Landmannalaugar Hiking, Haifoss Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour

Landmannalaugar is the prize here: a remote Highland region of lava fields, colorful rhyolite hills and steaming geothermal pools. Getting there by tour means you can leave the rough-road driving to a professional and spend your day looking out the window instead of at the road.

I like that this trip pairs the Highlands with Háifoss, a 122-meter waterfall, and gives you three and a half hours in Landmannalaugar for a hike and a hot-spring soak. The group is capped at 15, and guides such as HBO, Roman and Sarah have earned praise for their care, driving and local explanations.

The main drawback is the long day, about 13 hours, with a substantial drive on rough roads. There have also been serious reports of late cancellations and vehicle trouble, so keep your plans flexible and make sure your contact details are current.

• A rare waterfall stop: Háifoss and nearby Granni pour into a deep gorge, with 30 minutes set aside to see them.
• A guided Highland walk: Expect an easy hike among lava fields and rhyolite hills, with time at Landmannalaugar for a natural hot-spring soak.
• Three stops before the main event: Hjálparfoss, Háifoss and crater lake Bláhylur break up the drive.
• Small group, long day: The maximum is 15 people, but the full trip lasts about 13 hours.
• Bring your own food and water: Lunch, bottled water and dinner are not included.
• Check the conditions: The route depends on weather and Highland road access, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a refund.

Reaching the Highlands without driving yourself

Landmannalaugar is a long way from Reykjavik, and the road into the Highlands is part of the challenge. This 13-hour tour takes care of the driving in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a professional driver and a guide. That is a real advantage on rough, unpaved F-roads, where conditions can make the journey tiring even for confident drivers.

You meet at Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, at Þórunnartún 6, with a 7:00 am start. Pickup is also offered from select Reykjavik hotels, so check your booking details to confirm your exact pickup arrangement. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

The vehicle has WiFi, and all fees and taxes are included. The group limit of 15 helps keep the outing more personal than a large coach tour, though a small group does not shorten the drive. One account describes about six hours of round-trip travel, with roughly half on bumpy F-roads. Treat that as a useful sense of the day, not a guaranteed route or travel time.

Hjálparfoss: two rivers, one short stop

The first waterfall stop is Hjálparfoss, where two rivers meet and spill over dark basalt formations into a pool. The water in the pool is noted for its turquoise hue, a striking contrast with the rock around it.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough to take in the falls, get a few photos and stretch your legs, but not time for a long walk or a leisurely picnic. Think of it as a welcome first pause on a day with plenty of time in the vehicle.

The stop also gives you an early taste of the region’s geology. The basalt is a reminder that Iceland’s scenery is shaped by volcanic forces, a theme that keeps returning as you head toward the crater lake and Landmannalaugar.

Háifoss and Granni: a pair worth the detour

Háifoss is the day’s biggest waterfall, dropping 122 meters into the countryside. Nearby Granni is nearly as imposing, so you get two falls in one stop. The tour allows about 30 minutes, enough to take in the scale and look around the surrounding area.

This is a strong reason to choose this particular day trip. The experience is described as the only day tour to include Háifoss, though tour offerings can change, so check current details when you book. For anyone who wants more than a single Highland destination, the waterfall gives the day a worthwhile second anchor.

Keep your expectations practical: the visit is a scenic stop, not a long hike. You will have time to enjoy the view, but the schedule needs to keep moving to reach Landmannalaugar and allow time there.

Bláhylur: a volcanic crater lake

Bláhylur is a crater lake formed about 1,200 years ago by a major eruption involving two nearby volcanoes. Its volcanic origins make it more than a quick photo stop: it adds a clear geological chapter to a day already shaped by waterfalls, lava and geothermal activity.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you time to look across the lake and take in the setting before continuing toward Landmannalaugar. If Iceland’s volcanic past interests you, listen closely to the guide here. The trip includes a guide’s explanations, and guides have been praised for connecting the sights with Icelandic geology and settlement history.

Landmannalaugar: hike first, hot spring after

Landmannalaugar is the main event, with three and a half hours set aside for the visit. You take an easy guided hike through lava fields and rhyolite hills, with steaming geothermal pools scattered through the area. The colors and textures are a sharp change from the waterfalls and open countryside earlier in the day.

The advertised hike is easy, but that does not mean you should arrive in flimsy shoes or expect a paved stroll. It is a walk in a volcanic Highland area, and conditions can shift. A guide leads the hike, and one account describes a walk of about 90 minutes. The exact route and walking time are not specified as fixed, so expect the guide to shape the outing to the group and conditions.

After the hike, you have the chance to rest in natural hot springs. That pairing is the day’s simple pleasure: spend time on your feet among the hills, then let the warm water take the edge off before the return journey. Bring what you need for a soak, but do not assume the tour includes extra facilities or supplies. Those details are not specified.

Three and a half hours sounds generous, and it is the part of the schedule that makes this more than a long drive with photo stops. Still, that time includes both the hike and hot springs, so you will need to balance walking, resting and exploring. If you want a long trek, this is not presented as one. If you want a guided taste of the Highlands with a soak built in, the format makes sense.

What guides add to the day

The guide matters on a trip this long. You are sharing a vehicle for much of the day, walking in a remote area and relying on someone else to explain what you are seeing. Guides named in accounts of this tour include HBO, Roman, Sarah, Beggi, Tom and Mia. Praise has focused on clear explanations, good driving, keeping the group together and offering help on the hike.

That personal attention can change the feel of the outing. One guide was praised for knowing when to explain a stop and when to let people explore quietly. Another helped a participant on the hike. In a small group, those touches are useful, especially if you are uncertain about the terrain or want context beyond a quick photo stop.

The driver is just as important. The route includes rough, unpaved roads, and the accounts of Tom and other drivers describe smooth or skilled driving. You are paying not only to reach the sites, but to avoid having to negotiate those roads yourself.

The honest caveat: cancellations and vehicle trouble

The experience has a strong safety reason for flexibility: Highland weather and road access can change quickly. The operator says the tour may be adjusted to avoid unsafe conditions, and the route cannot proceed if a road is closed. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

But safety decisions and service problems are not the same thing. There are accounts of being told only a few days ahead that a booked date was unavailable, and of people waiting at the meeting point after a cancellation notice apparently failed to reach them. There are also serious reports of breakdowns, including long waits for a replacement vehicle. In one account, a guide worked hard to keep the group safe and positive while the company arranged transport.

These reports do not tell you how often problems occur, but they are worth taking seriously on a tour that lasts all day and travels far from Reykjavik. Check that your phone number and email are correct, monitor messages before departure and keep the day after the tour as flexible as you can. If you have a flight, another booked tour or a tight schedule, this remote route carries more risk than a short city outing.

Is $227 a fair price?

At $227 per person, this is a substantial day-trip purchase. The value comes from combining several hard-to-reach stops with Highland transport, a guide, a small group and a hike with hot springs. You also avoid renting a vehicle and driving the rough roads yourself. If you are in Iceland for a short stay and want to see both Háifoss and Landmannalaugar, the variety can justify the price.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in a long hike. The schedule includes three waterfall and lake stops, a long drive and a limited window at Landmannalaugar. You are paying for a full sightseeing day, not a trek-focused expedition.

Food and water are not included. Bring your own lunch and enough water for the day, and plan for dinner after you return. Bottled water is also excluded, so do not count on buying it on board. The early start and long return make these small preparations more important than they might seem.

The tour is booked, on average, 71 days ahead. That is a reason to plan early if this outing is central to your Iceland trip, not a guarantee that every date sells out. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when poor weather cancels the experience and a new date or full refund is offered.

Who should book this tour?

I would consider this tour if you want a guided first visit to the Highlands, like the idea of combining waterfalls with a moderate walk and hot springs, and do not want to drive the F-roads. It suits people who value variety and are comfortable spending most of a day out of Reykjavik.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a long, challenging hike or needing a tightly timed return. You also need to be ready for a 7:00 am start, a long ride and the possibility of weather or road changes. The tour says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information, so ask the operator if you have specific mobility needs.

I would book it for the combination of Háifoss and Landmannalaugar, while making sure I had a flexible schedule and my own food and water. The scenery is the draw, and the guide can make a long day feel well spent. Just go in with clear eyes about the distance and the possibility of disruption.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 13 hours, starting at 7:00 am and returning to the original meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. Pickup is also offered from select Reykjavik hotels.

What sights are included?

The stops are Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Bláhylur and Landmannalaugar.

How much time is set aside for each stop?

The schedule allows 20 minutes at Hjálparfoss, 30 minutes at Háifoss, 30 minutes at Bláhylur and three and a half hours at Landmannalaugar.

Is a hike included?

Yes. At Landmannalaugar, you take an easy guided hike among lava fields and rhyolite hills.

Can I use the natural hot springs?

Yes. You have the chance to rest in the natural hot springs during the Landmannalaugar stop.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, bottled water and dinner are not included.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a guide, WiFi on board, an air-conditioned vehicle, and all fees and taxes.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund.