From Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall Tour

Landmannalaugar is the star here: a wild highland area where striped rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and bright water appear in quick succession. I like that the day also reaches Háifoss and Hnausapollur, so you get more than one major sight for the $226 price.

I especially like the guided Lauga-loop hike, which makes rough highland roads and unfamiliar trails manageable, and the hot-spring soak afterward. The catch is the length. This is a 13-hour day on paper, and past departures have run 14 to 16 hours, with a cramped vehicle and a great deal of bumpy driving.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar gets about four hours, including a 1.5 to 2 hour moderate hike and time in the geothermal pool.
• Háifoss, Granni, and Hjálparfoss give the day a strong waterfall lineup.
• Hnausapollur crater lake adds unusual turquoise water against dark volcanic soil.
• The road into the highlands is rough, with off-road stretches, river crossings, and long periods in the vehicle.
• Guides such as Ottar, Kalman, HBO, Beggi, and Siggi have been praised for stories, safe driving, and flexible stops.
• Bring lunch, water, hiking shoes, swimwear, a towel, and warm layers, since food and drinks are not included.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long ride

Southern Iceland is famous for waterfalls and black-sand coastlines, but Landmannalaugar gives you a different view of the country. The area lies in the highlands within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where volcanic activity and geothermal heat have shaped an unusually varied setting.

The colors are the reason to come. Rhyolite, a volcanic rock, creates hills in shades of yellow, red, green, brown, and muted orange. Against them, you may see black obsidian, rough lava fields, pale gravel, and steam rising from the earth. The effect changes with the weather. In sunshine, the colors sharpen. Under cloud, the scenery can look austere and almost otherworldly.

I like the way this tour lets you see the area on foot rather than treating it as a roadside photo stop. The hike gives you time to notice the rock formations and changing views, while a guide can explain the volcanic material under your boots. Ottar was praised for explaining the hot springs and different volcanic rocks, while Kalman was noted for sharing stories and handling the rough drive with confidence.

You should still set your expectations correctly. This is not a gentle sightseeing loop with frequent indoor breaks. The terrain can be wet, uneven, and difficult in poor weather. One departure had snow flurries in August, while another dealt with rain but still enjoyed the hot spring. Iceland rewards flexible plans, and this trip needs that attitude.

The journey from Reykjavík into the highlands

Pickup depends on the option you select. The stated meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún, with several Reykjavík drop-off points available at the end. The pickup process can take up to 30 minutes, so do not schedule a tight morning appointment.

The route begins with long stretches by bus or coach. The listed driving segments include 105 minutes, 30 minutes, another 30 minutes, and shorter runs between the stops. A break at the Highland Center Hrauneyjar gives you about 10 minutes to use facilities and get supplies.

That stop matters because lunch is not included. You should bring food and drinks, but the break may allow you to buy snacks or stock up before the highland section. One useful point from the day’s operation is that food timing is not always obvious, so ask the guide early when you will eat. A long hike is much easier with lunch arranged before you are hungry.

The road gets rougher as you approach Landmannalaugar. Reports describe bumpy sections, off-road driving, and river crossings. That is part of the appeal, since the route reaches places that are not simple to access in a normal rental car, but it also explains why the day takes so long.

The vehicle has received mixed practical comments. The driving and safety of guides such as Kalman, HBO, and others received strong praise, yet some people found the van cramped, especially in the back row. If you are tall, prone to motion sickness, or uncomfortable on rough roads, this is worth considering before you reserve.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn: strong early stops

Hnausapollur is an ancient volcanic crater filled with striking turquoise water. The color looks especially strong against the dark, dry ground around it. You get about 10 minutes for a photo stop and a look at the crater.

This is a short stop, not a hike. Treat it as a chance to see how Iceland’s volcanic past can produce both harsh black soil and unusually bright water in one view. If the weather is poor, the water may not look as vivid as it does in photographs, but the crater shape and empty setting still give the stop value.

The route then reaches Frostastaðavatn for another 10-minute photo stop. The lake adds a calmer note before Landmannalaugar. You do not have a long time here, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s instructions about where to stand.

These stops also break up the long drive. That matters more than it may seem. A full day in the highlands can feel like one continuous ride if the route has no pauses. Here, the short stops provide fresh air, photos, and a better sense of the scale of the area.

The Lauga-loop hike through Landmannalaugar

You get around four hours in Landmannalaugar, which is the heart of the trip. The usual plan includes the easy Lauga-loop trail, lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours. The route passes colorful rhyolite hills, obsidian formations, lava fields, steaming geothermal ground, and the foothills of Bláknúkur.

The word easy should be read in context. This is described as a moderate-level activity overall, and the trail can feel challenging in wind, rain, snow, or on uneven ground. One person estimated the hike at about 6 kilometers and suggested that the preparation details could be clearer. You should arrive ready for a real walk, not a flat promenade.

The reward is constant change. Black obsidian has a glassy look, while the rhyolite hills have soft, layered colors. The trail through the lava field makes the ground feel ancient and active at the same time. Views toward Bláknúkur add height and drama without requiring a strenuous mountain climb.

A guide adds real value here. You are not simply following a bus group toward a viewpoint. Guides have explained volcanic rocks, geothermal activity, Icelandic life, local stories, and even Icelandic music during the bus rides. Beggi, Ottar, HBO, Kalman, and Siggi have each been singled out for clear explanations, good humor, careful driving, or personal attention.

The guides may also adjust the day. Past departures included extra stops at places such as Sigöldugljúfur, Gjáin, a canyon, a lake, or another waterfall when time and conditions allowed. These additions are not guaranteed, so book the tour for the stated route, not for an extra stop you happened to hear about.

The hot spring after the hike

After the walk, you can bathe in the geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar. This is one of the smartest parts of the schedule because the warm water comes after the effort, not before it.

The pool is a simple natural bathing experience, not a polished spa. Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also know that changing rooms and lockers are not available at the hot-pool site, so keep valuables to a minimum and plan how you will change.

The water can feel particularly welcome after cold rain or wind. One wet-weather departure found the hot spring to be the perfect finish to the walk. In warm sunshine, it is still a pleasant way to rest while looking at the surrounding hills.

Allow enough time for both the hike and the pool. The four-hour Landmannalaugar visit is shared between walking, changing, bathing, eating, and photos. If you spend too long at the first viewpoints, you may feel rushed later. I would keep the pace steady and save a proper soak for the final part.

Háifoss, Granni, and Hjálparfoss

The waterfall stops give the return route plenty of variety. Háifoss is the biggest name on the schedule and is described as Iceland’s fourth-largest waterfall. It drops dramatically through a rocky gorge, with Granni nearby creating a memorable double-waterfall scene.

You get about 20 minutes at Háifoss. That is enough to take in the view and make photographs, but not enough for a long walk around the area. Wind can be strong at exposed viewpoints, so hold onto hats and phones and wear a jacket even on a mild day.

Hjálparfoss appears on the route as another waterfall stop. Its setting is gentler, with water framed by volcanic rock and open country. The contrast is useful: Háifoss gives you scale and force, while Hjálparfoss feels more sheltered and composed.

The schedule also lists a short photo stop in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This is less about one famous viewpoint and more about seeing the highland setting as a whole. The reserve connects the volcanic features, open ground, and rough roads into one larger experience.

A practical warning: do not assume every extra waterfall or canyon named in a past departure is part of every tour. Weather, road conditions, daylight, and timing can change the order or remove optional stops. The core attractions are Landmannalaugar, Hnausapollur, Frostastaðavatn, Háifoss, and Hjálparfoss.

The final drive through Selfoss to Reykjavík

After Háifoss, the return drive includes a longer 80-minute section before a 10-minute break in Selfoss. From there, the route continues for about an hour to Reykjavík, with drop-offs at many bus stops, hotels, and transport points.

This is where the day can become tiring. The advertised duration is 13 hours, but several past departures lasted longer, including one that reached 16 hours. One breakdown caused a four-hour delay and a return after 1 a.m. That was an unusual disruption rather than the normal schedule, but it shows why you should avoid booking an evening flight, restaurant reservation, or show immediately afterward.

The upside is that the ride gives you a safe way into remote country without renting a highland vehicle or trying to navigate rough roads yourself. Guides such as HBO, Kalman, and Siggi have been praised for driving carefully and making the bus time more enjoyable with stories, questions, music, and explanations about Icelandic life.

Wi-Fi is included on board, though I would not rely on it as the main entertainment. Download anything you need before leaving Reykjavík, bring a charged phone, and pack a power bank if you have one.

What the $226 price includes

At $226 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. It is also not a standard Golden Circle outing. The cost covers transportation from Reykjavík, a live English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on board, and the Landmannalaugar facility fee.

The value comes from access. You get a remote highland route, guided hiking, a geothermal bath, several waterfalls, a crater lake, and scenic stops without driving a difficult road yourself. A self-drive plan would require the right vehicle, comfort with highland routes, and careful attention to seasonal road access. This tour removes much of that burden.

Food and drinks are not included, so add the cost of a packed lunch and snacks. You also need hiking shoes, water, warm weatherproof clothing, swimwear, and a towel. Once those practical costs are added, the day is still best viewed as a special-access excursion rather than a budget outing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps when Iceland’s weather may affect your plans, but it does not remove the need to check the forecast and dress for changeable conditions.

Who should book this highland day?

I would choose this tour if you want to see Landmannalaugar but do not want to drive the highlands. It suits people who enjoy walking, volcanic scenery, waterfalls, and a full day outdoors more than people seeking a relaxed sightseeing schedule.

It is a good fit for photographers, geology fans, hikers with moderate fitness, and first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Iceland beyond the coast. The guide can add context to the rocks and hot springs, while the route gives you many different subjects to photograph.

I would think twice if you dislike long bus rides, need plenty of personal space, have limited mobility, or want a predictable return time. The activity is not suitable for children under 8 or people with mobility impairments. The hike is moderate, the roads are bumpy, and weather can make the trail harder.

The tour is conducted in English. Pickup is optional depending on the selected booking, and the central meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg. Confirm the exact pickup choice on your voucher and arrive with enough time for the possible 30-minute pickup process.

Final verdict: a demanding day with a big payoff

I would book this for Landmannalaugar itself, then treat the waterfalls and crater lake as valuable extras. The colors, lava fields, obsidian, geothermal pool, and open highland views give you a side of Iceland that ordinary coastal excursions do not reach.

The best parts are the guided walk, the hot spring afterward, and the chance to let a skilled driver handle the rough route. The main drawbacks are clear: a cramped vehicle may reduce comfort, food is your responsibility, and the day can run long.

If you prepare for a rugged 13-hour outing rather than a polished sightseeing transfer, the $226 price makes sense. Bring proper clothing, eat before you are hungry, keep your schedule open that evening, and you will be ready to enjoy one of southern Iceland’s most unusual day trips.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Reykjavík?

The stated meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún. Pickup may also be available depending on the option selected.

How long is the tour?

The advertised duration is 13 hours. Pickup delays, road conditions, and extra stops can make the day longer.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How much time do I get in Landmannalaugar?

You get about four hours in the area. This includes the guided Lauga-loop hike, free time, sightseeing, and the chance to bathe in the geothermal pool.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is described as moderate. The Lauga-loop usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and may cover roughly 6 kilometers, with uneven ground and changing weather.

Is food included?

No. Bring your own food, drinks, and water. There is a short break at the Highland Center Hrauneyjar, and another break is scheduled in Selfoss.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, water, food and drinks, weather-appropriate clothing, swimwear, and a towel. There are no changing rooms or lockers at the hot-pool site.

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

The tour is not suitable for children under 8 or people with mobility impairments. It includes a moderate hike and rough highland roads.