Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar Hike and the Valley of Tears

Landmannalaugar is the reason to book this trip. Its striped rhyolite mountains, black lava, steaming springs, and rough Highland roads create scenery unlike the usual Iceland stops. The two-hour walk toward Brennisteinsalda gives you a real taste of the area, while the hot pool offers a warm finish.

I especially like the combination of hiking and bathing, plus the stop at Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears, a canyon filled with little waterfalls and clear streams. You also get a capable local driver and guide, often with useful geology and stories along the way.

The catch is the ride. This is an 11-hour day from Reykjavík, with long stretches on bumpy gravel and F-roads. The small vehicle can feel noisy or cramped, especially in the back, and weather may turn the hike into a wet, windy outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Landmannalaugar is the main event: You get more than three hours there, including an optional guided hike and time in the hot pool.
• The hiking route is beginner-friendly: The standard walk takes about two hours, with alternative trails or free time if you prefer to set your own pace.
• The Highland drive is rough: A Super Jeep or 4WD minibus makes the route possible, but expect bouncing and road noise.
• The Valley of Tears adds real variety: Sigöldugljúfur brings clear water, small falls, green growth, and colorful cliffs after the stark lava fields.
• Bring lunch and warm gear: Food is not included, and Icelandic Highland weather can change quickly.
• The guide matters: Eddi, Tomasz, Sarah, Eddy, and other guides have been praised for safe driving, humor, geology, and personal attention, though commentary quality can vary.

Why Landmannalaugar is worth a full day from Reykjavík

Landmannalaugar sits in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, far inside Iceland’s southern Highlands. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint. You are going into a volcanic region where lava, hot water, wind, and minerals have shaped the ground into an unusual mix of colors and textures.

The area’s rhyolite mountains contain quartz, silica, iron, and sulphur. Those minerals help create the yellow, red, orange, brown, and green tones you see across the slopes. Nearby, the Laugahraun lava field formed during an eruption in 1477 and is covered with dark obsidian, a volcanic glass with sharp, smooth surfaces.

The setting has also had a pop-culture moment. Obsidian was used as Dragon Glass in Game of Thrones. That may bring extra attention, but the rock is more interesting when you see it as part of a living volcanic system rather than as a television prop.

I like this tour because it gives you several ways to experience the area. You can join the guide for the walk, choose another marked route, take photographs, or spend more time at the natural pool. That flexibility is useful because the same day may suit an active hiker and someone who would rather take a shorter walk and enjoy the setting slowly.

The ride into the Highlands is part of the adventure

Pickup begins around 7:30 AM from selected Reykjavík hotels and bus stops. The minibus may take up to 30 minutes to arrive, so you need to be at your meeting point early and keep your phone connected to mobile data. If the driver cannot find you or reach you, you could miss the departure.

The first major drive takes about two hours, but the full day includes much more time on the road. The route crosses rough Highland roads that ordinary rental cars cannot use. A 4WD vehicle is essential here, and having a professional driver removes the stress of navigation, river crossings, road conditions, and route decisions.

You should expect a bumpy ride. Several people found the road exciting and well worth the discomfort, while others found the vehicle noisy or cramped. Sitting in the back may mean more motion and less room, so ask about seating when you board if that is important to you.

This is not a quiet luxury coach trip. Engine noise can make commentary hard to hear, and one guide received criticism for not using the headset clearly. The best guides, including Eddi, Tomasz, Eddy, Sarah, and others, have been praised for explaining geology, telling Icelandic stories, making jokes, and handling difficult roads with care. Still, the quality of spoken commentary may depend on the individual guide and the vehicle.

Hjálparfoss gives the day a gentle opening

Hjálparfoss, or Help’s Fall, is a two-level waterfall dropping into a broad pool surrounded by unusual basalt formations. It is a short scenic stop rather than a long walk, so you can stretch your legs, take photographs, and begin to see how Iceland’s volcanic rock shapes its waterfalls.

The name has an old practical meaning. People crossing the harsh Sprengisandur route between northern and southern Iceland once struggled to find grass for their horses. Reaching the greener area near the waterfall felt like receiving help after a difficult crossing.

That small piece of context makes the stop more than a photo break. It connects the scenery to the old routes through the Highlands and helps explain why water and grass mattered so much in this part of Iceland.

Two hours across obsidian toward Brennisteinsalda

At Landmannalaugar, the guide offers an approximately two-hour walk through Laugahraun toward Brennisteinsalda, known as the Sulphur Wave. The route passes through black obsidian and toward colorful rhyolite slopes, with small hot springs and rising steam near the mountain.

This is the part of the day where sturdy footwear matters most. You need hiking shoes, outdoor clothing, rain gear, gloves, and a daypack. Even a manageable route can feel harder when wind, rain, or cold arrives. One past departure faced heavy rain and strong wind, making the hike unattractive, although the hot pool still provided a warm alternative.

The standard walk is described as suitable for beginners, and several people found it easy enough despite being sedentary. That does not mean it is a paved stroll. You are walking over volcanic ground in an exposed mountain setting, and the guide may offer different route choices depending on weather and group ability.

You can stay with the guide or explore within the allotted time. Some people use the time for a longer hike, while others stop often for photographs. One well-timed day allowed enough time for both Brennisteinsalda and Bláhnjúkur, but you should not assume every departure will permit that combination. Weather, pace, and group decisions affect how far you go.

The tour’s flexibility is one of its strongest features. You are not forced to complete a demanding route in poor weather. If conditions turn rough, you can shorten the walk, remain near the huts, or make the hot pool your main activity.

The natural pool is the right reward after the walk

Landmannalaugar’s natural hot pool is included as an option, and you should bring swimwear and a towel. The water offers a simple pleasure after several hours on volcanic ground, especially if the wind has picked up.

The pool is not a polished spa experience. You are bathing outdoors in a remarkable setting, with the surrounding mountains and lava fields doing most of the work. Bring modest expectations about changing facilities and comfort, since the supplied information does not promise spa-style amenities.

Time in the pool depends on how the group moves through the day. Most departures allow a useful break, though one past outing lost some bathing time when people took a wrong route and the guide had to collect them. If the hot spring is a priority, keep an eye on the meeting time and return promptly.

Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears, brings a different Iceland

The final major stop is Sigöldugljúfur, known as the Valley of Tears. It is a striking contrast to the dry black lava around Landmannalaugar, with spring-fed streams, small ponds, clear waterfalls, colorful plant growth, and steep cliffs.

This is one of the best reasons to choose this particular route. The canyon is not just another waterfall stop. Water appears in many forms, threading through the valley in small channels and drops. The clear blue water and green patches make the place feel unexpectedly delicate after the broad volcanic terrain.

You will have time for sightseeing and photographs, but it is a shorter stop than Landmannalaugar. The main hiking and bathing time is at the reserve, while the Valley of Tears works as a memorable final scene before the ride back to Reykjavík.

What the $210 price really covers

At $210 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing bus. The value comes from access. Landmannalaugar is difficult to reach without a suitable 4WD vehicle, and renting and driving one yourself brings extra cost, road concerns, and responsibility.

The price includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, the 4WD minibus or Super Jeep, an English-speaking guide, the guided hike, the natural pool option, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and scenic stops. The small-group format also allows more flexibility than a large coach, though the exact vehicle comfort varies.

You still need to buy food and drinks. Pack a lunch before departure, since the day is long and meals are not included. Bring more clothing than you think you need: a hat, gloves, rain gear, warm outdoor layers, hiking shoes, swimwear, a towel, and a camera.

For me, the cost is fair if you want one full day focused on the southern Highlands and do not have a 4WD. It is less attractive if you dislike long drives, bumpy roads, or organized timing. The main value is not the number of stops. It is getting safely to a remote region and having a guide handle the hard part.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this trip if you want to see Iceland beyond the Ring Road and have only one free day for the Highlands. It suits people who enjoy unusual geology, moderate walking, outdoor bathing, and photography.

It is also a good choice for solo visitors. The small-group setting makes it easy to meet other people, and you do not need to arrange a vehicle or find your way across the reserve.

You should think twice if you need a smooth ride, quiet transport, or a fully predictable schedule. Children under 10 are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The hike may be accessible to many beginners, but it still takes place outdoors on uneven volcanic ground.

The day is tiring. You leave early, spend hours on rough roads, walk for about two hours, and return to Reykjavík after another long drive. That effort is exactly why the scenery feels rewarding, but you should not plan a demanding evening afterward.

Practical details that improve the day

Keep your phone switched on and connected to data roaming if needed. Pickup covers selected hotels and Reykjavík bus stops, including City Hall, the Reykjavík Bus Terminal, Miðbakki, Snorrabraut, Höfðatorg, and the Culture House.

Use the restroom before leaving when possible and listen carefully to the guide’s return time. The group may spread out during the walk, and the guide sometimes needs to help anyone who loses the route.

Ask questions early if the guide’s microphone is difficult to hear. The strongest departures have included clear explanations about volcanic activity, Icelandic routes, local stories, and the places along the way. You get more from the day when you can hear those details.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while postponing payment. The tour runs in English, and weather or road conditions can affect the walking experience.

Should you book the Landmannalaugar tour?

Yes, if you want a practical way into Iceland’s Highlands and you accept the rough ride. The combination of rhyolite mountains, obsidian lava, a natural hot pool, Hjálparfoss, and the Valley of Tears gives you a strong mix of geology, walking, water, and scenery in one long day.

I would book it for a first Highland visit, especially without a 4WD. Choose a seat away from the back if motion bothers you, bring lunch, and pack seriously for rain and wind. If your main goal is a relaxed coach ride with constant polished commentary, this may not be the right fit.

The route is demanding in time and road comfort, but the access is excellent. Landmannalaugar is the clear highlight, and Sigöldugljúfur makes the return journey feel like more than a simple drive home.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar tour from Reykjavík?

The experience lasts about 11 hours, including transportation, scenic stops, hiking, and time at the natural pool.

What is included in the $210 price?

The price includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, transport in a comfortable 4WD vehicle, an English-speaking local guide, the guided hike, the option to bathe in the natural pool, scenic stops, Wi-Fi, and USB ports.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring or buy lunch before departure.

How difficult is the hike?

The guided walk takes about two hours and is described as beginner-friendly. You still need hiking shoes and outdoor clothing because the route crosses uneven volcanic ground and weather can be rough.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, hiking shoes, rain gear, gloves, outdoor clothing, and a daypack.

Can I skip the hike and use the hot pool?

Yes. You may explore independently, choose another route, relax near the huts, or spend time in the natural hot pool during the allotted stop.

Is pickup available from Reykjavík hotels?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from selected Reykjavík hotels and bus stops. Be ready around 7:30 AM, and keep your phone connected so the operator can reach you.