REVIEW · HVERAGERDI
Hveragerdi: Mega Zipline Experience
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Mega Zipline Iceland · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Speed has a sound here.
This Hveragerði mega zipline experience lets you fly a full kilometre on the longest, fastest lines in Iceland, with Svartagljúfur gorge waterfalls and cliffs stretching under you. I like that it feels built for real scenery, not just speed, and that the ride is paired up so you can share the moment.
Big caveat: you need an easy hike beforehand (about 500 metres), and there are clear limits on age and weight.
In This Review
- The Mega Zipline Promise: 1 km, speed, and real Iceland views
- Starting at Reykjadalur Café: easy to find, easy to organize
- The short hike to the Black Canyon viewpoint (and why it’s worth it)
- The ride: two parallel lines, seated harnesses, and a kilometre of speed
- Svartagljúfur gorge: waterfalls from above (the part you’ll remember)
- The 13-metre free-fall option for puffin-level thrills
- How the 50 minutes actually plays out
- Price and value: what $67 gets you (and what to compare)
- What to bring (and what to skip) so you stay comfortable
- Who Mega Zipline is best for (and who should think twice)
- Should you book Mega Zipline in Hveragerði?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for Mega Zipline?
- How long does the Mega Zipline experience take?
- How long is the zipline flight?
- How fast do you go?
- Are there two lines so you can ride with someone?
- Is there a free-fall option?
- Do you hike before the zipline?
- What should I wear and bring?
- Who can’t do this activity?
- Is it in English?
- FAQ
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Is this activity year-round?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What’s included in the ticket price?
The Mega Zipline Promise: 1 km, speed, and real Iceland views
Mega Zipline in Hveragerði is one of those rare activities where the marketing matches the reality. You’re not just sliding down a cable for a quick thrill. You’re going for distance, speed, and the kind of aerial perspective that’s hard to get any other way in Iceland.
The flight itself is the headline: you’ll travel about 1 kilometre over dramatic terrain at speeds up to 90–100 km/h. And it’s not a generic “view from above.” The route crosses over the Svartagljúfur gorge, a place known for waterfalls and bold rock features that look different when you’re above them and moving fast.
What I like most is that the experience doesn’t demand climbing skills. It’s a guided, seated ride in purpose-built harnesses. You just show up, listen, and do the fun part.
Starting at Reykjadalur Café: easy to find, easy to organize
Your meetup is right by Reykjadalur Café (the Lodge). That matters because it connects the zipline day to one of the most famous areas nearby—the Reykjadalur hot spring valley start.
Plan to be there 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. From there, you’re not left to figure out the rest. The operator provides equipment, safety guidance, and a transfer to the Black Canyon area.
You also don’t have to worry about a complicated schedule. The day is tight and efficient, and the whole experience is designed to fit into about a 50-minute total duration (check your start time availability).
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hveragerdi.
The short hike to the Black Canyon viewpoint (and why it’s worth it)
Before you launch, you’ll do a short hike—about 500 metres total, with an easier walking pace through beautiful terrain. The schedule gives you roughly 15 minutes for hiking to the viewpoint.
Here’s the practical truth: this hike isn’t long, but it’s not nothing. Iceland weather can change fast, and the ground can be uneven. If your shoes grip well and your layers handle wind, you’ll feel fine. If you show up in sandals or thin footwear, you’ll probably spend more time worrying than enjoying.
Why do it at all? Because it gives you a “preview” of what’s ahead. You’ll be approaching the zipline area with a sense of the terrain you’re about to fly across. It’s also a nice way to break up the adrenaline before the first cable run.
The ride: two parallel lines, seated harnesses, and a kilometre of speed
Now for the main event. Mega Zipline operates two parallel lines, so you can fly alongside someone in a paired setup. That’s a real advantage if you’re coming with a friend or partner—you get shared action, not a waiting-and-switching situation.
You’ll start from the Kambar plateau, overlooking Hveragerði, and fly toward the trailhead area near the Reykjadalur hot spring valley. Along the way, you pass above the Svartagljúfur gorge, which is where the views earn their keep. From the air, waterfalls and rocky cuts look sharper and more dramatic because you’re seeing the flow of water and the shape of the gorge from above.
The ride is in a seated position using specially designed harnesses. Speeds can reach 90–100 km/h, and the whole flight portion is only about 5 minutes—which is exactly why it works. You get intense time in the air without turning it into a long endurance test.
If you’re the type who likes motion but doesn’t want the ride to drag, this is a sweet spot.
Svartagljúfur gorge: waterfalls from above (the part you’ll remember)
If you love views that feel earned, this route is built for you. The Svartagljúfur gorge isn’t just scenery in the background—it’s the route’s focal point.
From ground level, a gorge and waterfalls can look impressive. From the air, they read differently. You can see how the drops step down, where the water funnels, and how the rock walls shape the wind and mist. That change in perspective is a big part of why this zipline feels like an Iceland activity, not just an amusement-style thrill.
It also helps that you’re not guessing at what you’re looking at. Your guides handle the flow, the safety, and the ride rhythm so you can spend your attention on the scenery.
The 13-metre free-fall option for puffin-level thrills
Want a bigger adrenaline spike? Mega Zipline includes an optional free-fall drop of 13 metres—designed to mimic a puffin plunging from a cliffside nest.
This is the part that flips the experience from fast to intense. If you’ve got even a little fear of heights, this option is the one to think about carefully, because the drop is the most dramatic moment in the whole day.
The good news is that you’re not forced into it. You can still enjoy the main zipline flight even if you skip the free-fall.
How the 50 minutes actually plays out
The schedule is simple, and it keeps your energy up.
- You meet at Reykjadalur Café (near where the Reykjadalur valley hike starts).
- A quick van transfer takes about 5 minutes to reach the activity area.
- You hike to a viewpoint for about 15 minutes, just enough to warm up and get your bearings.
- Then the zipline ride itself is about 5 minutes.
- After you land near the Reykjadalur coffee lodge area, you head back to Reykjadalur Café.
The whole thing stays tight. That’s a plus in Iceland, where weather and timing can make extra touring days feel harder than planned. You’re getting a big “wow” moment without spending half your day driving around.
Price and value: what $67 gets you (and what to compare)
At $67 per person, Mega Zipline sits in the “premium activity” category, which is fair—ziplining with a full setup, safety guidance, and transfers costs money.
What makes it feel like good value is that the price includes the stuff that usually adds up elsewhere:
- entry tickets to Mega Zipline Iceland
- equipment and safety guidance
- transfer to the Black Canyon area
You’ll still want to budget for your own food and drinks because those aren’t included. But compared to other paid attractions where you pay extra for basics, this is more “all-in” for the activity itself.
Also, the time efficiency matters. You’re paying for an intense experience that fits into a short window rather than a half-day tour with multiple stops.
What to bring (and what to skip) so you stay comfortable
Iceland weather is unpredictable, even in a short day. Your kit can make the difference between fun and annoyance.
Bring:
- comfortable shoes with grip
- warm clothing you can layer
- gloves (you’ll want them for hands-on moments and colder air)
Not allowed:
- sandals or flip flops
- backpacks
One more practical tip: you’ll have to sign a pre-arrival form before your ride, and it can be completed on site. So don’t show up already rushed and annoyed. A calm start helps.
And check the limits:
- minimum weight 30 kg (66 lbs)
- maximum weight 120 kg (265 lbs)
- not suitable for children under 9 years
- not suitable for pregnant women
- not suitable for wheelchair users
- English-speaking instructor
- small group size limited to 10 participants
Those limits aren’t fine print. They’re part of what keeps the ride safe and smooth.
Who Mega Zipline is best for (and who should think twice)
This is a great fit if you:
- want a top-tier Iceland activity that’s simple to execute
- like the idea of flying fast but in a guided, seated setup
- enjoy views and want the gorge route specifically
- are comfortable with a short hike and variable weather
It may not be the right fit if you:
- need wheelchair accessibility
- are pregnant
- have mobility constraints that make a short hike hard
- are outside the weight range
- are bringing kids under 9
If you fall into the “thrill is my thing” category, the zipline alone will likely satisfy you. If you’re the type who wants the extra surge, consider the 13-metre free-fall option—but only if you’re confident with that kind of moment.
Should you book Mega Zipline in Hveragerði?
Book it if you want a fast, high-impact Iceland experience with distance (1 km), real nature views (Svartagljúfur gorge), and a format that works for pairs (two parallel lines). The short hike makes it feel like a real outing, not just waiting for your turn.
Skip it if the idea of a short hike or the stated weight/age limits would make you uneasy. Also think twice if you’re likely to feel unsafe about heights—especially if you’re considering the 13-metre free-fall.
If you’re looking for a memorable, efficient day in Southern Iceland, this is one of the clearest choices.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for Mega Zipline?
You meet at the local operator next to Reykjadalur Café (the Lodge), where the hiking to Reykjadalur valley starts. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the Mega Zipline experience take?
The duration is listed as about 50 minutes total (you’ll need to check available starting times).
How long is the zipline flight?
The zipline flight is about 1 kilometre.
How fast do you go?
Speeds can reach up to about 90–100 km per hour.
Are there two lines so you can ride with someone?
Yes. Mega Zipline operates two parallel lines, allowing pairs to experience the flight together.
Is there a free-fall option?
There is an optional free-fall drop of 13 metres.
Do you hike before the zipline?
Yes. There is an easy hike required, about 500 metres, with a viewpoint hiking time of about 15 minutes.
What should I wear and bring?
Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and gloves. Sandals or flip flops are not allowed, and backpacks are not allowed.
Who can’t do this activity?
It’s not suitable for children under 9 years, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people under 30 kg, or people over 120 kg.
Is it in English?
Yes. The instructor is English.
FAQ
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Is this activity year-round?
Yes, it’s listed as an all-year activity, but openings depend on weather.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What’s included in the ticket price?
Included are entry tickets, equipment and safety guidance, and transfer to the Black Canyon.
