pressure of route finding.

But you should also understand the risk. Remote roads and changing conditions can produce long delays. One bus broke down on the return journey, causing a wait of about five and a half hours. Another serious incident involved a leaking tire, a malfunctioning door, and a replacement vehicle that took much of the afternoon to arrive. The guide handled the situation well, but much of the promised itinerary was lost.

There was also a separate report of a 45-minute late departure caused by a bus and staffing problem. These incidents do not describe every departure, but they are important when deciding how much flexibility you need. I would not schedule a flight, a timed dinner, or another major activity soon after the advertised return.

Small groups help, but service problems matter

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough for the guide to hear questions, monitor the hike, and keep the group moving without shouting across a large coach. It also suits people who want some independent time but still prefer a planned route.

The human side of the tour has been its strongest feature. Guides have been described as fun, attentive, informative, and skilled behind the wheel. A good guide can explain the geology without turning the day into a lecture, help a slower hiker, and know when to give everyone quiet time.

The weak point is the operator’s reliability. There have been cancellations communicated too late, passengers waiting in the cold for a bus that did not arrive, and vehicle failures that caused long roadside delays. In one case, the operator and booking intermediary gave different accounts of who was responsible for the missed notification. That is frustrating, especially when an Iceland visit is short and each day matters.

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own protection, keep your phone number and email current, check spam folders, and confirm the meeting details before departure. These are small steps, but they matter when the route depends on road access.

Who should book this 13-hour outing?

I would choose this tour if you want to see the Icelandic Highlands without driving yourself and if Háifoss, Landmannalaugar, and hot springs all appeal to you. It suits hikers who want an easy guided walk rather than a demanding trek, and it works well for people who value scenery over a short, polished sightseeing day.

It is also a good match if you prefer a smaller group and want a guide to explain geology, local history, and the practical details of the route. The supplied information says most people can participate, but anyone worried about uneven ground, a long ride, or changing weather should consider the physical demands carefully.

I would hesitate if you need a tightly timed schedule, dislike rough roads, or have no patience for possible delays. The route’s remoteness is what makes it special, but that same remoteness makes mechanical problems and weather disruptions harder to solve.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 7:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the experience requires suitable weather. Those rules are reasonable for a remote Highland route, but check the local cutoff time and do not wait until the last minute if your plans change.

Final verdict: a superb route with a practical warning

I would book this tour for the route, the Highland access, and the chance to combine Háifoss with a meaningful Landmannalaugar visit. The waterfalls, crater lake, lava fields, rhyolite hills, and hot springs give you a far broader day than a single scenic stop.

The guides are the main reason to feel confident once the vehicle leaves Reykjavík. HBO, Roman, Tom, Mia, Beggi, and Sarah have all been praised for care, explanations, driving, or calm handling of difficult moments. The company’s vehicle and communication record, however, deserves attention.

Book it if you can accept the uncertainty that comes with remote Iceland. Pack lunch, water, warm layers, and swimwear, start with flexible plans, and treat the long ride as part of the price of reaching the Highlands. If the tour runs normally, $227 buys a memorable day in one of Iceland’s most unusual regions. If your schedule cannot absorb a cancellation or breakdown, choose a shorter and more predictable outing instead.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 hours. It begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Reykjavík.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from select Reykjavík hotels. Confirm that your hotel is included when you book.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Is hiking included at Landmannalaugar?

Yes. The tour includes an easy guided hike through lava fields and rhyolite hills, with about three and a half hours allocated to Landmannalaugar.

Can I use the natural hot springs?

Yes. You have the chance to rest in the natural hot springs at Landmannalaugar before leaving.

Are meals and bottled water included?

No. Lunch, dinner, and bottled water are not included, so you should bring your own food and water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.