Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar Hike and the Valley of Tears

You really feel the planet’s geology out here. This day trip pairs a Landmannalaugar hike with lava-black obsidian, colored rhyolite, and the Valley of Tears canyon with multiple waterfalls.

Two things I especially like: the way the guide explains the area’s volcanic story while you’re walking, and the simple luxury of time to soak in the natural hot pool after the hike. One thing to consider is that the ride is long and bumpy (Highlands tracks and F-roads), so bring what you need if you get motion sickness.

If you want a full, high-impact Highlands day without renting a 4×4, this is one of the better ways to do it. You’ll spend real time on foot at Landmannalaugar, plus you’ll add Sigöldugljúfur when most other day tours stop early.

Key moments worth planning around

• Super Jeep/F-road ride from Reykjavík with Wi‑Fi and USB ports, plus a lot of real outback driving
• Hjálparfoss quick stop for a two-stepped waterfall and basalt surroundings
• 2 hours of guided hiking across obsidian fields to the Sulphur Wave, Brennisteinsalda
• 3 hours in Landmannalaugar so you get both the hike and time to explore or linger
• Natural hot spring swim time (bring swimwear and a towel)
• Sigöldugljúfur, the Valley of Tears with spring-fed streams, ponds, and crystal-clear waterfalls

Entering Landmannalaugar: volcanic colors you can’t fake

Landmannalaugar is one of those Iceland stops that looks unreal even after you’ve landed and adjusted to the weather. The big draw is the geology. You’re walking through a volcanic playground where rhyolite mountains show colors from minerals and volcanic history, and nearby lava rock fields turn the ground into something that looks almost alien.

A highlight is the Brennisteinsalda area, nicknamed the Sulphur Wave. The name makes sense once you see the warm-toned mineral staining and smell that sulfur hint that comes and goes with the wind. The guide’s job here isn’t just pointing at rocks. The better guides connect the colors and textures to how Iceland’s volcanoes built this place over time.

This tour is designed around that idea: you don’t just drive past. You get a guided route through the obsidian and rhyolite region, then breathing room to move at your pace. The sense of space matters. You’re deep enough in the Highlands that the day feels like an escape from the city, even though you start and end in Reykjavík.

The Super Jeep ride from Reykjavík: long, real, and bumpy on purpose

The day starts early. Pickup is listed for 7:30 AM, and they warn that the vehicle can take up to 30 minutes to arrive depending on where you’re picked up. That’s normal in Reykjavík pickup logistics, but it’s worth planning for.

You’ll spend roughly two hours by coach each way, then the Highlands driving becomes the point: a 4×4 Super Jeep style route on tracks that are often described as F-roads. This is where the “adventure” part is physical. The ride can be jostly. Some people find it totally manageable, while others wish they had brought something for motion sickness.

A practical tip: if you’re sensitive to bumps, try not to end up far back in the vehicle. Seats closer to the front tend to feel less chaotic on rough sections, and several guests specifically mention that being in the back can be cramped and uncomfortable for the long day.

The upside is that this kind of vehicle gets you closer to the good stuff. You’re not doing a comfy shuttle where you watch the Highlands from a safe distance. You’re traveling the same way many Icelanders travel their remote roads: carefully, with patience, and with room for weather and road conditions.

Hjálparfoss stop: a quick waterfall lesson in place-names

On the way to the Highlands, you stop at Hjálparfoss, a two-stepped waterfall that drops into a plunge pool. It’s surrounded by basalt rock formations, so even a short photo stop feels like a real change of scenery rather than a random roadside break.

The name Hjálp means help. Here’s the human side of the geology: historically, when people traveled across the highlands via the harsh Sprengisandur route, it was difficult to find grazing and supplies for horses. When they finally reached the lush area near Hjálparfoss, it felt like help had arrived. You get the sense of how land and travel needs shaped routes, not just adventures.

This stop isn’t long. Think of it as a palate cleanser before Landmannalaugar, and a reminder that Iceland’s “natural wonders” are often also survival stories.

Laugahraun and the obsidian walk: black glass under your boots

When people say Iceland is volcanic, they often mean big volcanoes far away. Landmannalaugar shows you something closer: the raw materials of a volcanic landscape you can actually step on.

One of the tour’s key elements is the time at Laugahraun, an obsidian field tied to a volcanic eruption in 1477. The obsidian here is known for its smooth, sharp-edged appearance. In popular culture it’s been compared to Dragon Glass from Game of Thrones, but in real life what you’ll notice first is how strikingly dark and clean the stone looks against pale sky and bright mineral rocks.

During the day, you’ll get approximately 2 hours of guided hiking across these obsidian fields toward the Sulphur Wave (Brennisteinsalda). That hike is described as beginner-friendly by many guests. It’s not a technical scramble. Still, you’re walking on uneven ground, so hiking shoes matter. Also: weather changes fast in the Highlands, and rain gear is not a joke here.

What you should watch for during the walk:

• The way the ground shifts between black obsidian and lighter volcanic rock.
• Steam and small geothermal spots near the Brennisteinsalda area.
• The color changes in surrounding rhyolite as clouds move and lighting changes.

This is also the part where a good guide makes your day. Local stories and geology details help the walk feel like more than photos. Guests repeatedly highlight guides like Sarah and Eddy for connecting the scenery to Iceland’s volcanic process, and that’s the difference between seeing Landmannalaugar and understanding what you’re seeing.

Brennisteinsalda hike: the Sulphur Wave and why it feels mystical

The Brennisteinsalda area is where the tour’s tone turns dreamy. The guide leads you up toward the Sulphur Wave, and you’re surrounded by steam rising from small geothermal features. Even if you don’t believe in elves (I don’t plan outfits for them), the combination of steam, mineral colors, and wide open highland air gives the place a fairy-tale vibe.

The tour gives you guided time, but it also gives you freedom. You’re in Landmannalaugar for about 3 hours total, so you can:

• Follow the guide’s route during the hike portion.
• Then explore nearby trails on your own within the time window.
• Or slow down, snack, take photos, and enjoy the geothermal smells and quiet.

This is important. Landmannalaugar is not a one-track place. If you only do the guided segment and leave instantly, you miss the best part: wandering and choosing your own viewpoints. Many guests mention that having enough time lets you pick between different hikes or simply linger.

Natural hot pool time: warmth after volcanic walking

After the hike, you get time to swim in the natural hot pool at Landmannalaugar. This is the moment that turns a tough-looking Highlands day into something you actually remember with comfort.

The practical part is simple: bring swimwear and a towel. You do not want to improvise this at the end of an 11-hour day. If you tend to get cold easily, this is your reward: warm water in a place where the air can feel sharp.

Most of the day’s “best views” are outdoors. This pool time is one of the few chances to reset your body. It also gives you time to chat with other people in the group, compare routes and weather, and just enjoy that quiet Highlands feeling where the rocks are still right there but you’re comfortably warmed from below.

One more tip: if the weather turns windy, you might feel the chill on land right before and after the soak. Rain gear and outdoor layers help you get from pool to dry clothes without turning it into a cold problem.

Sigöldugljúfur Valley of Tears: waterfalls where streams keep arriving

In the afternoon, you head to Sigöldugljúfur, often called the Valley of Tears. It’s famous now in a social-media way, but the reason it works is physical: it’s a canyon with multiple spring-fed streams, small ponds, crystal-clear waterfalls, and colorful vegetation along the edges.

This is a different kind of beauty than Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is rock, minerals, and volcanic forms. Sigöldugljúfur is water movement and reflective pools. The cliffs and streams make you feel like the canyon is constantly updating itself. One waterfall is great. Then you look slightly left or right and there’s another.

The tour typically includes a scenic stop here, with time to take photos and absorb the details. Many guests describe the Valley of Tears as a standout, and it’s easy to see why once you’re there. The water is often impossibly clear, and the falls are layered rather than one big dramatic drop.

If you like waterfall photos, this stop rewards patience. Move a little, wait for your angle, and let the light settle.

Price and value: is $210 fair for this kind of day?

At $210 per person, this isn’t a cheap ride. The question is whether you’re paying for transportation, guide time, and access, or just paying for sightseeing stops.

Here’s what you’re getting for the money:

• Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík via a Super Jeep arrangement
• A local guide who shares geology, legends, and insider tips
• A guided hike through the obsidian and rhyolite area at Landmannalaugar
• Time to bathe in the natural hot spring (swim gear required)
• Scenic stops including Sigöldugljúfur
• Photo assistance during the day
• Wi‑Fi and USB ports on board (small comfort, but a real one on a long day)
• A small group size, which usually means less waiting and more flexibility on timing and viewpoints

What’s not included is also clear: food and drinks. Plan ahead and bring snacks, or buy lunch before the tour if that’s an option for your schedule. Several guests specifically advise buying lunch before you leave, because the day is long and your biggest on-foot time is at Landmannalaugar.

Value-wise, I think the price makes sense if:

• You don’t want to arrange a 4×4 and driving plan yourself.
• You care about geology and want context during the hike.
• You want both hikes and the hot pool, not just one or the other.

If you’re the type who hates early starts and long bumpy rides, then the value is harder to justify. But if you can handle that one rough-day reality, the scenery density per hour is strong.

What this tour feels like day-to-day (and who it suits best)

This is a full, active day. You’re combining:

• A quick waterfall viewpoint at the start
• A guided walk of about 2 hours through volcanic ground
• Time to soak afterward
• A canyon/waterfall stop later

Most guests describe the Landmannalaugar hike as manageable for beginners, with an option to choose a shorter route or linger longer around the base area. That flexibility is one reason the tour earns high marks.

It’s also a group trip with a real guide role. On this kind of route, the guide handles more than “talking.” They help keep you on the right paths, coordinate timing, and choose photo spots so you don’t end up wandering in circles.

Who it suits best:

• You want a Highlands day from Reykjavík without renting a vehicle
• You like volcano geology, rocks, and mineral colors
• You want a hot pool payoff after hiking
• You’re okay with an early morning and a bumpy ride

Who might struggle:

• People who get motion sickness easily
• Anyone expecting a quiet, smooth coach day
• Kids under 10 (the tour states it’s not suitable)
• Wheelchair users (it states it’s not suitable)

Should you book this Landmannalaugar and Valley of Tears day?

If you’re choosing between a simple sightseeing loop and a “real Highlands” day, I’d lean toward booking this one. The combination of obsidian hiking, mineral-stained rhyolite terrain, and natural hot pool time is a rare mix. Add Sigöldugljúfur with its waterfall canyon, and you’ve got two very different kinds of scenery in one day.

Before you book, be honest about two things: the ride is long and can be bumpy, and the tour needs you to come prepared with the right clothes. If you bring the basics (hiking shoes, rain gear, layers, and swimwear), the day feels like a complete package.

If that sounds like your kind of travel, this is the day to make space for.

FAQ

What is the total duration of the tour?

The duration is 11 hours.

How much hiking is included at Landmannalaugar?

You’ll have about 2 hours of guided hiking through the obsidian fields up to the Brennisteinsalda area. You’ll also have additional time to explore Landmannalaugar on your own.

Is bathing in a hot spring included?

You have an option to bathe in the natural hot pool at Landmannalaugar. You’ll need to bring swimwear and a towel.

What’s included in the price?

Included are pickup & drop-off in Reykjavík in a comfortable Super Jeep, a local English-speaking guide, guided hiking at Landmannalaugar, hot pool option, scenic stops including Sigöldugljúfur, photo assistance, free Wi‑Fi and USB ports on board, and a small group size.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Where are pickup and drop-off locations in Reykjavík?

Pickup and drop-off are available at selected bus stops and hotels in Reykjavík. Pickup examples include Bus Stop #15 (Vesturbugt), City Hall (Ráðhúsið), and Bus Terminal Reykjavík. Drop-off options also include several of these same stops and hotels.

What do I need to bring?

You should bring hat, swimwear, towel, hiking shoes, rain gear, gloves, outdoor clothing, and a daypack, plus a camera if you want photos.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 years old and is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide speaks English.