From Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall Tour

Landmannalaugar is Iceland at its most otherworldly: rainbow-colored rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and a warm natural pool tucked into the highlands. This 13-hour trip from Reykjavík gives you a practical way into a remote area where rough roads, river crossings, and changing weather make self-driving a serious undertaking.

I especially like the two-hour Lauga Loop hike and the mix of sights beyond Landmannalaugar, including Hnausapollur crater lake and Háifoss. I also like that the guides, including Ottar, Kalman, Beggi, and HBO, add stories, music, and geology to the long drive. The main drawback is the day’s length. With transport, stops, and the hike, you may be away for 13 to 16 hours, and the vehicle can feel cramped.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar gets about four hours: You have time for the Lauga Loop, photos, lunch, and a soak in the hot spring.
• The hike is moderate: Expect lava, uneven ground, hills, and roughly two hours on foot. Good hiking shoes matter.
• The scenery changes constantly: Rhyolite hills, obsidian, craters, lakes, waterfalls, and black volcanic ground fill the route.
• The drive is part of the experience: Highland roads are rough, and some routes involve river crossings.
• Bring your own food: Food and drinks are not included, though the day includes a short stop at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar and a break in Selfoss.
• The hot pool has limits: Bring swimwear and a towel, but do not count on changing rooms or lockers at the bathing area.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long day

Iceland has plenty of easy-to-reach sights, but Landmannalaugar feels different. It sits in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, far from Reykjavík’s paved roads and busy sightseeing circuit. The reward is a striking mix of colors and textures that changes with every bend in the road.

Rhyolite gives the hills shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and pale cream. Obsidian appears as dark, glassy rock among the lava. Steam rises from geothermal ground, while blue water and black sand provide sharp contrast. You do not need to be a geology expert to enjoy it, but a good guide can help you see why the area looks so unusual.

The trip costs $226 per person. That is not a cheap day out, but the price includes transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, onboard Wi-Fi, and Landmannalaugar facility fees. The value comes from reaching a remote area without renting a suitable vehicle, planning the route, or handling rough highland roads yourself.

You are paying for a very long day, not a quick photo stop. I would consider the price fair for someone who has limited time in Iceland and wants to see the highlands without arranging a multi-day trek. It is less appealing if you dislike long drives, need plenty of personal space, or prefer a slow trip with just one or two sights.

The road from Reykjavík to the highlands

The day begins at the assigned Reykjavík pickup point. The main meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún, although pickup options depend on the booking choice. If you choose pickup, allow up to 30 minutes for the vehicle to arrive.

The drive is broken into several sections, with short stops that make the long journey easier. You first head away from the capital toward southern Iceland, then continue inland toward the highlands. The route becomes rougher as you leave the ordinary ring-road scenery behind.

A small-group vehicle makes this kind of trip possible, but comfort is not guaranteed. Several people found the van cramped, especially from the back row. The road can also be bumpy, and one past trip suffered a serious vehicle breakdown that caused a four-hour delay. That appears to have been an unusual problem, but it is a useful reminder not to schedule a tight evening flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan after this tour.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Ottar has been praised for explaining volcanic rocks and accompanying hikers toward higher viewpoints. Kalman has been noted for careful driving, stories, and extra stops. Beggi and HBO have also been singled out for friendly, clear guiding. Other guides, including Siggi, Karla, Anna, and Petur, have added Icelandic music, local stories, and practical help during the long day.

The quality of the commentary matters here. You spend many hours in the vehicle, and the best guides turn the drive into part of the tour rather than dead time.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn

One of the first important stops is Hnausapollur, an ancient volcanic crater filled with turquoise water. From above, the lake looks almost unreal against the surrounding dark sand and bare volcanic ground.

You usually have about 10 minutes here for photos and a quick look. That is enough to appreciate the color, but not enough for a long walk. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a scenic pause, not a full hike around the crater.

Frostastaðavatn follows, adding another broad body of water to the route. The lake, volcanic ground, and highland hills show how quickly Iceland’s scenery can change. In clear weather, the colors are sharp. In cloud, mist, rain, or even snow, the mood becomes darker and more dramatic.

That weather variety is not a side issue. A late summer trip can still bring cold wind and snow flurries. Pack for conditions, not the calendar. Waterproof outer layers, warm clothing, gloves, and sturdy footwear are sensible even if Reykjavík is mild when you leave.

Four hours in Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is the center of the day, and you have about four hours here. That sounds generous, but the time passes quickly once you include the hike, photos, lunch, changing, and the hot pool.

The usual walking route is the Lauga Loop, an easy-to-moderate trail that takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It passes through colorful rhyolite hills, black obsidian formations, lava fields, and the foothills of Bláknúkur. The trail gives you a strong introduction to the area without requiring a full-day trek.

Do not read easy as perfectly flat or effortless. The route has uneven volcanic ground and uphill sections. One description places the walk at around 6 kilometers, and people with less hiking experience may find it tiring. You should be comfortable walking for a couple of hours over rough ground.

The payoff is constant change. One moment you are crossing dark lava; shortly after, the hills turn yellow, pink, or rust-colored. Steam and geothermal pools appear near the trail, and the views open across the reserve. The guide may explain the volcanic rocks, local conditions, and route choices as you walk.

This is the part of the tour where proper shoes matter most. Trainers may be uncomfortable on loose or wet ground. Hiking shoes, water, and weatherproof clothing will make the day much easier.

The geothermal pool after the hike

The hot spring is a simple but memorable reward. After walking through cold highland air, you can settle into warm geothermal water and look back toward the surrounding hills.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The bathing area does not have changing rooms or lockers, so keep your valuables to a minimum and be ready for a basic outdoor setup. The pool is not a polished spa. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should not expect spa-style facilities.

Your timing at the pool depends on the group and the day’s conditions. You need to leave enough time for the return journey, so do not assume you can spend the entire four-hour stop in the water. The hike comes first for a reason: the walk is the main way to see Landmannalaugar, while the soak rounds out the visit.

I would treat the hot spring as an added pleasure, not the reason to book. If you dislike changing outdoors or are not interested in swimming, the walking and scenery still make the stop worthwhile.

Waterfalls on the route

The waterfall stops add welcome variety after the broad volcanic views. Háifoss is the major one. At roughly 122 meters, it is one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, dropping into a deep gorge with a second fall, Granni, nearby.

The setting makes Háifoss more impressive than a simple roadside cascade. You see water plunging through a rugged volcanic valley, with open highland scenery around it. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so you have time for photographs and a good look, but not an extended walk through the area.

Hjálparfoss is another named stop on the route. It has a different feel, with water splitting around dark basalt formations. The contrast between moving water and volcanic rock is typical of southern Iceland, and the location provides a quieter pause after the larger drama of Háifoss.

The route may also include other stops when time, road conditions, and the guide’s judgment allow. Past trips have included places such as Gjáin, Sigöldugljúfur, Viking ruins, and Tear Canyon. These extras are not guaranteed, so think of them as possible bonuses rather than part of the fixed promise of the day.

Food, breaks, and the practical side

Food and drinks are not included. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. There is a short break at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar and another in Selfoss, but you should not rely on those pauses for a full meal.

The stop at Hrauneyjar is only about 10 minutes. Selfoss is also a brief break, listed at around 10 minutes, after the highland sightseeing. Use these stops for toilets and supplies rather than a leisurely meal.

The tour includes Wi-Fi onboard, which is useful during the long drives, though you should not let it replace preparation. Download anything you need before leaving Reykjavík, and bring a portable battery if you plan to take many photos. The highlands are exactly where your phone battery tends to disappear quickly.

The return includes multiple Reykjavík drop-off points, such as Hallgrimskirkja, the BSÍ Bus Terminal, Miðbakki, the Culture House, Perlan, and several hotels and bus stops. Check your exact voucher because the pickup and drop-off arrangement depends on the option you choose.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see the Icelandic highlands but do not want to rent a 4×4, drive rough roads, or plan a complicated route. It is also a strong choice for photographers, hikers who want a manageable walk, and first-time visitors looking for scenery beyond the standard southern coast stops.

It suits you best if you can handle a very long day and moderate walking. Children under 8 are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Even fit walkers should bring layers and water, since highland weather can turn quickly.

I would think twice if you have only one free day in Reykjavík and dislike spending much of it in a vehicle. The scenery is excellent, but this is not a relaxed hop-on, hop-off outing. The road is long, the van may feel tight, and the weather can make the hike harder.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. Still, the key choice is not the booking policy. It is your comfort with a full, demanding day in remote country.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Landmannalaugar is high on your Iceland wish list and you want the simplest practical way to reach it from Reykjavík. The combination of rainbow hills, obsidian, crater lakes, waterfalls, and a hot spring gives you a fuller picture of the highlands than a single scenic stop can provide.

Skip it if you want a short outing, a roomy vehicle, or guaranteed indoor facilities. For everyone else, the $226 price buys access to a difficult-to-reach part of Iceland, plus a guide who can handle the roads and explain what you are seeing. Pack lunch, wear serious shoes, leave your evening free, and expect the long day to be part of the bargain.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

The advertised duration is 13 hours, though some past outings have taken closer to 14 to 16 hours because of conditions, traffic, stops, or vehicle problems.

Where is the main meeting point?

The main meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún in Reykjavík. Optional pickup may be available depending on the selected booking option.

How much time do I spend in Landmannalaugar?

You have about four hours in Landmannalaugar for the guided walk, free time, photos, and a swim in the geothermal pool.

How difficult is the hike?

The Lauga Loop is described as an easy to moderate hike lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours. The route includes uneven volcanic ground and uphill sections, so you should be comfortable with moderate walking.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, water, food, drinks, swimwear, a towel, and clothing suited to changing weather. Warm and waterproof layers are important, even in summer.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own lunch and snacks. The tour includes short breaks at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar and Selfoss.

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

Children under 8 are not accepted. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because it includes a moderate hike over uneven ground.