From Reykjavik: Day Tour to Landmannalaugar in a Super Jeep

Landmannalaugar is the star here: a wild highland basin of rainbow-colored rhyolite mountains, black lava, steaming ground, and warm water where you can soak after a hike. The super jeep also reaches places that make the journey worthwhile, including Hekla, blue crater lakes, Sigöldugljúfur canyon, and several waterfalls.

I like the freedom built into the main stop. You can take the easy Laugahraun walk, aim for the higher Bláhnjúkur trail, or save your energy for the natural geothermal pool. I also like the way the route strings together lesser-known highland sights rather than rushing straight to one famous viewpoint.

The main drawback is time. This is a long 10-hour day, with several hours spent in the vehicle and some rough roads. At Landmannalaugar, your guide may give you trail choices and a return time rather than lead you step by step, so you should study the hiking options before you leave Reykjavík.

Key points at a glance

• Rhyolite mountains: Landmannalaugar’s red, yellow, green, and gray peaks are the visual heart of the day.
• Flexible highland stop: Choose between the Laugahraun walk, tougher mountain routes, or time in the hot pool.
• Hekla views: Stop near one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes on the way inland.
• Blue crater lakes: Hnausapollur and Ljótipollur bring bright water and volcanic drama to the return route.
• Canyon and waterfalls: Sigöldugljúfur, Sigöldufoss, and Hjálparfoss give you several short photo stops.
• Practical tradeoff: The jeep offers a more personal ride than a standard bus, but the price is $359 per person and the roads can be very bumpy.

Why Landmannalaugar deserves a full day

Iceland has no shortage of scenic day trips, but Landmannalaugar feels different from the waterfalls and coastal cliffs near Reykjavík. The highlands are rougher and less polished. You see broad volcanic fields, multicolored ridges, crater lakes, and empty stretches where the road itself becomes part of the adventure.

The area is famous for rhyolite, a volcanic rock that gives the mountains their unusual mix of colors. Depending on the light and weather, the slopes can look red, mustard-yellow, green, gray, or almost purple. You do not need to be a serious hiker to appreciate the setting, but walking even a short trail helps you understand why this region is so special.

This tour is designed for a long day out of the city. Pickup is available in Reykjavík, with additional pickup and drop-off options in Selfoss, Kópavogur, Hella, and Hveragerði. The ride to the highlands takes about two hours, followed by another two hours on the return, not counting the scenic stops.

Riding the super jeep into Iceland’s interior

The vehicle is a rugged off-road jeep or SUV, intended for Iceland’s rough highland roads and river crossings. That makes the ride part of the attraction, though you should not expect a luxury coach or a smooth highway trip.

One important point is that the exact vehicle may vary. A long Ford Excursion was used on one outing, and one passenger did not consider it a traditional super jeep. If the special vehicle itself is your main reason for booking, it is worth keeping expectations sensible. The real benefit is access to the route and the smaller-group feel, not necessarily a dramatic monster truck.

The road can be very rough for long stretches. You may bounce over uneven ground, and stops can be shortened if the wind is strong or weather conditions worsen. Wear comfortable clothes, keep water and personal items secure, and do not plan to read during the bumpiest sections.

The guide is an important part of the experience. Guides named Oli and Ole received strong praise for their effort, communication, and ability to adjust the day when weather reduced visibility. You should still remember that this is not presented as a fully guided hiking tour. At Landmannalaugar, the guide may explain the choices, set a meeting time, and leave you to manage your own walk.

First stop: Hekla, Iceland’s active volcano

The route heads toward Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. The stop is near the roots of the mountain, giving you a chance to see the scale of the volcano before the road continues into the highlands.

Hekla has a powerful presence even when clouds cover its upper slopes. The value of this stop is not a long hike or an elaborate visitor center. It is a chance to pause and connect the colorful highlands ahead with Iceland’s active volcanic forces.

If the weather is poor, the view may be limited. That is part of the risk with this tour. The highlands can change quickly, and the guide may alter the timing or add another viewpoint when conditions do not cooperate.

The main event: two to three hours at Landmannalaugar

You get the most time at Landmannalaugar, though the stated schedules vary slightly. The route description allows roughly three hours, while the stop breakdown lists about two hours of free time. Either way, you have enough time for one focused hike or a shorter walk followed by the hot pool.

The most approachable option is the 4.5-kilometer Laugahraun route. It takes about two hours and passes through lava and colorful mountain scenery. This is the best choice if you want a proper walk without committing to a more demanding climb.

Brennisteinsalda, often called the colorful mountain, is another strong option. Its colors come from volcanic rock and geothermal activity, and the route gives you a closer look at the features that make Landmannalaugar famous.

The Bláhnjúkur and Suðurnámur routes are more demanding. One recorded outing followed the yellow trail toward Bláhnjúkur for about six kilometers, taking three hours in rain, wind, and photo stops. The path was steep or slippery in places, though no technical climbing was required.

That example shows the timing challenge. If you choose Bláhnjúkur, you may have little time left for the pool. You also need to watch the trail junctions. Signs can be sparse, especially where the yellow and orange routes meet. Ask the guide for clear directions before setting off, and keep track of the meeting time.

You do not need prior experience to join the tour. Still, the hiking choices are not equal. A comfortable-clothing-and-camera approach suits Laugahraun. Bláhnjúkur calls for steady footing, warm layers, and a willingness to walk in wind and rain.

The geothermal pool, a simple reward

After the walk, you can soak in a naturally heated geothermal pool. This is not a polished spa experience. It is a basic outdoor pool in a remote setting, and that is exactly why it fits the day.

Bring swimwear and a towel. There are no changing rooms directly around the pool, so changing can be awkward. A restroom is about 100 yards away and requires a fee. Plan ahead rather than assuming you can change in a proper facility beside the water.

The pool is a useful reason to choose an easier hike. If you spend all your available time on Bláhnjúkur, you may only have time to put your feet in the water. If soaking is one of your priorities, tell yourself to turn back from the trail early enough to change and enjoy it.

The water can feel especially welcome after a cold, wet walk, but conditions remain basic. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, which are not allowed on the tour.

Hnausapollur and Ljótipollur: volcanic craters with blue water

The return route adds two crater lakes, Hnausapollur and Ljótipollur. Both are volcanic craters filled with striking blue water, set among broad, empty highland surroundings.

These are short guided stops, generally about 30 minutes each. That is enough for photographs and an explanation from the guide, but not enough for a long walk around the craters. You will want your camera ready before leaving the vehicle.

The color of the water can look especially strong against the dark volcanic ground. Still, do not expect the same view in every kind of weather. Cloud, rain, and flat light can soften the colors, and the wind may make the stop brisk.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

Sigöldugljúfur is also known as the Valley of Tears, a dramatic canyon shaped by water and volcanic terrain. The name gives you an idea of the scene: water runs through the canyon in multiple channels and falls, creating a delicate contrast with the stark ground around it.

This is one of the tour’s most rewarding short stops because it adds detail after the wide-open crater views. Instead of one huge viewpoint, you get a closer look at moving water, rock walls, and small cascades.

The stop is listed at around 30 minutes. That keeps the day moving but limits your time for exploration. Treat it as a focused photo and viewing stop rather than a hike.

Sigöldufoss and Hjálparfoss

Sigöldufoss brings another waterfall to the route. Its appeal is different from Hjálparfoss, which has a more distinctive setting and is often photographed from nearby viewpoints.

Hjálparfoss is formed where rivers meet, with water dropping over dark volcanic rock. The contrast between the pale water and black stone makes it a fitting final scenic stop before the long drive back.

Both waterfall visits are short, guided photo stops. You will have time to see the falls and take pictures, but not to linger for hours. That is a fair trade on a day already packed with distant sights and a major hiking break.

The guide’s role and the day’s pace

The strongest guide moments come through clear communication and flexibility. Oli and Ole were both praised for explaining Iceland and the highlands, making an effort to show attractive viewpoints, and adding extra sights when poor weather affected the plan.

That does not mean every moment is fully narrated. You may be given a choice of hikes at Landmannalaugar and told to return after the allotted time. This arrangement works well if you like setting your own pace, but it can disappoint you if you expect a guide walking beside you throughout the trail.

The pace also depends on the group. If someone returns late, the entire vehicle can leave behind schedule. Build that possibility into your expectations, especially if you have evening plans in Reykjavík.

Is $359 a fair price?

At $359 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík, an English-speaking professional driver-guide, the off-road vehicle, and the Landmannalaugar facility fee. Lunch is not included.

The value depends on what you want from the day. You are paying for a long route into the highlands, access to a vehicle suited to rough roads, several scenic stops, and the convenience of not arranging transport yourself. You also avoid the work of planning a route through a region where weather and road conditions matter.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want Landmannalaugar and do not care about the smaller stops. A bus trip can cost noticeably less, with one comparison putting the difference at roughly 130 euros. The jeep makes more sense if the canyon, craters, waterfalls, and off-road ride are all part of your plan.

This is not a private tour. You share the schedule and the vehicle with other people, and the main stop requires some self-management. For a private, deeply guided experience, you would need to compare other products carefully. For a convenient full-day route, the cost may be worthwhile.

Who should book this Landmannalaugar tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day available and want both Landmannalaugar and a string of volcanic sights. It suits hikers who can pick a trail quickly, photographers who value many changing views, and first-time visitors who do not want to handle highland driving.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. In one day, you get a volcano, lava fields, rhyolite peaks, crater lakes, a canyon, waterfalls, and a hot pool.

I would think twice if you dislike long vehicle rides, rough roads, or fixed meeting times. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the more ambitious hikes can be steep or slippery.

Pack warm clothing even in summer. Add swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothes, and a camera. Be ready at your accommodation at least five minutes before pickup. Children under 12 travel free, and child car seats are available on request.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a broad, active introduction to Iceland’s southern highlands and can accept a high price, rough roads, and independent hiking time. The combination of Landmannalaugar, the crater lakes, Sigöldugljúfur, and Hjálparfoss gives the day real range.

Skip it if you want a slow, deeply guided walk or a luxury vehicle experience. The best way to enjoy it is to research the trails before pickup, decide how much time you want in the pool, and treat the super jeep as transport to an extraordinary part of Iceland rather than the entire show.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 69 ratings, with especially strong praise for the scenery, waterfalls, hot pool, guide effort, and fun of the ride. Weather can change the experience, but the provider offers rescheduling or a full refund when conditions are unsuitable. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before departure.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including pickup, driving, scenic stops, time at Landmannalaugar, and the return to your drop-off location.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup options include Reykjavík, Selfoss, Kópavogur, Hella, and Hveragerði. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík are included.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should plan to bring or arrange your own food.

How much time do I get at Landmannalaugar?

The main stop is described as roughly three hours in the tour details, while the stop schedule lists about two hours of free time. Confirm the exact timing with your guide on the day.

Can I hike at Landmannalaugar?

Yes. Hiking choices include the approximately 4.5-kilometer Laugahraun route, the colorful Brennisteinsalda area, and more demanding routes toward Bláhnjúkur and Suðurnámur.

Can I use a geothermal pool?

Yes. You can soak in a naturally heated geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Are changing rooms available at the geothermal pool?

There are no changing rooms directly beside the pool. A restroom is about 100 yards away and requires a fee.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 12 travel free. Child car seats are available upon request.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are unsuitable, you can reschedule for another date or receive a full refund.