Landmannalaugar Hiking, Haifoss Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour

The best part of this day is the way it reaches Landmannalaugar, one of Iceland’s most striking highland areas, without asking you to handle a rough F-road yourself. You’ll see two major waterfalls, a volcanic crater lake, colorful rhyolite hills, steaming ground, and a natural hot spring before returning to Reykjavik.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the long stop at Landmannalaugar, which gives you time to hike and bathe rather than simply snap a photo and leave. I also like having a skilled guide and driver, especially on the bumpy highland roads. The drawback is the tour’s dependence on weather, road access, and vehicle reliability. Delays and cancellations have happened.

• 122-meter Háifoss: See Iceland’s fourth-highest waterfall, with nearby Granni adding a second dramatic drop.
• A real highland outing: Reach Landmannalaugar by vehicle, then take an easy guided hike through lava and rhyolite.
• Natural hot spring time: Soak your tired legs before leaving the mountains.
• Four major stops: Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Bláhylur, and Landmannalaugar fill a very long day.
• Maximum 15 people: The smaller group makes it easier to stay together and ask the guide questions.
• Bring your own food and water: Lunch, bottled water, and dinner are not included.

What the $227 price buys you

At $227 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. I see the value in it if you want Landmannalaugar but do not plan to rent a suitable vehicle or drive Iceland’s rough interior roads yourself.

Your price covers about 13 hours on the road, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional driver, a guide, onboard WiFi, and entrance-related fees. The route combines several places that are difficult to link independently in one day. Háifoss is especially useful here, since the tour is described as the only day trip visiting that waterfall.

The price makes less sense if your main aim is a long, serious hike. You get about three and a half hours at Landmannalaugar, not a full day on the trail. This is a sightseeing and easy-hiking trip with a hot spring stop, not a demanding trek.

I would also budget for food before departure or pack a substantial lunch. Lunch, bottled water, and dinner are not included, and the day starts at 7:00 in the morning. With a long drive each way, you will want snacks that are easy to eat in the vehicle.

Hjálparfoss and its turquoise pool

The first stop is Hjálparfoss, where two rivers meet and spill over dark basalt formations. The water gathers in a pool often noted for its turquoise color, giving you an attractive first look at Iceland’s volcanic geology and moving water.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look around, but not enough for a long walk. I would use this stop to get your camera ready and settle into the day rather than expect a major hike.

The basalt around the falls matters as much as the water. Iceland’s rock formations often reveal the country’s volcanic past without needing a museum label, and Hjálparfoss gives you that lesson in a compact setting.

Háifoss gives the morning its drama

Háifoss rises 122 meters and is Iceland’s fourth-highest waterfall. It drops into a broad gorge, with Granni waterfall nearby. The setting is open and powerful, and the pair gives you more than a single waterfall viewpoint.

The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is short, but practical. You can take in the main view, photograph both falls, and hear the guide explain the area before moving on.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular outing. Háifoss is not always included on standard day trips from Reykjavik, and reaching it with a driver saves you the trouble of planning the approach yourself. If waterfalls are high on your Iceland list, this stop helps justify the cost.

The road conditions are part of the tradeoff. The route to the highlands includes rough, unpaved sections, and one account described the roads as bumpy for a large part of the round trip. I would choose this tour partly because I would rather let an experienced driver handle that stretch than concentrate on navigation.

Bláhylur, a crater lake shaped by fire

Bláhylur is a volcanic crater lake formed about 1,200 years ago after a major eruption involving two nearby volcanoes. The stop lasts around 30 minutes, giving you time to look into the crater and understand how Iceland’s highland scenery was built by fire.

This is a different kind of stop from the waterfalls. Hjálparfoss and Háifoss are about movement and sound. Bláhylur is about scale, color, and the shape left behind after an eruption. I like that the day does not simply repeat one type of scenery.

The exact feel of the stop depends on the weather. In clear conditions, the crater and surrounding terrain should be easier to read. In poor weather, visibility may be limited, which is one reason this experience requires good weather and may be rescheduled or canceled when roads are unsafe.

Landmannalaugar delivers the main event

Landmannalaugar is the heart of the day. This highland area is known for lava fields, colorful rhyolite hills, geothermal activity, and hiking routes. You get about three and a half hours here, including an easy guided hike and time in a natural hot spring.

The walk is designed for people who want to explore on foot without signing up for an extreme mountain day. You’ll move among rough lava, brightly colored volcanic hills, and steaming geothermal pools. The guide sets the pace, keeps the group together, and can help you understand what you are seeing.

The route is not presented as a strenuous hike, but easy does not mean effortless for everyone. The ground around lava fields can be uneven, and the weather can shift quickly. One account described experiencing three seasons during the walk. Wear sturdy shoes, carry a waterproof layer, and do not count on the morning forecast staying accurate all day.

The guides can make a real difference here. HBO was praised for explaining Iceland’s settlement, geology, and the places along the route while also giving people time to enjoy the views. Roman was described as attentive and effective at keeping a large group together. Sarah, Tom, Mia, and Beggi also received strong praise for care, driving, and morale during difficult moments.

You should expect a balance between guidance and free time. A good guide may explain the area, lead you through the main section, and then give you room to pause and take photographs. One particularly positive account valued having help on the hike while still getting time to explore independently.

The hot spring is more than a footnote

Before leaving Landmannalaugar, you get the chance to soak in the steaming natural hot springs. After a walk over rough ground, this can be the most welcome part of the day.

The bathing time is not listed as a separate fixed duration, so you should follow the guide’s schedule. One account described spending more than an hour in the hot spring, though the exact time can vary with the day’s conditions and group needs.

Bring what you need for bathing. The supplied details do not list towels, swimwear, or changing facilities, so you should confirm those practical points before departure rather than assume they are provided. At the very least, pack a dry layer for afterward and keep your belongings organized.

The hot spring also helps explain the appeal of Landmannalaugar. You are not only looking at geothermal activity from a distance. You get a chance to experience it directly, in a simple outdoor setting surrounded by highland scenery.

A long day in a small vehicle

The tour begins at 7:00 a.m. at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, in Reykjavik. Pickup is offered from select Reykjavik hotels, but the stated meeting point is the detail I would rely on when planning your morning. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

A 13-hour day requires patience. Much of the appeal comes from reaching remote places, and that means long travel between stops. One positive account described the drive as relaxing despite roughly six hours of round-trip travel and bumpy F-road sections. A smooth, capable driver matters here.

The maximum group size is 15, which is a useful middle ground. You get more personal attention than on a large coach, but you still have enough people for the tour to feel social. It also makes it easier for the guide to keep the walking group together.

The vehicle experience has not been perfect every time. There have been reports of a late start caused by a missing bus and driver, as well as serious breakdowns that led to several-hour waits. One incident involved a faulty tire and a replacement vehicle arriving late in the day. Those reports are not minor inconveniences, especially on a remote road where lost time can remove several planned stops.

The operator responded to the vehicle complaints by saying it was taking steps to improve mechanical checks. Still, I would treat transport reliability as a genuine consideration. The strongest parts of this outing are the guide, route, and scenery. The weakest point has been the company’s handling of vehicle and cancellation problems.

Weather and road access can change the plan

Landmannalaugar lies in Iceland’s interior, where road access and weather can change quickly. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions should result in either another date or a full refund.

That policy is sensible for this route. A highland road is not the place to force a departure simply to protect a schedule. The practical problem is communication. Some bookings have been changed or canceled close to departure, and at least two people reported waiting in Reykjavik without receiving the message in time.

If you book, check your email, spam folder, phone messages, and the contact number attached to the reservation before the departure date. If the tour operator changes the plan, prompt communication matters. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

What to pack for this exact day

I would pack light but carefully:

• A filling lunch and extra snacks
• A refillable water bottle
• Waterproof outerwear and warm layers
• Sturdy shoes for uneven lava and hiking paths
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes for the hot spring
• A phone charger or power bank
• Small personal items you can keep close in the vehicle

WiFi is provided onboard, but I would not build your day around having a strong connection in the highlands. The important preparation is clothing, food, and water.

You should also be comfortable with a full day away from Reykjavik. This is not a quick outing with frequent stops at cafes or shops. The scenery is the main attraction, and the schedule is built around remote places.

Who should book this Landmannalaugar tour

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Iceland, want to see the highlands, and prefer not to drive rough interior roads. It also suits you if waterfalls, volcanic geology, an easy hike, and a hot spring all sound better than spending the day in town.

It is a good match for people who can manage an easy walk on uneven ground and who do not mind a long day. The small group, guide-led hike, and included transport make the route less complicated.

I would hesitate if you need a tightly controlled schedule or have little tolerance for delays. Weather can cancel the outing, roads can slow the drive, and the reported vehicle problems show that the transport side has not always been dependable. If you want a serious multi-hour hike, the time at Landmannalaugar may also feel too short.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour for the route, not simply for the bus service. Háifoss, Bláhylur, and Landmannalaugar make a strong combination, and the natural hot spring gives the day a memorable finish. Guides such as HBO, Roman, Tom, Mia, Sarah, and Beggi have added real value through clear explanations, calm driving, and personal help on the trail.

The main question is how much uncertainty you can accept. At $227, the price is fair for access to remote sights, a small group, a guide, and a full 13-hour day, but the vehicle and communication problems are worth taking seriously. If you can pack for changing weather and allow flexibility, this is one of the more useful ways to reach Landmannalaugar from Reykjavik without driving yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar, Háifoss, and hot springs tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 7:00 a.m. at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What places are visited?

The route includes Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Bláhylur, and Landmannalaugar.

How much time is spent at Landmannalaugar?

The scheduled time at Landmannalaugar is about three and a half hours, including the easy guided hike and the chance to use the natural hot spring.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, bottled water, and dinner are not included, so you should bring your own food and water.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 15 participants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.