Landmannalaugar hiking, nature bath and Haifoss day tour

Landmannalaugar’s multicolored rhyolite hills, black lava fields and geothermal pools make this a very different day out from Reykjavík’s easier-to-reach sights. The route also reaches Hnausapollur crater lake and two striking waterfalls, so much of the appeal is the changing scenery between stops.

I like that you get about four hours at Landmannalaugar, enough time for a guided walk and a proper look around, and that the route pairs the Highlands with Háifoss, Hjálparfoss and Hnausapollur. I also like the practical touch of a guide who can split the hike by pace and stamina, as Vjeran did on one trip.

The trade-off is the long ride over rough roads. This is a full, potentially tiring day, not a gentle bus outing: the schedule can shift with weather and traffic, and one account described a jolting ride and a bathing stop without changing facilities.

• Landmannalaugar is the main event: Expect around four hours for a guided hike and time among rhyolite peaks, lava fields and geothermal springs.
• The route adds three distinct stops: See Hjálparfoss, Hnausapollur crater lake, and Háifoss and Granni waterfalls.
• The road is part of the challenge: Highland gravel roads can be bumpy, and the total tour lasts about 13 hours or longer if delayed.
• Hiking pace can vary: A guide has split the group between easier and moderate routes, though the exact arrangement may differ.
• Pack for the soak and the walk: Bring swimwear, a towel, water, waterproof layers and grippy hiking shoes. Carry lunch, too.
• Check the final price and pickup details: The advertised starting price and join-in price differ, and hotel pickup costs extra.

A long road to Iceland’s rhyolite country

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Landmannalaugar sits beyond the regular day-trip circuit from Reykjavík. Getting there means hours on rougher roads, but the reward is a striking change of scene: ancient lava, brightly colored rhyolite hills, open hiking routes and geothermal water. This is a good choice if you want to spend time walking in the Highlands rather than simply taking photos from a roadside viewpoint.

The trip is built around a highland bus ride and several short stops. The advertised duration is 13 hours, with a 07:00 departure and a scheduled return at 20:00. The day can run late in bad weather or with other delays, so avoid booking a tight evening plan.

The bus journey takes up a large share of the day. One account describes a jeep-style vehicle on F roads and river crossings, while another found the ride rough enough to be uncomfortable. The route is scenic, but the uneven road is worth considering if you have back problems or find long, bumpy rides difficult.

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Hjálparfoss offers a first stop among basalt

After about an hour and 50 minutes on the bus, the first scheduled stop is Hjálparfoss in Þjórsárdalur valley. The waterfall is known for its twin cascades and basalt rock formations, a compact and photogenic introduction to the day’s scenery.

You have about 25 minutes here, with a guided visit. That is enough for a look and some photos, but not a long walk or leisurely pause. Think of it as a short leg-stretcher before the longer ride toward the Highlands.

Hnausapollur’s blue water and volcanic rim

The next major stop is Hnausapollur, also called Bláhylur. Its vivid blue water sits within a volcanic crater, set against reddish soil. The color contrast is the draw, and the brief 10-minute stop is designed for a view rather than a hike around the lake.

That short window makes this a quick photo stop. Keep your camera ready and follow the guide’s timing, since the schedule has a lot of ground to cover before the return to Reykjavík.

Four hours to walk at Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is the centerpiece, with around four hours allocated for a guided visit. The area is famed for its rhyolite mountains, geothermal hot springs and trails, and the combination of colored rock and dark lava gives the Highlands a look unlike the waterfalls and coastal stops elsewhere on this route.

The hiking level can be adapted to the group. On one trip, the guide, Vjeran, divided people between a moderate route for stronger hikers and an easier route for most of the group. One account describes the easier walk as about four kilometers over roughly two hours, with mostly flat ground and a few steeper ups and downs. That sounds manageable for a person in ordinary fitness, but it is still a real hike on uneven ground, not a paved stroll.

Good footwear matters. A previous hiker strongly recommended shoes with excellent grip, and that is sound advice for volcanic terrain. Wear warm, waterproof clothing, since Highland weather can change, and bring water. A camera is useful, but keep your hands free enough to walk securely.

The guide can make a real difference here. Vjeran was praised for explaining the hiking routes, keeping an eye on the group and offering to take photos. Other accounts also describe attentive guides who stayed with the group and helped people move at a comfortable pace. You cannot count on a particular guide, but the tour’s English-speaking guide is included.

The hot-spring stop adds a welcome change of pace after the walk. The geothermal bathing fee is included, but practical arrangements deserve attention. One person reported finding no changing facilities, so do not assume there will be a private place to change. Bring your swimsuit, a large towel or robe, and slippers; wearing your swimsuit under your clothes can also save time and awkwardness.

The bathing experience may be a highlight, but don’t let the word hot spring make you forget the setting. You are in a remote Highland area, and the available facilities may be basic. Go prepared, and you will be better placed to enjoy the soak instead of sorting out what you should have packed.

Háifoss and Granni bring the day back to waterfalls

After Landmannalaugar, the route includes about two hours on the bus before a 20-minute stop at Háifoss and Granni. Háifoss drops 122 meters into a rugged canyon in Þjórsárdalur valley. It is described as Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, and the canyon setting gives the stop a bigger sense of scale than the earlier visit to Hjálparfoss.

Granni is included alongside Háifoss, giving you two waterfalls to take in at the same stop. The visit is brief, so expect a viewpoint-style pause rather than time for a long walk. If the weather is poor or the schedule has slipped, the guide may need to keep the group moving.

From there, the bus ride back to Reykjavík is listed at about two hours and 20 minutes. In practice, traffic, weather and road conditions can affect the timing. The day’s long drives are part of the bargain: they make this remote area reachable without renting a vehicle, but they also leave less room for lingering at each stop.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed starting price is $211.99, while the join-in option is shown from US$230.40. Prices can vary, so check the current amount for your date and package before booking. For a full-day trip into the Highlands, with round-trip bus transport, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on board and the geothermal bathing fee included, the cost can represent good value if you want to see several remote sights without arranging transport yourself.

You still need to budget for meals and drinks, which are not included. There is time allocated for lunch, and food can be purchased along the way, but one person advised bringing lunch rather than relying on buying it. I would pack something substantial, plus water and a snack; this is a long day with hours between Reykjavík and the main stops.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard details. The listed add-on is US$12 for adults and youth, and free for children. The meeting point is Bus Stop #12, opposite Storm Hotel, at Þórunnartún 6 in Reykjavík. Be on time: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Who will enjoy this day, and who may not

This tour suits you if you want a guided introduction to Landmannalaugar and prefer not to handle the Highland drive yourself. It also works well if you value variety: the day combines hiking, geothermal bathing, a crater lake and several waterfalls rather than focusing on one attraction.

It is a reasonable fit for people with different hiking abilities, provided you can walk on uneven ground and manage a long day. The minimum age is six, and children aged 16 and older pay the adult rate. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible.

You may want another option if you dislike rough roads, need a predictable finish time, or prefer a relaxed pace with long stops. The 13-hour estimate is only a guide, and the journey can run longer. The tour also isn’t a good fit if you expect a strenuous mountain hike: the easier route described by one participant was relatively gentle, but the exact walk and group split can vary.

What to bring for the Highlands

Pack as if you may encounter wind, rain and uneven ground. Waterproof, warm layers and grippy walking shoes are the basics. Bring a water bottle, camera, swimwear and towel. Slippers or a robe can help at the bathing stop, particularly if changing facilities are limited.

For food, bring lunch rather than assuming you will find a choice you like on the way. The tour includes a lunch break and food may be available to buy, but meals and beverages are not part of the price. A small day bag keeps the essentials close during the walking stops.

Should you book the Landmannalaugar day tour?

Book it if seeing the Highlands is a priority and you are comfortable trading a long, bumpy ride for a hike among rhyolite hills, a geothermal soak and several major sights. The best reasons to go are the variety of the route and the chance to reach Landmannalaugar with a guide and transport already arranged.

Think twice if rough roads are a serious concern, or if you need a short, easy day with a firm return time. Check the live price, confirm whether you need paid hotel pickup, and pack for the bathing stop as carefully as you pack for the hike. With those expectations set, this is a strong way to spend a day beyond Reykjavík’s more accessible circuit.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour is listed as 13 hours. Bad weather or other delays can make it run longer.

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Bus Stop #12, opposite Storm Hotel, at Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík.

What time does the tour leave?

The listed departure time is 07:00. Take part at the time selected when booking.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included, though time is allocated for lunch and food can be purchased along the way.

What should I bring for the hot springs?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Slippers or a robe are useful, and one account reported that changing facilities were not available.

Is the hike difficult?

The tour includes a guided visit of about four hours at Landmannalaugar. One account describes an easier route of about four kilometers, with mostly flat ground and a few steep sections. The route and pace may vary.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Participants must be at least six years old. Children aged 16 and older are charged the adult rate.