REVIEW · BLUE LAGOON VISITS

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour

4.5 · 139 reviews 9 hours (approx.) From $260 Operated by BusTravel Iceland · Bookable on Viator
BOOK ON VIATOR →

Steam, lava, and hot-spring bliss, in one day. I love the way this tour combines new lava fields near the Reykjanes Peninsula with a real “walk through the geology” feeling, then ends in the warm comfort of Blue Lagoon Comfort. The main drawback to plan for is that the volcano hike can feel tougher than the word moderate, especially on rocky or uneven ground.

This is also a practical day trip. You get an air-conditioned ride, onboard Wi-Fi, and a guide who keeps the group moving with safety in mind, with helpful touches like a headlamp for the hike gear-up. Just remember, you are choosing a hike day first, then spa time second.

Key highlights you should care about

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Key highlights you should care about

  • Reykjanes lava fields near Fagradalsfjall, including access to the 2021 eruption area
  • Guided hike with time built in for photo stops, not just “walk and run”
  • Blue Lagoon Comfort entry is included, with towel, silica mud mask, and your first drink
  • Small-group style pacing, with a stated max of 59 travelers, and many departures still feel manageable
  • Real-world expectation setting on volcanic activity, since fresh lava is never guaranteed
  • Logistics made easier with pickup from central Reykjavík and Wi-Fi on the bus

Reykjanes lava fields, not a boardwalk view

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Reykjanes lava fields, not a boardwalk view
This tour is interesting because it trades postcards for physical proximity. Instead of staring at lava from behind ropes, you walk over hardened lava fields and through moss-covered ground that makes the scale of recent volcanic activity feel real in your legs and your eyes.

Reykjanes is a strange kind of Iceland. The ground can look alien up close, with textures that range from jagged rock to smoother paths that still smell faintly of heat and sulfur. If you like geology, photography, or just the wow-factor that comes from moving through a landscape that is actively changing, this is the kind of day you remember.

Kleifarvatn Lake bonus stop, and what it means for your day

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Kleifarvatn Lake bonus stop, and what it means for your day
One stop on the route is described as a bonus: Kleifarvatn Lake. On some departures, you get about a 10-minute break there, and that ticket is listed as free when it appears on the schedule.

Why this matters: that extra pull-off is short, but it gives you a breather before the volcano hike. If you are hoping for multiple scenic stops rather than a straight line from Reykjavík to lava, consider this a nice bonus when it’s included, not something to count on.

Fagradalsfjall Volcano hike: what “4 hours” really feels like

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Fagradalsfjall Volcano hike: what “4 hours” really feels like
The centerpiece is the hike to the eruption sites at Fagradalsfjall, specifically to the 2021 eruption field. Plan on about 2 hours each way for walking, with a total of roughly 4 hours on the trail.

The terrain is described as moderate, but the word moderate does not mean easy. The route can include mossy-covered lava fields and mountains, and that can be deceptive. Moss can look soft, while lava rock can be sharp underfoot. Expect an incline, uneven ground, and some sections that feel like hiking across a natural pile of gravel that never learned to be flat.

Also, volcanic timing is part of the deal. On some days you may see visible heat, steam, or smoldering areas rather than dramatic fresh lava. There is even an update included that the flow of new lava at Litli-Hrutur has stopped, at least for the time being, while the area still looks fascinating and continues to show activity.

The guide factor, and why it matters here

This tour is built around a guide who knows the terrain and keeps everyone aligned. Recent feedback highlights guides like Hler, Roman7, Siggi, Mario, Omar, Gut, Carmine, and HBO. The common theme is that the day doesn’t feel random. Guides make stops make sense, point out what you are looking at, and help the group manage pace and safety.

If you are a slower hiker, that guide support can matter a lot. Some departures involve people moving at different speeds, so you may see the group stretch out. The good guides actively check in and re-group you on schedule.

Footwear, headlamp, and photo strategy for rocky lava

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Footwear, headlamp, and photo strategy for rocky lava
This is where I’d set expectations before you go, because the ground is the whole point. Reviews include comments about rocky footing and the hike feeling harder than anticipated for some people. I’d treat this as a serious hike day even if you are not an “official hiker.”

Bring:

  • sturdy hiking shoes or boots you trust on uneven rock
  • layers, because the weather can flip fast
  • sun protection and sunglasses, if the day turns bright (wind and dust can dry your eyes)
  • optional trekking poles if you use them on inclines and uneven surfaces

You’ll also appreciate the included headlamp. The tour description lists it as provided, which suggests the operator expects you to be properly equipped for field conditions on the hike. If your trip includes any early or late light, that small item can help you avoid fuss and keep your footing.

For photos, plan to shoot as you walk. The views and textures change constantly: steam vents here, a darker lava crust there, and moss patterns that show how quickly life can start to reclaim hard ground.

Bonus reality check: lava is not always glowing

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Bonus reality check: lava is not always glowing
Here’s the honest part. Volcanic activity changes, and your experience can vary even when you hike the same general area. Some days are quieter with steam rising out of cracks, and other days may include more dramatic signs of activity.

That’s why I like that this tour explicitly positions itself as seeing newly created lava fields and eruption sites, not guaranteeing a specific “lava show.” You still come away with a sense of scale, plus plenty of walking over the 2021 eruption field area, even if the lava is not actively blasting at that exact moment.

In other words, go for the geology and the experience of being on recent volcanic ground. If you get dramatic activity, it’s a bonus, not the only reason to go.

Blue Lagoon Comfort: what’s included and what to do with your time

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Blue Lagoon Comfort: what’s included and what to do with your time
After the hike, you arrive at the Blue Lagoon for about 2 hours of soaking time. This tour includes Blue Lagoon Comfort admission, which comes with a towel, a silica mud mask, and your first drink of your choice.

That’s a good package for two reasons. First, you’re tired and cold after the hike, so having basics covered matters. Second, the mud mask and included drink make it feel less like a pay-to-start-a-shopping-list situation.

Two hours is plenty if you use it like a reset button. I suggest you:

  • get into the water as soon as you can so your body cool-down becomes a warm recovery
  • take time with the mask, since it turns into part of the routine
  • avoid rushing your changing and shower process, because you’ll be doing it right after hiking, when you are likely moving slowly

One practical point from real experience: bathroom and food access timing can vary depending on the day and how the operator builds breaks. Since meals are not included, I treat this as a day to carry snacks and water if you want full control. Then the Lagoon becomes the reward instead of the first time you feel comfortable eating.

How the day stays manageable: pickup, pacing, and Wi-Fi

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - How the day stays manageable: pickup, pacing, and Wi-Fi
This tour starts at 8:00 am. Your meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, Reykjavík. Pickup is offered, and the pickup window can take up to 30 minutes, so don’t show up 5 minutes early and then panic if the bus is late.

The vehicle includes Wi-Fi and is described as air-conditioned. Wi-Fi sounds small, but it’s genuinely useful on a long Iceland day trip because you’ll likely want to confirm your own plans, share photos quickly, and keep family or friends updated without draining your data.

Duration is listed as about 9 hours, and you return back to the starting meeting point at the end. That means you are committing to a full day, even though the soaking portion is shorter.

Pacing is a highlight. Many people focus on the hike, but the schedule also includes scenic time buffers. Some departures include bonus stops before and around the hike area, which helps break up the drive.

Price and value for $260: what you’re buying

Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon Including Admission Small Group Tour - Price and value for $260: what you’re buying
At $260 per person, you are paying for a package, not just transportation. The value comes from three combined pieces:

  • A guided volcano hike to the 2021 eruption area, including equipment support like a headlamp
  • Blue Lagoon Comfort admission with towel, silica mud mask, and your first drink
  • Pickup and drop-off around Reykjavík plus an air-conditioned ride and onboard Wi-Fi

Meals are not included, so you will still need your own snacks or lunch plan. If you were already planning to do Blue Lagoon and also want a real hike day, this bundle can cost less than doing everything separately with multiple reservations.

Where value can feel weaker: if you are expecting the volcano portion to be gentle, or if you are only interested in soaking. This is priced as a geology experience first, spa experience second.

Weather, safety, and route changes you should expect

Iceland runs on weather. The tour is described as requiring good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions you can be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, the route can change for safety reasons, which is a normal reality when walking across volcanic terrain.

So keep your mindset flexible:

  • Pack for layers and wind
  • Expect variable ground conditions
  • Be ready for the day to adjust, even if you planned your photos carefully

Also, when it comes to volcano activity, I’d plan for the “no guarantee” nature of active terrain. One included update says new lava flow has stopped at Litli-Hrutur, but the area can still show heat and smoldering interest. That’s still a worth-it visit if your goal is to see what volcanic ground feels like, not to chase a single moment of eruption.

Who should book this, and who might skip

This tour is a strong fit for people who want an active day with real geology. It suits you if you:

  • enjoy hiking and don’t mind steady walking on uneven terrain
  • want to combine outdoors with a guaranteed warm-water recovery
  • care more about experiencing the eruption sites than collecting a quick bus-stop photo

It may be a weak fit if you:

  • want a very easy walk with minimal incline
  • struggle on uneven rock, or you are very injury-prone
  • are expecting a short hike and lots of lounge time

One more tip: the tour describes a moderate physical fitness level as the baseline. Reviews include mixed impressions of difficulty. If you are on the edge, bring trekking poles or plan to go slower. Some guides do a good job letting you keep your pace and still meet up.

Should you book this volcano hike and Blue Lagoon combo?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels like Iceland is happening right under your boots, then you want to thaw out in geothermal water without worrying about logistics. The included Blue Lagoon Comfort extras, plus a guided walk to the 2021 eruption field, are a smart combo for value and variety.

You should think twice if you hate hiking, expect glowing lava on command, or need long toilet and snack breaks on the way. The day runs like a hike-first itinerary, even though there may be bonus stops along the drive.

If you book, you’ll have a better experience if you treat it as an outdoor hike day and pack like one: good shoes, layers, and simple personal snacks. Then the Lagoon becomes the reward it was meant to be.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour runs about 9 hours (approx.), starting at 8:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavík?

Yes. Pickup is offered from designated meeting points, and pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so wait at your pickup location from the time on your ticket.

What is included in Blue Lagoon Comfort admission?

Blue Lagoon Comfort admission includes use of a towel, a silica mud mask, and the first drink of your choice.

Do I need to bring a meal?

Meals are not included. The tour includes time to relax at Blue Lagoon, but it does not provide meals.

How hard is the volcano hike?

The hike is described as moderate difficulty. You’ll hike around 2 hours each way, and the terrain can be sometimes difficult.

Is there Wi-Fi during the tour?

Yes. There is Wi-Fi on board.

Are headlamps provided?

Yes. A headlamp is listed as included.

Does the route always include Kleifarvatn Lake?

Kleifarvatn Lake is listed as a bonus stop and not included on every departure.

What happens if weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers is not met?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum travelers is not met, you’ll also be offered a different date or a full refund.

More like this

Blue Lagoon Visits, compared.

The full Blue Lagoon Visits list →
Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 5,631 reviews· from $249

Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon: Admission Package with Drink, Towel, and Mask
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 5,421 reviews· from $109

Blue Lagoon: Admission Package with Drink, Towel, and Mask

Read our review →
Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 5,270 reviews· from $249

Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon Admission with Transfers
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 4,867 reviews· from $231

Blue Lagoon Admission with Transfers

Read our review →
Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,932 reviews· from $253

Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour

Read our review →
Golden Circle, Crater & Blue Lagoon Minibus Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 1,583 reviews· from $252

Golden Circle, Crater & Blue Lagoon Minibus Tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon Entry with Round-Trip Transfers
★★★★★★★★★★4.3· 1,032 reviews· from $177

Blue Lagoon Entry with Round-Trip Transfers

Read our review →
Golden Circle Day Tour with optional Blue Lagoon
★★★★★★★★★★4.4· 921 reviews· from $78

Golden Circle Day Tour with optional Blue Lagoon

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Iceland

Every kind of Icelandic day out, and the best of each.