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Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavík

About 11 hoursGroup: Small group, up to 19 peopleEasy to moderateSuper jeep from ReykjavíkAge 8+June–October
5.0(10 reviews)
Coloured mountains at LandmannalaugarHighland lake edged with mossy lavaThe mountain hut and warm stream at LandmannalaugarThe waterfalls of Sigöldugljúfur canyon
Hiking group at Landmannalaugar

A full-day Landmannalaugar super jeep tour from Reykjavík into Iceland's highlands. You hike about 4.5 km among the coloured rhyolite mountains, can bathe in the natural hot spring, and stop at crater lakes and waterfalls like Háifoss and Hjálparfoss on the way.

LandmannalaugarHekla volcanoBláhylur crater lakeHáifoss waterfallGjáinHjálparfoss
  • About 2 hours in Landmannalaugar, with a hike of about 4.7 km
  • Optional dip in the natural geothermal pool
  • Views of Hekla volcano and black lava fields
  • Háifoss, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, plus Gjáin and Hjálparfoss
  • Highland roads and river crossings in a super jeep
  • Small group of up to 19 passengers

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up between 8:30 and 9:00 in Reykjavík, or later in Hveragerði, Selfoss and Hella.
2Road through moss and black sand in the highlandsÞjórsárdalur valleyStop at a small shop to buy lunch and snacks.
Road through moss and black sand in the highlands

Þjórsárdalur lies along the Þjórsá, Iceland's longest river, where farmland gives way to the highlands near the mountain Búrfell. In 1104 Hekla erupted and buried around 20 farms across the valley in ash, ending settlement here for centuries. When the farm at Stöng was excavated in 1939, its stone foundations were found almost intact under the ash. The valley also has waterfalls and lava fields, including Háifoss, 122 metres high.

Tip · buy enough food and drink for the whole day
Read our Þjórsárdalur guide →
3Hekla volcanoHekla volcanoPhoto stop overlooking black lava fields below Hekla.
Hekla volcanoHekla volcanoHekla volcano

Hekla is a long ridge-shaped volcano, 1,491 metres high, that has erupted around 20 times since Iceland was settled. The first eruption on record, in 1104, was also the largest, and after it medieval writers began to describe Hekla as a gateway to Hell, an idea that spread across Europe. It last erupted in 2000. Summit hiking is discouraged, because the warning before an eruption can be as short as 30 minutes.

Walking · a few steps from the jeep
Read our Hekla guide →
4Highland lake edged with mossy lavaFrostastaðavatnA highland lake on the way into Landmannalaugar.
Highland lake edged with mossy lavaHighland lake near Landmannalaugar

A highland lake ringed by lava and rhyolite hills, just before you reach Landmannalaugar. This is a short photo stop, a few minutes to step out and take in the first of the landscape that surrounds the area.

Walking · short photo stop
5Hiker below the rhyolite mountains of LandmannalaugarLandmannalaugarHiking among coloured mountains and a soak in the hot spring.
Hiker below the rhyolite mountains of LandmannalaugarTwo hikers crossing the lava field at LandmannalaugarHiker and the coloured mountains of Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar, in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, is known for its rhyolite mountains, which weather into shades of pink, green, yellow and orange rather than the black basalt found across most of Iceland. Black lava fields, steaming ground and a natural hot spring, usually 36 to 40°C, complete the landscape. The roads in are F-roads with river crossings, generally open from late June to early September, and this is where the Laugavegur trail begins.

Time here · about 2 hoursWalking · about 4.5 km, around 2 hoursBathing · optional, bring a swimsuit and towelFacilities · basic toilets at the hut area
Read our Landmannalaugar guide →
6Blue crater lake in the highlandsBláhylurA crater filled with deep blue water.
Blue crater lake in the highlandsTurquoise crater lake in the highlands

Bláhylur is a small volcanic crater lake, known for its intense blue colour, just off the highland road. A short walk takes you to the rim for the view down to the deep blue water.

Walking · short walk to the rim
7SigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfurA canyon with many small waterfalls on its walls.
SigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfur

Sigöldugljúfur, known as the Valley of Tears, is a short, deep canyon where dozens of thin streams trickle down green, moss-covered walls into the river below, especially after rain or snowmelt. It sits close to the Sigalda power station on the road towards Landmannalaugar. The road is gravel and needs a 4x4, and from the car park it is only a short, flat walk, open roughly from June to September.

Walking · short walk from the road
Read our Sigöldugljúfur guide →
8HáifossHáifossOne of Iceland's tallest waterfalls.
HáifossHáifossHáifoss

Háifoss drops about 122 metres from the edge of the highlands into a deep canyon cut by the Fossá river, with the smaller Granni waterfall tumbling beside it. The setting is bare highland terrain, a narrow gorge and, on a clear day, a view towards Hekla. It is quieter than the South Coast waterfalls, partly because the last 7 kilometres of road are gravel and need a 4x4 with good clearance.

Walking · short walk to the viewpointTip · the edge is unfenced, so keep back
Read our Háifoss guide →
9GjáinGjáinA small green valley with little waterfalls and lava formations.
GjáinGjáinGjáin

Gjáin is a small green valley below the Viking-age farm ruin at Stöng, where the highlands give way to farmland. A short walk down into it reveals a surprisingly lush pocket of moss, small waterfalls, ponds and dark basalt columns, quite different from the open lava fields around it. The gravel road towards Stöng is best driven in a 4x4, and access is easiest from late spring to autumn.

Walking · short walk on uneven paths
Read our Gjáin guide →
10HjálparfossHjálparfossTwin waterfalls framed by basalt columns.
HjálparfossHjálparfossHjálparfoss

Hjálparfoss means 'Help Falls'. It is a twin waterfall where the Fossá river splits into two falls just before it joins the Þjórsá, Iceland's longest river. Travellers heading into the highlands used to stop here to rest their horses and let them graze along the riverbanks before the harder ground inland, and the name has stuck.

Walking · a few minutes from the car park
Read our Hjálparfoss guide →
11Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your accommodation in the evening.

About the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour

Landmannalaugar sits in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the southern highlands, surrounded by rhyolite mountains in shades of red, yellow, green and grey. The highland roads that lead there are gravel tracks with rivers to cross, so a super jeep is the easy way in for a day trip from Reykjavík.

The day is long, about 11 hours. You drive east through Þjórsárdalur valley and past Hekla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, to Frostastaðavatn lake and then Landmannalaugar. Here you have about 2 hours: the popular Laugahraun loop is around 4.7 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours over lava and colourful slopes, and after that you can soak in the warm natural pool by the hut.

On the way back you stop at the blue crater lake Bláhylur, Sigöldugljúfur canyon, Háifoss, the green hollow of Gjáin and the twin falls of Hjálparfoss. Highland weather changes fast, even in summer, and there is little shelter, so bring warm and waterproof layers. The highland roads open only in summer, usually from late June, depending on snow and road conditions.

Included

  • Professional driver-guide
  • Super jeep transport
  • Pick-up and drop-off
  • Hiking advice from your guide in Landmannalaugar
  • Wi-Fi on board (limited in the highlands)

Not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Entry fees, if any apply

What to bring

  • Warm layers and a waterproof jacket
  • Good hiking shoes
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Packed lunch or money for the shop stop
  • Water bottle

Good to know

  • The tour takes about 11 hours
  • Minimum age is 8
  • About 2 hours in Landmannalaugar; the most popular hike, the Laugahraun loop, is about 4.7 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Hikes are not directly guided; your guide advises you on the best route
  • Pick-up in Reykjavík between 8:30 and 9:00, Hveragerði 9:15, Selfoss 9:30, Hella 10:00
  • Small group of up to 19 passengers
  • Summer only, when the highland roads are open
  • Toilets are basic in the highlands; the shop stop is your last chance to buy food
  • Weather in the highlands changes fast, even in summer
  • Free cancellation at any time before the tour starts
  • Runs June to October

Questions people ask

Can I bathe in the hot spring?

Yes, if you want to. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. The pool is natural, with simple changing facilities.

How hard is the hike?

Easy to moderate. The popular Laugahraun loop is about 4.7 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with some uphill sections and uneven lava paths. Your guide suggests the best hike for you.

Is lunch included?

No. You stop at a small shop in Þjórsárdalur to buy lunch, or you can bring your own.

Why a super jeep?

The roads to Landmannalaugar are rough gravel tracks with unbridged rivers. Normal cars and buses cannot use them.

When does the tour run?

In summer, when the highland roads are open. See the booking calendar for dates.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 10 reviews
5 stars10
4 stars0
3 stars0
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1 star0
Magnificent tour and landscapes

Magnificent tour to the inlands of Iceland. We really enjoyed the magnificent landscapes of Landmannalaugar but we also really love the places we stopped at on the way like Haifoss and the neighboring waterfall, and the volcanic craters like Hnausapollur.
The ride was comfortable and the guide was excellent.

Catherine · July 2026
The most beautiful part of Iceland

We had the most magnificent experience on this tour to Landmannalaugar. Iceland is extremely beautiful but the highlands of Iceland are on another level!
Can't wait to do this tour again in the future and will be taking my wife and kids with me!

Ian L. · March 2025
Una Aventura Mágica en Landmannalaugar!

El tour en Super Jeep a Landmannalaugar fue simplemente espectacular. Los paisajes geotérmicos, las montañas de colores y los campos de lava son como de otro mundo. La experiencia de cruzar ríos en el jeep fue emocionante y divertida. Además, la oportunidad de relajarse en las aguas termales al final del recorrido fue el cierre perfecto. ¡Altamente recomendado para los amantes de la naturaleza y la aventura!

María F. · January 2025
The best tour of our trip

Breathtaking tour to the highlands of Iceland. Did this tour with my family and was very happy with it. So happy that we decided to do this jeep tour instead of the bus tour since the group was only our family and one other couple. It was a great experience. The ride to the highlands was comfortable and the locations were the most beautiful. Our whole family enjoyed this tour and I can't wait to travel back to Iceland and will do this tour again.

Ambrio H. · December 2024
Recommend this Landmannalaugar tour

We had a great experience on this tour. The jeep was comfortable and the guide was great. Landmannalaugar was the highlight of the trip - magnificent views and the hikes were manageable and beautiful.
Recommend.

Jonas · December 2024
Incredible

This tour was incredible! The Super Jeep ride itself was so exciting, and the landscapes in Landmannalaugar were out of this world. Our guide was fantastic, sharing stories and guiding us through some of the most beautiful spots. A must-do!

DeAnna · November 2024
From46,125 ISKPer person

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Our guides to places on this tour:GjáinHáifossHeklaHjálparfossLandmannalaugarReykjavíkSigöldugljúfurÞjórsárdalur
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