Northern Lights Hike to Reykjadalur Hot River

by Hikers of Iceland · Northern lights · Hiking & trekking · Drive yourself there · Reykjavík

5.00· 51 Google reviews of the operator

Beginners welcome
Fine on your own
Eco-certified

from €98 per person

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €98 Other dates

Northern Lights Hike to Reykjadalur Hot River — Hikers of Iceland

Northern Lights Hike to Reykjadalur Hot River, photo 8

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8 photos from Hikers of Iceland. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
4 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
Sep – Apr
Pickup
Hotel pickup available at extra cost, or meet at the start point
Starts at
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Reykjadalur Café, Hveragerdi
Guide
Guided in English, Spanish, Italian
Departs
20:00
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

Meeting point, in Hikers of Iceland's words: Type "Reykjadalur Café" on Maps, and find us 10 minutes before the departure to a great adventure beyond the tourist crowds!

About this experience

IF THIS ONE SHOWS UNAVAILABLE, CHECK OUR OTHER DAY TOURS as we run one tour per day.Hike Iceland for a night.

40 MINUTES DRIVE from Reykjavik city center
LENGTH: 6 km – 3,7 miles
ELEVATION: 330 m – 1090 ft
DIFFICULTY: easy
DURATION: 4hrs (plus driving time)
STARTING TIME: 20 (plus pick-up time)
ENDING TIME: 12 am (plus drop-off time)
GROUP: up to 15 participants
AGE LIMIT: 8+

Experience the Magic of a Night Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs

Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure into the heart of Reykjadalur Valley, where geothermal wonders and night sky spectacles converge. This enchanting journey begins in the charming town of Hveragerði, where you’ll be equipped with a headlamp and guided along a scenic trail into the darkness. The hike lasts about one hour, gradually leading you through breathtaking terrain as daylight fades. Shadows deepen, the air cools, and the valley takes on a quiet, almost mystical character. Your destination: a naturally heated river hidden within the hills, where warm waters await beneath a starlit sky.

A Valley of Steam, Silence and Stars

Reykjadalur—literally “Steam Valley”—is alive with geothermal energy. Bubbling hot springs, steaming vents, and earthy aromas line your path, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that feels otherworldly in the stillness of night. As you walk through this surreal landscape, you’ll witness nature’s quiet power, surrounded by native plants and nocturnal wildlife in this unique ecosystem.

Soak Beneath the Northern Lights

During the Northern Lights season, this remote valley becomes a natural theater for one of Earth’s most dazzling phenomena. Far from city lights, the sky above Reykjadalur offers perfect conditions for aurora viewing. Picture yourself soaking in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the hot river, steam curling into the air, while waves of green, pink, and violet light dance overhead. It’s a moment of pure magic—a sensory experience that blends warmth, silence, and awe in perfect harmony.

Stargazing in Iceland's Quiet Wilderness

Even when the auroras aren’t performing, the night sky here offers a show of its own. On a clear evening, constellations shine brilliantly above, undimmed by urban glow. The stars seem closer, more vivid, casting a gentle light over the valley. Whether you're floating in the river or sitting along its banks, the feeling is one of peace and timeless wonder.

Join Us for a Night You’ll Never Forget.

Whether you're chasing the Northern Lights or simply seeking a tranquil, soul-stirring escape, this night hike to Reykjadalur is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Iceland’s geothermal magic under a vast and silent sky. Book your place now and prepare for an unforgettable evening of wonder, warmth, and celestial beauty.

REMEMBER TO TAKE WITH YOU:

Hiking shoes
Windproof jacket and pants
0,5 L of water
Packed dinner
Cap and gloves
Swimsuit
Towel
Sandals

Description from the operator, Hikers of Iceland. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Included

Headlamp

Bath in the hot spring

Licenced and certified local guides

International Mountain Leader

Parking (if pick-up and drop-off service is requested)

Not included

Pick up & drop off

Parking (if pick-up and drop-off service is not requested)

Good to know

Hiking shoes
Waterproof jacket and pants
Packed dinner
1 L of water
Cap and (waterproof) gloves
Swimsuit
Towel
Sandals

Weather can change rapidly, be prepared for all conditions

Meet at the designated starting point 15 minutes before departure

Group sizes are kept small for a personalized experience

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is a solid cloud forecast — most operators call it by late afternoon and let you rebook on a clearer night free of charge. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Hikers of Iceland decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

Children under 8 cannot join this one.
Not available in summer; the operator runs it roughly September to April.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Hikers of Iceland is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Hikers of Iceland

Read all 51 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 5.0/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Candace Marbury
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
Must see and do! I am not an avid hiker or adventurer and this kickstarted a whole new exploration for me. This was my first 4 day trek and I can’t wait to do it again! Roberto was an amazing guide that offered the perfect blend of adventure with security, freedom with direction and fun with agenda. I saw amazing waterfalls, glaciers, natural hot springs, wildlife, and of course, mountains. Iceland offers an incredibly diverse landscape and Roberto orchestrated the perfect blend. Even if you’ve already visited Iceland 100 times, I am confident you will uncover more gems. I will remember this trip forever. Highly recommend taking a hike or trek with Hikers of Iceland.
Luigi Fornaro
★★★★★ · a year ago
Where can i even start from? The tour with the best guide Roberto has been just amazing. As soon as we arrived at the airport Roberto welcomed us kindly and reassuringly and made us start this awesome experience in his van!! I was a bit anxious on the tracking parts, but Roberto made them be comfortable, exciting and really funny. Every little problem encountered was solved with positivity and lots of laughter. Roberto took us to the most suggestive and marvellous places of Iceland, also the even the lesser known ones, accompanying us to the complete discovery of a culture rich in traditions and nature. At the end of the 10 days, we were all satisfied and so happy (a little sad to be leaving 😂). He made us love Iceland one waterfall at time! We saw almost the whole country, starting from Reykjavik, going into lagoons, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, caves, beaches, volcanos, mountains, farms, canyons, forests, ocean, admiring starry skies and a lot of cute animals! A must for the ones who love travelling and exploring new countries, where you can see the 4 natural elements (water earth fire air)in their maximum expression, in a place where the man didn’t change or ruin them. Hikers of Iceland is the TOP, and Roberto is of course the best!
Jasmine Garside
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
We had a fantastic trip in Iceland — Roberto took us off the beaten track to give us an authentic adventure while keeping us safe and entertained. A professional guide who gives great guidance to suit hikers of all levels. Highly recommend! Thank you, Roberto for a memorable trip trekking, glacier hiking, ice climbing, waterfall hunting, hot pool dunking and all your tips, jokes and stories.
Riccardo Luciani
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
As the Tour Leader of "Avventure nel Mondo" group trip, I couldn't be happier with our experience. Roberto guided us on the Sólheimajökull glacier and gave us a truly magnificent day. He is an extremely passionate and knowledgeable guide, and—just as importantly—always kind and smiling. The organization was impeccable: perfect punctuality, total respect for our agreements, and he provided all the necessary equipment to let us enjoy the hike in complete safety and comfort. He managed our large group with incredible ease, and his work was appreciated by every single member of the team. Ciao Roberto!

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Reykjaböð hot springs: Classic or Signature pass?Reykjaböð in Reykjadalur sells a €58 Classic pass and a €116 Signature pass. Take Classic unless you want the bathhouse spa and a drink, and book ahead.
Reykjadalur hot river: hike, horse or night walkReykjadalur is a free, easy hike above Hveragerði with a warm river to bathe in. Walk it yourself with a car; book the €98 night hike or the horse ride without one.
Best Northern Lights Tour in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe northern lights tours we would book ourselves from Reykjavík and Akureyri, by minibus, super jeep and boat, with real prices and honest odds.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Northern lights — questions people ask

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?

September to April, when the nights are dark enough. Within that, late September to March gives the longest dark hours, and the equinox months, September and March, often have active skies. There are no lights in June or July; the sky never gets dark. Anyone selling you a June lights tour is selling you a bus ride. Give yourself at least three nights, because clouds, not the aurora, are the usual reason people miss them.

Are the northern lights guaranteed on a tour?

No. Nobody can promise them, and we will not. Two things have to line up: a clear sky and solar activity. Guides check the cloud forecast at vedur.is and drive to gaps, which is the real value of a tour over standing outside your hotel. What most operators do promise is a free second attempt if the lights do not show. Check the exact retry policy on the tour page, because the number of retries and the validity period vary.

Is a northern lights bus tour or a boat tour better?

Bus, if you want the best odds. A minibus can drive an hour inland to find a clear patch; a boat stays in Faxaflói and sees whatever sky is over Reykjavík. Boats are shorter, about two hours, and pleasant with hot chocolate, and Reykjavik Sailors' cruise (/experience/6637/) includes a free retry. For a serious hunt, a small-group minibus like BusTravel's (/experience/150646/) or a 4x4 tour (/experience/1088067/) is the better bet.

Can I see the northern lights from Reykjavík itself?

Yes, on strong nights. The city is small and the sky over the sea to the north is fairly dark. Grótta lighthouse at the western tip and the Ægisíða shoreline are the usual spots, twenty minutes' walk from the centre. On average nights the street lights drown out a faint aurora, which is why tours drive out. If the forecast shows high activity and clear sky, walk to Grótta first and save the tour money.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

One checkout, any number of operators
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203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it

from

€98 per person

Hikers of Iceland's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs20:00

Reykjavík: light 08:37–17:48, 9 h 11 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Hikers of Iceland cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Hikers of Iceland's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €6 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.