From Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall Tour

The Icelandic highlands reward the long ride. This 13-hour trip from Reykjavik reaches Landmannalaugar, where striped rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and a natural hot pool crowd into one remarkable setting. I especially like the two-hour Lauga-loop hike and the chance to visit remote places that are difficult to reach without a capable vehicle and an experienced driver.

I also like the range of scenery packed into one day, from Hnausapollur’s blue crater lake to Háifoss and the smaller waterfalls along the route. The drawback is simple: this is a very long day, and the vehicle may feel cramped, especially when full. Some past departures have run 14 to 16 hours because of road, weather, or vehicle delays, so do not schedule a tight evening flight or dinner afterward.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar gets about four hours: That includes the guided walk, free time, and the hot spring.
• The Lauga-loop is moderate: Expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of walking, with lava fields, obsidian, colorful hills, and views toward Bláknúkur.
• Háifoss is only one of several major stops: Hnausapollur, Frostastaðavatn, Fjallabak Nature Reserve, and other waterfalls add variety.
• The road is part of the adventure: You travel into Iceland’s rough highland interior, including stretches that require a suitable bus or van.
• Pack for changing weather: Snow, rain, wind, and sunshine can all appear in summer, and conditions can affect the hike.
• The hot spring has limited convenience: Bring swimwear and a towel, but do not expect changing rooms or lockers at the pool.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long day

Iceland has no shortage of beautiful places, but Landmannalaugar feels different from the familiar coastal sights. Here, the ground seems to change color every few minutes. Rhyolite hills show shades of red, yellow, orange, green, and gray, while black obsidian and old lava fields add a harsher edge.

The route passes through the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, a remote area shaped by volcanic activity and geothermal heat. You are not simply riding to a viewpoint, taking one photo, and leaving. The main stop gives you time to walk through the area and then sit in warm water with the hills around you.

That combination is the main reason I consider this trip good value. The price is $226 per person, which is not cheap, but it covers a full day of transport, a guide, the Landmannalaugar facility fee, and access to places that are awkward to reach independently. You also avoid the worry of navigating rough highland roads.

The trade-off is that a large share of the day is spent in the vehicle. If you want a relaxed outing with short transfers, this is the wrong choice. If you want to see the interior of Iceland in a single day, the long ride is part of the bargain.

Leaving Reykjavik for the highlands

Pickup depends on the option you select, but the stated meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún. If you choose pickup, the process can take up to 30 minutes, so keep your morning flexible.

The first long stretch takes you away from Reykjavik toward southern Iceland. There are breaks during the journey, including a short stop at the Highland Center Hrauneyjar. This is useful for a bathroom break and a chance to buy food or snacks, since meals are not included.

Bring your own lunch, drinks, and water. The timing makes a packed meal far more practical than hoping to find food at the right moment. One particularly useful point raised by past participants is that lunch may fall partway through the hike rather than before it, so carry something you can eat easily.

Wi-Fi is included on board, though the more important feature is having a guide who can explain what you are seeing. Guides such as Ottar, Kalman, HBO, Beggi, Siggi, Petur, Karla, and Anna have been praised for their driving, stories, organization, and care with the group. The exact guide varies, but the better guides add plenty to the long transfers with accounts of Icelandic life, Viking stories, volcanic rocks, and local customs.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn: blue water and open country

Hnausapollur is an ancient volcanic crater filled with striking turquoise water. It is a brief photo stop, around 10 minutes, but the contrast is powerful: bright blue water against dark volcanic earth and broad, empty highland scenery.

Do not expect a long walk here. This is a viewpoint stop designed to give you a clear look and time for photographs. The color can change with light and weather, so keep your camera ready, but also be prepared for wind and cold.

The bus then continues to Frostastaðavatn, another short stop for scenery and pictures. The lake adds a softer note to the route, with water among the volcanic hills. These stops are valuable because they break up the drive and show how quickly the highlands shift from crater country to lake country.

The schedule is fairly tight, so you will not have unlimited time at either location. Think of them as carefully chosen pauses rather than independent visits.

The Lauga-loop through Landmannalaugar

The main event is Landmannalaugar, where you have about four hours. The planned walk takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and follows the easy-to-moderate Lauga-loop through some of the area’s best-known scenery.

The trail passes colorful rhyolite hills and striking obsidian formations. Obsidian is volcanic glass, usually black and sharply textured, and it looks especially dramatic beside the pale and rust-colored slopes. You also pass through lava fields and head toward steaming geothermal areas near the foothills of Bláknúkur.

This is not a flat stroll on a paved path. The tour describes it as a moderate hike, and the distance has been described by one participant as about 6 kilometers. You should be comfortable walking over uneven volcanic ground and handling changing weather for a couple of hours.

Several guides have joined the walk rather than simply sending people off on their own. That matters here. The colors and formations are easy to admire, but a guide can point out the different volcanic rocks and explain why the area looks so unusual. Guides have also adjusted the route or added nearby stops when conditions and time allowed, though you should treat extra locations as bonuses rather than promises.

The weather can change the feel of the walk completely. In summer, you might get warm sunshine, rain, strong wind, or even snow flurries. One August group faced snow on the final section, which made walking harder but produced memorable photographs. Bring layers, waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, and enough water.

The hot spring after the hike

After the walk, you can bathe in Landmannalaugar’s geothermal pool. This is not a luxury spa. It is a natural hot spring in a remote setting, with basic facilities and no stated changing rooms or lockers.

Still, the timing is excellent. After walking over lava and uneven ground, sitting in warm water while looking across the surrounding hills feels like a proper reward. You should bring swimwear and a towel in an accessible part of your bag, not buried beneath everything else.

The pool may be one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a sightseeing-only trip. It turns Landmannalaugar into a physical experience rather than just a series of viewpoints. You do need to be comfortable with simple facilities and changing outdoors or in basic surroundings.

Keep your expectations realistic about the word refreshing. Icelandic weather can make getting in and out of the water chilly, even when the pool itself feels warm.

Waterfalls on the route back

Háifoss, or High Waterfall, is one of the tour’s major sights. It drops dramatically through a deep gorge and is described as Iceland’s fourth-largest waterfall. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, enough for photographs and a good look, though not enough for a long walk around the area.

The surrounding cliffs and the waterfall’s height make this stop feel different from the broad, colorful slopes of Landmannalaugar. It is a strong contrast, and it helps keep the return journey from becoming one long ride back to Reykjavik.

The wider route also includes Hjálparfoss and Granni, with the exact timing and order shaped by the day’s route. Hjálparfoss is known for its setting among volcanic rock and open countryside. Granni is paired with Háifoss in the tour’s highlights, giving you another waterfall view rather than one repeated stop.

Some guides have also taken groups to additional places such as Sigöldugljúfur, Gjáin, Tear Canyon, or nearby ruins and waterfalls. These extras have been a pleasant surprise on some departures, but they are not the core itinerary. Book for the stated sights, then enjoy any additions as an unexpected bonus.

Fjallabak, rough roads, and the ride itself

The highland road is not a normal city transfer. Parts of the journey are rough, and crossing rivers by bus has been part of the excitement for some groups. That is precisely why a guided vehicle is useful. You avoid dealing with directions, road conditions, and the demands of driving in a remote area.

The cost of this convenience is comfort. The vehicle has been described as cramped when carrying around 16 people, particularly for anyone in the back row. One trip also experienced a breakdown that caused a four-hour delay and a return to Reykjavik around 1 a.m. That kind of problem is not presented as the norm, but it is a reminder that highland transport can be less predictable than a standard coach excursion.

The long ride can still be enjoyable when the guide keeps the group informed. Icelandic music, stories about local life, and regular stops make the hours pass more easily. I would bring headphones, snacks, a water bottle, and a small travel pillow if you find long rides uncomfortable.

The itinerary includes a break in Selfoss on the return journey, followed by drop-offs at many Reykjavik locations. The full day is scheduled at about 13 hours, but weather, road conditions, stops, and mechanical issues can extend it.

What to bring for a comfortable day

The packing list is short but important:

• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Waterproof and warm layers
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water and a packed lunch
• Snacks for the long transfers
• A phone or camera with spare battery power

Do not rely on a mild summer forecast in Reykjavik. Conditions in the highlands can be very different. A sunny departure can become a cold, wet hike, and even August has brought snow flurries.

You should also keep your lunch and swim gear near the top of your bag. The schedule moves between driving, walking, eating, and bathing, and unpacking a large bag beside the vehicle is inconvenient.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this trip if you want to see Landmannalaugar but do not want to rent a highland vehicle or plan a multi-day route. It suits active adults who can manage a moderate hike and who are happy to accept a long day for access to remote scenery.

It is also a good fit if you want variety. In one outing, you get crater water, lakes, rhyolite hills, obsidian, lava, hot springs, nature reserve scenery, and several waterfalls. Few day trips from Reykjavik offer such a broad mix.

I would hesitate if you have mobility limitations, dislike uneven trails, or need a predictable finish time. Children under eight are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The experience also demands patience. You may sit in a crowded vehicle, bounce over rough roads, or lose time to weather and transport problems. In return, you reach a part of Iceland that is difficult to experience on your own.

Should you book the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

Book it if Landmannalaugar is high on your Iceland list and you have only one day available. The colorful hills, obsidian, hot spring, Hnausapollur, and Háifoss give you an unusually full view of the southern highlands for $226.

Go in with the right expectations: this is a demanding day, not a gentle sightseeing loop. Pack lunch, dress for four seasons, expect a moderate hike, and leave your evening open. If you can accept the long ride and basic hot spring facilities, this is one of the better ways to reach Iceland’s highland interior from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

The stated duration is 13 hours. Some departures can take longer because of weather, road conditions, traffic, additional stops, or vehicle delays.

What is the price of the tour?

The price is $226 per person.

Where does the tour meet in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional depending on the selected booking option. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included as standard, and the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes.

How much time do you spend at Landmannalaugar?

You have about four hours at Landmannalaugar for the guided walk, free time, sightseeing, and swimming in the geothermal pool.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is described as moderate. The Lauga-loop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and one description places the walk at roughly 6 kilometers.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, water, food and drinks, swimwear, a towel, and clothing suitable for changing weather.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring lunch, snacks, and water.

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

Children under eight are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.