Four-wheelers and waterfalls in one day. This is a full-day, small-group way to reach Thórsmörk—Iceland’s green valley tucked between major glaciers—without spending your whole trip on paved roads. I really like the Super Jeep experience because it turns travel time into part of the adventure, with bumpy tracks and river crossings you can’t do in a normal car.
One thing to plan for: this tour runs only when conditions are right, and some glacier access can change day to day. Expect rough terrain and bring warm layers, sturdy shoes, and patience if weather reshapes the glacier stops.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- Why this day trip feels different from typical Iceland tours
- Seljalandsfoss: a 60-meter waterfall with time to get oriented
- Eyjafjallajökull / Gígjökull: seeing eruption aftermath near an outlet glacier
- Stakkholtsgjá canyon: walking into a 100-meter-deep cut
- The real prize: riding into Þórsmörk and hiking the green valley
- Nauthúsagil ravine: rowan trees, a narrow walk, and a waterfall finish
- Super Jeep day: what the off-road ride changes for your comfort
- Small-group feel, from pickup timing to the final viewpoint
- What’s included (and what you’ll need to plan around)
- Guides can make or break a rough-country day
- Who should book this day trip?
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the day trip?
- What time does the tour start, and when should I be ready for pickup?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- How many people are in the group?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Are entrance fees included?
- What should I wear or bring?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Quick hits before you go
- Super Jeep access into Þórsmörk’s river-carved valley, where regular cars often can’t go
- Seljalandsfoss with the included ticket and a classic up-close waterfall moment
- Gígjökull / Eyjafjallajökull area with time near the ice edge and a chance to see eruption effects
- Stakkholtsgjá canyon walk near Þórsmörk’s entrance, ending at a waterfall
- Nauthúsagil ravine walk under rowan trees, finishing at a waterfall view
- Guides with real local stories, including Paul, Tinna, Nikolaus, Tony, Magnus, and Hilmar (you’ll feel the pride in the way they drive and explain)
Why this day trip feels different from typical Iceland tours
Most Reykjavik day trips go out, stop a few places, and come back. This one does the opposite. You spend your day moving through the Icelandic Highlands with purpose: waterfalls, glacier country, then straight into Þórsmörk’s green pocket of trees and moss.
The “hidden” value here is the off-road transport. A Super Jeep doesn’t just get you to a destination—it helps you experience the terrain. You’ll cross rivers and ride rough ground with enough comfort that you can still enjoy the stops and the walking afterward.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik
Seljalandsfoss: a 60-meter waterfall with time to get oriented
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls for a reason: it’s tall, dramatic, and the experience feels close even when you’re not trying to make it a photo contest. The included ticket matters because it saves you hassle when you’re on a tight schedule.
Plan for a short visit but go in with intention. A place this popular is best enjoyed by slowing down for the sound, the mist, and the view from different angles, not by sprinting through.
Eyjafjallajökull / Gígjökull: seeing eruption aftermath near an outlet glacier
This part of the day is where the scenery turns from watery and green into icy and volcanic. You head toward Gígjökull, described as an outlet glacier of Eyjafjallajökull, and you get time at the icefall edge. The idea is simple: you’re not just looking at ice—you’re seeing where glacier ice meets floodwater history.
A practical note: one review caution stood out. Some days, the glacier access described in the tour area can be limited by instability or conditions. So treat any glacier-touch or walk-at-the-edge moments as weather-dependent. Your guide may adjust in the field for safety and access.
Stakkholtsgjá canyon: walking into a 100-meter-deep cut
Near the entrance to Þórsmörk, Stakkholtsgjá is a long canyon—up to about 100 meters deep and around 2 kilometers long—with a narrow riverbed and a waterfall at the end. This stop works because it’s more than a viewpoint. You actually walk through the canyon, and that changes how you experience it: sound, scale, and the feel of the corridor matter.
There’s also a pop-culture angle you might appreciate. The canyon has been used for a famous Game of Thrones battle scene (Wight ambush scene from Season 7, Episode 6). Even if you’re not into that, the walk itself gives you a clear sense of why Þórsmörk exists where it does—water carving terrain, glaciers shaping everything around it.
The real prize: riding into Þórsmörk and hiking the green valley
Þórsmörk is the star of the day. It’s remote southern Highlands valley country, shaped by the rivers Krossá, Þröngá, and Markarfljót and surrounded by ice masses including Myrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and Tindfjallajökull. What you get is a striking contrast: green vegetation—moss and birchwood among other shrubs—against black sand and the imposing ice around it.
This is the section where the Super Jeep earns its keep. You’ll feel the difference between moving along the edges of Iceland’s interior versus staying on the easy highways. Once you reach the valley, you get breathing room for lunch and short hikes on the ground-level paths and walkways your guide thinks fit the day’s conditions.
If you’re hoping for “real Iceland without crowds,” this is where that idea shows up most clearly. The off-road nature of the trip keeps it from feeling like a conveyor belt.
Nauthúsagil ravine: rowan trees, a narrow walk, and a waterfall finish
Nauthúsagil is one of those spots that’s easy to miss if you’re only following big-name stops. The ravine walk comes with a visual theme you’ll remember: rowan trees growing on the ridges, sometimes bending so they form a leafy roof.
It’s a one-hour style walk that’s best approached slow. In a narrow ravine, small changes in light and sound can be the whole point. At the end, you reach the waterfall, which gives the walk a satisfying payoff without needing an all-day trek.
Super Jeep day: what the off-road ride changes for your comfort
A day like this can feel intimidating on paper. In practice, the Super Jeep is built for rough routes and stream beds, and that matters. Reviews consistently mention the vehicle as comfortable enough to let you focus on the scenery instead of bracing the whole time.
Still, be realistic. This is rough country. Bring warm layers even if Reykjavik looks mild. Wind and wet air can hit fast in the Highlands, and your body cools down when you stop to look.
Small-group feel, from pickup timing to the final viewpoint
This tour caps out at 15 people, which helps you avoid that packed feeling that can drain Iceland trips. The vibe also tends to stay flexible—your guide can adjust pacing and stop time to match weather, trail conditions, and the group’s energy.
The start time is 9:00 am, with pickup prep at 8:30 am. You’ll want to be ready on time, since the day is built around a sequence of stops that all depend on timing. If you’re doing Reykjavik pickup, it’s one of the easiest ways to avoid wrestling with bus schedules before the real adventure begins.
What’s included (and what you’ll need to plan around)
Value-wise, this day trip is set up to reduce decision fatigue. You get hotel pickup and drop-off if you choose that option, plus taxes and a driver/guide. You also get ticket coverage at Seljalandsfoss, and the other main stops listed for the day are marked as admission-free.
Food and drinks are not included, so plan for your lunch money and your water needs. Pack snacks you like—something you can eat quickly during valley downtime—because you’ll likely spend time walking and driving between windows.
If you’re the type who likes to buy a hot drink at the next stop, you might still want a little extra cash. But don’t assume you’ll have long, frequent breaks for shops.
Guides can make or break a rough-country day
One of the best parts of this tour is how local the guiding feels. Names like Paul, Tinna, Nikolaus, Tony, Magnus, and Hilmar show up in the kind of reviews that talk about more than just route knowledge.
You’ll want a guide who understands three things at once:
- where to stop for the best views without wasting time
- how to read terrain so the ride stays safe and smooth
- how to explain what you’re seeing, from glaciers to river-carved valleys
If your guide adds extra viewpoints, it’s usually in the spirit of showing how the area looks beyond the main list—one review noted an exterior look at the Blue Lagoon area, and another mentioned a black sand beach view with shipwreck context and distant islands. Treat those as possible extras, not guaranteed promises.
Who should book this day trip?
Book it if you:
- want off-road access into Þórsmörk rather than just roadside sightseeing
- like short walks with big payoffs—canyons, ravines, and waterfalls
- enjoy small-group travel and a guide who can steer the day based on conditions
- don’t mind that weather can affect what you can do up close
Skip it if you:
- have trouble with uneven ground and rough driving, since the day is built on getting into remote river-country
- get motion sick easily in cars on bumpy routes
- want a purely paved-road, minimal-walking style day
This is the kind of tour that rewards curiosity and a bit of grit.
Should you book this tour?
Yes, if your idea of a perfect Iceland day includes Þórsmörk and you’d rather earn your views by riding into the Highlands. The small group size and the Super Jeep are the real reasons this works so well, and the itinerary is designed to keep you moving through varied Iceland environments—waterfall, glacier country, canyon walk, then the green valley itself.
Before you commit, I’d make one mental adjustment: treat glacier access as condition-dependent. You’ll still see plenty, but the exact “touch/walk” part may not be possible on every day. If you can roll with that, this is a strong choice for an authentic, less crowded-feeling slice of southern Iceland.
FAQ
What is the duration of the day trip?
The experience runs about 10 hours.
What time does the tour start, and when should I be ready for pickup?
The start time is 9:00 am. If you’re picked up, you should be ready at 8:30 at your designated pickup location.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option.
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers, and it requires a minimum of 3 participants to operate.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Are entrance fees included?
Seljalandsfoss includes an admission ticket. The glacier-area stop and the other listed stops are marked as free for admission.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear warm clothing and bring hiking shoes, since the day includes walking on trails and riding in rough terrain.
What happens if weather is bad?
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
