Landmannalaugar Hike & the Valley of Tears from RVK & Selfoss

Landmannalaugar is the star here: a remote highland basin of colorful rhyolite mountains, lava fields, steaming ground, rivers, and a natural hot pool. This is not a quick roadside stop. You spend about two hours on foot, then finish with a soak before visiting the waterfalls and wide views of the Valley of Tears.

I like the small maximum group of 19 and the fact that an experienced driver handles the rough highland roads. I also like the choice built into the hike: you can stay with the main group or take a longer loop and reach the hot pool sooner. The main caution is simple: this is a long day, with a rough final road section, limited food and toilets, and some steep walking.

Key points to know before booking

• The drive is part of the adventure: Expect a long ride from Reykjavik, including bumpy gravel and rough highland roads.
• The hike is active but manageable: Most fit people should cope, though some sections are steep and guides may set a brisk pace.
• The hot pool is a real highlight: Bring a swimsuit and towel, and change in the bathroom building because there are no changing rooms beside the pool.
• The Valley of Tears adds a superb finale: Expect a series of waterfalls, rivers, and broad highland views.
• Bring your own lunch: Food choices at the highland stop are limited, so pack something substantial.
• The tour is weather dependent: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long road

Landmannalaugar feels far removed from Iceland’s better-known coastal sights. The approach takes you away from the usual Golden Circle route and into the interior, where the scenery becomes rougher, quieter, and less polished. You are heading toward one of Iceland’s best-known hiking areas, but the reward is not a single viewpoint. It is the changing color and shape of the whole setting.

The rhyolite mountains can show shades of orange, red, yellow, green, and gray. Dark lava fields cut across the hills, while rivers and geothermal areas add softer lines and patches of steam. Weather changes quickly here. Rain, sun, snow, and strong wind can all appear during one walk, so the same path may look completely different from one hour to the next.

This tour makes sense if you want to see the highlands but do not have a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle. The company’s drivers are used to the winding roads and rough surface. That matters, especially near the end of the approach, where the final stretch can be uncomfortable in a normal rental car. If you have only a two-wheel-drive vehicle, this guided option is far more practical than trying to reach the area alone.

The tradeoff is time. You spend a large part of the 11-hour day inside the vehicle. That is unavoidable for a day trip from Reykjavik, but you should book this with the right expectation: you are exchanging a long ride for access to a remote area that is difficult to reach independently.

The 7:30 pickup from Reykjavik or Selfoss

The advertised start time is 7:30 in the morning, with pickup also available in Selfoss. In practice, pickup can operate within a 30-minute window, so you need to be ready early and allow for a wait. Downtown Reykjavik pickup may use a nearby designated bus stop rather than the exact entrance of your hotel, since larger vehicles cannot reach every central street.

Keep your phone working and check the pickup details carefully. This is one small part of the day that can cause stress if you are standing at the wrong stop. Once aboard, the air-conditioned vehicle has Wi-Fi, and the group is capped at 19 people. That is a useful size for a narrow-road excursion. It is still a group outing, but not a giant coach experience.

The long drive is broken up by comfort stops and scenic pauses. The exact rhythm can depend on weather, traffic, and the pace of the group. Guides including Sara, Eddie, Ignacio, James, and Keren have been praised for safe driving, clear explanations, humor, and careful group management. The quality of the day depends heavily on the guide because the journey is long and the conditions can be demanding.

Some guides provide plenty of information about geology and the places along the road. Others may allow more quiet time or play music. If you want facts about every passing mountain and river, it is worth asking questions. The strongest guides combine relaxed conversation with useful explanations of the highland geology.

Landmannalaugar hike: colorful mountains and lava fields

After the highland drive, you get a short chance to use the toilet and buy snacks before beginning the walk. Food at the site is limited, so do not count on the snack stand for a proper lunch. Pack sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and water before leaving Reykjavik or Selfoss.

The hike usually lasts about 1.5 to just over two hours, depending on the route and group pace. You walk between colorful mountains, across or beside giant lava fields, and past rivers and geothermal features. The guide sets a pace that allows photo stops, but the group needs to stay together so the rest of the itinerary can run on time.

This is not a flat stroll. Some parts are steep, and the surface can feel harder in rain or wind. People with a decent level of fitness should find it manageable, but older hikers or anyone unused to uneven ground should take the terrain seriously. The walk has been completed by families with children aged 10 to 15, yet a few sections may feel demanding if you are not used to hills.

One point to clarify before you set out is how the group will split. Some people may take a shorter route, while stronger or faster walkers may continue along a longer orange loop. One option brings you back toward the starting area and gives you more time at the hot pool. Ask the guide to explain the route and timing at the start, especially if members of your group walk at different speeds.

A printed map can be useful, but the available maps may be limited. If you want to explore separately, pay close attention to the route briefing and do not assume you will have a map for every pair. The guide’s timing rules are important. Delays at one stop can reduce time for the hike, the hot pool, or the Valley of Tears.

The hot pool ending

The natural hot pool is one of the best reasons to bring swimwear. After walking in wind or rain, sitting in warm geothermal water feels like a fitting end to the Landmannalaugar portion of the day. The setting is especially appealing because the pool is surrounded by the same raw mountains and open spaces you have just crossed.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and a simple dry bag if you have one. There are no changing rooms directly beside the pool. You need to change in the bathroom building, so it helps to plan ahead rather than arrive at the water with a towel and nowhere to dress.

The pool is naturally warm, but the air can be cold and windy. The water entering the pool helps keep you comfortable, though you should still expect an outdoor Icelandic bathing experience rather than a sheltered spa. Some people enjoy a hot and cold plunge, but the length of time available depends on the group schedule.

This is also where the tour can feel slightly rushed. You have a great deal to cover in one day, and more time at the pool would be welcome. If bathing is your main goal, a dedicated hot-spring trip would suit you better. Here, the soak is a rewarding part of a much broader highland day.

Sigoldugljufur and the Valley of Tears

The stop at Sigoldugljufur adds a different type of scenery after the hike. The area is known for dramatic water, colorful rock, and open highland views. It gives you another chance to see how rivers cut through the interior, rather than viewing the country only from the hiking trail.

The Valley of Tears is a strong closing stop. Expect a series of waterfalls and wide views that feel especially striking after the long drive and mountain walk. It is not merely a brief photo stop on the way home. The waterfalls give the day a final burst of movement and contrast with the quiet volcanic slopes at Landmannalaugar.

Hjálparfoss is also included as a waterfall stop. It is a welcome break during the journey and helps divide the long drive into manageable sections. The exact order can vary, but the combination gives you mountains, lava, rivers, hot water, and waterfalls in one outing.

The limitation is visit length. Several people would prefer more time at each stop, but the tour is trying to fit a remote destination, a substantial hike, bathing, and multiple viewpoints into roughly 11 hours. You get variety rather than long, unhurried stays.

Is the $199 price good value?

At $199 per person, the price is reasonable for what is included: round-trip transportation from Reykjavik or Selfoss, an air-conditioned vehicle, Wi-Fi, guide services, entry-related fees and taxes, the Landmannalaugar hike, the hot pool, and the other scenic stops.

The value is strongest if you do not have a suitable vehicle or do not want to manage highland roads yourself. A rental car might appear cheaper at first, but reaching remote areas can require the right vehicle, confidence on rough roads, and careful route planning. This tour puts the driving in experienced hands and lets you use the day for scenery.

The price does not include lunch. That is not a serious problem if you plan ahead, but it is an easy cost to overlook. Bring food from Reykjavik or Selfoss, since the highland snack selection is limited. You may also want to buy water or snacks during one of the stops.

For people who already have a capable vehicle and several days for hiking, an overnight highland stay may offer better value and more time on the trails. For a first visit with limited time, this tour gives you a practical one-day introduction to a difficult-to-reach part of Iceland.

Who should book this day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic scenery, a real walk, and a taste of Iceland beyond the main sightseeing routes. It suits active adults, families with older children, and anyone who wants a guided highland experience without renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

You should be comfortable with a long ride, gravel roads, changing weather, and uneven ground. Wear sturdy walking shoes, warm layers, waterproof clothing, and something that dries quickly. The weather can shift fast, even when Reykjavik looks calm.

This is less suitable if you dislike bumpy transport, need frequent bathroom access, or want a relaxed spa day. The schedule is full, and you must be punctual at every stop. A faster walker may wish for more freedom, while a slower walker may need the guide to reduce the pace.

The tour is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the walk includes uneven and steep sections. Since most people can participate, that should not be read as a promise that every mobility level will find the route suitable. If you have concerns, contact the provider before booking.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 65 days. That makes sense for a seasonal highland outing, especially if your Iceland dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The activity requires suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather or low numbers force cancellation, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Landmannalaugar and Valley of Tears tour?

Book it if you want remote scenery, a guided hike, and a hot pool in one ambitious day. The strongest parts are the unusual colors of Landmannalaugar, the competent highland driving, and the chance to visit the Valley of Tears without handling the rough route yourself.

Skip it if you want long, quiet walks or plenty of time at each stop. An 11-hour schedule cannot give you everything. Still, for $199, this is a solid way to reach one of Iceland’s most memorable inland areas from Reykjavik or Selfoss. Pack lunch, expect a bumpy road, keep your schedule flexible, and bring that swimsuit.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar tour?

The experience lasts approximately 11 hours, including transportation from Reykjavik or Selfoss and the return journey.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 7:30 am. Pickup operates within a 30-minute window, so you should be ready early and may need to wait for the vehicle.

Can I be picked up in Selfoss?

Yes. Pickup is available in Selfoss as well as Reykjavik.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food can be limited at Landmannalaugar, so bring a packed lunch and snacks.

Should I bring swimwear?

Yes. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the natural hot pool after the hike. There are no changing rooms beside the pool, so you will need to change in the bathroom building.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.