Reykjavik: Lava Cave, Hot Springs, Horses & Waterfalls Tour

The Viðgelmir Lava Cave is the star here: a long volcanic tunnel filled with lava shapes, changing colors, and seasonal ice. I like that the day pairs this underground adventure with Hraunfossar, a broad series of waterfalls fed through an old lava field. You also get a warm human stop at Sturlureykir Horse Farm, where hot spring bread and coffee turn a sightseeing day into something more personal.

I also like the small-group format, with no more than 19 passengers, and the mix of nature, Icelandic history, geology, and local farm life. The main drawback is the long 10-hour schedule and the physical demands of the cave. Expect cold conditions underground, wet wooden walkways, and at least one slippery area, so this is not a good fit for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with limited mobility.

Key points to know before you book

• Viðgelmir is the main event: Expect a guided walk through a cave nearly 1,600 meters long, with lava formations, colors, ice, and a cold underground climate.
• Hraunfossar is unusually wide: Water streams from the Hallmundarhraun lava field across roughly 900 meters, creating many separate falls.
• Sturlureykir adds local character: You can meet Icelandic horses and try homemade rugbrauð, or hot spring bread, with coffee or water.
• The day reaches beyond the usual Reykjavik circuit: Glanni, Reykholt, and Deildartunguhver give you a strong introduction to Borgarfjörður.
• Guides matter: Past guide teams have included Filip, Walter, Addi, Thor, Colin, and Cristina, while the cave portion may use a specialist guide such as Erin, Lilla, Garith, or Brian.
• Bring layers and cash: The cave is cold, meals are not included, and you will need money for lunch and the afternoon coffee stop.

Why this west Iceland day is worth your time

Many visitors to Reykjavik focus on the Golden Circle and the south coast. This tour takes you in the opposite direction, into Borgarfjörður, an area tied closely to Iceland’s medieval sagas and early settlement stories.

That change of direction is the point. You get waterfalls, geothermal activity, a historic site, horses, and a lava cave in one long day. The stops are not all alike, and that keeps the tour from feeling like a string of similar viewpoints.

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Still, the price includes transportation from Reykjavik, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, admission to Viðgelmir, and entry to Sturlureykir Horse Farm. The cave ticket alone is a meaningful part of the cost, and the route would be difficult to reproduce without a rental car, careful timing, and separate reservations.

I would call the value fair for anyone who wants several west Iceland experiences without driving. It is less attractive if you already have a car, prefer to linger at each stop, or only want one main attraction.

From Reykjavik to Glanni Waterfall

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning, with the return to Reykjavik after a full day. Since large buses cannot use some central streets, you may be sent to a nearby bus stop rather than collected directly outside your accommodation.

The first listed stop is Glanni Waterfall, where you get about 30 minutes. This is a sensible opening stop because it gives you an early look at the power of Icelandic rivers before the day moves into geothermal areas and the cave.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not for a long exploration. I would keep your camera ready and wear your outer layer from the start. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and a short stop can feel rushed if you are still organizing gloves, hats, and phones.

Meeting Icelandic horses at Sturlureykir

Sturlureykir Horse Farm is one of the most appealing stops for visitors who want more than scenery. You get around 45 minutes to meet Icelandic horses at close range, with admission included.

These horses are small, sturdy, and central to Icelandic rural life. The farm visit gives the day a more direct connection to the country than another roadside photo stop would. You can get close to the animals, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than the cave and waterfall sections.

The food is part of the charm. You can try rugbrauð, a dark, homemade bread traditionally baked using geothermal heat, with fresh coffee or cold water. Meals are not included for the tour as a whole, so do not confuse this tasting with lunch. It is a snack and cultural stop, not a replacement for a proper meal.

This is also a useful time to ask your guide questions. Guides such as Walter, Thor, Addi, and Filip have been praised for humor, stories, and keeping the group involved, although your assigned guide will vary. The quality of the day depends partly on how much context your guide adds between stops.

Deildartunguhver and the heat beneath Iceland

Deildartunguhver is one of the day’s clearest reminders that Iceland’s attractive scenery comes from serious geological force. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and is mainly for viewing and photographs.

This is a geothermal area, not a bathing stop on the listed schedule. You should expect to see and feel the presence of hot water close to the surface, but do not book this tour expecting a long soak at a hot spring. The experience is about observing geothermal power safely from the designated area.

The short visit works well in the overall rhythm. You have already met horses, and you are heading toward the waterfalls and cave. Deildartunguhver adds a different kind of drama without taking too much time from the main attractions.

Reykholt and the small pool linked to Snorri

At Reykholt, you get about 30 minutes to see one of Iceland’s most important historic places. The site is associated with Snorri Sturluson, a medieval poet, politician, and writer whose work is central to Icelandic literature and saga culture.

The key feature is Snorralaug, a small hot spring mentioned in medieval writings. Snorri is said to have used it for bathing, and the pool gives the history a physical point of reference. It is modest in size, but that is exactly why the stop works: you are looking at a small place with a large connection to Iceland’s past.

Do not expect a full museum visit or a long historical tour in half an hour. Instead, use this as a compact introduction to the people and stories that shaped Icelandic identity. A good guide can make the site much more meaningful by explaining who Snorri was and why Reykholt mattered.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: the day’s best waterfall stop

You get about 90 minutes at Hraunfossar, including free time, lunch, photographs, and sightseeing. This is the longest above-ground stop, and it deserves the extra time.

Hraunfossar is not a single tall cascade. It is a series of streams that emerge from the Hallmundarhraun lava field and run toward the river over roughly 900 meters. The water appears to come from the porous lava itself, which gives the falls a striking, scattered shape.

The lava field formed around 1,000 years ago during a major eruption from a volcano beneath the Langjökull glacier. That detail helps explain what you are seeing: this is not simply a river dropping over a cliff. It is water moving through old volcanic rock before reappearing in many channels.

Barnafoss is only a short distance away and has a different character. The river narrows and moves with more force, making a useful contrast with the broad, delicate streams of Hraunfossar. You should have several viewpoints, but keep an eye on the time because lunch and photographs share the same 90-minute window.

Lunch is not included, and the exact arrangement can vary. Bring cash, as the tour specifically advises it for the lunch stop and afternoon coffee break. One past account described a buffet lunch, but you should not assume that meal is part of the $222 price. Pack a small snack if you tend to get hungry between stops.

Walking inside Viðgelmir Lava Cave

The cave visit lasts about 90 minutes and includes admission and a guided tour. Viðgelmir is just under 1,600 meters long, although your walking route and timing will be controlled by the cave operator and current conditions.

This is where the day becomes genuinely unusual. You walk beneath the lava field through a space shaped by an ancient eruption. The walls show different colors and textures, and the formations give you a close look at how moving lava can leave hollow passages behind.

The cave is cold. One person described it as much colder than expected, and that is easy to underestimate after spending the day outdoors. Wear warm clothing even if Reykjavik feels mild. Gloves and sturdy footwear are sensible choices, though the supplied information does not specify a required shoe type.

The walkway is made of wood in places and can be wet underground. Handrails help, but one section has been described as dangerously slippery. Move slowly, use the rail, and do not treat the route like a normal dry trail. This is the tour’s clearest physical challenge.

The cave guides have received especially strong praise for their explanations. Guides named Erin, Lilla, Garith, and Brian have led cave portions, with geology and safety forming a major part of the experience. The main coach guide and the cave guide may be different people, so you get both general Iceland context and a more focused explanation of the volcanic formations.

Winter can give the cave a different look. Ice may form into stalagmite-like shapes beneath dripping water, creating a more dramatic interior. Weather can also complicate the drive, as snow did on one January outing, but the route has still been completed in difficult winter conditions. You should be ready for changes in timing if conditions are poor.

Transport, group size, and the pace of the day

The maximum group size is 19, which is a good middle ground. You are not in a huge coach, but you should not expect a private guide devoted only to your party. A smaller vehicle makes pickup easier and gives you a better chance to ask questions.

Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, useful for checking messages during the longer drives. Still, I would treat the bus as a place to rest, listen, and watch the countryside rather than a mobile office.

The schedule is full but reasonably varied. You alternate between short outdoor stops, a farm visit, a longer waterfall break, and the cave. That pacing helps the 10-hour day pass more quickly than a route with only viewpoints.

The downside is that you cannot control the timing. If you want an hour alone at Reykholt, a long lunch, or extra time at Hraunfossar, the group schedule will limit you. One benefit of the route is that some guides have made extra unscheduled photo stops when conditions allowed, but you should see those as a bonus rather than a promise.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want west Iceland in one efficient day and you enjoy variety. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want geology, history, farm life, and waterfalls without renting a car.

It is also a strong choice if the cave is your main reason for going. The waterfalls and historic sites make the day feel complete, but Viðgelmir is the part you are least likely to recreate on your own without planning.

Families with older children may enjoy the horses and waterfalls, but the minimum age is five. The cave is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the tour is not designed for people with mobility impairments. Even visitors who walk comfortably should be prepared for wet surfaces and a cold underground route.

The tour can also suit older family members if they choose their activities carefully. One pair of older parents entered the cave while a family member with walking difficulty stayed at the cafe, where windows looked toward the lava flow. That kind of flexibility may be possible, but you should confirm current arrangements before booking rather than count on it.

Is the $222 price fair?

For a 10-hour trip with transportation from Reykjavik, several major stops, a small group, two included admission fees, Wi-Fi, and a guide, the price is defensible. You are paying for access and coordination as much as for the attractions themselves.

The value is strongest when you do not have a rental car or when you want a guide to explain the geology and saga connections. The cost feels less appealing if you only care about waterfalls, since other excursions may offer more time at fewer places.

Keep aside extra money for lunch and the coffee stop. Bring warm clothing, cash, and shoes you can use on wet surfaces. With those basics handled, the day is easier to enjoy.

My verdict on the west Iceland route

I would book this tour if you want a full, varied day and the Viðgelmir cave sounds exciting. The best parts are specific and memorable: water emerging through ancient lava at Hraunfossar, horses at Sturlureykir, Snorralaug at Reykholt, and the cold, colorful world beneath the ground.

I would skip it if you dislike fixed schedules, long bus days, or uneven walking. The tour is not a relaxed spa day, and the listed stops do not include a bathing session. For the right person, though, it offers one of the most varied introductions to west Iceland available from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes up to 10 hours, including pickup from Reykjavik, sightseeing, the cave visit, and the return journey.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM. You should be ready at your pickup location from 8:30 AM.

Where will I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is included within Reykjavik, but buses cannot use certain central streets. You may be assigned the nearest bus stop, and the exact location will be provided to you.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

Yes. You can meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavik. You must notify Nicetravel and arrive before 8:20 AM.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee and guided cave tour are included in the ticket price.

Is admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm included?

Yes. Admission to the horse farm is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included. Bring cash for the lunch stop and the afternoon coffee break.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and cash. Warm layers are especially important because Viðgelmir Lava Cave is cold.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five cannot join the tour. The cave’s cold and wet conditions may also be a consideration for older children.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The cave includes wet walkways and a potentially slippery section.