Buggy ‘Lava Field Adventure’ from Reykjavik

The best part of this outing is that you do not simply look at Iceland’s rough country from a coach window. You drive through lava sand, mud, water, and snow, then climb Úlfarsfell Mountain in a two-seater buggy. At the top, Reykjavik, the North Atlantic, and Esja open up below you. I like the mix of thrills and scenery, plus the chance to stop at geothermal features rather than race past them.

I also like the practical setup. Safari Quads supplies helmets, gloves, thermal coveralls, ski masks, and rain gear, which matters in Iceland’s changeable weather. Guides such as Gonzalo, Louis, Lisa, Marco, and Thomas have made a strong impression through clear safety instruction and a friendly manner. The main drawback is that the ride can lean heavily toward speed, so it may not suit you if you want long, quiet photo stops.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours behind the wheel: Tackle rocky lava trails, puddles, mud, snow, and the climb toward Úlfarsfell.
• A real mountain viewpoint: Look across Reykjavik, the North Atlantic, and Esja from the summit ridge.
• Warm gear is supplied: Helmet, gloves, coveralls, ski mask, and rain protection help keep poor weather manageable.
• Two people share one buggy: Each vehicle seats one driver and one passenger, with the price based on two people per vehicle.
• Geothermal stops add context: You may see steam vents, boiling mud, hot springs, and pipes linked to Iceland’s volcanic heat.
• Pickup is offered from Reykjavik: Central hotels in restricted pickup zones may require a short walk to a nearby bus stop.

From Reykjavik hotel to the buggy station

The outing lasts about three and a half hours, including transport, preparation, and roughly two hours on the trail. Pickup begins around 30 minutes before departure, and the stated pickup time is 13:00. The transfer can take up to 30 minutes, so keep your afternoon fairly open.

Safari Quads operates from Lambhagavegur 19 on Reykjavik’s outskirts. If your hotel sits in one of the city’s no-pickup zones, you will need to walk to the nearest designated bus stop. The walk is usually described as two to five minutes, but you should check your exact stop before departure rather than wait outside the hotel.

That small bit of planning matters. Reykjavik’s tour buses do not collect from every hotel entrance, and a missed pickup would be a poor start to an otherwise well-organized outing. Keep your phone available and be ready at the stated time.

The ride to the base also gives you a useful transition from city streets to open Icelandic country. You are not spending the afternoon on a long transfer to a distant attraction. The base lies close enough to Reykjavik to make this a practical half-day choice, especially if you have only a short stay or want to keep your morning free.

Getting ready in coveralls and helmets

At the station, you receive a safety briefing before getting into the buggy. You are fitted with a helmet, gloves, thermal overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear. The company also explains how to operate the vehicle and how to use the safety buckles.

This preparation is more important than it may sound. Icelandic weather can turn a sunny ride into a wet, cold one within minutes, and the route includes water and mud. The supplied clothing will not make you immune to the elements, but it gives you a much better chance of staying comfortable.

Each buggy is a two-seater. One person drives while the other rides beside them, and the fee is based on two people sharing one vehicle. A full valid driver’s license is required if you want to drive. Children aged six and older may ride as passengers, but the driver must meet the licensing requirement.

If you are going with a partner or friend, you can take turns driving. That worked well for adults who wanted both the driving experience and a chance to sit back for photographs. You should decide early who wants the first turn, since the guide controls the pace and route.

The shared option requires at least two adults per booking. A single-rider option is also available, with one adult required for that choice. Check the option carefully when booking so the vehicle arrangement matches your plans.

The first trails through lava country

Once the briefing is finished, you follow the guide out onto lowland trails. The surface changes often. You may cross rocky lava fields, soft lava sand, muddy pools, standing water, and snow. The buggy is built for this kind of ground, so the route feels quite different from driving a normal car on a gravel road.

This is where the activity earns its name. Iceland’s lava fields are not smooth black plains. They are rough, broken, and irregular, with hollows and ridges that make you work the vehicle. The ride can be bumpy, and water may splash over the buggy as you pass through larger puddles.

You should not expect a slow sightseeing drive. The guide sets a brisk pace, and several parts of the route are designed to make you feel the buggy’s power. One useful tip is to listen closely to the instructions. Staying in line, following the guide’s speed guidance, and using the vehicle as instructed make the ride safer and more enjoyable.

The ride also changes with the weather. In rain, mist, or snow, visibility may be less clear, but the supplied gear helps. One outing in poor weather was still considered highly enjoyable because the clothing kept the group protected. In clear conditions, you will get better views and photographs, but the rough trail itself remains the main attraction.

Climbing Úlfarsfell Mountain

The most demanding section comes when the group begins the ascent of Úlfarsfell Mountain. You follow the guide up the mountainside, then continue toward the final ridge. The climb gives the buggy a clear purpose: this is not just a muddy farm track, but a mountain route with a real uphill challenge.

The ascent requires attention. You should be ready for uneven ground, changes in traction, and a steady climb. A moderate level of physical fitness is requested, although the vehicle does the heavy work. You are still sitting for much of the ride, but the motion, bumps, and need to stay alert can be tiring.

At the summit area, the guide stops the group. This is the point to look beyond the immediate trail. Reykjavik spreads below, the North Atlantic reaches out beyond the city, and Esja Mountain rises in the distance. The contrast is pleasing: a few minutes earlier you were working through mud and rock, and now you have a broad view over the coast and city.

The stop also gives you a chance to catch your breath and take photographs. Do not assume the group will spend a long time here, though. The trip is built around driving, and the exact amount of time at each stop can depend on the guide, weather, and group pace.

Hafravatn and the geothermal side of Iceland

After descending, the route continues toward Hafravatn Lake. The water can reflect the surrounding country like a mirror when conditions are calm. This is the quieter side of the excursion, and it breaks up the more physical sections of the ride.

The route may also include a stop near geothermal features. You might see steam vents, boiling mud, or a natural hot spring area. One particularly interesting detail is that the guide may point out a natural spring or pool that was among the first such sources used by people. You can also pass geothermal pipes and hydro facilities, which help connect the scenery to Iceland’s use of volcanic heat.

These stops matter because they give the ride some meaning beyond speed. Iceland’s hot ground is not merely a photo backdrop. It supplies heat and power, shapes the terrain, and continues to alter the country around it. Guides have pointed out that environmental changes can be visible over time, adding useful context to what you see.

Still, the geothermal element is brief compared with the driving. If your main goal is to study hot springs, boiling mud, or geology at length, choose a dedicated geothermal outing instead. Here, those features are a welcome pause during a motorized adventure.

What the guides add to the ride

The guide leads the group, sets the pace, explains the route, and gives the safety talk. Good instruction is especially important for first-time buggy drivers, and this is one of the activity’s strongest features.

Gonzalo has been singled out for making the ride exciting while keeping it safe. Louis, also referred to as Lewis, has been praised for a friendly manner and for explaining the volcanic area. Lisa helped a nervous driver feel at ease, while Marco received strong marks for making a family outing enjoyable. Thomas, Paula, Maria, and Guillermo have also been associated with warm, attentive service.

You may not get a particular guide, so do not book on the assumption that one named person will lead your group. The useful point is the pattern: expect a guide who explains the buggy before setting off and provides some background at the geothermal and scenic stops.

Group size can reach 60 people, although the actual buggy group may feel smaller depending on the day’s bookings. A large overall group can affect how quickly you move and how long you wait at stops. One smaller outing felt more flexible because only a couple and the guide were present. That kind of freedom cannot be guaranteed.

Speed, scenery, and the value of the $314 price

At $314 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off, a two-hour buggy ride, a professional guide, and the full set of protective gear.

You are also paying for access to terrain that is difficult to reach independently. A normal rental car cannot simply follow the same rough tracks, and an ordinary sightseeing bus cannot provide the same physical connection with the ground. For a couple sharing a buggy, the cost buys both transport and a substantial outdoor activity.

The value is strongest if you want an active half-day and have already seen Iceland from buses, roads, or walking paths. It is less convincing if your priority is low-cost sightseeing, long stops, or a quiet nature experience. You should also remember that food and drinks are not included.

The biggest question is pace. Some outings focus strongly on going fast, with only a limited stop for scenery and geothermal features. That makes the trip exciting, but it can frustrate you if you want to pause at every viewpoint.

If you want a longer and harder test, Safari Quads offers an extreme version with a three-hour ride. The standard two-hour tour is the better choice if you want a clear introduction to buggy driving without committing to a longer session.

Who should book this Iceland buggy ride?

I would put this near the top of your list if you enjoy quad biking, off-road driving, or activities that make you work a little for the view. It is also a good choice for couples and families with older children, since one person can drive while the other rides as passenger.

The minimum passenger age is six, but that does not mean every young child will enjoy the bumps, noise, or speed. You know your child best. A child who prefers gentle sightseeing may be happier on another outing.

You should have a valid driver’s license, a moderate level of fitness, and some comfort with changing weather. The ride is not described as a technical racing event, but it is rough, active, and sometimes fast. If you are nervous, tell the guide. Clear instruction and a steady start can make a big difference.

This is also a useful option for solo visitors, though the vehicle arrangement matters. The activity requires at least two adults for the shared booking, while the single-rider option requires one adult. Confirm the correct choice before paying.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local Iceland time.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring in a country where conditions can change quickly, but it is still wise not to schedule the buggy ride immediately before a flight or an important connection.

Wear comfortable clothes beneath the supplied gear, and plan to keep food and drinks for before or after the outing since neither is included. Bring a phone or camera if you want pictures, but protect it from spray, mud, and rain.

Should you book the Lava Field Adventure?

Book it if you want to drive Iceland rather than simply photograph it. The combination of lava trails, muddy water, snow, mountain climbing, geothermal features, and the Úlfarsfell viewpoint gives you a lively half-day close to Reykjavik.

Skip it if you want a slow nature tour with frequent stops or if the $314 price feels too high for a two-hour ride. The pace can be fast, and the views are part of an off-road adventure rather than the sole focus.

For the right person, this is one of the more memorable ways to break up Iceland’s long coach excursions. Listen to the guide, accept that you may get wet and dirty, and treat the ride as both a driving experience and a look at the volcanic forces beneath Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long does the Buggy Lava Field Adventure last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes. This includes pickup, preparation, the ride to the trails, and about two hours of buggy driving.

What is included in the price?

The price includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, a two-hour buggy adventure, a professional guide, helmet, gloves, thermal overalls, ski mask, and rain gear.

How many people fit in one buggy?

Each buggy seats two people: one driver and one passenger. The price is based on two people sharing a vehicle.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a full valid driver’s license if you want to drive the buggy.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged six and older may ride as buggy passengers. The supplied information does not state that children may drive.

Where does the activity begin?

The base is at Lambhagavegur 19, 113 Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup is offered from Reykjavik, subject to the city’s restricted pickup zones.

How does hotel pickup work in central Reykjavik?

Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure. Some central hotels are in no-pickup zones, so you may need to walk two to five minutes to the nearest designated bus stop.

What happens if the weather is too poor for the ride?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.