Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is the hunt itself: you leave Reykjavik by ATV, follow rough trails toward Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell, and wait beneath a dark Icelandic sky. I like the freedom of driving rather than sitting on a coach, and I like that the guide can shift the route when clear skies offer a better chance of seeing the aurora.

I also like the small-group limit of 10 people. Guides such as Helga have taken time with first-time ATV drivers, and some evenings include extra time at the top, warm drinks, or Icelandic cakes and biscuits. The catch is simple: the northern lights cannot be promised, and clouds, rain, or a bright moon can turn this into a very fun ATV ride without an aurora.

Key points to know before you book

• Hafravatn Lake reflections: If the aurora appears, the lake can mirror the moving light beneath Mount Hafrafell.
• A real driving experience: You operate the ATV yourself, with a full driving license required for drivers.
• Small groups: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, which makes instruction and photo stops easier.
• Double or single riding: The standard price is for two people sharing one quad. You can pay extra to ride alone.
• Cold-weather planning matters: Wear layers, warm socks, sturdy shoes, a scarf or buff, and hand or foot warmers.
• Good value for active visitors: At $199 per person, the tour combines transport, equipment, guiding, night views, and an ATV ride in about three hours.

Riding out from Reykjavik after dark

Pickup is offered around Reykjavik, usually from a designated city bus stop rather than directly outside every hotel. The long list of pickup points includes places such as Hlemmur, City Hall, Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, and the BSÍ Bus Terminal. Some hotels outside the central pickup network may use their own address, so check your exact meeting point when you book.

The ride begins at 9:30 pm and takes you to Action Adventures at Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær. The tour lasts about two to three hours, with the ATV portion described as roughly three hours including the time at scenic stops. You return to the ATV base at the end.

This late start makes sense in winter, when darkness is needed for the aurora. It also means you should keep the next morning flexible if you are visiting Reykjavik on a packed schedule. One guide has taken the group out until about 1 am and then helped with the return, so the finish can run later when conditions are promising.

The ATV briefing and choice of ride

At the base camp, you put on safety equipment and receive instructions before setting off. You do not need previous ATV experience, but you do need a moderate level of fitness and enough confidence to steer, stop, and manage the vehicle on uneven ground.

The standard booking is a double ride, with two people sharing one quad. This keeps the listed price at $199 per person. If you would rather control the ATV alone, select the single-ride option and pay the additional charge.

That distinction matters. Sharing is a sensible choice for couples or friends who want to keep the cost down, but it also means deciding who drives and when. A solo rider gets more control and may find the outing more exciting, but the added cost is worth considering alongside the already substantial base price.

A full driving license is required for anyone operating an ATV. A passenger can be as young as 6, according to the stated rules. The guide can accommodate beginners, and one account describes careful help with starting, stopping, and turning for a first-time driver. Still, this is an active outing, not a passive sightseeing trip.

Following the trail toward Hafravatn Lake

Once the group leaves the base, the route heads into open country outside Reykjavik. The trail leads toward Hafravatn Lake and the slopes around Mount Hafrafell, with the ATV providing the main thrill before the aurora even enters the picture.

At night, the countryside feels very different from central Reykjavik. The city lights remain part of the view, but the road noise and bright streets fall away. You may pause to look for stars or shooting stars while the guide checks the sky and waits for better conditions.

The riding is the heart of the experience. You are not simply transported to a viewpoint, then asked to stand in the cold. You steer the machine, follow the guide, and feel the rough track beneath the tires. That makes the tour a good fit if you want an outdoor activity with some speed and movement.

The trade-off is comfort. ATV riding at night can be cold, especially when you stop for long periods to watch the sky. Wear every useful layer you have. Warm shoes and thick socks matter, as do hand warmers, foot warmers, and something that covers your neck. The company provides warm equipment, but bringing your own extra layers is still wise.

Mount Hafrafell viewpoints and city lights

If conditions allow, the group continues toward the mountain for broad views over Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær, and nearby towns. From higher ground, city lights spread below you while stars appear over the darker hills.

This is a strong part of the tour even when the aurora fails to show. Several accounts describe the night view over Reykjavik as a highlight in its own right. You get a viewpoint that feels far removed from the city, yet the capital remains visible below, giving you a clear sense of the surrounding area.

The route is weather dependent. The guide goes toward the mountain when there is a reasonable chance of clear skies, rather than following one fixed route regardless of conditions. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the exact ride can change.

Do not expect a long, technical off-road expedition. The information provided describes a guided ATV ride along rugged trails with scenic stops. It does not promise advanced driving, extreme terrain, or a particular distance. I would book it for the combination of night riding and sky watching, not as a specialist motorsport outing.

Waiting for the aurora over Hafravatn

Northern lights hunting requires patience. The lights depend on darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity, and even a clear night can produce little or nothing. The guide may use the waiting time for stargazing and may move the group to another overlook if conditions improve.

When the aurora appears, Hafravatn Lake offers a fine setting. The water can reflect the shifting colors, while Mount Hafrafell gives the view a strong dark outline. From higher ground, you can also watch the lights above the city and nearby towns.

The tour has had nights with immediate aurora displays, as well as evenings when clouds, rain, or a bright moon blocked the view. On one wet evening, the guide offered a different date, but the group went ahead and still saw the lights through the cloud. On other evenings, the ATV ride and the view from the mountain carried the experience.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the operator. It is simply the nature of the aurora. The practical question is this: would you still enjoy the tour if the sky stayed dark? If the answer is yes, you are paying for a worthwhile night ride with a chance of seeing the lights, not buying a guaranteed show.

Taking photographs in the cold

Bring a phone with a good night mode or a camera that allows a few seconds of exposure. The stated advice favors an iPhone 11 or newer, recent Google phones, and other devices with night photography settings. Older phones may record very little in the dark.

Photography is harder than it looks. Your fingers get cold, the ATV can move, and the best display may last only a short time. Keep your phone easy to reach, use hand warmers, and take a moment to watch with your own eyes instead of spending the entire stop on the screen.

Guides may take photos and share them with you. That can be especially useful if your phone struggles with night photography. Still, I would not count on a professional photo package unless it is confirmed at booking. The safe plan is to bring your own capable phone and treat guide photos as a welcome extra.

How the $199 price measures up

At $199 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price becomes easier to justify when you count the included pickup option, ATV use, safety equipment, guide, and the chance to reach dark country without arranging a rental car or finding a remote viewpoint yourself.

The small group also has real value. With a maximum of 10 people, the guide can keep an eye on new drivers and make stops without managing a huge line of vehicles. You are paying for an active outing with personal instruction, not simply transport to a viewing area.

The price is strongest for someone who already wants to ride an ATV. If your only goal is to see the aurora as cheaply as possible, a standard northern lights bus tour may cost less. If you want both the search and the ride, this tour gives you two reasons to go out on a winter night.

Remember that the standard rate covers a shared quad. A solo quad costs extra. For two people who do not mind sharing, the listed price is more reasonable than it first appears. For a solo rider, the total cost rises, but so does the time you spend in control.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want a hands-on night outside Reykjavik and you are comfortable with the possibility of missing the aurora. It suits couples, friends, families with an eligible passenger, and first-time ATV drivers who want patient instruction.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Iceland’s main sights by day and want something different after dinner. The ride gives you mountain views, open country, stars, and city lights in one compact evening.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, have limited physical fitness, or want a guaranteed northern lights display. The tour requires sitting on an ATV in winter conditions and spending time outside while the guide watches the sky. A clear forecast helps, but it does not control the aurora.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Northern Lights ATV tour?

Book it if the ATV ride sounds nearly as appealing as the northern lights. You will get a more memorable evening than a simple coach transfer, with a small group, dark-country views, and a real chance to see the aurora reflected in Hafravatn Lake.

I would especially recommend it for adventurous visitors who want guidance without giving up independence. The main risk is not poor service. It is weather, cloud, moonlight, and the stubborn schedule of the sky. Bring proper clothing, a capable phone, and realistic expectations, and the night can still be a success even if the lights stay hidden.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights ATV tour start?

The ATV ride starts at Action Adventures, Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Pickup is offered from many Reykjavik hotels and designated city bus stops.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two to three hours. The ATV itinerary is listed as about three hours, including the ride and stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are offered. Many central hotels use nearby designated bus stops, so confirm your assigned pickup point when booking.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Anyone driving an ATV must have a full driving license.

Can children join the tour?

Passengers can be from 6 years old. The provided information does not state a minimum age for drivers.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes. The standard rate is for two people sharing one quad, but you can choose a single ride for an additional charge.

What should I wear?

Wear all your warm layers, warm shoes, thick socks, hand and foot warmers, and a scarf or warm neck covering. It can be cold on the quads.

Is seeing the northern lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event and may be hidden by clouds, rain, moonlight, or low activity. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.