Color shows up fast in Iceland’s highlands. What I like most is the guided Lauga-loop hike through colorful rhyolite terrain and the chance to relax in a geothermal hot spring afterward. The trade-off is simple: it’s a long day with lots of driving and weather can turn fast, so go in ready for a packed schedule.

You’re out of the Reykjavik orbit for a small-group push into the Fjallabak region, aiming for Landmannalaugar, a chain of waterfalls, and the turquoise crater lake of Hnausapollur. Expect about 13 hours total, a moderate hike, and multiple photo stops where you’ll step out, look around, and get back on the bus.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Lauga-loop hike with a guide: you’re not just dropped at the trailhead; the walk is guided and tied to the geology.
• Hot-spring time is part of the payoff: swimwear and a towel matter because the soak is scheduled after the hike.
• Three waterfall stops plus one big one: Hjálparafoss, Granni (spelled Glanni on some signs), and Háifoss make the waterfall theme feel real.
• Hnausapollur crater lake is the color contrast: turquoise water against stark volcanic sands.
• This is a long bus day: expect long stretches of time in transit, plus the reality of Iceland roads.

The Landmannalaugar Factor: Why People Make the Drive

Landmannalaugar is one of those places where your brain has to reboot. One turn you’re looking at pale lava textures; the next, you’re staring at slopes streaked with rainbow-ish rhyolite colors. That mix is exactly why this day trip works: you get a guided walk through the geology, then you get to stop and process it with hot-spring time.

I like that the experience is planned around movement and payoff. The trail isn’t just a stroll for photos; you walk through steaming geothermal areas and past rock formations described in plain language by the guide. Then you reward yourself with a soak while the highland air does what it does best: it clears your head.

One more practical thing: you’ll feel the scale of the highlands here. It’s not a quick viewpoint-and-back trip. Even with several short stops, most of your attention will go toward the big Landmannalaugar chunk of time.

Reykjavík to the Fjallabak Highlands: Long Day, Worth It If You Plan For It

This tour is built around travel. You’ll start in Reykjavik (Tour Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg on Þórunnartún), then spend a lot of the day on the road. The total time is about 13 hours, and pickup can be optional, with pickup logistics that may take up to 30 minutes.

What that means for you: pack for comfort and patience. The bus is described by some guests as cramped, especially in the back rows, and Iceland roads can be bumpy. A long day also means you’ll want snacks and water ready, since food and drinks aren’t included.

I also appreciate that the trip isn’t only “sit and look.” You get enough stops to stretch your legs and keep the day from feeling like one endless commute. Still, if you’re someone who hates being on a bus for hours, you might feel it more than you expect.

Hnausapollur and Frostastaðavatn: The Volcanic Side Quests

Before you ever hit Landmannalaugar, you’ll make a couple of geology-forward photo stops.

Hnausapollur crater lake

Hnausapollur is the one guests talk about for a reason. It’s an ancient crater lake formed by volcanic eruptions, and the color contrast is the star: turquoise blue water sitting inside desolate volcanic surroundings. Even if you only have about 10 minutes to look, this is one of those places where you’ll want to pause for 2 minutes and just stare.

Frostastaðavatn

There’s also a stop at Frostastaðavatn. This one is mostly framed as a quick sightseeing break, so come ready to enjoy the moment rather than expecting a long guided explanation.

The value of these side stops is that they build context. By the time you reach Landmannalaugar, you’ve already seen the theme: volcanic landforms plus water where you’d least expect it.

Landmannalaugar Arrival: 4 Hours That Actually Matter

Once you reach Landmannalaugar, you get around 4 hours total. That includes a guided portion, free time, hiking, and time to swim.

You’ll start with the guided experience that connects what you see to what’s happening underground. The route is described as an easy Lauga-loop hike of about 1.5 to 2 hours, walking along geothermal areas and through foothills near Bláknúkur mountain. Expect rocky terrain, some uneven ground, and sections where the “active” geothermal side of the area is obvious by sight and steam.

A few guests mention the loop can feel like a longer distance (roughly 6 km), so I’d treat it as a moderate effort rather than a casual flat walk. This is especially important if weather turns slick.

The Lauga-Loop Hike: Colors, Lava Texture, and Real Geological Explanations

The best part of the day for many people is the hike itself, and it’s not because it’s dramatic every second. It’s because the guide helps you connect dots.

On this loop you pass colorful rhyolite hills and striking obsidian rock formations. You also walk toward steaming geothermal pools and work your way through the foothills. The terrain has variety, so you don’t feel like you’re repeating the same view for 2 hours.

This is also where specific guide styles show up. Guests highlight guides such as Ottar, Beggi, Kalman, and HBO for doing a good job explaining hot springs and volcanic rocks while staying with the group throughout the walking portion. That matters: if you’re trying to understand a place like this, having someone translate the geology into everyday terms makes the whole day click.

Practical tip: wear proper hiking shoes and plan on uneven ground. You’ll be glad you brought something that grips.

Hot Springs at Landmannalaugar: Your Scheduled Reset Button

After the hike, you get the chance to bathe in the geothermal hot-spring pool at Landmannalaugar. This is the “reward time” built into the itinerary, and it’s not optional in the way you might think. You can’t recreate this easily later unless you’re already staying nearby.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The day includes hiking and changing weather, so that soak is more about recovery than sightseeing. The feeling described by guests is consistent: after the exertion, the pools are relaxing, and the views from the water add to the sense of place.

Do remember there’s no time to treat this like a spa appointment. It’s a scheduled slot. Keep your towel and essentials easy to reach so you don’t lose your whole return-to-happiness routine fiddling.

Waterfalls on the Way Out: Hjálparafoss, Granni, and Háifoss

The day doesn’t stop with Landmannalaugar. You’ll also see a trio of waterfall stops, including the famous Háifoss.

Hjálparafoss and Granni (Glanni)

These stops are shorter, but they give you that classic Iceland waterfall contrast: different drop shapes, different positions in the terrain, and different moods depending on the weather.

Háifoss

Háifoss is the big one of the group. It’s Iceland’s fourth largest waterfall, and the name of the game here is scale plus structure. You’ll also get a chance to appreciate the double-pronged look from the viewing area.

This part of the day is mostly sightseeing and photos, not a long hike. That’s good news if you still have energy to burn but you also want to reduce risk when conditions get slippery.

How the Timing Works: Photo Stops, Breaks, and the 13-Hour Reality

The itinerary is packed but not chaotic. Most stops are short and purposeful, like:

• Quick sightseeing at crater and lakes
• A lunch or break stop at Highland Center Hrauneyjar
• A dedicated Landmannalaugar block with the hike and hot spring
• Waterfall photo stops
• A final break at Selfoss on the way back

On a good day, you’ll feel like you constantly move from one “wow” to the next. On a bad weather day, you’ll still get value, but your priorities shift more toward watching the light change on the rock and less toward lingering for perfect photos.

One thing to watch for: the tour ends back in Reykjavik late. Some guests even describe very late returns when something unexpected happens with the bus. That’s not the norm you should assume, but it’s smart to keep your plans flexible.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For

At about $226 per person, this is not the cheapest Reykjavik outing. But value comes from three things you’d struggle to stitch together alone:

1. Remote transportation into the highlands without driving the rougher stretches yourself.
2. Time efficiency: multiple major sites in a single day.
3. A guided hike that turns “cool scenery” into “I get what I’m looking at.”

Also, several costs are covered: transportation from Reykjavik, onboard Wi-Fi, the tour guide, and Landmannalaugar facility fees. What you’ll need to handle is simple: food and drinks.

If you want a day that feels like you actually visited Iceland’s interior rather than just looked at it from a roadside, this price starts to make sense. If you want a slow, low-effort outing with minimal time on buses, you’ll likely decide it’s not worth it.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Rethink It)

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a guided highlands hiking experience instead of DIY navigation
• Enjoy geology and want the “why” behind the colors and volcanic features
• Plan to bring swimwear and use the hot-spring time
• Don’t mind a long day in transit

It’s not suitable for children under 8, and it’s not recommended for people with mobility impairments. If walking on uneven ground is an issue for you, treat this as a no.

Weather matters too. Even in summer months, conditions can change fast. Guests report everything from grey clouds to snow flurries at the final destination, so bring weather-appropriate layers and be ready to adjust.

Should You Book This Landmannalaugar and Háifoss Tour?

Book it if you want one day in Iceland that combines rhyolite hills, a guided highlands hike, hot-spring recovery, and major waterfall viewing without needing a rental car and route-planning nerves.

Skip it if your ideal day includes minimal driving, lots of downtime, or easy flat walking only. Also skip if you can’t commit to a moderate hike and don’t want the reality of changing weather.

If you’re somewhere in the middle, I’d lean toward booking. This is the kind of itinerary that gives you a strong sense of place in a short window—especially if you listen to the guide and pack smart.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Reykjavik?

The tour duration is 13 hours.

Where do I meet the tour in Reykjavik?

Meet the tour at Tour Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg (on Þórunnartún).

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup is optional and starts at the time shown on your voucher, and the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes.

What’s included in the price?

Included are transportation from Reykjavik, Wi-Fi on board, the tour guide, and Landmannalaugar facility fees.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own.

What type of hiking is involved?

The tour includes a moderate-level hike. The Lauga-loop is described as an easy trail portion, about 1.5 to 2 hours, but you should still wear proper hiking shoes and be ready for uneven ground.

Can I swim in the hot springs?

Yes. After the hike you’ll have the opportunity to bathe in a geothermal hot-spring pool at Landmannalaugar. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Which waterfalls are visited?

The tour includes photo stops at Hjálparafoss, Granni (Glanni), and Háifoss.

What crater lake do we visit?

You’ll stop at Hnausapollur, an ancient crater lake with turquoise blue water.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.