Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is that the search for the Northern Lights becomes an outdoor adventure in its own right. You leave Reykjavik, trade the coach for a four-wheeled ATV, and follow rough trails toward Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell, with the city shrinking behind you and the sky opening above.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the guide room to help beginners and keep the ride relaxed. I also like the freedom of self-driving, plus the fine views over Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær even when the aurora refuses to appear. The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, and you may spend a cold, cloudy evening riding without seeing them.

Key points to know before booking

• The ride begins near Hafravatn Lake, with possible views of Mount Hafrafell and Reykjavik from higher ground.
• Double riding is the standard price, so two people normally share one quad. A single-rider option costs extra.
• Pickup from Reykjavik is offered, usually through designated city bus stops rather than directly outside every hotel.
• You need a full driving license to operate an ATV. Passengers can be as young as 6.
• Bring serious winter clothing, including warm socks, shoes, gloves, a scarf or buff, and hand or foot warmers.
• A good phone camera matters, since newer phones with night mode can capture the aurora far better than older models.

Why this ATV tour is different from a standard aurora chase

Most Northern Lights outings from Reykjavik place you in a minibus and take you from one viewing area to another. This trip gives you something to do while nature makes up its mind. You are not simply sitting in the dark, waiting for a green smear in the sky. You are handling a quad, following a trail, and climbing toward viewpoints outside the city.

That change matters. The aurora is unpredictable, and clouds, moonlight, and solar activity can ruin even a carefully planned evening. An ATV ride gives the night its own reward. You still get the excitement of the hunt, but the trip has more shape and movement than a basic bus excursion.

The setting helps. Hafravatn Lake lies outside the brightest part of Reykjavik, while Mount Hafrafell gives the group a higher point from which to look across the countryside. When conditions are right, the lights may reflect on the lake, with the mountain and nearby towns forming a dark foreground.

You may also get clear views back toward Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær. City lights are not ideal for aurora photography, but they make a striking contrast with the stars and mountains. On a clear night, the view can be worth the trip even before the lights appear.

From Reykjavik pickup to the Mosfellsbær base

The advertised start time is 9:30 p.m., though pickup timing depends on where you are staying and how the evening’s transport is arranged. Pickup is available from a long list of Reykjavik hotels and designated bus stops, including Hlemmur, City Hall, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Snorrabraut, and the BSÍ bus terminal.

I would check your exact pickup point carefully after booking. Reykjavik restricts large tour vehicles in parts of the center, so a nearby bus stop may be used instead of your hotel entrance. Some accommodation details require later confirmation, and the pickup note supplied for this trip is not always fully settled at the time of booking.

The ride itself begins at Action Adventures, Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær. That is the actual ATV meeting point, and the activity ends there before your return transport. The transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange a taxi to the base, but leave a little flexibility in your evening plans in case pickup or the return takes longer than expected.

Safety gear and the first ATV lesson

At the base, you suit up with safety equipment and receive a briefing before heading out. The quads are described as easy and comfortable to operate, and the guide takes time with people who have never driven one before.

That matters more at night than it would during a daytime ride. You need to follow the person ahead, manage turns, handle uneven ground, and keep your attention on the trail while also looking up at the sky. A calm guide can make the difference between an exciting ride and an evening spent worrying about the machine.

Helga has been singled out for patient instruction and friendly help, including taking extra care with a first-time driver. Guide names can vary, so do not assume Helga will lead every departure, but the tour is designed for mixed ability levels. Beginners can receive support, while more experienced riders still get a proper off-road outing.

You should have a moderate level of fitness. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable sitting on an ATV, holding on, and riding over rugged trails in cold conditions. The physical challenge is not extreme, yet the cold can make the outing feel harder than the driving itself.

Riding toward Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell

Once the briefing is complete, the group follows a guide into the countryside. The route includes rugged tracks near Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell, with the possibility of climbing higher if the sky is clear enough and conditions allow.

This is not a sightseeing bus route with a fixed list of guaranteed stops. The guide chooses where to go based on weather, visibility, trail conditions, and the chance of finding darker skies. If clouds close in around the mountain, the group may stay lower or alter the route.

The ride has two main rewards. First, you get the thrill of driving across Icelandic ground at night. Second, you reach viewing places that give you a broader view than you would have from central Reykjavik. From higher ground, you can look across the city, Mosfellsbær, and nearby towns, then turn away from the glow to search the northern sky.

At some point, the group may pause for stargazing while waiting for the aurora. You might see shooting stars, though that is never promised. The pauses also give you time to warm your hands, take photos, and listen to the guide explain local sights and Icelandic conditions.

Hafravatn Lake, mountain views, and the aurora hunt

The central goal is the Northern Lights, but the scenery gives the tour its character. Hafravatn can provide a dark, open surface for reflections, while Mount Hafrafell offers a strong outline against the sky. If the aurora comes out above the water, the setting should be far more memorable than a bright city street.

Keep your expectations realistic. A strong display may appear quickly, remain visible for only a short time, or build slowly during the ride. On one outing, the lights appeared almost at once. On another, cloud and rain blocked the view completely. Both situations are possible on an Icelandic aurora tour.

The moon can also affect what you see. Bright moonlight may reduce the contrast of faint aurora, even though it can make the surrounding mountains easier to see. Clear skies are the first requirement, and the guide may offer a different date if conditions are poor enough to cancel the trip.

If you see the lights, expect the group to stop and watch rather than rush through the moment. Guides may also take photos and share them afterward. That is helpful because taking a good aurora picture is difficult when you are cold, wearing gloves, and trying to steady a phone in the dark.

The cold is the real test

The most repeated practical warning is to dress warmer than you think necessary. Wear every useful layer, with warm shoes, thick socks, gloves, and something that seals the neck. Handwarmers and foot warmers are worth packing.

The ATV ride creates wind, and you may be standing or sitting outside during pauses while the guide waits for a clearer view. Even if the base supplies warm equipment, your own layers still matter. One outing included very warm kit, but the extra clothing worn underneath was appreciated.

A scarf or good buff is especially useful. Cold air around the neck can make the whole ride feel miserable, even when the rest of you is protected. You should also keep your phone in an inside pocket when not taking pictures, since a cold battery can lose power quickly.

For photographs, use a newer phone with night mode or a setting that allows a few seconds of exposure. An iPhone 11 or newer, a recent Google phone, or a similar model is recommended. Older phones may show little or nothing even when your eyes can see the lights.

Sharing a quad or riding alone

The standard rate is based on a double ride, meaning two people share one ATV. This is an important detail when you compare the $199 price with other quad tours. The price is per person, but the machine is normally shared.

Sharing works well for couples, friends, or family members who are happy to switch or ride together. It can also make the cost easier to manage. If you want your own quad for the entire outing, select the single-rider option during booking and pay the added fee.

Drivers need a full driving license. Passengers can be from age 6, so the tour can suit families, but the cold, late start, and off-road movement may still be tiring for young children. The minimum age for operating a quad is not stated, so confirm that directly if a younger member of your party hopes to drive.

Is $199 a fair price?

At $199 per person, this is not a budget Northern Lights outing. You are paying for more than transport to a viewing area: Reykjavik pickup is offered, ATV equipment is included, a guide leads the group, and the experience lasts about two to three hours.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If your only goal is to see the aurora as cheaply as possible, a coach tour may cost less and cover more distance. If you want the ride itself to be a major part of the night, the ATV adds something a bus cannot.

The small group also helps justify the cost. A maximum of 10 people leaves more room for instruction and makes stops less unwieldy. It does not turn the trip into a private tour, but it should feel more personal than a large coach outing.

Keep in mind that you are paying for a chance to see the lights, not a guarantee. The ride still has value when clouds win, as the route and mountain views provide a real activity rather than a simple failed sighting. Still, if missing the aurora would make the price feel wasted, consider booking this early in your Iceland stay so you have time to try again.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you like active outings, have some curiosity about off-road driving, and want the Northern Lights hunt to feel like an adventure. It is particularly good for couples, friends, and families with older children who will enjoy the ATV as much as the sky.

First-time drivers should not be put off. The briefing and guide support are built into the experience, and the small group makes it easier to ask for help. You should still be comfortable with a little excitement and uneven ground.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold outdoor activity, want a guaranteed aurora sighting, or prefer to stay warm in a vehicle. It is also not the best choice for a tightly timed evening, since weather changes and aurora waiting can affect the schedule.

The tour has received a 4.8 rating from 50 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. That strong response is tied mainly to the guide care, the fun of the ATV ride, and the fact that the evening can still work when the aurora does not appear.

Booking, cancellations, and weather

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded.

The operator can cancel for poor weather or if the minimum group size is not met. In that case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Because clear skies matter so much here, that weather policy is useful rather than worrying.

I would avoid scheduling this as your final night in Iceland if seeing the Northern Lights is a major goal. The tour may be rescheduled, but you need enough time left for another attempt.

Should you book the Northern Lights ATV tour?

Book it if you want a Northern Lights trip with movement, fresh air, and a proper sense of going somewhere. The ride to Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell, the city views from higher ground, and the chance to drive under a starry sky make this more than a standard aurora transfer.

Do not book it expecting nature to follow a timetable. The Northern Lights may be spectacular, faint, or absent, and clouds may change the route. At $199, the tour makes the most sense for someone who sees the ATV ride and countryside views as part of the purchase, not just as a way to reach an aurora.

My practical call: book it early in your stay, choose the single-rider option only if sharing would spoil the fun, and bring more warm clothing than you think you need. If the sky clears, you have a memorable way to watch the lights. If it does not, you still get one of Reykjavik’s more active nighttime outings.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights ATV tour start?

The ATV activity starts at Action Adventures, Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Pickup from Reykjavik is offered, and the activity ends back at the ATV meeting point before return transport.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 9:30 p.m. Pickup timing depends on your accommodation or assigned Reykjavik bus stop.

Does the price include a private ATV?

No. The standard rate is for a double ride, with two people sharing one quad. You can select a single ride during booking and pay an additional amount if you want your own ATV.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Anyone driving an ATV needs a full driving license. Passengers can be from 6 years old.

What should I wear?

Wear all your warm layers, plus warm shoes and socks, gloves, and a scarf or buff. Handwarmers and foot warmers are recommended because it can be cold on the quads and during viewing stops.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum group size is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.