Reykjavik, but make it loud and off-road. This quad bike tour takes you off the beaten paths outside the city, then climbs to two viewpoints where you can see Reykjavík, the bay, and even distant glaciers on clear days. Reykjavik Peak gives the big panoramic moment, and the later run toward Lava Field Peak brings you into harsher, more interesting terrain.

What I like most is that you actually get a mix of surfaces: gravel roads, rocky paths, steeper climbs, and multi-track routes, so you feel like you left pavement behind. I also like the practical guiding approach—before you ride, you get a real safety briefing and you’re kitted with proper winter-ready gear, including heated hand grips on the quads. The main drawback to consider is that this is an active ride first, scenic second; if you want slow, nature-watching time, the schedule is built around driving.

Quad Peaks Quick Take: The Good and the Tradeoff

The best part is the payoff: you earn those city-and-bay views with a challenging dirt-trail push, then keep going past geothermal terrain for more dramatic scenery. A possible tradeoff is time: even though the total tour runs about 3.5 hours, you only spend around 2 hours actually riding on the ATV, and the route can feel like an out-and-back in a line rather than a free-roaming loop.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Two peak viewpoints: Reykjavik Peak first for the city panorama, then Lava Field Peak for rough geothermal terrain views
• Lake Hafravatn start: you ease into the ride on a gravel section right by the lake
• Gear that matters in Iceland weather: overalls, gloves, ski mask, and rain gear, plus heated grips to keep you comfortable
• Skill-based pacing: guides adjust the route pace to your confidence, and you can swap drivers if both have the right license
• A real challenge, not a theme-park loop: rocky, steep, and multi-track terrain keeps it fun for both new and experienced riders
• Small group energy is possible: depending on bookings, you may ride with just your group plus the guide

Riding Reykjavik’s Outback to Twin Peaks

This tour is built for people who want more than a bus-and-viewpoint day. You start in central Reykjavík, but quickly trade city streets for Iceland’s working backcountry feel—gravel, dirt, and volcanic and geothermal country just outside town. The big promise here is simple: drive hard enough to feel it, then look out at a view that makes you stop and stare.

The two peak stages are the heart of the experience. Reykjavik Peak is where the city and bay spread out below you, and on a clear day you can even spot Snæfellsjökull Glacier far out on the horizon. Then you head toward Lava Field Peak, where geothermal scenery and rougher terrain make the views feel more dramatic and less urban.

Pickup, Van Ride, Safety Briefing, and Basecamp Coffee

Logistics are straightforward. You’ll be picked up from a central Reykjavík meeting point and driven by van to the basecamp area. Pickup starts 30 minutes before the departure time, so if the tour lists 9:30 or 13:30, you need to show up at your selected pickup stop around 9:00 or 13:00. The operator notes that some hotel zones don’t support pickup, so you choose your bus stop from a dedicated city stop list (busstop.is).

Once you arrive, you’ll get a safety briefing before anyone hits the dirt. This matters because you’re not just learning how to steer—you’re learning how to drive in a line on mixed surfaces, how to handle rocky patches, and what the guide expects on steeper sections.

You also get coffee at basecamp. It’s a small thing, but it’s smart: it gives you a warm-up moment before the cold starts biting, especially in winter months when wind and snow can shift fast.

Lake Hafravatn: The Gravel Road Warm-Up That Builds Confidence

Your ride begins on a gravel road alongside Lake Hafravatn. This is the part I’d call the confidence builder. The surfaces are still outdoors and off the main roads, but they’re not the steepest or roughest yet. You get time to feel the ATV, understand throttle control, and get used to what it feels like to stay steady over uneven ground.

This also sets the tone for the rest of the trip. The later climb to Reykjavik Peak includes a steep ascent and more technical terrain, so starting with a lake-side gravel run helps first-timers avoid the surprise of going straight into the hardest section.

If you’re sharing the ATV, note that the tour uses 2-seater ATVs. That can affect how the operator assigns riders if you’re traveling as a couple or solo in an odd-number booking. If you’re booking alone and want the most straightforward setup, double-check you’re selecting the right rider option for your group size.

Reykjavik Peak: The City-and-Bay View Worth the Climb

Then comes the climb. You head up a mountain trail to the top of Reykjavik Peak. Standing there is your moment of reward: the whole Reykjavík area and bay spread out beneath you, with surrounding mountain range framing the scene.

On a clear day, the view extends far enough that Snæfellsjökull Glacier may be visible, which is a neat reminder that you’re close to Reykjavík but still surrounded by Iceland’s scale. Even when visibility is less than perfect, you’re still getting a high viewpoint that city walks can’t deliver.

One reason this peak stage works well is pacing. You don’t just race to the top; you reach it after a guided build-up, so your brain is primed to notice details—like how the terrain changes from city edges into geothermal and lava-field country.

The Lava Field Peak and Hengill Geothermal Mountain Park

After your first stretch on the ATV, the route continues over toward Lava Field Peak. This is where the scenery leans more geothermal, and the ride feels less like a smooth ramp and more like real off-road driving.

The tour highlights the Hengill Geothermal mountain park, and you’ll be looking out over Icelandic geothermal features while riding through multi-track terrain. This is also the section where the “mixed surfaces” promise becomes very real: gravel transitions into more challenging tracks, and you’ll deal with rocky patches and uneven ground that keep your hands busy.

If you’re the type who loves Iceland’s geothermal oddities—steam, barren-looking ground, and that sense of a planet working underneath your feet—this is the part that probably makes the tour feel distinct from a standard sightseeing loop.

How the Guides Keep the Ride Fun and Safe

The guides are a major part of the experience. Multiple guide names show up in the tour’s recent track record, including Daria, Mario, Gonzalo, Sir Kaktuz, and Arthur. You can’t rely on a specific guide, but you can rely on the style: a safety-first briefing, then a route pace that aims to keep riders challenged without reckless moves.

In practical terms, this means:

• You get instructions on controls and ride behavior before you start
• Your guide watches your confidence level
• The group drives as a unit, so you’re not just freewheeling alone

One thing you should know going in: this is an activity with a guided rhythm, not a solo adventure where you pull over whenever you like. Some riders describe it as riding to key spots and then retracing back in a line, so you’ll likely spend more time focused on driving than on slow photo stops.

Still, the upside is that you get to explore terrain you’d never reach without wheels and local guidance.

Winter-Ready Gear: Why It Feels Less Intense Than It Looks

Cold is part of the deal in Iceland, but this tour plans around it. You get helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear. You’ll also likely appreciate the extra warmth features mentioned by riders, including heated hand grips on the ATVs.

If you’ve ever worn a helmet in wind, you know it can be uncomfortable fast. The ski mask and rain gear help, and the gloves are designed for winter riding even if you still should consider your own layers.

What to bring is equally important:

• Driver’s license (required to drive)
• Outdoor clothing with layers
• Closed-toe shoes
• Sunglasses can help a lot, since snow glare and wind can dry out eyes quickly

Rental shoes aren’t included, so don’t show up in thin sneakers. Also, reviews mention that gloves can get wet on some days, so if you run cold, bring your own thin liners if you have room. The tour provides gloves, but your goal is comfort for the whole 2-hour ride.

Price and Value: What $232 Buys You in Real Terms

At $232 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing to do around Reykjavík. The value comes from three places.

First, you’re paying for guided ATV driving in real off-road terrain, not a short loop around the basecamp. The route includes a proper ascent to a top viewpoint and then continues toward geothermal and lava-field country.

Second, the price includes the expensive part of outdoor winter fun: gear. Helmet, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear reduce the cost and hassle of outfitting yourself. Heated grips also make the ride more comfortable than you might expect.

Third, you’re buying time. Total tour time is about 3.5 hours, with around 2 hours on the ATV. That’s a sweet spot when you’re short on days in Reykjavík but still want a real countryside experience.

If you’re a solo rider, be aware of a potential cost wrinkle: because the ATVs are 2-seaters, the operator notes that if the booking is set up incorrectly for an odd number of participants, you can pay an additional single rider cost. It’s the kind of thing that’s easy to avoid with careful booking.

Who Should Book This Quad Bike Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is ideal if you want:

• an adrenaline-leaning day with real driving time
• panoramic viewpoints you reach by climbing, not by walking
• Iceland weather and terrain in one hit, without needing to plan your own route

You should probably skip it if:

• you’re pregnant (not suitable)
• you’re traveling with a child under 6 (not suitable for under 6)
• you don’t meet the driving requirements

Driving rules are strict in a good way. To drive the ATV, you must be at least 17 years old and have a full valid driver license. Motorcycle or permit licenses aren’t enough. Passengers don’t need a license, but they must meet the minimum age.

There’s also a weight limit of 220kg / 485lbs per person for a solo driver, and 220kg / 485lbs combined per ATV/buggy for shared riding. If weight applies to your group, confirm details before you go.

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

A few small moves can make your ride better:

• Wear warm layers under the overalls. Even with gear included, Iceland wind gets inside comfort gaps.
• Bring sunglasses that fit under your helmet well.
• Have closed-toe shoes ready and think about traction. Your feet are the only part not protected by a boot rental.
• Don’t plan a big meal right before if you get carsick easily during the van ride and gear-up period.

Also, the tour is run with English and Icelandic guides, so you should be able to follow directions clearly.

Finally, a note on substances: intoxication or alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That’s normal for safety-heavy outdoor driving, but it’s worth saying out loud.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Quad Bike Twin Peaks Tour?

If you want a fun, physically active day that mixes off-road driving with two high viewpoints, I think this is a strong buy. The combination of Reykjavik Peak views, the continued run toward Lava Field Peak, and geothermal country elements (Hengill and the lava-field feel) makes it more than a novelty ride.

Skip it if you mainly want calm sightseeing time or you don’t like driving in changing terrain with a group behind a lead ATV. Also, if you’re a solo rider, double-check the rider option so you don’t get hit with an unexpected single-rider charge due to ATV seat assignment.

If your priority is: big views plus actual off-road time, book it.

FAQ

How long is the tour, and how much time is spent driving the quad?

Total tour time is about 3 to 3.5 hours, with around 2 hours of guided ATV riding.

Do I get pickup from my hotel?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at a central location. Since some central hotel zones don’t support pickup, you choose a stop on busstop.is and your pickup starts 30 minutes before departure time.

What gear is included?

You’ll receive a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear. Coffee is provided at basecamp.

Do I need a driver’s license?

To drive the ATV, you must have a full valid driver license and be at least 17. Passengers do not need a license (minimum passenger age is 6).

What should I wear and bring?

Bring outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes. A driver’s license is required for drivers. Rental shoes are not included, so plan footwear accordingly.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but coffee is.

What is the minimum age, and is it suitable for pregnant travelers?

Children under 6 are not suitable, and it’s not suitable for pregnant women.

Are there weight limits?

Yes. The limit is 220kg / 485lbs per person as a solo driver, and 220kg / 485lbs combined per ATV/buggy for shared riding.

If you tell me your travel month and whether you’re driving or riding as a passenger, I can suggest what to prioritize for clothing and comfort.

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