Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar Hike and the Valley of Tears

Iceland’s wildest colors are waiting inland. This 11-hour trip from Reykjavík takes you into the Fjallabak Nature Reserve by four-wheel-drive minibus, with stops at Hjálparfoss, Landmannalaugar, the Laugahraun lava field, and Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears. The day combines a guided hike, dramatic geology, and a soak in a natural hot pool.

I especially like the time at Landmannalaugar, where you have more than three hours to hike, take photographs, or bathe. I also like the unusual route to Sigöldugljúfur, a canyon filled with clear waterfalls and spring-fed streams. The main drawback is the long, rough ride from Reykjavík. The F-roads are bumpy, and the vehicle can be noisy, so this is not a restful day on the road.

Key points at a glance

• The main event is a two-hour hike: Follow a guide through black obsidian and colorful rhyolite toward Brennisteinsalda, the Sulphur Wave.
• You get real free time: After the guided walk, you can choose another trail, linger for photographs, or use the natural hot pool.
• The roads are part of the adventure: Expect gravel, bumps, and highland routes that ordinary rental cars cannot use.
• The Valley of Tears is a strong finale: Sigöldugljúfur has small waterfalls, clear pools, green plant life, and steep cliffs.
• Hjálparfoss adds useful context: Its two-tiered falls and basalt formations show how water and volcanic rock shape southern Iceland.
• Pack for changing weather: Hiking shoes, rain gear, gloves, outdoor clothing, swimwear, and a towel all belong in your daypack.

Why Landmannalaugar deserves a full day

Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s most unusual walking areas. The mountains are made largely of rhyolite, a volcanic rock containing quartz and silica. Iron and sulphur give the slopes shades of red, yellow, orange, brown, and green. In shifting weather, the colors can look completely different from one hour to the next.

The black rock is just as striking. The Laugahraun lava field formed during an eruption in 1477 and contains large areas of obsidian. This volcanic glass has smooth surfaces and sharp edges. Its dark, glossy appearance is sometimes compared with the fictional dragon glass from Game of Thrones, but the real geology is more interesting than the television reference.

I like this outing because it gives you enough time to see Landmannalaugar as a place, not just as a roadside photograph. You are not rushed straight back onto the bus after a viewpoint. The central stop lasts more than three hours, and the guided walk takes about two hours, leaving room for your own pace and interests.

The ride from Reykjavík into Iceland’s interior

The day begins with pickup from selected Reykjavík hotels and bus stops, including City Hall, Miðbakki, Snorrabraut, Höfðatorg, the Culture House, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Storm Hotel, ODDSSON hotel, and Reykjavík’s bus terminal. Pickup is scheduled around 7:30 AM, though the minibus can take up to 30 minutes to arrive.

Bring a working mobile phone and make sure you can receive calls or messages. If the guide cannot find you at the pickup point, the tour operator may not be able to wait.

The vehicle is a comfortable Super Jeep or high-clearance minibus with Wi-Fi and USB ports. The small-group format helps the day feel more personal than a large coach trip, and the guide can usually make photo stops along the route. Several guides receive especially strong praise for their driving and explanations, including Eddi, Tomasz, Sarah, Eddy, Bessi, James, and Einar.

Still, you should set realistic expectations. The ride takes roughly two hours each way, and parts of the highland road are very rough. Several people found the back of the vehicle cramped or particularly bumpy. If you get motion sick, bring the medicine you normally use and choose a seat toward the front if possible.

The rough road is not wasted time. You pass volcanic terrain, open gravel, and changing views near Hekla. The drive helps explain why a guided four-wheel-drive trip is useful here. This is not the kind of route where you simply follow a standard paved road in a small rental car.

Hjálparfoss and the meaning of a helpful waterfall

Hjálparfoss is usually the first major stop. The waterfall drops in two stages into a broad pool surrounded by unusual basalt formations. It is a compact stop, but a worthwhile one because the rock shapes frame the falling water from several angles.

The name means Help’s Fall. The surrounding area, Hjálp, was once valued by people crossing the difficult Sprengisandur route through the Highlands. After a hard journey, reaching this greener area meant there was grass for their horses. That small piece of local history gives the waterfall more meaning than a quick photograph alone.

You will have time to walk around, take pictures, and hear about the area from the guide. Do not expect a long hike here. Hjálparfoss is best treated as a scenic introduction to the day, not the main attraction.

Hiking through Laugahraun toward Brennisteinsalda

At Landmannalaugar, the guide offers a walk of about two hours through the Laugahraun lava field and toward Brennisteinsalda. The route leads through black obsidian, colorful volcanic slopes, and areas where small hot springs send up wisps of steam.

Brennisteinsalda means the Sulphur Wave. It is one of the clearest examples of the area’s unusual colors, with sulphur and iron helping create its yellow and reddish tones. The contrast between the dark lava and the bright mountain is one of the best visual moments of the trip.

The walk is described as suitable for beginners, and one person who considered themselves sedentary found it manageable. That does not mean you should treat it as a city stroll. The ground is uneven, the weather can change quickly, and wind and rain can make the same path feel much harder. Good hiking shoes matter.

The guide can explain the geology, local stories, and route. Some guides walk with the group and offer alternatives, while others may provide less commentary during the hike. If learning about the rocks is important to you, stay close to the guide at the start and ask questions.

You may also have the option of extending your walking time on your own. One person managed both the Brennisteinsalda and Bláhnjúkur routes during the available time, although that depends on weather, pace, and the guide’s plan for the day. Do not assume you can complete every route. The advertised guided walk is the reliable part of the schedule.

The natural hot pool at Landmannalaugar

After the hike, you can bathe in the natural hot pool near the huts. This is one of the smartest features of the outing. A warm soak feels especially welcome after walking over rough lava and volcanic gravel, and it gives you a quiet way to enjoy the setting without doing another trail.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. They are not optional extras if you want to use the pool. You should also pack a dry layer for afterward, since Icelandic air can feel cold even when the water is warm.

Time in the pool can vary with the group and the day’s timing. One person wished for a longer soak after other members wandered away from the meeting area, so keep an eye on the agreed return time. The tour usually allows enough time to enjoy the pool, but the group must leave together.

You can skip the water if bathing is not your thing. The free time also works well for a snack, photographs, or a slower look at the huts and surrounding mountains. There is no food included, so bring lunch and drinks from Reykjavík. Buying food before departure is particularly wise because the day is long and there is no included meal.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears

The last major scenic stop is Sigöldugljúfur, often called the Valley of Tears. It is a remarkable canyon with many small spring-fed streams, clear waterfalls, ponds, green plant life, and colorful cliffs.

This stop feels different from Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is broad, exposed, and dominated by volcanic mountains and lava. Sigöldugljúfur is more enclosed and watery, with blue-green pools and several falling streams spread through the canyon. The contrast makes the route feel varied rather than like one long geology lesson.

The canyon has become a popular photography location, but it still earns its place on the route. You do not need a strenuous walk to appreciate it. The stop is mainly for viewing and photography, so your time there may be shorter than at Landmannalaugar.

Afterward, the vehicle returns to Reykjavík, with drop-off available at the listed bus stops and hotels. The complete day lasts about 11 hours, so expect to be tired. That is not a flaw, but it is important when planning an evening meal or another activity.

What the $210 price really includes

At $210 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

The price covers Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a local English-speaking guide, the guided hike, the scenic stops, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and the option to use the hot pool. It also gives you access to the Highlands without renting and driving a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle yourself.

That last point matters. Landmannalaugar is not an easy place to reach in an ordinary rental car, and driving highland roads requires confidence, preparation, and the right vehicle. The tour also removes the need to plan a route through remote volcanic country or monitor every rough section of road yourself.

You must still pay for your own food and drinks. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. At this price, the trip makes the most sense if Landmannalaugar is a high priority and you want a full-service day from Reykjavík.

If you already have access to a capable four-wheel-drive vehicle and are comfortable with remote roads, a self-drive visit may give you more freedom. But you would lose the guide’s route planning, local explanations, and the convenience of being driven through the Highlands.

Weather, comfort, and practical preparation

Iceland can change from calm sunshine to cold rain and strong wind in a short time. Pack a hat, gloves, rain gear, and warm outdoor clothing even if Reykjavík looks pleasant at breakfast.

Your daypack should hold:

• Hiking shoes with solid grip
• Waterproof outer layers
• Warm clothing and gloves
• Swimsuit and towel
• Lunch, snacks, and drinks
• Camera and phone
• Any motion-sickness medicine you normally use

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or wheelchair users. The rough roads, uneven hiking ground, and natural setting require a reasonable level of mobility.

Seat choice can affect comfort. The back of the vehicle may feel cramped and receive more of the bumps, especially on the long highland sections. If you are prone to motion sickness, take a front seat when possible and look ahead rather than down at your phone.

Guiding quality can vary by individual. The strongest days feature guides who explain geology clearly, keep the group together, and add local stories and humor. Eddi, Tomasz, Einar, Sarah, Eddy, Bessi, and James were singled out for friendly service, safe driving, or strong explanations. A few people found the bus microphone hard to hear or wished for more commentary on the road and at Landmannalaugar. If you cannot hear, say so early rather than quietly missing the whole explanation.

Who should book this Highlands trip?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day available from Reykjavík and want to see a part of Iceland that is difficult to reach alone. It suits you especially well if you want a guided walk but do not need a demanding, all-day trek.

It is also a good fit for solo visitors. The small group gives you company without requiring you to organize a private vehicle, and the schedule leaves room to explore independently at Landmannalaugar.

You may want a different plan if you dislike bumpy roads, long vehicle days, or changing weather. The scenery is excellent, but you spend many hours getting there and back. The tour is also less suitable if your main goal is a long, advanced hike rather than a sample of the area.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a practical first taste of Iceland’s Highlands, especially the combination of rhyolite mountains, black obsidian, a hot pool, and the Valley of Tears. The strongest part is Landmannalaugar itself, where the guided walk and generous free time let you set your own pace.

Skip it if an 11-hour day with rough roads sounds miserable. For most visitors who accept that tradeoff, the route offers excellent variety and access to places that are hard to reach without a suitable vehicle. At $210, it is a fair buy for the transport, guiding, hike, and remote scenery, provided you arrive prepared for the bumps.

FAQ

How long does the Landmannalaugar tour last?

The tour lasts about 11 hours, including transport from Reykjavík, the stops, hiking time, bathing, and the return journey.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from selected hotels and bus stops in Reykjavík, including City Hall, Miðbakki, Snorrabraut, Höfðatorg, the Culture House, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Storm Hotel, ODDSSON hotel, and the Reykjavík bus terminal.

What time should I be ready for pickup?

You should be ready at 7:30 AM. The minibus may take up to 30 minutes to arrive, depending on your pickup location.

Is the guided hike difficult?

The guided hike lasts about two hours and is described as beginner-friendly. You still need hiking shoes and outdoor clothing because the ground is uneven and weather conditions can change.

Can I swim in a natural hot spring?

Yes. You can bathe in the natural hot pool at Landmannalaugar. Bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring lunch, snacks, and water with you.

What should I bring for the weather?

Bring a hat, gloves, rain gear, warm outdoor clothing, and hiking shoes. A daypack, camera, swimwear, and towel are also recommended.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The experience is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.