Fast Lava - ATV and horseback riding
by Arctic Adventures · ATV & buggy · Horse riding · Volcanoes & lava · Reykjavík
- Fine on your own
- Self-guided
Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Arctic Adventures's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.
More photos of Fast Lava - ATV and horseback riding
30 photos from Arctic Adventures. Tap any one for the full-size original.
Duration
8 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Meeting
Hotel pickup available
Languages
EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH, ES
Departs
09:00
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
Trip difficulty: 2 out of 5 possible. Rated: Easy.
Trip Highlights:
- Horseback Riding
- Bláfjöll Mountains
- ATV's
- Hafrafell
We start the day at Íshestar farm where we saddle up and go for a classic horseback riding adventure. We will explore the lava surrounding Mt. Helgafell volcano while riding through vast lava fields and across beautiful hillsides to Lake Hvaleyrarvatn. As we ride through this stunning scenery you will have the chance to see all of the different formations in the rough lava. The horses stroll along perfectly safe riding paths with the beautiful Bláfjöll Mountains towering above on the horizon. After the horse riding portion of the day, we will drop you off in Reykjavík downtown where you can have a nice lunch to refuel for our next ATV adventure.
We will find our 650 cc CanAm Outlander max Quad bikes waiting outside our base in the outskirts of Mosfellsbær town. We will start the ride on a gravel road along scenic lake Hafravatn before heading up a mountain trail to the top of Hafrafell. Upon arrival at the top of the mountain awaits an amazing panoramic view of the entire Reykjavik area and its surrounding mountain range. Mt Úlfarsfell, Reykjavik, the bay area, and the Reykjanes Peninsula all offer a beautiful atmosphere worth the trip. Driving these powerful machines is a great way to explore the hills and mountains on the outskirts of the city.
Disclaimer: All adventure trips and outdoor activities such as quad biking and horse riding are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures & its partners (in this case Íshestar) do not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavik
- Íshestar Riding Centre
- Safari Quads
Included
Good to know
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 storm-force wind — rain and mud do not cancel it. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures 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 →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Volcano ATV Tour from Volcano ATV is €107 — €218 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €325 | Volcano ATV · €107 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 8 hours | 1 hour |
| Getting there | Picks you up | You make your own way |
| Changing your mind | Free until 24 h before | Not stated |
| How hard it is | Moderate | Easy |
The €218 buys you 7 more hours out and hotel pickup and free cancellation up to 24 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 8 cannot join this one.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 154 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 Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,129 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · a month ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
A Fantastic Trip: Review of 3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave and Glacier Lagoon Absolutely incredible experience with Arctic Adventures and the guide Hjalti Bjornsson. The pick up from the bus stop was easy and the instructions were super clear. Be aware that they are extremely punctual at every stop. Do not be late by even a minute. We saw so many sites and the weather was perfect for most of the days. Our guide even took us on some stops that were not in the itinerary, but ones he thought were interesting and on the way, like the power plants and some other glaciers. The bus ride was very smooth with plenty of room and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was well thought out with a great mix of light walking about 3 - 6 miles per day depending on how much you wanted to walk to each site. Some sites like the glacier Skaftafellsjokull (optional) were further away (4 ish miles), while others were much closer (1000ft). The hotel was situated in a beautiful location with sheep everywhere and interesting rock formations. The hotel was very comfortable with hot water and plenty of space to spread out. Our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone between the ages 10 - 70. However, this might not be the best experience for those with mobility issues as there is walking to some of the best sites.
Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- ATV and buggy tours — an hour near Reykjavík or the Westfjords at DrangsnesQuad tours near Reykjavík come as half of a combo day. In Drangsnes you get an empty fjord and a mountain track for €128. Your route decides which one.
- Horse riding in Iceland — the tölt, the Golden Circle combos and who it actually suitsIcelandic horses have a gait no other breed in Europe has. Here's what a riding tour really is, which combo to book, and who should stay on the fence.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
ATV & buggy — questions people ask
Where can you ride ATVs in Iceland?
In two very different places on this site. Near Reykjavík, the Hafnarfjörður lava fields, twenty minutes from town, host the ATV combos with caving, horses and whale watching (/experience/292/, /experience/1603/). In the Westfjords, Activity Tours runs one-hour and three-hour rides from Drangsnes and Djúpavík on the Strandir coast (/experience/1176229/, /experience/1167831/), with fjord views and almost no other traffic. The Westfjords rides are better; Reykjavík is easier to reach.
Do I need a driving licence to ride an ATV in Iceland?
Yes, a full valid car licence to drive one. Passengers ride behind the driver and do not need a licence, but minimum ages apply for both; check the tour page. Bring the physical licence card. Standard pricing puts two people on one ATV, with a single-rider supplement if you want your own. Buggies (/experience/7689/) are side-by-side and more car-like, if you are unsure about balancing an ATV.
What do I wear for an ATV tour?
Old clothes and closed shoes. The operator gives you a helmet, overalls, gloves and often a balaclava, because Icelandic tracks are mud in summer and slush in winter and you will get sprayed. Wear warm layers underneath; you are sitting still in the wind. Sunglasses or goggles help with grit. Leave anything white at the hotel. A shower afterwards is not optional.
Is ATV riding in Iceland dangerous?
It carries real risk, which is why the licence rules exist. You ride in a line behind a guide at a set pace on marked tracks, so the danger is mostly in overconfidence on loose gravel or steep sections. Follow the guide's speed and keep your feet on the footrests. Travel insurance that covers motorised activities is worth checking before you book; some standard policies exclude ATVs.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
153 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.
3-day packageMay – SepArctic Adventures
Hidden Highlands: 3-Day Landmannalaugar & Grænihryggur Hiking Tour
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 10+
- Hotel pickup
- Gear included
from
€1,146 per person
3-day packageMay – SepArctic Adventures
3 Day - Iceland’s Highlands and Volcano Adventure
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 8+
- Hotel pickup
- Wi-fi on board
from
€967 per person
11 hoursBusTravel Iceland
South Coast & Black Sand Horse Riding Tour
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 10+
- Hotel pickup
- Wi-fi on board
from
€165 per person
about the usual price
3 hours and 30 minutesAction Adventures
Superview - ATV Reykjavik Adventures
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Hotel pickup
- Gear included
- Family friendly
from
€165 per person
39% below the €272 typical
12 hoursMay – SepArctic Yeti Ehf
Private daytour Adventure in Landmannalaugar & Hot Springs
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 8+
- Hotel pickup
- Family friendly
from
€1,680 per person
30 minutesIcelimo Luxury Travel
Private Reykjavik intercity transfer
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Hotel pickup
- Private
from
€170 per vehicle