Midnight Sun ATV Tour

The sun refuses to set here. This evening ATV adventure takes you into the hills near Reykjavik, where you ride through rough mountain trails while daylight still fills the sky around midnight. I like the rare timing and the excellent views from Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell, two high points with wide looks across the capital.

I also like the practical setup: pickup from Reykjavik hotels, warm riding gear, coffee at basecamp, and a full safety briefing before you take the wheel. The main drawback is the price, $255 per person, plus the need to share an ATV unless you pay for a single-rider option. Icelandic weather can also turn from clear to wet quickly, so the overalls and raingear are not just for show.

Key points to know before booking

• Midnight daylight: The tour is designed for the bright summer nights of Iceland, especially June and July.
• Two-hour ride: Expect about two hours on the ATV, with roughly three and a half hours total including transportation.
• Two mountain climbs: The route heads toward Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell, with views over Reykjavik from the upper trails.
• Shared ATVs: Each vehicle fits two people, though a single-rider booking is available.
• Driver rules: Drivers must be at least 17 and carry a valid driver’s license. Passengers can be as young as six.
• Weather-ready gear: Helmets, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and raingear when needed are supplied.

Why the midnight sun makes this ride special

Iceland’s midnight sun changes the feel of an evening outing. At home, 10 p.m. usually means winding down. Here, the same hour can look like late afternoon, with enough light to ride into the hills and stop on a mountain top while the sun remains visible.

The tour is offered in Iceland’s summer season, with June and July highlighted as the key months for the full midnight-sun effect. The exact daylight will vary by date, but the point remains the same: you get an evening adventure without darkness closing in around you.

That timing gives this activity a different character from a standard daytime ATV trip. You can spend the day visiting Reykjavik, then trade museums and cafés for open trails and cool mountain air. It also gives you a memorable way to see the capital from outside the city center without committing to a full-day excursion.

I would not book this simply because the words midnight sun sound exotic. The real value is the combination of bright late-night conditions, mountain riding, and city views. If you already plan to spend several days in Reykjavik, the tour adds an active outing close to town.

Pickup from Reykjavik and the evening schedule

Pickup is included from hotels throughout Reykjavik, though some properties sit in no-pickup zones. In that case, you are assigned a nearby bus stop. Listed pickup points include Bus Stop 1 by City Hall, Bus Stop 6 by the Culture House, Bus Stop 9 on Snorrabraut, Bus Stop 15 at Vesturbugt, the Reykjavik Bus Terminal, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Reykjavik Lights, ODDSSON hotel, and the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura.

You need to be ready around 20:00. Pickup generally takes place between 20:00 and 20:30, while the tour description also refers to a 21:00 hotel pickup. Since the schedule information uses both times, confirm your exact pickup time after booking and wait outside early. Icelandic transport is much easier when you are ready before the driver arrives.

The drive to the basecamp is part of the total three to four hours, but it is not ATV time. Plan on about three and a half hours from pickup to drop-off, with two hours actually riding. That distinction matters at $255. You are paying for transport, equipment, instruction, and the guided outing, not for three and a half hours on the quad bike.

If you prefer to meet at the basecamp, you can contact Safari Quads in advance. Otherwise, the included pickup makes this simpler for people staying in central Reykjavik or using one of the listed bus stops.

Basecamp preparation and the 30-minute safety briefing

At basecamp, you get fitted with the equipment before riding. The package includes a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and raingear if conditions call for it. Coffee is also provided, which is a small but welcome touch before heading into the hills.

Bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. Rental shoes are not included, so do not arrive expecting boots to be supplied. You also need your driver’s license if you plan to operate an ATV.

The 30-minute safety briefing is useful for first-time drivers. One rider who had never operated an ATV before said the staff walked the group through the process, which is exactly what you want before heading onto uneven ground. The briefing takes time from the overall schedule, but it helps you understand the controls and riding rules before the pace picks up.

The tour may divide riders by comfort level. One outing used two groups, with a faster group and a more cautious group. That is helpful for mixed parties, since an experienced driver does not have to crawl along while a nervous beginner is not pushed to ride faster than feels sensible.

All ATVs hold two people. You can share with another member of your party, but an odd-numbered group creates a practical issue. If your party has one, three, or five people, one person must be booked as a single rider. Check the booking options carefully rather than assuming the group can simply rotate seats.

From asphalt to the trails at Hólmsheiði

The riding begins with a short stretch on asphalt. This gives you time to get used to the machine before the route turns off-road toward Hólmsheiði.

Once the trail begins, the experience becomes less about speed and more about handling changing ground. You ride up mountain tracks and through the area around Reykjavik, with the guide setting the pace and directing the group. The supplied details do not promise technical obstacles or racing, so I would think of this as a guided scenic ATV ride with a real off-road element, not a competitive motorsport session.

That distinction helps you choose wisely. If you want a fast, aggressive ride, ask about the faster group and single-rider option. If you are new to quad bikes or simply want time to enjoy the views, the more cautious group may suit you better.

The weather is part of the outing. One group initially thought the required clothing seemed excessive, then appreciated it once cloud and light rain arrived. That is a good warning for Iceland. Even under a bright sky, conditions can shift, and the protective clothing earns its place quickly.

Climbing Hafrafjall with Reykjavik below

The first main climb takes you toward Hafrafjall. The route leaves the city behind and gains height, giving you fresh air and a wider view than you get from Reykjavik’s streets.

The stop on the mountain is not a rushed photo break. The description emphasizes sitting at the top near midnight with the sun still shining, which is the heart of the experience. You get a chance to pause, breathe, and take in the strange sight of bright evening light at an hour when most people expect darkness.

For me, this is where the tour earns its price better than a simple quad-bike rental would. You are not just handed a machine and sent off. A guide brings you to a viewpoint that would be difficult to reach on your own, while the midnight timing turns an ordinary mountain stop into something distinctly Icelandic.

The climb does require some physical comfort with outdoor conditions. You are not hiking the route, but the activity involves getting on and off an ATV, wearing bulky gear, and riding over rough trails. Pregnant women and wheelchair users should not book this activity.

The second mountain and wider city views

After Hafrafjall, the ride continues toward Ulfarsfell. The second mountain is described as offering an even better view over Reykjavik and is also known as a popular hiking mountain. You might pass hikers on the way, creating an amusing contrast between people walking up the trail and your group arriving by quad bike.

The two mountain sections give the outing a useful sense of progress. You begin by learning the ATV and getting comfortable with the terrain. Then you have a second climb, a higher-feeling goal, and another chance to stop for views.

I would keep your expectations measured. This is not a full Iceland road trip or a remote wilderness expedition. The mountains are near the capital, and the attraction is the easy combination of access, adventure, and scenery. You can get back to your hotel the same night instead of giving up an entire day to reach a distant region.

The views are the most consistently praised part of the ride. The city below, the mountain air, and the unusual light make the stops more memorable than the mechanics of the ATV itself. Bring outdoor clothing that you can wear comfortably under the supplied overalls, and keep your camera or phone protected from rain and trail dust.

The descent, return ride, and hotel drop-off

After the second mountain stop, you descend toward basecamp and return the equipment. From there, the transport takes you back to Reykjavik and drops you at your hotel or an assigned city bus stop.

The listed drop-off points largely match the pickup network: City Hall, the bus terminal, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Reykjavik Lights, ODDSSON, the Culture House, Snorrabraut, Vesturbugt, the cruise terminal, and other central locations.

A return to the cruise terminal is especially useful for anyone staying near Skarfabakki or arranging an evening around a ship schedule, but you should still confirm the timing before booking around a fixed departure. The tour ends late by normal sightseeing standards, even though the sky may look bright.

Food is not included. Eat before pickup or plan a meal afterward, since coffee at basecamp is the only listed refreshment. The late timing can make a post-tour meal awkward, so I would handle dinner before departure unless your accommodation has a convenient option.

Is $255 a fair price?

At $255 per person, this is one of the more expensive short activities you can add to a Reykjavik stay. The cost becomes easier to justify if you value a guided ride, included transport, full protective gear, and two mountain viewpoints in one evening.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to try an ATV for a short time. You get two hours of riding, not a half-day or full-day trip, and food is not included. You also may share the machine with another person unless you choose the single-rider option, which can affect the value for confident drivers who want full control.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging independent transport to a nearby outdoor area, then renting equipment and finding a legal route. The guided format removes that planning burden and brings you to the mountain trails with instruction included. For many people, that convenience is worth paying for.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 24 reviews, and 93 percent of riders gave the transport a perfect score. The strongest praise centers on the views, the fun factor, helpful instruction, and the ability to split the group by riding speed. An eight-person family group particularly enjoyed the outing, and children had fun on the backroads and rough terrain.

Who should book this ATV tour?

I would recommend it for adults, families with children old enough to ride as passengers, and first-time ATV drivers who want guidance rather than a solo rental. The minimum passenger age is six, while drivers must be at least 17 and hold a valid license.

It also suits a group with mixed confidence levels. The reported split between faster and more cautious riders gives you a better chance of enjoying the route at a comfortable pace. Ask about that arrangement at the start if your group includes both keen drivers and beginners.

This is not the best pick for anyone seeking a quiet nature walk, a food-focused evening, or a long remote excursion. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women and wheelchair users. Drivers with an odd-numbered group should budget for one single-rider booking, and every rider must stay within the 220-kilogram or 485-pound per-person weight limit.

Should you book the Midnight Sun ATV Tour?

Book it if you want an active evening close to Reykjavik and like the idea of riding a mountain trail at an hour when the sun is still shining. The combination of Hafrafjall, Ulfarsfell, city views, useful gear, and hotel transport gives the tour a clear purpose beyond simply driving a quad bike.

I would be more cautious if $255 feels high for two hours of riding, or if you dislike wet weather and bulky outdoor clothing. For summer visits in June or July, though, this is a memorable way to use the midnight light. Reserve early if the timing fits your plans, and confirm the pickup hour, shared or single-rider arrangement, and exact availability before paying.

FAQ

How long does the Midnight Sun ATV Tour last?

The full activity takes about three to four hours, including transportation. The ATV portion lasts two hours, and the total tour time is listed as roughly three and a half hours.

When does the tour operate?

The midnight-sun experience is focused on Iceland’s summer months, especially June and July. Check availability for your exact date because starting times can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Reykjavik. If your hotel is in a no-pickup zone, you will be assigned to a nearby bus stop.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. Every ATV driver must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Passengers do not need to drive.

Can children join the tour?

Passengers can be at least six years old. Anyone driving must meet the minimum age and license requirements.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and raingear when needed. Coffee at basecamp is included, but food and rental shoes are not.