Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

The best thing about this tour is that you are not stuck on a coach while waiting for the sky to change. You drive an ATV at night along rugged trails near Hafravatn Lake, with Mount Hafrafell and the lights of Reykjavik as your backdrop. I like the small group, limited to 10 people, and the chance to reach viewpoints that feel far removed from the city.

I also like that the ride remains worthwhile if the aurora refuses to appear. You still get a lively nighttime drive, starry skies, and wide views over Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær. The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and cloud, rain, or a bright moon can spoil the show.

Key points before you book

• ATV riding replaces the usual coach ride, giving you an active way to search for the aurora.
• Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell provide the main scenic setting, with views toward Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær.
• Double riding is the standard price, so two people normally share one quad.
• A full driver’s license is required for anyone operating an ATV. Passengers can be from age six.
• Pickup and return service from Reykjavik are offered, usually through designated city bus stops.
• Warm clothing matters, since you can feel the cold sharply while sitting still on a quad or watching the sky.

Why an ATV is a smart way to hunt the aurora

Northern Lights excursions often involve sitting in a minibus, driving from one dark spot to another, and hoping the guide gets the timing right. This trip changes the rhythm. You are part of the movement, following a guide over rough tracks and stopping at open viewpoints outside Reykjavik.

That makes the tour a good match for you if the ride itself matters almost as much as the aurora. The quad bikes add a little excitement without turning the outing into an all-day adventure. The scheduled experience lasts around three hours, including the transfer out of Reykjavik, safety preparation, riding time, and the return.

The route heads toward the countryside around Hafravatn Lake. Here, the city glow is still visible, but the surroundings are darker and more open than central Reykjavik. If the sky is clear and the aurora is active, you may see green or pale bands over the mountains, sometimes reflected in the lake.

The setting also gives you something to look at during a quiet aurora forecast. Mount Hafrafell frames the area, while viewpoints can offer broad nighttime views toward Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær, and nearby towns. If the lights do not appear, the stars and city panorama help keep the evening from feeling wasted.

From Reykjavik to Action Adventures in Mosfellsbær

Pickup is offered from many Reykjavik hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and designated bus stops. Common meeting points include Bus Stop 1 at City Hall, Bus Stop 8 near Hallgrímskirkja, Bus Stop 10 at Hlemmur, Bus Stop 14 on Skúlagata, and the BSÍ Bus Terminal.

Your exact pickup details may be confirmed later, so keep an eye on messages from the operator. Reykjavik’s bus-stop pickup system can be less direct than a hotel door pickup, particularly if you are staying in the old center. Allow enough time to reach your assigned stop and do not assume the nearest stop is the correct one.

The listed start time is 9:30 pm. The driving base is at Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær, outside central Reykjavik. After the ride, you return to the base before heading back toward your departure point. The stated duration is about three hours, though one account describes getting back close to 1 am after extra time spent watching the sky.

That flexibility can be a plus when the aurora is active. It can also make the evening run later than expected, so avoid booking an early morning activity immediately afterward. The return transfer is included, which is useful after a cold night outdoors.

Getting ready for the quad ride

At the base, you receive safety equipment and a briefing before setting off. The guide explains how to operate the ATV and how to follow the group along the trail. You should expect a practical introduction rather than a technical driving course.

You need a full driver’s license to operate a quad. A passenger can be as young as six, making this possible for families with older children, though the cold and late hour may not suit every child. Adults who have never driven an ATV can still take part, provided they meet the license requirement and feel comfortable with the physical demands.

You can choose between a double ride and a single ride. Two people sharing one quad is the standard arrangement at the listed rate. If you want to drive alone, select the single-ride option during booking and pay the added charge.

This detail matters when comparing the $199 price. For two people sharing, the cost covers an active excursion, equipment, guiding, and transport. For one person who wants a quad alone, the extra charge changes the calculation. Check the final single-rider price before you commit, especially if you are comparing this with a coach-based aurora outing.

The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to handle a nighttime ride over uneven ground and remain outside in cold conditions. The activity is not simply a scenic drive with a heated seat.

Following the trail beside Hafravatn Lake

Once the group leaves the base, the guide leads you through open country near Hafravatn. The ATV ride is the main event, not merely a short add-on before the sky watching begins. You move through the Icelandic countryside at night, with the darkness making the route feel more remote than its proximity to Reykjavik suggests.

The terrain is described as rugged, so expect an active ride rather than smooth pavement. The machines are intended to be easy enough for beginners, and the guide can help with starting, stopping, and turning. One particularly useful account describes a first-time driver receiving patient help with the controls.

You should still take the briefing seriously. Keep a safe distance from the quad ahead, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not treat the trail like a racetrack. The ride is meant to be exciting, but the group must stay together in dark conditions.

The route may continue toward Mount Hafrafell when the weather and sky conditions allow. From higher ground, you can look back over Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær. These views are valuable even without an aurora because the city lights spread below the darker hills, giving you a clear sense of how quickly urban Reykjavik gives way to open country.

The exact route depends on conditions. The operator only heads toward the mountain when there is a reasonable possibility of clear sky. That is sensible for an aurora outing, but it also means your path and viewing stops may change on the night.

Waiting for the Northern Lights over the lake

The aurora is a natural event, not a scheduled performance. Clear weather helps, but it does not guarantee activity. A cloudy sky can hide strong lights, and a bright moon can reduce what you see. Several outings have had fun rides but no aurora because of cloud, rain, or moonlight.

Your guide checks likely viewing conditions and takes the group to places where the sky has a better chance of opening. If the lights appear, Hafravatn Lake can add a special touch, reflecting color beneath Mount Hafrafell. Reflections are never assured, since wind, cloud, and the strength of the display all matter.

If the sky stays quiet, the group may spend time star watching and looking for shooting stars. That can sound like a small consolation, but it gives the evening a natural focus instead of turning it into a simple transport service. The mountain views, darkness, and city lights remain part of the experience.

You should also set your camera expectations correctly. Newer phones with a night mode can sometimes capture the aurora, while older phones may show little or nothing. Bring a phone with a good camera, ideally an iPhone 11 or newer, a recent Google phone, or another model that allows a several-second exposure.

Even with a modern phone, your eyes may see more than the screen records. Bring handwarmers and footwarmers if you have them, and keep the phone protected from the cold between photos. You will enjoy the moment more if you are not spending every minute trying to force a perfect image.

The guides and the small-group difference

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on newer drivers and answer questions without turning the trip into a large convoy. It also makes stops calmer, especially when everyone is trying to look toward the same patch of sky.

The guide is responsible for more than trail leadership. You rely on that person for safety instructions, route choices, weather judgment, and advice about where to wait. Guide Helga is specifically praised for sharing interesting facts about Iceland while keeping the ride relaxed. Other accounts describe guides as patient, friendly, and attentive to first-time ATV drivers.

The service can go beyond the basic schedule when conditions are promising. One outing continued late so the group could enjoy a better view, and the guide helped with photos. On another, traditional Icelandic cakes and biscuits were brought to the mountaintop while the group waited.

Those touches are not guaranteed on every departure, so do not book expecting a particular snack or guide. They do show the personal feel this small operation can offer. The best part of a small group is not just fewer people on the trail. It is having a guide who can adapt the pace and spend time helping you.

What to wear for a cold 9:30 pm departure

The cold is the biggest practical issue. You may be moving during the ride, but you can become chilled quickly when the quad stops and you stand watching the sky. Wind on the open trails can make the temperature feel lower than it does in Reykjavik.

Wear all your layers, including warm shoes and thick socks. Add a scarf or a good neck buff, plus handwarmers and footwarmers if possible. The operator provides warm equipment, but your own insulating layers still matter. One useful tip is to wear your warmest clothing rather than relying only on the supplied gear.

A phone with night mode is useful, but keep your hands warm enough to operate it. If you plan to take photos, thin liner gloves under warmer gloves can help, though the provided information does not specify a glove design. The safe advice is simple: dress for waiting outdoors, not just for sitting in the van.

You should also remember that this is a late-night activity. The tour begins at 9:30 pm and may finish around midnight or later. That timing is necessary for winter darkness, but it may be tiring after a full day of sightseeing.

Is $199 good value?

At $199 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. A bus trip usually costs less because it carries more people and does not include ATV equipment or instruction. The right comparison is not simply price per hour. Ask yourself if you want a motorized outdoor adventure as part of the evening.

The price includes pickup and return from Reykjavik, safety equipment, the guide, and the ATV outing. With the standard double ride, two people share one quad. That setup makes the cost easier to justify for couples or friends who enjoy riding together.

The value drops if your only goal is to see the Northern Lights. No operator can guarantee them, and poor weather can cancel the tour or force a reschedule. You may spend nearly $200 and see only stars, mountains, and Reykjavik at night.

For me, the strongest value comes from the combination of experiences: a small group, a real ATV ride, countryside views, and an aurora search near the city. You are paying for an active evening with a guide, not a guaranteed natural show. If that distinction suits you, the cost is reasonable for Iceland.

Who should choose this adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy outdoor activities, want something more active than a coach trip, and are comfortable with uncertain results. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families with an adult driver and a child passenger.

It is also a good choice for a first-time ATV driver. The ride is described as manageable for beginners, and the guide can provide extra help. More experienced riders should still find the rugged trails and nighttime setting enjoyable, even if the pace is controlled for the whole group.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, have limited mobility, do not hold a full driver’s license, or need to be back early. I would also avoid making this your only aurora plan if seeing the lights is the central purpose of your Iceland trip.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of about 44 days. Keep your schedule flexible enough to accept another date if bad weather leads to a cancellation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and the operator may cancel for poor weather or too few bookings. In those cases, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure?

Book this tour if you want the search itself to be fun. The ATV ride near Hafravatn, the view from Mount Hafrafell, and the chance to watch Reykjavik glow below give you a worthwhile night even when the aurora stays hidden.

Do not book it as a promise of green lights. Book it as a small-group Icelandic night ride with a real chance of seeing them. Wear serious winter layers, confirm your pickup stop, choose a single ride if you do not want to share, and bring a modern phone for photos. For an active visitor who values the ride as much as the result, this is one of the more memorable ways to chase the sky from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights ATV tour last?

The tour lasts about two to three hours, with the listed itinerary described as three hours. The evening may run later if the group waits for favorable aurora conditions.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 pm.

Where does the ATV tour begin?

The driving base is Action Adventures at Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Pickup from Reykjavik is offered before the group travels to the base.

Is pickup from Reykjavik included?

Yes. Pickup and return service are offered from many Reykjavik hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and designated city bus stops. Your exact pickup details may be sent later.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. Drivers need a full driver’s license to operate an ATV. Passengers can be from six years old.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes. Double riding is the standard arrangement, with two people sharing one quad. You can select a single ride during booking for an additional charge.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.