Volcanic Springs ATV adventure from Reykjavik

Trade coach windows for four wheels. This ATV trip gives you a rougher, more active view of Iceland, with lava fields, mountain trails, wide views, and geothermal steam. I especially like the hotel pickup and drop-off and the fact that thermal overalls, rain gear, gloves, and a balaclava are included. The main caution is that this is not a gentle sightseeing ride: difficult terrain and throttle work may challenge total beginners.

I also like the care built into the guiding. Guides such as Ryan and Alessandro have been praised for clear instruction, good route choices, and close attention to less experienced drivers. Still, the $389 price is a serious commitment for about four hours, and severe weather can shorten the ride, as happened on one outing that was reduced to two hours with a refund.

Quick take: what makes this ATV trip worth considering

• Lava fields near Reykjavik: You reach rugged volcanic ground without spending a full day on a distant road trip.
• Hengill Mountain views: The route climbs toward open mountain scenery and broad views around Reykjavik.
• Warm gear supplied: Helmets, gloves, thermal overalls, ski masks, and rain gear are provided.
• Off-road access: The route reaches parts of Mosfellsbaer Valley that are described as accessible only by off-road and all-terrain vehicles.
• Helpful guides: Ryan and Alessandro have been singled out for clear explanations, steady pacing, and strong route leadership.
• Pickup is included: Pickup begins around 1:00 pm, though central Reykjavik hotels may require a short walk to a designated bus stop.

A four-hour change of pace from Reykjavik

This is a good choice when you want to break up Iceland’s usual pattern of buses, viewpoints, and roadside stops. You are not simply driven to a volcanic site, handed a few minutes for photographs, and moved along. You operate an ATV across rough ground, with the machine shaping how you experience the countryside.

The outing lasts about four hours, including transport and preparation, with roughly three hours devoted to the ATV ride. The start time is listed as 1:30 pm, and pickup begins at 1:00 pm. Allow extra patience at the beginning, since the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes.

The tour begins at Lambhagavegur 19 in Reykjavik, although pickup and return transport are offered. This matters if you are staying in the city and do not want to arrange a taxi to the operator’s base.

There is one small Reykjavik wrinkle. Some hotels in the central no-pickup zones cannot receive tour vehicles. You may need to walk two to five minutes to the closest designated bus stop. Check this before the day of departure, and be ready at 1:00 pm rather than treating 1:30 pm as your pickup time.

Getting suited up for Icelandic weather

At the tour office, you receive a safety briefing and your riding equipment. The package includes a helmet, gloves, thermal overalls, a ski mask or balaclava, and rain gear. That is useful in Iceland, where wind and rain can quickly change how comfortable an outdoor activity feels.

You do not need to buy or pack specialist ATV clothing for this outing. I would still dress in layers underneath the supplied gear and wear sturdy footwear, since you will be dealing with uneven ground and changing conditions. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and carry anything you need within the operator’s rules.

The briefing is especially important if your ATV experience is limited. You receive help getting comfortable with the controls, but the company describes the ride as potentially challenging for total beginners and novices. That is a fair warning. The route includes difficult terrain, and you need a moderate level of physical fitness.

If you are sharing an ATV, choose that option when booking. A single rider option is also available, and the price is charged per person. Anyone who wants to drive must bring a valid driver’s license. Passengers can be as young as six, but the driver requirement still applies to the person operating the quad bike.

Ulfarsfell: the ride gets away from the city

The first named stop is Ulfarsfell, a useful introduction to the open terrain outside Reykjavik. The point of this section is not a polished attraction with signs and displays. It is the change in ground, pace, and view as you move from urban roads to volcanic countryside.

You can expect the guide to set the riding rhythm here. That matters because the group may contain people with very different levels of experience. Riders who are new to ATVs may need more time to feel natural with the throttle, while experienced drivers may be eager to move faster.

Past ride accounts describe guides checking frequently on less experienced riders and adjusting the pace when needed. One rider with very little ATV experience found the extra attention reassuring, while a more experienced companion still enjoyed the route. That is the sort of guiding you want on rough ground: not simply a guide disappearing ahead, but someone keeping track of how the group is handling the route.

The stops also provide a break from holding the throttle. That sounds minor, but your hands and arms can tire during a three-hour ride. The pauses let you look around, take photographs, and regain your grip before continuing.

Safari Quads and the practical side of riding

Safari Quads is the operator and the point where the equipment and instruction are handled. This part of the outing is less about sightseeing and more about learning how the activity works.

You will need to listen carefully to the safety talk and follow the instructor’s directions. An ATV can feel simple at first, but rough trails ask more of you than a flat practice area. You need to manage speed, stay aware of the rider ahead, and remain comfortable with the machine before the route becomes more demanding.

The experience appears especially well suited to mixed couples or friends, where one person has plenty of ATV experience and the other has only ridden once or twice. The guide can keep an eye on the less confident rider while still giving the group a proper off-road outing.

It is less suitable if you want a passive afternoon or dislike machine-based activities. You will be sitting, steering, and working the throttle for much of the ride. If you have physical limitations, contact the operator before booking, since the stated expectation is moderate fitness and the terrain can be difficult.

The advertised maximum is 60 people. That is a sizable possible capacity, though the actual riding group can vary. On quieter dates, the experience may feel almost private. Two separate outings ended up with only the booking party and guide, which allowed the guide to tailor the pace closely.

Lava fields and the road toward Hengill Mountain

The central part of the adventure takes you over lava fields and upward toward Hengill Mountain. This is the strongest reason to choose the ATV trip instead of another standard coach excursion. You reach rough volcanic ground under your own control, rather than seeing it only through a window.

The lava fields give the ride its texture. You move over a surface shaped by volcanic activity, with the ATV handling ground that would be awkward to cover by ordinary car. The route is not presented as a simple scenic road, and the difficult sections are part of the appeal for confident riders.

As you climb toward Hengill, the views open out. The information provided describes panoramic views from higher points, so bring a camera that you can use safely during designated stops. Guides have also taken photographs during the ride, which is helpful because you may not want to handle your phone while operating the ATV.

Do not expect every ride to follow the same timetable. Weather can control the day. Strong conditions shortened one outing to two hours, although the rider still felt there was enough time to enjoy the activity and received a generous refund. That is a useful example of how Iceland works: flexibility matters more than sticking rigidly to a printed schedule.

Mosfellsbaer Valley and geothermal steam

The route continues into Mosfellsbaer Valley, described as an area reached by off-road and all-terrain vehicles. This is where the trip moves beyond simply riding for the thrill of it. You get access to volcanic scenery and geothermal features that are not part of ordinary city sightseeing.

Steam vents give the valley a distinctly Icelandic character. You can pause to look at the ground, watch steam rising, and take in the contrast between cold air, dark volcanic surfaces, and geothermal heat below. The exact amount of time at each point is not specified, so think of this as a guided riding route with scenic stops, not a slow walking tour of every feature.

One listed stop is the Geothermal Exhibition. The supplied details do not give a full description of its format or length, so I would not book this trip mainly for an indoor exhibition visit. The ATV route, mountain views, lava fields, and geothermal ground are the real reasons to go.

That distinction helps when comparing this with a dedicated geothermal or hot-spring tour. Here, geothermal features are part of a wider off-road experience. You get variety, but not necessarily the same amount of time at any one site.

Reykjadalur Hot Springs on the itinerary

Reykjadalur Hot Springs is also listed among the stops. The available details do not say that the tour includes bathing, a hike into the valley, or time in the water, so do not assume that a hot-spring swim is part of the package.

Treat this stop as a geothermal point connected with the route. If bathing is important to you, check directly with Safari Quads before booking. The included items are transport, the ATV adventure, protective gear, and a professional instructor-guide. Food, drinks, and any separate bathing arrangements are not listed.

This is a useful point for planning your day. You might be tempted to think of the trip as an ATV ride plus a hot-spring visit, but the confirmed core experience is the guided off-road ride through volcanic and geothermal scenery.

Is $389 a fair price?

At $389 per person, this is expensive for a four-hour activity. The cost makes more sense if you place value on the combination of transport, equipment, instruction, and access to rough ground that is hard to reach independently.

You are not paying only for the ATV. The price includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, a three-hour ride, a professional guide, a helmet, gloves, thermal overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear. You also avoid the hassle of hiring an ATV, finding a suitable route, and buying clothing for a single Iceland trip.

The value is strongest for someone who specifically wants to drive across volcanic terrain. If you mainly want mountain views, a less costly sightseeing tour may provide more scenery with less physical effort. If you want an active outing and have room in your budget, the included gear and local route make the price easier to justify.

The high advance booking pattern, about 44 days on average, is another practical signal. You should not leave this until the last minute if the date matters, especially during a busy Iceland visit.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples or friends who want a shared adventure rather than another bus excursion.
• Confident beginners who are ready for rough terrain and willing to follow close instruction.
• Experienced ATV riders who want volcanic ground and mountain views near Reykjavik.
• Families with a passenger aged six or older, provided the adults are comfortable with the activity.
• Visitors who do not want to pack specialist outdoor gear.

I would think twice if you dislike driving activities, have limited physical fitness, or want a guaranteed, long visit at a hot spring. Total beginners are not excluded, but the operator clearly warns that the route can be demanding. The ride may be adjusted for ability, though the terrain itself remains part of the experience.

The guides are a major part of the value. Ryan has been praised for thorough explanations and strong trail choices. Alessandro was praised for leading a memorable route through lava fields toward a volcanic crater. Other riders appreciated guides who checked on progress and slowed the pace when needed.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English, and public transportation is nearby if you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

Alcohol and drugs are not tolerated. That is obvious safety advice, but it matters more on a machine tour than on a standard city walk. Bring your driver’s license if you plan to drive, and remember that food and drinks are not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff follows local Iceland time.

Should you book the Volcanic Springs ATV adventure?

Book it if you want to drive through volcanic country, not merely look at it from a road. The route combines lava fields, Hengill Mountain views, geothermal steam, and off-road access with useful gear and city pickup.

Skip it if your priority is a relaxed sightseeing day, a guaranteed hot-spring swim, or the lowest possible cost. For the right person, the high price buys a distinctive half-day outing and a chance to see Iceland at ground level, with a guide helping you handle the rough parts.

FAQ

How long does the Volcanic Springs ATV adventure last?

The full experience lasts about four hours, including transport and preparation. The ATV portion is listed as three hours.

What time is pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup starts at 1:00 pm, and the listed activity start time is 1:30 pm. The pickup process can take up to 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Lambhagavegur 19, 113 Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup and drop-off are offered, but some central Reykjavik hotels require you to walk to a nearby designated bus stop.

Is ATV equipment included?

Yes. The tour provides a helmet, gloves, thermal overalls, a ski mask or balaclava, and rain gear.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes, a valid driver’s license is required if you want to drive the quad bike.

How old must a passenger be?

The minimum passenger age is six years old.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.