Landmannalaugar Hiking, Haifoss Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour

Landmannalaugar is the star here: a wild Highland basin of striped rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and natural hot springs. Add Iceland’s fourth-highest waterfall, a turquoise pool at Hjálparfoss, and a volcanic crater lake, and you get a long but unusually full day beyond Reykjavík.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the fact that the tour reaches Háifoss, a waterfall many standard day trips skip. I also like the mix of easy walking and hot-spring time. The catch is the road: expect a long ride, rough F-roads, and weather that can force a date change or cancellation.

Key points to know before you book

• Háifoss is a major reason to go: You get about 30 minutes at the 122-meter waterfall and nearby Granni.
• Landmannalaugar gets the real time: The main stop lasts about 3.5 hours, including an easy guided hike and hot-spring time.
• The journey is part of the adventure: You may spend roughly six hours on the round trip, with some bumpy Highland roads.
• The group stays fairly small: The vehicle carries no more than 15 people, though actual comfort depends on the vehicle used.
• Bring your own food and water: Lunch, bottled water, and dinner are not included.
• Weather controls the day: Highland roads can close, and poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this 13-hour Highland trip is worth considering

At $227 per person, this is not a cheap outing. I think the price can make sense if you want to see remote Iceland without renting a suitable vehicle or handling Highland road conditions yourself.

The tour combines four very different stops in one day. You get waterfalls, a crater lake, volcanic hills, a guided walk, and a hot spring. That variety gives the trip more substance than a simple drive to one viewpoint.

The other value is access. Landmannalaugar lies in Iceland’s interior, reached by rough F-roads that are not suitable for every rental car. A professional driver handles the route while you watch the scenery change from ordinary countryside to volcanic Highland country.

Still, you should not confuse this with a relaxed sightseeing shuttle. The departure is at 7:00 a.m., the outing lasts about 13 hours, and the drive back to Reykjavík can feel long after hiking and soaking. I would choose it for a full day outdoors, not for a light excursion between other activities.

Leaving Reykjavík for the southern Highlands

The listed starting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, at Þórunnartún 6 in Reykjavík. Pickup is offered from select hotels, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking rather than assume every hotel is covered.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi on board. A professional driver takes care of the route, which matters once the road becomes rough and remote. The tour is offered in English, and the guide handles both the practical details and explanations about Iceland’s geology and settlement.

Guide quality appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience. HBO is described as an engaging guide who explained the sites and led a pleasant hike. Roman was praised for keeping the group together and making sure everyone saw the main sights. Tom was both an effective guide and a steady driver on difficult unpaved roads.

You may instead travel with Beggi, Sarah, Mia, or another member of the company’s team. Names are useful because they show the tour is guide-led rather than just a bus transfer, but no particular guide is guaranteed.

Hjálparfoss and its turquoise pool

The first stop is Hjálparfoss, where two rivers meet among dark basalt formations. Water spills into a pool at the base, often noted for its blue-green color.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not enough for a long walk around the area. I like this as an opening stop because it gives you a first taste of Iceland’s volcanic structure without demanding much energy early in the morning.

The waterfall is smaller in scale than Háifoss, but its setting is distinctive. The angular basalt around the falls gives the scene a very Icelandic character. If the light is good, the pool adds a strong color contrast to the black rock.

Háifoss, Granni, and the big waterfall view

Háifoss is the trip’s most dramatic waterfall stop. At 122 meters, it drops into a broad Highland gorge, with nearby Granni adding a second cascade to the view.

You spend around 30 minutes here. That is enough to take in the main viewpoint and photograph both falls, though anyone hoping for a long hike should keep expectations in check. This is a scenic stop, not a full walking section.

The road to Háifoss and the wider Highland route can be rough, so the driver matters. Several guides have been praised for handling the difficult roads smoothly. That is more than a comfort issue. A careful driver lets you concentrate on the scenery instead of worrying about every jolt.

Háifoss is also a useful reason to pick this tour over a more routine Iceland day trip. The company describes this as the only day tour in its offering that visits the waterfall. You should treat that claim as specific to the operator’s own day tours, but it still points to the stop’s unusual appeal.

Bláhylur and its volcanic origin

Bláhylur is a volcanic crater lake formed about 1,200 years ago after a major eruption involving two nearby volcanoes. You get about 30 minutes to view the lake and surrounding volcanic ground.

This stop breaks up the waterfall visits and helps explain why Landmannalaugar looks the way it does. The Highlands are not simply empty open country. They were shaped by lava, eruptions, erosion, and geothermal heat, and Bláhylur gives you a clear example of that process.

The stop is mainly about the view and the geology. The supplied details do not promise a longer walk around the crater, so plan on a short visit rather than a substantial hike.

Landmannalaugar’s lava fields and rhyolite hills

Landmannalaugar receives the largest block of time, about 3.5 hours. That is the heart of the trip and the point where you move from looking at Iceland to walking through it.

The guided hike is described as easy and passes through lava fields and rhyolite hills. Rhyolite is volcanic rock that can produce striking bands of color, and Landmannalaugar is known for its unusual mixture of reds, yellows, browns, greens, and dark lava. The exact route can vary with conditions, but you should expect a clear sense of the area’s volcanic character rather than a strenuous mountain expedition.

An easy hike does not mean a completely effortless one. The ground can be uneven, and weather may change quickly. One day can feel like several seasons, so layers and sturdy footwear are sensible choices. The guide sets the pace and can help keep the group together.

The best guide reports emphasize a useful balance: the guide explains the area, helps when someone needs support, and also gives people time to look around quietly. That matters in a place like this. You do not want a nonstop lecture, but you also do not want to miss the story behind the rocks.

HBO was praised for allowing time to explore while still knowing when the group needed to move on. Roman was noted for caring for everyone in the group. Those details suggest the hike is managed with mixed abilities in mind, though the tour does not provide a precise distance, elevation gain, or accessibility rating.

The natural hot spring finish

Before leaving Landmannalaugar, you have the chance to soak in a natural hot spring. After a long ride and an outdoor walk, this can be the most welcome part of the day.

The hot spring is included in the main stop, and one account describes spending more than an hour bathing after reaching the area’s hiking route. You should bring suitable swimwear and a towel, although the supplied information does not confirm whether towels are provided. Since lunch and water are not included, pack those separately rather than counting on facilities.

The bath is not a luxury spa experience. It is a simple natural soak in a remote setting. That is precisely the appeal, but it also means you should be comfortable with a basic outdoor stop.

Rough roads, long hours, and vehicle concerns

The Highland drive is a major part of the experience. One account describes about six hours of round-trip driving, with roughly half on bumpy F-roads. That is a serious amount of time in a vehicle, even when the scenery is excellent.

Most of the transport feedback is positive. Guides such as Tom and HBO were praised for driving carefully, and one account described the journey as relaxing despite the rough road. The air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi are useful, but neither removes the physical reality of a long day on uneven roads.

There have also been serious vehicle problems on individual departures. A bus reportedly had a leaking tire, a faulty door, a dangling part, and a broken sound system, followed by a lengthy wait for a replacement. Another departure involved a breakdown on the return, with a delay of about five and a half hours. These incidents appear to be exceptions rather than the normal day, but they are important when judging the company’s reliability.

A separate departure began 45 minutes late after a driver called in sick and another vehicle or driver had to be arranged. If you have an evening flight, a dinner reservation, or another fixed booking in Reykjavík, leave plenty of room for delay.

Weather and road closures matter here

Landmannalaugar is remote, and access depends on weather and road conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can result in a different date or a full refund.

That policy is reasonable for a route involving Highland F-roads. A closed road is not a minor inconvenience, and the operator cannot safely force the itinerary through. The weak point is communication. Some cancellations have led to confusion about who was responsible for contacting the customer, with people arriving at the meeting point and waiting in cold conditions.

You can reduce the risk by checking your email, spam folder, phone, and text messages before departure. Make sure the booking has your current phone number. If the operator changes the date, ask directly for written confirmation and refund details.

Food, clothing, and what to pack

Lunch is not included, and neither are bottled water or dinner. Pack a substantial lunch, snacks, and enough water for the full day. The schedule is long, and you do not want to depend on finding a shop in the Highlands.

For the hike and hot spring, I would bring:

• Waterproof outer layers and warm layers underneath
• Sturdy shoes suitable for uneven ground
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water, lunch, and snacks
• Gloves and a hat, even in summer
• A dry bag or waterproof pouch for electronics

The weather can change quickly, and the combination of wind, rain, sun, lava, and geothermal water calls for practical clothing rather than stylish city wear.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you have one open day in Reykjavík and want to see the Highlands without driving. It suits people who enjoy scenery, geology, short hikes, and a basic hot-spring experience.

It also works well if you want more than the usual waterfall circuit. Háifoss and Bláhylur add variety, while Landmannalaugar gives you the most time outside the vehicle.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, rough roads, early starts, or uncertain schedules. It is also not the right choice if you need a guaranteed return time. The tour is listed for most participants, but the hiking details are not specific enough to promise that every person will find the route effortless.

Is $227 a fair price?

At $227, you are paying for transport into difficult country, a professional driver, a guide, several major stops, and a small group capped at 15 people. You are not paying only for the hike. You are also avoiding the need to arrange a suitable vehicle and navigate remote roads.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise skip Landmannalaugar because of the driving. It is weaker if your main aim is a short hike, since much of the day is spent getting there and back.

The included hot spring, guided walk, WiFi, and admission to the listed natural sites help, but meals are on you. I consider the price fair for the access and variety, provided you accept the long day and the possibility of weather-related change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Landmannalaugar is a priority and you want Háifoss, Bláhylur, and Hjálparfoss in the same day. The guides are often the highlight, the small group is a real advantage, and the route offers a strong mix of waterfalls, volcanic scenery, walking, and bathing.

Skip it if you need a calm schedule or have a tight connection afterward. Check the pickup point, pack food and water, prepare for rough roads, and leave your evening free. With those expectations, this is a demanding but rewarding way to reach one of Iceland’s most unusual Highland areas.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

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

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík. Pickup is offered from select Reykjavík hotels, so confirm whether your accommodation is included.

How much time do you get in Landmannalaugar?

You get approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes in Landmannalaugar. This includes an easy guided hike and time to use the natural hot springs.

Is lunch included?

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

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Highland road and weather conditions can change quickly.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.