Reykjavik: Lava Field Buggy Adventure

The striking part of this outing is the switch from city sightseeing to a roaring buggy ride across Iceland’s lava fields. You’ll head toward the Hveradalir geothermal area near Hellisheiði, pass the Blue Mountains, and finish with a broad view over Reykjavik from Reykjavik Peak.

I like the two-hour driving time, which gives you more than a quick photo stop, and I like that helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear are supplied. The main catch is the $305 price per person, especially if you share a buggy and are mainly seeking a short burst of off-road fun.

Key points to know

• Two people share each buggy, unless you pay for the single-rider option.
• The actual driving lasts two hours, while the full outing takes about 3.5 hours with pickup and return transport.
• Geothermal steam and lava fields provide the tour’s most unusual scenery.
• Reykjavik Peak gives you a high viewpoint over the capital and surrounding countryside.
• Paula and Marco are named guides associated with especially warm, helpful service.
• Drivers must be 17 or older and carry a valid driver license, while passengers must be at least six.

From Reykjavik hotels to Iceland’s lava country

This tour begins with pickup from a long list of Reykjavik hotels, hostels, bus stops, and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal. Pickup starts 30 minutes before the advertised departure, so a 9:30 outing means collection at about 9:00.

That early pickup matters. The tour base is outside central Reykjavik, and you do not want to arrive late while the group is being fitted with gear or briefed on the buggies. You can also arrange to meet at the Safari Quads basecamp instead of using the city pickup, but you need to contact the operator first.

The drive out gives you a useful change of setting. Reykjavik quickly gives way to open ground, the Blue Mountains, and the darker volcanic surfaces that make this part of Iceland feel so different from the capital. You are not simply being driven to a vehicle depot, then dropped onto a generic dirt track. The setting is part of the appeal.

The tour is offered in English, with private or small-group options available. That can make a difference on a motorized outing. A guide has more chance to keep an eye on individual drivers, explain the route, and adjust the pace when the group is small.

Getting ready for the two-hour buggy ride

Before driving, you receive a 30-minute safety briefing. This is not wasted time. You need to understand the controls, the shared-rider setup, and the basic rules before heading onto rough ground.

The buggies are new and fitted with safety equipment. You receive a helmet, gloves, protective overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear if conditions call for it. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, so the supplied clothing is a real part of the value. It also means you do not need to pack a full set of specialist motor-sport gear.

Bring comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy, comfortable shoes. Shoes are not included, and the operator specifically asks you to bring your own. Food is not included either, though coffee is provided at the basecamp.

Each buggy takes two people. You sit side by side with a friend, partner, or family member, which makes the ride social and lets you share the cost of the vehicle. If you want to drive alone, a single-rider option is available.

There is one booking detail worth catching before you pay. If your party has an odd number of people, such as three or five, one person must be booked as a single rider. The stated weight limit is 220 kilograms, or 485 pounds, per person for either a shared or single-rider buggy.

Crossing the lava fields near Hellisheiði

The route heads toward the Hveradalir geothermal area in the Hellisheiði region. Here, the attraction is not a polished park with paved paths and tidy viewpoints. You are out among volcanic ground, open mountain scenery, and the rough tracks used by the buggies.

The ride gives you a more active way to see the area. Instead of sitting behind a window, you feel the surface change beneath the vehicle and hear the engine working as you move over the off-road route. The supplied details describe the ride as a guided mountain adventure, but one comment suggests that parts of the route can feel more like gravel road than technical trail.

That is an important expectation to set. If you want constant mud, steep climbs, and difficult obstacles, this may feel too tame in sections. If you want a controlled off-road outing with time to look around, photograph the scenery, and enjoy the machine without needing advanced driving skills, the route makes more sense.

The lava fields are the visual heart of the trip. Iceland’s volcanic ground can look stark and surprisingly varied, with broad dark surfaces broken by ridges and distant mountains. The exact appearance depends heavily on weather and light. On a clear day, you’ll get more definition in the hills and a better sense of the scale around you.

The guide leads the group and keeps the outing organized. Paula has been singled out for taking time with her group, while Marco has been praised for being helpful and friendly. Those details matter because a buggy tour works best when the guide is attentive, not simply driving ahead and waiting at the end.

Geothermal steam and the power plant view

A notable part of the route takes you toward the geothermal area and the power plant. On clear days, steam can rise high into the air, creating one of the tour’s most memorable sights.

This is a useful piece of context for the scenery. Iceland’s geothermal energy is not just something you encounter in a hot spring or a public pool. Around Hellisheiði, the heat beneath the ground is part of the country’s working infrastructure. Seeing the steam near a power facility connects the dramatic volcanic setting with the practical way Iceland uses its natural resources.

The steam is weather dependent, so you should not treat it as a guaranteed giant plume every time. Clear conditions can make it especially impressive, while cloud, wind, or poor visibility may soften the effect. The tour still has the lava fields and mountain views, but the geothermal spectacle is an added bonus rather than the whole reason to book.

This stop also gives the outing a stronger sense of place than a simple recreational drive. You are not racing around an isolated track built only for entertainment. The route takes you through a working geothermal area with a direct link to Iceland’s volcanic forces.

Reaching Reykjavik Peak

The ride finishes at Reykjavik Peak, where you can look back toward the capital. After the enclosed, engine-powered part of the outing, this viewpoint gives you time to take in the wider setting.

The view is especially useful early in your Iceland trip. From up high, you can get your bearings and see how Reykjavik sits between the sea and the surrounding mountains. It is not the same as a city walking tour, and it does not replace the capital’s museums, harbor, or downtown streets. Instead, it shows you the city as part of a much larger outdoor setting.

I like this ending because it gives the tour a clear payoff. The ride is not only about operating a buggy. You get a change in scale, from the close-up sensation of the trail to a broad view over Reykjavik.

Give yourself time for this part. The route’s excitement comes from the engine and the rough ground, but the peak is where you can properly appreciate where you have been. If weather limits visibility, the viewpoint will be less rewarding, though the drive remains the main activity.

What the $305 price really covers

At $305 per person, this is one of the pricier short activities you can add to a Reykjavik stay. The price makes more sense if you value the complete package: city pickup and return, safety instruction, two hours of buggy driving, a professional guide, protective clothing, Blue Mountain views, the geothermal area, and coffee at basecamp.

The price is harder to justify if you are comparing it with a simple sightseeing excursion. You are paying for the vehicle, fuel, equipment, staff, transport, and the chance to drive yourself through the volcanic setting. It is an activity, not just a ride to a viewpoint.

Sharing a buggy with a companion keeps the experience social, but it does not turn the tour into a cheap option. You should also think about how much driving time you want. The full tour lasts about 3.5 hours including transport, but only two hours are spent behind the wheel.

A private or small-group outing may offer better value for people who want a more personal pace. Families and couples may prefer not to be placed in a large group, while solo participants should account for the extra cost of a single rider. The operator also allows you to reserve now and pay later, which can help if you are building a packed Iceland itinerary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Keep that in mind when weather forecasts look uncertain. You cannot control Icelandic weather, but you can avoid locking yourself into a poor day if your plans change in time.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this for you if you want an active break from museums, city streets, and coach-based sightseeing. It suits adults and families with older children who are comfortable outdoors and interested in driving a motorized vehicle across volcanic ground.

It is also a good match for friends or couples. Sitting side by side makes the buggy feel like a shared activity rather than a solo race. If one of you wants to drive alone, the single-rider option gives you that freedom, subject to the extra booking requirement.

The minimum age for passengers is six. Drivers must be at least 17 and must carry a valid driver license. That makes the tour more suitable for older teenagers and adults who want to operate the vehicle, while younger children can ride as passengers.

I would not pick it if you are pregnant or use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for either. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long, highly technical off-road course. Parts of the route may feel like gravel road, and the tour combines driving with sightseeing rather than focusing only on difficult terrain.

Practical ways to prepare

Wear clothes you can move in and expect them to get dusty or wet. The tour supplies protective outer layers and rain gear when needed, but your base clothing and shoes still matter.

Bring your driver license if you plan to drive. Without it, you cannot meet the stated driver requirement. Passengers do not need to drive, but the minimum passenger age is six.

Do not plan on buying a meal during the outing. Food is not included, though coffee is served at basecamp. Eat beforehand or arrange food around the pickup and return times.

Allow more than the advertised driving time in your day. The activity lasts about 3.5 hours with transportation, and pickup begins 30 minutes before the departure time. If you have a timed museum booking, airport transfer, or cruise schedule, leave a generous gap.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is basic but especially important for a motorized activity where you are operating a vehicle on uneven ground.

Should you book the lava field buggy adventure?

Book it if you want to see volcanic Iceland from behind the wheel, not just through a bus window. The strongest reasons are the two-hour ride, the geothermal setting near Hellisheiði, the view from Reykjavik Peak, and the ease of having gear and transport arranged for you.

Think carefully about the cost and the trail style. At $305 per person, this is best treated as a special activity rather than a casual add-on. It is also not a nonstop extreme-driving course. You will get gravel and open off-road routes along with the thrill of the buggy, plus time for scenery and guided stops.

For the right person, the mix works well. You get fresh air, volcanic ground, geothermal steam, mountain views, and a direct view over Reykjavik, all in one half-day outing. If that combination sounds better than another standard bus excursion, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the buggy tour last?

The full outing takes about 3.5 hours with transportation. The guided buggy driving itself lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $305 per person.

What is included in the tour?

Pickup and drop-off by Safari Quads, a two-hour buggy adventure, a professional English-speaking guide, helmets, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, rain gear if needed, Blue Mountain views, the drive to the geothermal area at Hellisheiði, and coffee at basecamp are included.

Do I need a driver license?

Yes. Anyone driving must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver license.

Can two people share one buggy?

Yes. All buggies fit two people. You can also choose a single-rider option.

What happens if my group has an odd number of people?

If your group has one, three, five, or another odd number of participants, one person must be booked as a single rider.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver license if you will drive, comfortable shoes, and outdoor clothing. Food and shoes are not provided.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from listed Reykjavik hotels, hostels, bus stops, and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal. Pickup begins 30 minutes before the tour departure, and you can contact the operator if you prefer to meet at the basecamp.