Silver Circle: Lava Cave, Waterfalls & Iceland Horses-Small Group

The best part of this 10-hour Silver Circle tour comes underground. At Viðgelmir Lava Cave, you walk through a nearly 1,600-meter lava tube with colored rock, lava formations, low ceilings, and ice stalagmites. Above ground, the day moves through waterfalls, hot springs, medieval Icelandic history, and a family-run horse farm.

I like the quiet pace and the mix of stops. Sturlureykir Horse Farm gives you real contact with Icelandic horses, hot spring bread, and a glimpse of local life. I also like that Hraunfossar and Barnafoss offer something different from the famous Golden Circle waterfalls. The tradeoff is a long ride from Reykjavik, with bumpy roads in places and icy paths in colder months.

Key points to know before booking

• The lava cave is the main event: Expect about 90 minutes underground with helmets, headlamps, and a dedicated cave guide.
• Sturlureykir feels personal: You can feed and brush the horses, learn about the family farm, and taste rye bread baked with geothermal heat.
• This is the quieter western Iceland route: Crowds are often lighter than at the Golden Circle, though this can vary by day.
• The waterfalls are unusual: Hraunfossar spills from beneath a lava field across almost 900 meters, while nearby Barnafoss rushes through a narrower channel.
• The day includes plenty of walking: Crampons may be provided when paths are icy, but sturdy footwear and warm layers still matter.
• The small group has a limit of 19 people: Wi-Fi, hotel pickup, a professional guide, and cave and farm admissions are included for $219.

Why the Silver Circle makes a strong day trip

Iceland’s Golden Circle gets most of the attention, but the Silver Circle gives you a quieter look at western Iceland. The route is less about one famous landmark and more about variety: a waterfall reached by a short walk, Europe’s highest-flow hot spring, a horse farm, a medieval heritage site, two distinctive waterfalls, and a large lava tube.

That variety is the real value. You are not spending the whole day looking at similar waterfalls from parking lots. You move between hot water, volcanic rock, farming traditions, Icelandic literature, and dramatic river views.

The tour costs $219 per person. That is not a cheap bus ride, but the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik capital area, Wi-Fi, a professional guide, the horse farm, and entry to Viðgelmir Lava Cave. A separate visit to the cave would also require transport into the countryside, so the package makes practical sense if you do not want to drive.

The vehicle can carry up to 19 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach, though it is not a private tour. The ride to the first stop can take about two hours, so bring water, a snack, and something comfortable for the journey. The roads become rough in places, and one important warning is clear: if you have serious back pain, the ride may be difficult.

Glanni Waterfall and the first taste of western Iceland

Glanni Waterfall comes first, in the Bifrost area. You get about 20 minutes here, enough for a short walk and views of the falls in a quiet setting.

Glanni is not as large or forceful as Gullfoss, and it should not be sold as a replacement for it. Its appeal is more peaceful. The surrounding area gives you a quick introduction to the volcanic terrain and waterways of western Iceland without the crowds found at the country’s best-known sights.

Paths can be icy. On colder departures, crampons may be available, and they can make a real difference. Still, wear shoes with solid grip and take the walking slowly. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and a short stop can feel exposed if wind or snow moves in.

Deildartunguhver: geothermal force at close range

At Deildartunguhver, you see the highest-flow hot spring in Europe. The water reaches about 100 degrees Celsius and emerges at roughly 180 liters per second.

This is not a bathing stop. You follow the marked path carefully, keeping a safe distance from the vents and hot water. The attraction is the sheer force of the geothermal system. You can hear and see the water pushing out of the ground, and the area gives you a clear sense of how Iceland uses heat from below for daily needs.

You get around 20 minutes here. That is about right. There are no long trails or elaborate facilities to fill an hour, but the stop adds an important piece of Iceland’s story: geothermal power is not just a spectacle. It is part of ordinary life and local infrastructure.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm and hot spring rye bread

The 45-minute visit to Sturlureykir is one of the most distinctive parts of the day. This is more than a quick photo stop beside a pasture.

You can get close to the Icelandic horses, feed and brush them, and see them both inside the stable and outdoors. The farm’s owner, a fifth-generation member of the family, may explain the breeding program and daily life on the property. Your exact host can vary, but the farm visit is designed around conversation and contact with the animals.

You also learn how the farm uses geothermal heat. A private hot spring helps heat the home and stables, and the family uses hot water from the spring to bake rugbraud, a traditional rye bread. A taste of the warm bread with coffee, hot chocolate, or water gives the stop a welcome local touch.

This is a particularly good part of the tour for families and anyone interested in Iceland beyond scenery. You are seeing a working tradition rather than simply posing beside an animal. Keep in mind that the timing is limited, so the visit gives you an introduction, not a full farm stay.

Reykholt and the pool of Snorri Sturluson

The next stop is Reykholt, one of the country’s important historical sites. Here you see Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval poet, author, and politician.

Snorri used the pool, which is mentioned in medieval writings. The stop connects the natural setting with Iceland’s literary past. Your guide can explain Snorri’s role and point out details around the settlement, making this more than a quick look at a stone-lined pool.

You have about 20 minutes. That is enough for the site and a short explanation, but not enough for a long museum visit. If your main interest is geology, Reykholt may feel like a pause between bigger natural sights. If you enjoy stories, literature, and the way Iceland preserves its past, it adds welcome depth to the route.

Hraunfossar, water flowing from lava

Hraunfossar is the visual star of the above-ground stops. The name means lava waterfalls, and the name makes sense when you see the water emerging from the edge of a lava field rather than dropping from a single high cliff.

Small streams pour from the Hallmundarhraun lava field into the river below. The field formed during an eruption connected with a volcano beneath Langjökull glacier roughly 1,000 years ago. The falls stretch for about 900 meters, giving you several viewpoints instead of one single lookout.

You have about 30 minutes, usually enough to walk along the shore and stop at different viewing points. In icy weather, the paths can be slippery, and crampons are useful. Waterproof outerwear is sensible too, especially if wind pushes spray toward the walkways.

The falls are not as thunderous as Gullfoss. Their beauty comes from the way many thin streams appear to seep from the lava. This is a calmer, more detailed view of Icelandic geology, and it rewards taking a few minutes to look closely rather than rushing to the next stop.

Barnafoss and the story behind the name

Barnafoss is only a short distance from Hraunfossar, but it has a different character. The water moves quickly through a narrow channel, creating a more energetic scene.

The name means waterfall of the children. Local tradition tells of two children who fell from a natural stone bridge while crossing the river. Their grieving mother had the bridge destroyed afterward. Your guide can give more context, but the story is also a reminder that Iceland’s natural beauty has long carried difficult local memories.

You get about 30 minutes for Barnafoss and nearby viewpoints. Together, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss make an efficient pair. You see two different forms of moving water without another long drive between them.

A lunch stop is made near the waterfalls, though lunch is not included in the tour price. Food options can include soup and bread or a buffet, depending on the stop and current arrangements. Bring extra money and do not expect a long restaurant meal. The schedule is built around a practical break before the cave.

Entering Viðgelmir Lava Cave

Viðgelmir is the highlight and the reason many people choose this particular Silver Circle route. The cave is a lava tube nearly 1,600 meters long, with broad sections, narrow passages, low ceilings, and unusual formations created as molten lava cooled and drained away.

You spend about 90 minutes on the cave visit. A cave guide leads the group, separate from the main driver-guide, and explains how the tube formed and what you are seeing. Guides such as Gareth, Jan, or Nial have been praised for making the visit lively and clear, but the guide on your date will depend on the schedule.

You receive a helmet and headlamp. The cave has some lighting, but it is not brightly lit throughout, so the headlamp matters. You may see colorful rock, lava stalactites and stalagmites, marks left by cooling flows, and ice formations. Some sections require attention because of low ceilings and uneven ground.

The route is not described as an extreme caving expedition. A visitor who is not in top shape may manage it, but you still need to walk for a substantial period underground. It can feel chilly, so bring a warm layer even if the weather outside is mild. The cave floor and access paths may be damp or slippery.

The approach to the cave involves crossing an exposed lava field and descending wooden stairs. Wind can be strong outside, and the entrance area may feel remote. That contrast is part of the appeal: after a day of roads, farms, and waterfalls, you step into a dark volcanic tube shaped by an eruption long ago.

Guides, transport, and the pace of the day

Your guide does more than point out stops. The best guides on this route use the long drives for Icelandic stories, history, music, geography, and practical commentary, while also leaving quiet time when you want to look out the window.

Guides named in tour feedback include Christina, Thorri, Monica, Filip, Gulli, Walter, Bart, Addi, and others. Guide assignments change, so you should not book expecting one particular person. What does matter is the format: a small group, a professional guide, and enough time at each main stop to walk, listen, and take photographs.

Pickup from Reykjavik is included. Because large buses cannot enter certain central streets, your pickup may be at the nearest designated bus stop. Pickup generally runs from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., with the tour beginning around 9:00. If you meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M, you need to arrive before 8:20 and notify the company in advance.

Wi-Fi is available on the vehicle, which is useful during a long day outside the city. It should not replace a charged phone, since you will want it for photos and the connection may not be perfect across rural Iceland.

What to wear and what to bring

Dress for ground conditions, not just the forecast in Reykjavik. You will encounter waterfalls, open countryside, a geothermal site, icy paths, and a cold cave in one day.

Bring:

• Waterproof outerwear
• Warm layers for the cave
• Sturdy shoes with good grip
• Gloves and a hat in colder months
• Water and money for lunch
• A charged phone and portable battery
• A small day bag that stays close to you on the vehicle

Crampons may be provided when conditions require them, but they do not remove the need for care. The paths at Glanni, Hraunfossar, and Barnafoss can be slippery. If you have back problems, think seriously about the road conditions before booking, since rural sections can be rough.

Who should book this Silver Circle tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day of varied western Iceland without renting a car. It suits nature lovers, first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a smaller group to a large sightseeing coach.

It is also a strong choice if you have already seen the Golden Circle and want something quieter. You get waterfalls and geothermal features, but the horse farm, Reykholt, and lava cave give the day a different shape.

I would be cautious if you dislike long drives, walking on uneven or icy paths, cold underground conditions, or a schedule that includes several short stops. The tour is well packed. It feels varied rather than rushed, but you are still on the road for about 10 hours.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The experience depends on suitable weather, so poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the Silver Circle’s best mix of geology, waterfalls, local culture, and history in one day. The $219 price is fair when you count the cave and farm admissions, transport, guide, and hotel pickup.

Skip it if your priority is a short outing, a luxury vehicle, or a single spectacular waterfall. For most visitors who want a quieter alternative to the Golden Circle, the combination of Viðgelmir, Sturlureykir, and Hraunfossar makes this one of the more rewarding full-day trips from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Silver Circle tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours, including transport between Reykjavik and the stops in western Iceland.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup generally takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within the Reykjavik capital area. Central Reykjavik restrictions may require pickup at a nearby designated bus stop.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the schedule provides a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. Entry to Viðgelmir Lava Cave is included in the tour price.

Is the horse farm visit included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Icelandic horse farm is included.

Is the cave suitable for most people?

Most people can participate, but the visit includes about 90 minutes of walking, low ceilings, uneven ground, and potentially chilly conditions. Helmets and headlamps are provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.