From Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall Tour

Landmannalaugar is the prize here: a wild highland basin of rainbow-colored rhyolite hills, black lava, steaming ground, and a warm natural pool. The trip also reaches Háifoss, Hnausapollur, Frostastaðavatn, and other remote places that are difficult to visit without a capable vehicle and local guide.

I like the mix of a guided two-hour hike and a hot-spring soak, plus the fact that the guide often adds extra stops when conditions and timing allow. The drawback is the very long day, usually about 13 hours and sometimes longer, with rough roads and a cramped vehicle reported by some people.

Key points to know before booking

• Landmannalaugar gets about four hours: You have time for the Lauga loop, photos, lunch, and a soak in the geothermal pool.
• The scenery keeps changing: Rhyolite, obsidian, lava fields, craters, lakes, waterfalls, and desert-like highland ground all appear along the route.
• The hike is moderate: The main loop is about 1.5 to 2 hours, with some uneven ground and uphill walking near Bláknúkur.
• Háifoss is a major stop: Iceland’s fourth-largest waterfall drops in a dramatic double-pronged fall.
• The bus ride is part of the bargain: You spend many hours on the road, including rough highland tracks, but driving yourself would be harder.
• Pack for a full outdoor day: Bring lunch, water, hiking shoes, warm layers, swimwear, and a towel.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth the long ride

Iceland’s famous sights are easy to reach from Reykjavik, but Landmannalaugar feels like another country. It lies in the highlands within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where volcanic forces have painted the hills in red, yellow, green, pink, and gray tones. The colors come from rhyolite, a volcanic rock that weathers into unusually varied shades.

The setting is not polished or built for quick sightseeing. You see lava fields, obsidian shards, steaming ground, and broad areas of dark sand. At every turn, the view changes. That variety is the reason I would choose this trip over a simpler waterfall outing if you have only one spare day for Iceland’s interior.

The price is $226 per person. That is not cheap, but the value is solid if you do not want to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle or tackle Iceland’s rough highland roads yourself. The fare includes transport from Reykjavik, Wi-Fi on board, an English-speaking guide, and Landmannalaugar facility fees. Food, drinks, hotel drop-off, and hotel pickup are extra.

You are paying not just for the destination, but for access. The route includes roads and tracks where a normal rental car would not be suitable. A good guide also adds context about volcanic rocks, Icelandic life, folklore, and the places along the way. Guides named in bookings include Ottar, Beggi, Kalman, HBO, Petur, Siggi, Karla, and Anna, though your guide depends on the date.

The early ride from Reykjavik

Plan on a full day, not a casual morning excursion. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes if you choose an available pickup option, and the stated meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún. The bus returns to a range of central Reykjavik stops, including BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrimskirkja, City Hall, Perlan, and several hotels and bus stops.

The first long section gives you a sense of the scale of southern Iceland. The schedule includes a short break at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar, useful for a restroom stop and snacks. Do not count on this as your main meal break. Bring your own lunch and drinks, as neither is included.

The vehicle matters on a trip like this. Several people praised the driving, especially on rough tracks and in strong wind, but some found the van cramped, particularly in the back row. One trip also suffered a serious vehicle breakdown that caused a four-hour delay and a return to Reykjavik around 1 a.m. That appears to be an exception, not the normal schedule, but it is a fair reminder that remote Iceland travel comes with mechanical and weather risks.

Some guides play Icelandic music during the long drives. Others fill the time with stories about local life, Vikings, trolls, geology, and their own experiences. The quality of the guide can make a major difference here, because you spend much of the day seated between stops.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn

Hnausapollur is one of the best early photo stops. This ancient volcanic crater holds a striking turquoise lake, surrounded by stark highland sand and dark volcanic ground. The contrast is the attraction: intensely colored water in a setting that can look almost bare and moonlike.

You only get about 10 minutes at the crater, so think of it as a quick viewpoint rather than a walk around the lake. Keep your camera ready, and do not expect time for a long exploration.

Frostastaðavatn follows, with another short stop for photos and sightseeing. It adds water and open space to the day before Landmannalaugar. The stops are brief, but they break up the drive and show that the highlands are not just mountains. Lakes, craters, lava, and sand keep appearing in different combinations.

The exact order and selection of stops can vary with road conditions, weather, and the guide’s judgment. Extra places have included additional lakes, waterfalls, canyon areas, Viking ruins, and the remarkable Sigöldugljúfur area. Treat those additions as a bonus rather than a promise.

The Lauga loop through Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is the heart of the experience. You have roughly four hours here, which is enough to experience the main area without rushing from the bus straight back into the bus.

The standard walk is the Lauga loop, generally 1.5 to 2 hours. It is described as easy in relation to longer Icelandic hikes, but the total day is still physically demanding. The route crosses lava and uneven ground, passes colorful rhyolite slopes, and reaches areas near the foothills of Bláknúkur. You may also walk past steaming geothermal ground and black obsidian formations.

I like this format because the guide gives you a route rather than simply dropping you at a viewpoint. A guide can point out the different volcanic rocks and explain why the hills show so many colors. The walk also gives you time to feel the place instead of collecting only a few bus-window photographs.

Do not confuse easy with flat or effortless. One person described the loop as challenging because of age and fitness, while another noted that the lava-field section was steady and manageable. The supplied information puts the hike at a moderate level, so you should be comfortable walking over uneven terrain and handling some uphill sections.

The weather can change the character of the hike quickly. In August, one outing encountered snow flurries. Rain made another day wet but did not prevent a hot-spring swim. Bring waterproof and warm layers even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave. Good hiking shoes are more useful than fashionable trainers.

The hot pool after the hike

After the loop, you can bathe in Landmannalaugar’s geothermal pool. This is not a luxury spa. It is a natural outdoor pool, and the changing arrangements are basic. One useful warning is that there are no changing rooms or lockers at the hot pool site, so keep your valuables secure and bring a towel and swimwear in an easy-to-reach part of your bag.

The timing is excellent. After walking across rough lava and highland trails, a warm soak feels like a real reward. You can sit in the water, look toward the surrounding hills, and let the pace of the day slow down before the return journey.

The pool is optional, so you can use the time for more walking or resting if you prefer. I would pack swimwear even if you are unsure. The water is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip, and skipping it may leave you wishing you had brought the basics.

Háifoss, Granni, and the waterfall stops

Háifoss is the major waterfall stop on the return route, though route order can change. At about 400 feet, it is Iceland’s fourth-largest waterfall. Its double-pronged drop cuts through a dramatic gorge, giving you a wide, powerful view rather than a close-up spray experience.

Allow about 20 minutes for the Háifoss stop. That is enough for photographs and a good look, but not a long hike around the area. The falls are especially impressive because they sit in a broad, rugged setting rather than beside a developed attraction.

The day can also include Granni and Hjálparfoss. Granni is associated with the Háifoss area, while Hjálparfoss offers a different mood, with water set among volcanic surroundings. Some routes describe a first waterfall as especially forceful and a second as calmer and more peaceful. That contrast helps keep the waterfall stops from feeling repetitive.

Glanni is also named among the possible waterfall visits, and extra stops have included Sigöldugljúfur and Gjáin. Since the provided schedule specifically lists Háifoss and the tour highlights include Hjálparfoss, consider those the safer expectations. Additional waterfalls and canyon areas depend on the day.

The return through Selfoss

After the highland sights, the bus heads back toward the lowlands. A short stop in Selfoss provides time for food, drinks, or a restroom before the final ride to Reykjavik. This break is welcome because the return trip can feel long after hiking and sitting for hours.

The entire outing is advertised at 13 hours, but past departures have sometimes stretched to 14 or even 16 hours. Weather, road conditions, traffic, extra stops, and mechanical problems can all affect the finish time. Do not book a tight evening dinner, flight connection, or show after this tour.

The long drive is the main trade-off. You spend a large part of the day seated, and the highland roads can be bumpy. Still, driving yourself would require the right vehicle, confidence on rough roads, and careful attention to changing conditions. For many people, the ride is a reasonable price for reaching a place they would otherwise miss.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

This is a small-group guided trip, designed to feel more personal than a large coach circuit. The guide leads the walk, explains the geology, handles the route, and keeps the day moving. Names attached to particularly well-regarded outings include Ottar, Beggi, Kalman, HBO, and Siggi.

The strongest part of the guiding is the mix of practical care and local detail. Guides have helped people manage the hike, adjusted stops to suit weather, and added music or stories during long road sections. One guide accompanied the group toward a higher point near Landmannalaugar and explained the geothermal pools and volcanic rock formations along the way.

Do remember that the guide cannot control the weather, the road, or the vehicle. The overall experience can also depend on where you sit in a full van. If you are tall or prone to motion sickness, ask about seating when you board, though a specific seat cannot be guaranteed from the supplied details.

Who should book this highland trip

I would choose this tour if you want dramatic scenery but do not want to drive Iceland’s interior. It suits you if you can manage a moderate hike, enjoy a long day outdoors, and like having geology and local stories explained along the way.

It is a particularly good fit for:

• First-time visitors who want one major highland day from Reykjavik
• People without a four-wheel-drive rental vehicle
• Hikers who prefer a guided route
• Photographers who want colorful hills, waterfalls, crater lakes, and changing light
• Anyone who likes combining walking with a geothermal soak

I would think twice if you dislike long bus rides, rough roads, or uncertain return times. It is not suitable for children under eight or people with mobility impairments. You also need to carry your own food and water and arrive ready for sudden shifts in weather.

What to pack for the 13-hour day

Keep your essentials in a small day bag rather than buried in the luggage area. I would bring:

• Hiking shoes with a firm sole
• Waterproof and warm clothing, even in summer
• Water and a packed lunch
• Snacks for the Highland Center Hrauneyjar or Selfoss break
• Swimwear and a towel
• A small bag for wet clothing
• Phone or camera with enough battery and storage

The hike is only part of the day, but the conditions can be demanding. Strong wind, rain, cold, or snow can appear even during the warmer months. Dress for the highlands, not for the weather outside your Reykjavik hotel.

Is $226 good value?

At $226, this is a premium day trip, but it covers a difficult-to-reach part of Iceland and includes several major sights. The value is strongest when you compare it with the cost and effort of arranging a suitable vehicle, finding the route, handling highland roads, and paying Landmannalaugar’s facility fees separately.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one waterfall and a short walk. In that case, a shorter southern Iceland tour may suit you better. Here, you are paying for range: crater lake, mountain colors, lava, geothermal water, multiple waterfalls, and the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in one demanding day.

A 4.8 out of 5 score from 314 ratings suggests a consistently strong experience, but the practical warnings matter just as much as the praise. The scenery and guides are the main strengths. The vehicle space, rough roads, and occasional very late return are the points to weigh carefully.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Landmannalaugar is high on your Iceland wish list and you want a guide to handle the remote roads. The combination of the Lauga loop, rhyolite hills, Hnausapollur, Háifoss, and the hot pool gives you a broad taste of the highlands in one day.

Skip it if you want a relaxed schedule or need to be back in Reykjavik at a precise hour. For the right person, this is one of the most rewarding day trips in southern Iceland, but the reward comes with a long ride, a moderate hike, and a little highland unpredictability.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar and Háifoss tour?

The advertised duration is 13 hours. Past departures have sometimes lasted 14 to 16 hours because of conditions, extra stops, or delays.

Where do I meet the tour in Reykjavik?

The stated meeting point is Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún. Pickup is optional, and the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes if selected.

What is included in the price?

Transportation from Reykjavik, Wi-Fi on board, an English-speaking tour guide, and Landmannalaugar facility fees are included.

Is food included?

No. You need to bring your own food, drinks, and water. The itinerary includes short breaks at The Highland Center Hrauneyjar and Selfoss.

How difficult is the hike?

The tour includes a moderate-level hike. The Lauga loop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and crosses uneven lava terrain with some uphill walking near the foothills of Bláknúkur.

Can I swim in the hot spring?

Yes. You have the opportunity to bathe in Landmannalaugar’s geothermal hot-spring pool after the hike. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Are children allowed on the tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight years old. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.