Scenic Buggy Adventure 1 hour

Near Þórsmörk, this one-hour buggy ride packs a taste of Iceland’s South Coast into a short outing: gravel tracks, open countryside and views of waterfalls, all from a two-seat 4×4. At Brú Base Camp, a guide gives you a safety briefing and helps you suit up before you head out.

I like two things about the plan: the short, lively format makes it easy to fit between other South Coast stops, and the automatic buggies have roll cages, seat belts and suspension designed for comfort. The guide also adds context about the area, so you get more than a fast ride and a view.

The trade-off is that an hour goes quickly. If you want a long excursion or time on foot at waterfalls, this is not that kind of tour. You’ll also need to bring several warm and waterproof layers, and drivers need a license.

The quick facts before you book

• Start at Brú Base Camp: The meeting point is Southcoast Adventure’s base on Road 249, in Hvolsvöllur.
• Ride a two-seat automatic buggy: The fully automatic 4×4 vehicles have roll cages, seat belts and double A-arm suspension.
• Expect countryside and waterfall views: The route uses gravel tracks around the Þórsmörk area. No specific waterfall stop is promised.
• Dress for Icelandic weather: An insulated coverall, helmet and balaclava are provided. You bring warm layers, gloves, hiking shoes and rain gear.
• Plan for the group’s numbers: Buggies seat two. If your party has an odd number, one person is assigned a single buggy, with a single supplement to add during booking.

Getting ready at Brú Base Camp

The outing begins at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp, by Road 249. You’ll want to arrive ready for outdoor activity: bring a driver’s license, warm clothing and sturdy hiking shoes, along with rain gear, gloves and a hat. A scarf and warm socks are also recommended.

Before setting off, your guide gives a short safety briefing and helps you put on an insulated coverall and helmet. A balaclava face mask is included too. These layers matter: even a brief ride can feel chilly when you’re exposed to the weather and moving along open tracks. The coverall is useful protection, but it is not a substitute for the warm clothes and waterproof gear you’re asked to bring.

The details are worth sorting out before you leave your accommodation. Appropriate hiking shoes are required, while snacks are not included. The supplied information lists warm outdoor clothing, warm layers that are not cotton, gloves, socks, a scarf, headwear and waterproof jacket and pants. In short, dress for being outdoors rather than for the temperature you hope to get.

A one-hour ride across gravel tracks

Once you’re suited up, you climb into a two-seat, fully automatic 4×4 buggy and head out with your guide. The ride lasts one hour, and the route takes you across gravel tracks and through countryside near Þórsmörk. You can expect views of Icelandic nature and waterfalls along the way.

The short duration makes this an appealing sampler. You get the feel of driving off road without giving up half a day, which can suit a busy South Coast itinerary. It is also a straightforward way to add motion and a little adventure to a day otherwise spent looking out of a car window.

Keep expectations in line with the format. The outing promises scenic views, not a long hike or a series of stops where you explore on foot. The details do not name a specific waterfall or describe a scheduled photo stop. If getting close to a particular waterfall is essential to your plans, check the route with the operator before booking rather than assuming the buggy tour includes it.

The guide is part of what makes the hour more than a driving session. The tour is offered in English and Icelandic, and the guide can share information about the area and its history. One visitor described the guide as personable and informed, and said the sense of safety made the outing a highlight of their trip. That fits the appeal of having someone lead you through unfamiliar terrain, especially if you have never driven a buggy before.

What the buggy’s design means for you

These are two-seat, fully automatic 4×4 buggies, so you do not need to manage a manual gearbox. They are described as road legal and safety-inspected, with roll cages, seat belts and double A-arm suspension. Those features provide reassurance and are meant to make the ride more comfortable over uneven tracks.

The vehicle is built for a mix of adventure and control, not a luxury cruise. You’ll feel the character of gravel tracks, but the suspension is there to help smooth the ride. The safety briefing is your chance to understand how the buggy works and what your guide expects. Pay attention, ask questions and follow the guide’s instructions throughout.

The two-seat setup also affects how you book. If your group has an even number, the seats pair up neatly. For an odd-numbered group, such as three or five, one person is automatically assigned a single buggy. Add the single supplement during booking to avoid being charged later.

The scenery, and what not to assume

The draw here is the broad impression of the area: countryside, gravel routes and views toward waterfalls in the Þórsmörk surroundings. The experience is designed to let you take in Icelandic scenery while moving through it, rather than to deliver a detailed sightseeing itinerary with named stops.

That distinction matters when you compare this with a conventional sightseeing tour. A buggy gives you a more active way to cover ground, but you should not expect a guide to stop at every viewpoint or give you time to walk around. The route details do not specify how many waterfalls you’ll see, their names or how long you’ll spend near them.

If the weather is clear, the open views may be the highlight. If it turns wet or cold, the protective suit and your own layers become more important. The scenery is still the point, but the experience is outdoors, so a warm, waterproof outfit can make the hour much more comfortable.

Is $150 a fair price for an hour?

At $150 per person, this is a relatively expensive way to spend an hour. The price makes most sense if you value the buggy itself, the guided off-road format and the chance to see the countryside from a different vantage point. It is not simply a scenic drive in a vehicle you would otherwise rent: the experience includes the buggy, guide, safety briefing, insulated coverall, helmet and balaclava.

Still, the short duration is the central value question. You are paying for a compact adventure, not a half-day outing. If you want an activity that adds a distinct, hands-on element to your South Coast plans, the hour may feel well spent. If your priority is seeing as many sights as possible for the lowest cost, you may find a regular drive and walk better value.

The overall rating is 3.9 from eight ratings, so the experience does not have a large enough pool of feedback to treat that number as a guarantee. The individual comments available are strongly positive about the scenery, staff and sense of fun. One person especially praised a personable guide who explained the area and its history, while others focused on the staff, views and excitement of the ride. Those are useful signs of what the tour does best, but the brief duration and weather exposure remain real considerations.

Who should choose this outing?

I’d consider this tour if you want a short burst of activity on the South Coast, enjoy driving or riding off road, and would like a guided way to see the countryside near Þórsmörk. It can also suit you if you want an adventure that does not take up most of the day.

It is not suitable for children under five or pregnant women. You’ll need to bring a driver’s license, and the information does not specify other driving requirements, so check with Southcoast Adventure if you have questions about who can drive. If you are booking for a group with an odd number, plan for the single-buggy supplement.

This is also not the best match if you dislike cold, wet conditions or would rather explore on foot. You can prepare with warm layers and rain gear, but the activity is still outdoors. If a longer excursion or a specific waterfall stop matters more than a quick ride, look for a tour whose route and duration clearly include those things.

Practical details to keep in mind

The meeting point is Southcoast Adventure / Brú Base Camp on Road 249, Hvolsvöllur. The tour lasts one hour, with starting times depending on availability. Guides speak English and Icelandic.

The coverall, helmet and balaclava are included. Snacks are not. Bring warm, non-cotton layers, gloves, warm socks, a scarf, a hat, hiking shoes and waterproof jacket and pants. A driver’s license is required. The activity is not suitable for children under five or pregnant women.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those flexible terms can help if you are still arranging a weather-dependent Iceland itinerary, but check availability before building your day around a particular departure time.

Should you book the buggy adventure?

Book it if you want an active, guided hour with a chance to drive a 4×4 over gravel tracks and take in the scenery around Þórsmörk. The automatic buggy, protective gear and guide make the format approachable, while the views and sense of fun are its strongest attractions.

Skip it if you need a long outing, a guaranteed stop at a named waterfall or the lowest-cost way to see the South Coast. At $150 per person, this is a focused adventure rather than a bargain sightseeing ride. Dress properly, account for the odd-group supplement and book it for the experience of driving through the countryside, not for a detailed waterfall visit.

FAQ

Where does the buggy tour start?

It starts at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp on Road 249, in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland.

How long is the buggy adventure?

The buggy adventure lasts one hour. Starting times depend on availability.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes an insulated coverall, helmet and buggy balaclava face mask.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license, warm clothing, a hat, hiking shoes, rain gear and gloves. Warm socks, a scarf and waterproof jacket and pants are also recommended.

Can an odd-numbered group share the buggies?

The buggies have two seats. If your group has an odd number, one person is assigned a single buggy. Add the single supplement during booking to avoid being charged later.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

Children under five and pregnant women are not suitable for this activity.