If you like your Iceland with big views and tight planning, this one fits. You’ll hike through the Landmannalaugar area’s volcanic colors—then sleep in mountain huts with meals provided—while a small group keeps the pace feel human.

What I really like is the mix of famous scenery and geology-story stops. You’re not just walking for photos; you’re moving past craters, rhyolite mountains, and lava history that actually has names and dates.

One consideration: hut life comes with tradeoffs. Expect limited comfort compared with hotels, and plan for paid access to showers/toilets (500 ISK), plus the sleeping setup can be crowded.

Quick Take: What Makes This Tour Work

• Small group size (max 16): better trail flow and more guide attention when conditions get tricky
• All trek meals included: breakfast, lunches, and dinners are handled, so you hike lighter
• Hut-based route: you sleep where the trail starts, which keeps you in the Highlands instead of on the bus
• Color-and-geology hiking: crater lakes, rhyolite ridges, lava fields, and volcano panoramas
• Guides you’ll remember: names like Vjeran, Throstur, Deyan, Indra, and Heiðdís come up for care, cooking, and encouragement

The 3 Days You’re Buying: Highlands Time, Not Just Highlands Driving

This tour is built for people who want the Highlands the practical way: fewer transfers, more walking time, and a route that connects multiple big highlights without feeling like a long commute. You start early in Reykjavik, get carried out to the trailheads, hike day-to-day, and then return late to the city (around 9:00 pm on Day 3).

It’s also a group-hike structure, not a solo adventure. With a max group size of 16, you’re more likely to move together smoothly when weather changes, footing turns slick, or you hit stream crossings. That matters in this part of Iceland, where the day can go from calm to chaotic fast.

The pacing feels like “active but doable” for moderate physical fitness. If you’re comfortable hiking for hours with elevation and uneven ground, this route reads as challenging in the fun way—especially when you reach the ridgelines.

Reykjavik Pickup: Start Time Matters More Than You Think

You’ll meet at 7:00 am in Reykjavik (or at one of the specific nearby points listed for the early window). The pickup options include Reykjavik City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti, Hallgrímskirkja Church, or the Reykjavik Campsite area by the City Hostel.

If you’re staying outside central Reykjavik, you’ll likely connect at Selfoss (N1 gas station) around 8:15 am or at Hella Bus Terminal around 9:00 am. The key here is simple: the schedule is early and fixed, and they only pick up from the published points because of traffic restrictions.

One more thing I’d keep in mind: the ride isn’t described as a smooth highway cruise. Past travelers note the bus route includes rougher 4WD roads and even water crossings. So if you get motion-sick, plan for it, and pack that as part of your comfort strategy.

Day 1: Ljótipollur and Frostastaðavatn, When the Color Shows Up Fast

The first stop is Ljótipollur Lake, which literally means ugly puddle—but the lake is ranked among the world’s most beautiful crater lakes. You’ll spend about 20 minutes here, enough time to soak in the shape of the crater and take photos without feeling rushed.

What makes this stop worth your attention is the contrast. You’re starting in the realm of volcanic geology right away, and the name doesn’t match the visuals. It’s a good lesson for this whole hike: Iceland keeps subverting expectations.

Your next stop is Frostastaðavatn, another crater-lake moment, but with surreal colors from the surrounding rhyolite mountains. Expect a short window to look around, pause for photos, and then shift gears toward your mountain hut.

After that, you head to camp/hut for the night. Since your meals are planned for you on the trek, Day 1 isn’t just about hiking—it’s also about settling in, getting your gear ready for the next morning, and letting your body adjust to the Highlands rhythm.

Why this Day 1 works: you get two high-impact nature stops early, so even if Day 2 feels more strenuous, you still end Day 1 feeling like you already hit the jackpot.

Day 2: Suðurnámur Peak and the Lava Past of Laugahraun

Day 2 is where the hike leans more “real effort.” You’ll hike to Suðurnámur, described as a 200,000-year-old mountain rich in rhyolite minerals. That’s not just trivia—this is the reason the route looks the way it does. The trail runs through a palette of blues, golds, greens, and sometimes reds, shaped by volcanic rock.

You’ll get about 3 hours on this segment. That’s long enough to feel the climb and long enough to earn the view, but structured enough that you’re not out there for an entire day without breaks. In practice, this kind of timing works best if you pace yourself early and don’t sprint the first incline.

Later, you stop at the Laugahraun lava field, formed from an eruption around 1477. The description ties it to flow through a magma system beneath Bárðarbunga and continues into the roots of Torfajökull. It’s the kind of stop that turns your photos into something you can actually explain afterward.

And once you’ve seen the lava textures in real life, it’s easier to understand why the Highlands look so dramatic in motion—rock behaves differently here than in most places you’ve hiked.

Day 3: Bláhnjúkur for Panoramas and the Late Return Back to Reykjavik

On Day 3, you start with breakfast at the hut, then head out for a 3.5-hour hike to Bláhnjúkur. This is the day for sweeping viewpoints over the Landmannalaugar area, plus a chance at seeing multiple glaciers in good visibility.

The payoff here is the kind of panorama that makes you stop worrying about your footing for a minute. You’re hiking uphill to the top, then descending again—so bring both mental gears: one for effort and one for careful steps on the way down.

After the hike, there’s a short break and then the bus back. You return to Reykjavik around 9:00 pm, so plan your evening accordingly. This is not a daytime tour where you can casually hop into dinner reservations right after.

If you’re sensitive to sleep disruption, I’d also plan for it. One past guest pointed out that Iceland’s short nights can mess with sleep, and an eye mask can help block the constant light so you can actually rest.

Hut Life, Included Meals, and the Shower Question (500 ISK)

Accommodation is in mountain huts, and the tour includes breakfast (2), lunch (3), and dinner (2) on the trek. In practical terms, that means you’re not constantly stopping to buy food or worrying about snacks for each hike. You just pack what you need and go.

Still, hut life is not hotel life. Past travelers describe huts as clean and cozy, but also note tight sleeping spaces where luggage gets crammed into small areas. It’s smart to pack earplugs—one guest specifically recommended them for sound in the hut setting.

Also note: showers/toilets are extra at 500 ISK. That doesn’t mean hygiene is ignored; it means you should budget a little and not assume free hot water. If you’re the type who likes a full reset after long hikes, you’ll want to bring the basics that help you stay comfortable day-to-day.

Food quality is generally praised, and some guides are praised for cooking with real enthusiasm. One guest even described an evening BBQ lamb moment led by their guide. On the flip side, there was one note that the vegetarian option meal didn’t meet expectations, so if you eat vegetarian, consider reaching out before your trip or bringing a backup snack you can rely on.

Guides Make This More Than a Walk in Pretty Places

A huge part of the experience is the human side of it. With up to 16 people, guides can actually manage the group, help with pacing, and keep safety in front when trails get steep or slippery.

Names that come up include Heiðdís, Vjeran, Throstur, Deyan, Fanni/Fanny, Didi, Indra, and Caroline. They’re highlighted for different strengths: being kind and experienced, explaining what to expect, cooking delicious meals, handling tricky descents, and keeping people reassured when the terrain feels demanding.

One pattern I’d trust: these guides seem to pay attention to group rhythm. In particular, a past guest with a knee issue described how Indra stayed nearby for descents and encouragement. If you’re managing an injury or just want slower pacing options, this type of guide care can make the difference between finishing strong and struggling through the rough parts.

Also, guide storytelling seems to be part of the appeal. Caroline was praised for sharing history and geological background while you hike, which is exactly how you get more from a place than just a camera roll.

Price and Value: Why This Costs What It Costs

At $1,193.11 per person for about three days, this isn’t a cheap add-on. The value comes from what’s included and what gets saved.

You’re paying for:

• Reykjavik pickup and drop-off
• Mountain hut lodging
• Baggage transportation (so you’re not dragging everything day to day)
• All trek meals (breakfast, lunches, dinners)

If you try to DIY this, the biggest hidden costs are time and coordination. You’d need transport into the Highlands, hut planning, meal planning, and figuring out how to link hikes without turning every day into a logistics puzzle. This tour wraps that into a ready-to-go package.

So ask yourself a simple question: do you want to spend more time hiking, or more time figuring out transport, reservations, and what you’ll eat at each step? For most people drawn to the Highlands, the answer is hiking time.

Who Should Book It (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• enjoy hiking with elevation and uneven ground
• want a structured route with meals handled
• like geology and volcanic scenery enough to learn a bit as you walk
• can handle hut sleeping and don’t expect private comfort

It’s also described as suitable for moderate physical fitness. That said, at times the trek can be steep and long, and stream crossings can be part of the adventure.

I’d be cautious if you have mobility limitations. The tour specifically says it’s not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments, which makes sense given the hut-based terrain and the nature of the hiking segments.

Should You Book This Icelandic Highlands Hiking Tour?

Book it if you want the Landmannalaugar region in a tight, guided format: crater lakes on Day 1, a rhyolite peak on Day 2, and a big panoramic volcano hike on Day 3—plus your meals and hut lodging are already taken care of. The small group size and guide attention are the quality marks I’d trust most.

Skip it if you need hotel comfort, free showers, or fully flexible pacing for mobility issues. And if you’re vegetarian and picky about main meals, I’d plan a backup snack so you’re never stuck waiting for the menu to match your taste.

If that sounds like your travel style—active, curious, and okay with hut reality—this is a very strong way to experience the Highlands without turning your trip into a logistics project.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour?

The tour includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, mountain hut accommodation, baggage transportation, and meals on the trek: breakfast (2), lunch (3), and dinner (2).

Are showers included at the mountain huts?

No. Showers/toilets in the huts are listed as extra and cost 500 ISK.

How big is the group on this hiking tour?

This tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What fitness level do I need?

The tour says travelers should have moderate physical fitness. It is also not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments.

Where do I get picked up in Reykjavík?

Pickup is offered at specific locations in Reykjavík between 7:00 and 7:30 am: Reykjavik City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti, Hallgrímskirkja Church, or Reykjavik Campsite by Reykjavik City Hostel. There are also pickup options outside Reykjavík at Selfoss (8:15 am) and Hella Bus Terminal (9:00 am).

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour run in any weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

How does the cancellation refund work?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. Cancel 2–6 days before for a 50% refund, and cancel less than 2 days before for no refund.