Reykjavik: Lava Field Buggy Adventure

The best part of this outing is the change of scale. From inside a side-by-side buggy, Iceland’s lava fields and geothermal country feel close, rough, and wonderfully exposed. You get two hours behind the wheel, not just a quick photo stop beside a road.

I like the included pickup and proper outdoor gear, which take much of the fuss out of a windy Iceland day. I also like the mix of driving and scenery, from the Hellisheiði geothermal area to the view over Reykjavik. The catch is the price, $305 per person, and some of the route may feel more like gravel road than wild trail.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours of buggy driving: The full outing lasts about three and a half hours with transport, but the actual driving time is two hours.
• A real geothermal setting: The route heads toward Hellisheiði, lava fields, and a power plant where steam can rise high on clear days.
• Best shared with a partner: Each buggy fits two people, though single-rider booking is available.
• Reykjavik views from above: The route finishes with a broad look across Reykjavik City from Reykjavik Peak.
• Good protection from Icelandic weather: Helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear when needed are supplied.
• A practical age rule: Drivers must be at least 17 with a valid license, while passengers can be 6 or older.

From Reykjavik hotels to the Hellisheiði highlands

Safari Quads offers pickup from a long list of Reykjavik locations, including Hotel Ísland, Bus Hostel Reykjavik, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Reykjavik Lights, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, and several city bus stops. Pickup begins 30 minutes before the listed departure time, so a 9:30 tour means collection at about 9:00.

That early pickup matters. You do not need to find your way to an unfamiliar base outside the city, and you can keep your morning plans simple. You may also meet at the Safari Quads basecamp instead, but you need to contact the provider first.

The drive out of Reykjavik is part of the setup for the trip. The city gives way to open country and views toward the Blue Mountains. This is not a sightseeing bus with a narrated tour of every landmark. The point is to reach the rougher ground, put on the equipment, and get moving.

At basecamp, you receive a 30-minute safety briefing. This is useful rather than decorative. You need to understand how to handle the buggy, how the shared seating works, and what to expect from the route before the engine starts. The guide leads in English, and private or small-group arrangements are available.

Getting suited up for an Icelandic ride

The tour supplies a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear if conditions call for it. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, so this is a meaningful inclusion. You still need comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing, and shoes are not supplied.

Wear footwear you can keep firmly on your feet. The route is outdoors and the driving position is practical, not polished. You will want clothing that works under the overalls and can handle wind, dust, or wet conditions.

The buggies are described as brand-new and fitted with safety equipment. They carry two people side by side. One person can drive while the other rides, then you can switch if you wish. If your party has an odd number of people, such as three or five, one person must book as a single rider. Check the single-rider option before paying, since this is not a small detail you want to solve at the base.

The combined weight limit is 220 kilograms, or 485 pounds, per person for a single or shared buggy. Pregnant women and wheelchair users should not book this activity. Drivers need to bring a valid driving license and must be at least 17. Passengers who are not driving can be as young as six.

The lava fields and the power plant

The main route runs through the Hveradalir geothermal area near Hellisheiði. This is the part that gives the tour its character. Iceland’s lava fields are not soft, green countryside. They are dark, broken, and shaped by old volcanic activity, with the Blue Mountains forming a strong backdrop.

You see the country differently from a buggy than from a coach window. The vehicle brings you close to the ground, and the engine, rocks, and open air become part of the sightseeing. It is an active way to see the area, though you should not expect a technical mountain race. One person described the route as having less gravel road and more trail, which is a useful expectation to set: the experience is off-road, but the balance between rough trail and surfaced gravel can vary.

The power plant adds an unusual human-made detail to the volcanic setting. On a clear day, steam can rise dramatically into the air. It creates a striking contrast with the black volcanic ground, and it is one of the more memorable sights on the route. The tour presents Iceland’s geothermal power in a direct way, not as a separate museum visit.

You should keep your eyes up between driving tasks. The guide takes you through the area and points out the setting, while you get a moving view of the volcanic country. If you are riding rather than driving, this is your chance to focus on the scenery. If you are behind the wheel, stop only where the guide allows and listen carefully to instructions.

What the two-hour drive feels like

The advertised tour time can sound longer than the driving time. The complete experience lasts between two and three and a half hours, with transportation included. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes for the safety briefing, two hours for the guided buggy trip, and time for pickup and drop-off.

That makes this a useful half-day activity rather than an all-day commitment. You can fit it into a Reykjavik schedule, but allow room around the stated time because transport is part of the outing. The precise starting times depend on availability.

The side-by-side format is a strong point for couples, friends, or family groups. You can share the ride, swap driving duties, and talk without being separated into individual vehicles. It also gives you a bit of flexibility. One person may prefer to drive more, while the other can concentrate on the views.

This is still a motorized activity, not a quiet nature walk. You will hear the buggy and feel the route through the vehicle. If you want Iceland at its most peaceful, a hiking tour may suit you better. If you want scenery with a dose of speed and mud-ready equipment, this trip makes more sense.

The guide is important here. The strongest feedback centers on friendly, helpful leadership. Paula is specifically praised for taking time with her group, while Marco is named as an excellent guide for the geothermal and lava-field outing. You should expect the guide to handle safety, route direction, and the rhythm of the trip, not simply point you toward a vehicle and send you off.

Reykjavik Peak and the reward at the top

The high point of the route is Reykjavik Peak, where you get a panoramic view over Reykjavik City. After the dark volcanic ground and geothermal steam, the city view provides a clear sense of where you have been and how quickly Iceland changes outside the capital.

This is the stop that makes the activity more than a driving loop. You get a visual connection between Reykjavik, the Blue Mountains, and the open volcanic country around Hellisheiði. Weather will affect the view, of course. On a clear day, the outlook should be much more satisfying than in low cloud or rain, but the tour operates in Icelandic conditions, not on a promise of perfect visibility.

The sightseeing also gives non-drivers a real role. If you are riding with a friend, you are not simply waiting for the next chance to take the wheel. The geothermal area and the city panorama provide reasons to stay alert throughout the route.

Coffee at basecamp is included. It is a small touch, but welcome after two hours outdoors. Food is not included, so do not treat the coffee as a meal. Plan your food around the tour rather than expecting a lunch stop.

Is $305 per person fair?

At $305 per person, this is an expensive Reykjavik activity. You are paying for transport, a professional English-speaking guide, a two-hour buggy session, protective equipment, geothermal sightseeing, the city view, coffee, and return transport. If you would otherwise need to arrange a vehicle, outdoor gear, and a separate trip outside the capital, the package is easier to justify.

The value depends heavily on how much you want to drive. A person who loves active outings may find the price reasonable because the main event is substantial, with two hours in the buggy. Someone mainly interested in seeing lava fields and geothermal steam may get better value from a sightseeing tour that spends more time at viewpoints and less on equipment and driving.

Shared seating helps keep the experience social, but confirm the booking setup. Two people fit in each buggy, and single-rider participation is available. An odd-sized group must account for a single rider, which can affect the final cost.

There is also a practical financial advantage in the flexible booking terms. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That does not make the tour cheap, but it reduces the risk of committing too early when your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Who should choose this outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a clear break from Reykjavik’s streets and museums, and you like the idea of combining scenery with an engine. It works especially well for couples and friends who want to share a buggy, trade driving time, and have a story that is different from another bus excursion.

It also suits an active family with older children. Passengers can be six or older, but only licensed drivers aged 17 and up can drive. Parents should consider the child’s comfort with wind, noise, outdoor clothing, and a rough vehicle ride before booking.

You may want to skip it if you dislike motor sports, have mobility needs that make a buggy unsuitable, or want a quiet volcanic experience. It is not designed for wheelchair users, and it is not suitable during pregnancy. You also need to be comfortable bringing your license and wearing outdoor gear.

The tour is a good fit for a first Iceland visit when time is limited. It takes you beyond the capital without requiring a full day, and it combines several distinct sights: the Blue Mountains, lava fields, geothermal ground, steam from the power plant, and Reykjavik from above.

Practical details before you reserve

Book the pickup point carefully. There are many choices, from central bus stops to hotels and the Skarfabakki 312 cruise terminal. Be ready 30 minutes before departure, not at the advertised start time.

Bring:

• A valid driving license if you plan to drive
• Comfortable shoes
• Outdoor clothing

The provider supplies the helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear when needed. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The experience is conducted in English. Private and small-group options are available. The transport has received a perfect score from all listed ratings, and the overall activity rating is 4.9 from 23 ratings, with particular praise for the scenery, equipment, and guides. The one clear caution is route character: do not assume every moment will be a narrow, rugged trail. Some sections may feel like gravel road.

Should you book the Lava Field Buggy Adventure?

Book it if you want to drive through Iceland’s volcanic country, prefer a small group to a large bus, and value the convenience of hotel pickup and supplied gear. The two-hour driving period gives the activity real substance, while Reykjavik Peak and the geothermal area add worthwhile sightseeing.

Think twice if $305 feels high for a motorized excursion, or if your main goal is a slow, quiet look at nature. For the right person, though, this is a lively way to connect Reykjavik with the raw country just beyond it. Paula and Marco’s friendly guiding style, the strong equipment setup, and the mix of lava fields with geothermal steam help make the outing more than a simple joyride.

FAQ

How long does the buggy tour take?

The full experience takes about two to three and a half hours, including transportation. The safety briefing lasts 30 minutes, and the guided buggy driving lasts two hours.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from selected Reykjavik hotels, hostels, city bus stops, the Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal, and the Safari Quads basecamp. Pickup begins 30 minutes before the tour departure time.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Every driver must be at least 17 years old and carry a valid driving license.

How old must a passenger be?

Non-driving passengers must be at least six years old.

Can I ride alone in a buggy?

Yes. The usual arrangement is two people per buggy, but single-rider booking is available. If your group has an odd number of participants, one person must be booked as a single rider.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear if needed. You must bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.