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Thórsmörk Buggy Tour | 5 Hours

About 5 hoursGroup: Small groupEasyBuggy from HvolsvöllurAge 5+, driving licence needed to driveAll year

A longer buggy tour into Þórsmörk, the valley wedged between Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull. You drive your own buggy over rivers and rough tracks, with a stop to walk to a gorge and waterfall in the valley.

Brú Base CampRiver crossingsÞórsmörk valleyBásar areaGorge and waterfall walk
  • A longer, deeper drive into Þórsmörk than the shorter buggy tour
  • Þórsmörk valley, surrounded by glaciers on three sides
  • Multiple river crossings and rough highland tracks
  • An optional walk through a gorge to a hidden waterfall
  • Two people share each buggy, with a guide leading the group

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Meet at Brú Base CampCheck in and get kitted out with an insulated snowsuit, helmet and balaclava.
2View from the driver's seat of a buggySafety briefingHow to handle the buggy on rivers and rough tracks.
View from the driver's seat of a buggyBuggies lined up below a peak at sunset

Your guide briefs the group on driving technique, river crossings and hand signals before you set off, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Insulated snowsuits, helmets and balaclavas are provided.

Time here · about 15–20 minutes
3Buggy splashing through a riverDrive into ÞórsmörkRiver crossings and highland tracks into the valley.
Buggy splashing through a riverBuggies fording a river in a green valleyBuggies crossing a gravel riverbed

The route follows F-roads and crosses several glacial rivers on the way into Þórsmörk, with the three surrounding glaciers in view for much of the drive. You drive your own buggy, two to a vehicle, on gravel and rough highland tracks.

Terrain · river crossings, gravel and rough highland tracksDriving · you drive; two people share each buggy
Read our Þórsmörk guide →
4Buggy in a wide green valleyWalk to gorge and waterfallA short walk off the buggies around the Básar area.
Buggy in a wide green valley

Where conditions allow, the group stops for a short, easy walk away from the buggies, around the Básar area, through a narrow gorge to a hidden waterfall, with views over moss-covered cliffs and eroded glacial landscape.

Walking · short and easy, on foot away from the buggies
5Return to Brú Base CampHand back the gear and warm up.

About the Thorsmork buggy tour 5 hours

Þórsmörk sits in a valley shielded by Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull, and this is one of the few ways to see it in a buggy you drive yourself rather than as a passenger on a super jeep. The extra time compared with the shorter buggy tour means you get further into the valley and have time to stop and walk.

The route crosses glacial rivers and rough f-road tracks, so the drive itself is part of the experience: expect spray, bumps and a fair bit of concentration at the wheel. Where the tour allows a stop, there is a short walk through a gorge to a waterfall and views around the Básar area, with moss-covered cliffs and eroded glacial rock.

You need a valid driving licence to take a turn at the wheel, and children under 5 aren't able to join. This is a highland route, so it depends on rivers being crossable and roads being open, and the operator adjusts or cancels departures when conditions don't allow it.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Drop-off in Hella or Hvolsvöllur
  • Pick-up in Hella or Hvolsvöllur
  • Private tour upgrade

Included

  • Guided buggy ride, two-seater vehicle
  • Insulated snowsuit, helmet and balaclava

Not included

  • Transport to Brú Base Camp
  • Food and drinks

What to bring

  • A valid driving licence (for the driver)
  • Warm layers, avoid cotton
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Gloves, hat and scarf
  • Sturdy hiking footwear
  • Snacks and water

Good to know

  • About 5 hours, starting at 10:30 from Brú Base Camp, road 249, near Hvolsvöllur
  • Minimum age 5 to ride along; the driver needs a valid driving licence
  • Two people share each buggy; a single-rider buggy can be booked (if your group is an odd number, one person needs a single ride)
  • Route depends on river and road conditions in Þórsmörk and can change or be cancelled in poor weather
  • The operator's own listing gives an August to December season for this specific tour
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start. No refund within 48 hours.
  • Runs All year

Questions people ask

How is this different from the shorter buggy tour?

This 5 hour version goes further into Þórsmörk itself, with more river crossings and a stop to walk to a gorge and waterfall, rather than staying in the Fljótshlíð area.

Do I need off-road driving experience?

No, but you do need a valid driving licence. Guides brief the group and lead at a manageable pace over the rivers and tracks.

Will we get wet?

Yes, river crossings can throw up spray, so waterproof layers and footwear you don't mind getting wet are a good idea.

Is it available all year?

The operator's own page for this tour lists an August to December season; check current availability before booking, especially outside those months.

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From89,990 ISKPer person

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