Silver Circle: Lava Cave, Waterfalls & Iceland Horses-Small Group

Iceland goes beyond the Golden Circle. This 10-hour Silver Circle tour takes you into quieter western Iceland for lava waterfalls, a powerful hot spring, a family-run horse farm, and the colorful Vidgelmir lava cave. I especially like the small-group format, capped at 19 people, and the way the horse farm adds real local character rather than another quick photo stop. The main drawback is the long, sometimes bumpy drive, with icy paths and cold conditions possible at several stops.

I also like that the tour includes hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, a professional guide, and both major admissions. Guides such as Thorri, Monica, Filip, Gulli, and Christina have been praised for mixing Icelandic stories with humor without talking nonstop. If you want a polished day in the countryside without renting a car, this is a strong choice, but it suits people who are comfortable walking on uneven ground and spending much of the day in a vehicle.

Key points to know before booking

• Vidgelmir is the grand finale: Spend about 90 minutes inside one of Iceland’s largest lava caves, with hard hats, headlamps, lava formations, and narrow passages.
• The horse farm feels personal: At Sturlureykir, you can meet Icelandic horses, learn about a multigenerational farm, and taste rye bread baked with geothermal heat.
• Hraunfossar is unlike a typical waterfall: Water appears to flow from beneath a lava field across roughly 900 meters of riverbank.
• The route is quieter than the Golden Circle: You may find fewer buses and smaller crowds, though that comes with longer country roads.
• Winter footing matters: Glanni, Hraunfossar, and other paths can be icy. Crampons have been provided on some departures, but waterproof shoes remain essential.
• Lunch is not included: There is time to buy soup, bread, or a buffet meal near Hraunfossar, plus an afternoon coffee break.

Why the Silver Circle is worth your day

The Silver Circle is a fine counterpoint to Iceland’s more famous Golden Circle. You still get the essentials many people come for, waterfalls and geothermal activity, but the day feels less like moving through a queue of tour buses.

The route also has more variety than its name suggests. You begin beside a waterfall, then see Europe’s highest-flowing hot spring, visit Icelandic horses, step into medieval history, walk among two very different waterfalls, and finish underground in a lava tube.

At $219 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Still, the price covers transport from the Reykjavik capital area, a guide, Wi-Fi, entry to Vidgelmir Lava Cave, and entry to Sturlureykir horse farm. If you tried to combine these stops by rental car, you would also need to handle unfamiliar roads, weather changes, parking, cave reservations, and the practical problem of driving after a long day.

I see the value most clearly if you do not want to drive. You get a full day of sightseeing without worrying about navigation or road conditions. The value is weaker if you prefer to stop for long walks, choose your own restaurants, or linger at one waterfall until the light changes.

The long road to western Iceland

Pickup runs from about 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., with the tour starting at 9:00. Hotel pickup is available in the Reykjavik capital area, though central streets may require you to walk to a nearby bus stop. You can also meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, but you must arrange that directly and arrive before 8:20 a.m.

The vehicle has free Wi-Fi, a useful touch on a long day. One account of the tour described roughly two hours before the first main stop, followed by a tighter cluster of sights later. That early drive is not wasted time, though. A good guide can fill it with stories about Icelandic culture, geology, writers, horses, and local life, or give you quiet time to watch the scenery.

The group limit is 19 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach, though the actual group can be smaller or close to capacity. Some departures have had plenty of spare seats, which made it easier to store winter clothing and backpacks.

One practical warning: Iceland’s rural roads can be rough. Several roads used to reach the western sites are bumpy, and one passenger with serious back pain found the ride very uncomfortable. If your back is sensitive, ask about the vehicle and road conditions before booking. The tour operator cannot avoid every rough road without giving up the sights that make the day worthwhile.

Glanni Waterfall and the Bifrost countryside

Glanni is the first stop, with about 20 minutes to see the falls in the Bifrost area. It is not meant to compete with Gullfoss in sheer power. Its appeal is quieter: a scenic waterfall set in a peaceful part of western Iceland.

The walk is short, but do not treat it as a dry, easy stroll in every season. In cold weather, paths can be icy. Crampons have been provided on some trips, and they can make a major difference. Bring shoes with solid grip, and pack waterproof outer layers even if the forecast looks friendly.

This stop works well as an introduction to the day. You get fresh air, a brief walk, and your first taste of the route without using up your energy early. The 20-minute stop is enough for photos and a look around, but not enough for a long hike.

Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s powerful hot spring

Next comes Deildartunguhver, where hot water reaches the surface at an extraordinary rate. The spring produces about 180 liters per second of water at roughly 100 degrees Celsius.

This is not a bathing stop. It is a geothermal site where you watch and hear the earth’s heat forcing water through vents along a low hillside. Stay on the marked path and do not wander close to the openings. The water is dangerously hot, and the power of the spring is easy to underestimate.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is probably the right amount of time. Deildartunguhver is impressive because of its force, not because you can spend hours exploring a wide park. Your guide may also explain how geothermal energy is used in Iceland, a subject that gives this stop more meaning than a quick photo suggests.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm and geothermal rye bread

For many people, the horse farm is the emotional high point of the day. The 45-minute visit at Sturlureykir is much more than stopping beside a field to take a picture.

You can get close to the friendly Icelandic horses, and the visit includes time with the family connected to the farm. The farm has been in the same family for five generations, and the personal setting helps you understand the animals as part of everyday Icelandic life, not simply as a tourist attraction.

You may see the horses in their stable and outdoors, and you can brush or feed them. The owner has also shown visitors the farm’s private hot spring, which helps heat the home and stables. That practical use of geothermal heat is a memorable link between Iceland’s natural forces and ordinary rural life.

Then comes rúgbrauð, a dense Icelandic rye bread baked using hot-spring heat. It may be served with butter, along with coffee, water, or hot chocolate in the farm café. The food is modest, but it gives the stop a warm, human touch. You are not just looking at Iceland. You are being shown one way people live with its climate and geology.

The 45 minutes passes quickly, especially if the horses are active. This stop is best for anyone who likes animals, food traditions, and direct contact with local people. If you want only dramatic scenery, it may feel like a slower part of the day, but I think that slower pace is one of the tour’s strengths.

Reykholt and Snorralaug’s medieval connection

Reykholt brings a change of subject. Here you see Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson, the famous Icelandic poet, historian, and politician.

Snorri lived at Reykholt and used the pool in the medieval period. The spring was mentioned in writings from the 12th century, giving this quiet site an unusual connection to Iceland’s literary past.

Do not expect a grand castle or a large archaeological complex. Snorralaug is small. Its importance comes from the person linked to it and from the way the guide explains the setting. With about 20 minutes here, you can see the pool and learn about Reykholt without the history lesson taking over the whole day.

This is a good example of why a guide matters on this tour. Without context, it is simply a stone-lined hot spring. With a clear explanation of Snorri and the village, it becomes a small but memorable stop.

Hraunfossar, water flowing from lava

Hraunfossar is one of the most unusual sights on the route. Instead of water plunging from a single high cliff, many small streams seem to emerge from the edge of a lava field and run into the river below.

The falls extend for about 900 meters. They were formed where water from the Hallmundarhraun lava field finds its way through the rock. That lava field came from a major eruption roughly 1,000 years ago beneath the Langjökull glacier.

You usually have around 30 minutes here, often with several viewpoints along the river. The paths can be slippery in winter, so crampons are useful if they are available. Waterproof clothing is also smart. Spray, rain, snow, and wet ground can all make a short walk feel colder than expected.

Hraunfossar is not as forceful as Gullfoss, but comparison misses the point. Its beauty is in the many separate streams and the strange sight of water coming out from below the lava. It is the kind of place where you should pause rather than rush from one viewing platform to the next.

Barnafoss and a darker local tale

Barnafoss lies only a short distance from Hraunfossar, and the two stops work naturally together. You get another 30 minutes to see the rushing blue-white water and the rocky channels around it.

The name means waterfall of the children. A local story tells of two children who fell from a natural stone bridge while crossing the river. Their grieving mother had the bridge destroyed afterward.

You do not need to treat the tale as documented fact to understand its place in Icelandic storytelling. It adds a human layer to a wild setting. The waterfall itself is energetic and more forceful than Hraunfossar, so the contrast is useful: one spreads quietly from the lava, while the other races through a narrow channel.

There is usually time near the parking area to buy lunch. Soup with bread or a buffet has been available, but the meal is not included in the tour price. Plan to pay separately and keep the break efficient, since this is a full schedule.

Inside Vidgelmir Lava Cave

The final major stop is Vidgelmir Lava Cave, the tour’s strongest reason to book. The cave is just under 1,600 meters long and is considered one of Iceland’s largest lava caves.

This is a lava tube, not a traditional limestone cave. Its walls show the marks left by flowing and cooling lava, and the formations have different colors and textures from the familiar stalactites and stalagmites of a classic cave.

The underground visit lasts about 90 minutes. You receive a hard hat and headlamp, then follow a cave guide through the passage. Some sections have low ceilings or narrow spaces, so pay attention to instructions and move at the pace of the group.

The entrance is reached across an exposed lava field and down wooden stairs. That short outdoor approach can be windy, even when the day in Reykjavik feels mild. Inside, the cave is chilly, so keep a warm layer accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.

Lighting is limited, which is part of the fun. The guide points out the rock shapes, colors, and ice formations, and there may be a chance to switch off your headlamp briefly for a taste of total darkness. Cave guides such as Gareth and Jan have been praised for making the geology clear and the walk entertaining.

The cave is not described as a technical expedition, and one account found it manageable even without excellent fitness. Still, you should be comfortable walking for 90 minutes, using stairs, and handling uneven surfaces. The cave is the highlight for many people, but it may disappoint if you expect a long, difficult underground adventure. Its appeal is the scale, the lava history, and the unusual formations.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The guide can shape this experience as much as the waterfalls do. Past departures have included guides named Thorri, Thor, Monica, Filip, Gulli, Christina, Walter, Bart, Thora, Addi, and Maria. The style varies, but the strongest guides mix facts with stories and leave room for quiet viewing.

Filip has used Icelandic music and local stories to keep the long drive lively. Bart’s cooking background added useful food context. Thorri brought particular enthusiasm to Reykholt and the wider western region. Monica was praised for checking that everyone felt involved and comfortable throughout the day.

You should not book expecting one specific guide, since assignments can change. The safe expectation is a professional guide who explains the stops in English and handles the day’s timing.

The small-group setting helps at the horse farm and inside the cave. It also reduces the feeling of being processed through a major sightseeing circuit. That said, the tour can sometimes include an extra transfer connected to another excursion, so the day may not feel perfectly private or custom-built.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several kinds of Iceland in one day and do not want to drive. It suits you especially well if you like:

• Waterfalls with different shapes and origins
• Geothermal sites and practical uses of hot water
• Icelandic horses and family-run farms
• Medieval stories and local culture
• Caves, lava formations, and underground walks
• Smaller groups and quieter stops

It is less suitable if you dislike long bus rides, have serious back problems, or want a relaxed schedule with lots of free time. The day is well paced, but it is still a 10-hour excursion with several short stops and a 90-minute cave visit.

Wear waterproof outerwear, sturdy shoes, and warm layers. Wind-resistant trousers and a jacket are helpful, especially around the volcanic cone and exposed cave entrance. In winter, assume that paths may be icy. Bring money for lunch, since food is not included.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Silver Circle tour?

Yes, if you want a fuller and quieter day than the usual Golden Circle run. The strongest parts are the Vidgelmir cave, Hraunfossar’s lava-fed waterfalls, and the personal horse farm visit. Together, they offer scenery, geology, history, and a taste of Icelandic country life.

I would skip it only if rough roads and a full day on a bus sound miserable. For most people who want western Iceland without renting a car, $219 buys a well-filled day with several included admissions and much more variety than the price alone suggests.

FAQ

How long is the Silver Circle tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours, including transport and visits to the waterfalls, hot spring, horse farm, Reykholt, and Vidgelmir Lava Cave.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup takes place between approximately 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are available from hotels within the Reykjavik capital area. In parts of central Reykjavik, you may be directed to the nearest bus stop because buses cannot use certain streets.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

Yes. You can meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavik. You must notify Nicetravel directly and arrive before 8:20 a.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the tour makes time for a lunch stop where soup with bread or a buffet may be available. A coffee break is also offered in the afternoon.

Is admission to Vidgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee to Vidgelmir Lava Cave is included in the tour price.

How long do you spend inside the lava cave?

The cave visit lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is the horse farm visit included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir horse farm is included, and the visit lasts about 45 minutes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.