Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

Chase the aurora on four wheels. This nighttime tour combines a rugged ATV ride with open-country views near Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell, giving you far more to do than sit on a coach waiting for the sky to change. I like the small-group size of up to 10 people, and I like that you drive the quad yourself along rural trails outside Reykjavik. The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights follow their own schedule, and clouds, rain, or bright moonlight can leave you with a great ride but no aurora.

At about $199 per person, this is not Iceland’s cheapest evening outing. Still, the price includes Reykjavik pickup and return, safety gear, a guide, and a roughly three-hour ATV adventure. If you want an active night outdoors and can accept that the lights are never guaranteed, this offers better value than paying only to sit in a bus and watch the forecast.

Key points before you book

• Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell: Ride near a lake and mountain where the Northern Lights may reflect on the water and frame the distant skyline.

• Self-drive ATV action: You operate the quad yourself, with guidance and safety instruction before heading onto the trails.

• Small group, personal help: A maximum of 10 people makes it easier for the guide to watch new drivers and adjust the pace.

• Double or single ride: The standard booking places two people on one quad. You can pay extra for a single ride.

• Late 9:30 pm start: The timing gives the sky a chance to darken, but you should plan for a late return and cold conditions.

• Aurora is never promised: Clear skies are needed, and the tour may be rescheduled or canceled if weather makes the activity unsuitable.

Leaving Reykjavik after dark

The evening begins with pickup in Reykjavik, followed by the short trip toward the ATV base at Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær. Pickup is offered from many hotels and designated city bus stops, including Hlemmur, City Hall, Lækjargata, Skúlagata, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, and the BSÍ Bus Terminal.

Your exact pickup details may be confirmed later by the operator, so keep an eye on your messages. Do not assume the vehicle will collect you directly outside every hotel. In central Reykjavik, many pickups use the official bus-stop system because large vehicles cannot always stop at hotel doors.

The 9:30 pm start is well chosen for an aurora hunt. Iceland’s winter darkness gives you more time under the stars, and the late hour helps reduce the glow of Reykjavik. It also means you should eat beforehand and avoid planning anything immediately afterward. The activity lasts about two to three hours, with the ATV portion generally described as three hours, so a late-night return is possible.

The drive out of the city is part of the change in mood. Reykjavik’s streetlights fade, and the countryside around Mosfellsbær gives you darker skies and wider views. You are not heading to some remote corner of Iceland, but you get enough distance from the city to make the night feel properly outdoors.

Getting suited up at Action Adventures

At the base camp, you receive safety equipment and instructions before riding. This is an important part of the experience, especially if you have never driven an ATV. The controls are described as manageable, and the guide takes time to help beginners stop, turn, and switch the machine on and off.

You need a full driving license to operate an ATV. A passenger can be as young as six, according to the supplied tour rules, but the driver must meet the license requirement. You should also have a moderate level of physical fitness. This is not a passive sightseeing trip. You will be sitting on a moving machine, handling it on uneven ground, and spending time outside in cold night air.

The standard rate is for a double ride, with two people sharing one quad. This can be a sensible choice for couples, friends, or a parent and older child. You can select a single ride during booking and pay an extra fee if you want your own ATV. The single option gives you more control and makes the driving feel more like a personal adventure, but it also raises the total cost.

Pay close attention to the briefing. Stay with the guide, follow the riding instructions, and keep a safe pace. The group is small enough for personal help, but this remains a motorized outdoor activity, not a gentle city excursion.

Riding the Hafravatn trails

Once everyone is ready, you follow the guide onto rugged trails near Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell. The ride itself is a major reason to book this outing. Even if the sky stays cloudy, you still get the thrill of driving across open country at night, with Reykjavik and nearby towns appearing from high viewpoints.

The trail may lead toward the mountain when conditions allow. From higher ground, you can look across Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær, and other settlements in the area. The city lights below give you a useful sense of place. You are close enough to see signs of urban life, yet far enough out for the night sky to become the main attraction.

The terrain adds variety. Riding at night makes familiar ground feel less familiar, and the beam of your ATV becomes part of the experience. You need to keep your attention on the trail, so do not expect to stare upward for the entire ride. The best moments come when the group stops at scenic points and you can look across the dark country and sky.

This is also where the tour has an advantage over a standard coach excursion. You are not simply transported to a viewpoint. You actively make your way there, and the ride gives the evening energy even during a quiet aurora forecast. Several reported outings remained enjoyable despite cloud or rain because the ATV trip itself was exciting.

Waiting for the Northern Lights

The guide checks the conditions and takes the group to places with a better chance of seeing the aurora. Clear skies are essential, and the tour only heads toward the mountain when there is a reasonable possibility of useful weather. That does not mean success is guaranteed. The Northern Lights require the right mix of darkness, clear sky, and solar activity.

If the aurora appears, Hafravatn Lake can make the sight especially memorable. The lights may reflect on the water, while Mount Hafrafell gives the view a strong foreground. From the upper points, you may also see the glow of Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær below, creating a contrast between city lights and the night sky.

The guide also watches for stars and possible meteors while the group waits. This matters because the aurora may take time to appear, fade quickly, or never show at all. A little stargazing gives the stop a purpose instead of turning it into a long, cold pause.

You should set your expectations correctly. One outing had clear enough conditions for an excellent display, while another had too much cloud to show anything. Bright moonlight can also work against you. The tour provider may offer another date when poor weather cancels the activity, but no operator can control the aurora itself.

What the guide adds to the night

The guide is central to the quality of this experience. You need someone who can teach the ATV controls, keep the group together, read the weather, and choose useful stopping points. Guides have also shared facts about Iceland during the ride and helped people who had no previous ATV experience.

One guide named Helga received particular praise for making the ride comfortable and enjoyable. Other outings included guides who stayed out longer when conditions offered a chance of seeing the lights, took photographs, and helped share those pictures afterward. On one especially warm evening, the guide’s family brought traditional Icelandic cakes and biscuits to the mountaintop.

Those personal touches are not guaranteed on every departure, but they show the kind of small-scale service this tour can provide. The group limit of 10 helps. If you are nervous, you are not one face in a huge convoy. The guide can keep an eye on your progress and offer direct help.

Do not expect a formal lecture about Icelandic culture. The focus is driving and aurora hunting, with local information added along the way. That balance suits the setting. You get practical help when you need it, then time to enjoy the darkness and scenery.

Staying warm on a cold ATV

Cold is the practical challenge many people underestimate. You may receive warm outer equipment, but you should still wear your own layers. Bring warm shoes, thick socks, handwarmers, footwarmers, and a scarf or Buff-style neck covering.

Your hands and feet will feel the cold first, especially when you stop to watch the sky. Riding creates some movement, but the open machine offers less protection than a vehicle. Wear several thin layers rather than one bulky garment, and leave room for the supplied gear.

Photography brings another problem. Newer phones with a good night mode can capture the Northern Lights, while older phones may produce little more than a dark blur. An iPhone 11 or newer, a recent Google phone, or another device with night mode and a multi-second shutter setting is recommended.

Even with a capable phone, do not spend the entire show looking at a screen. Use the camera for a few shots, then watch the sky directly. The aurora may be faint to the eye at first and stronger in a camera image, but the real view over the lake and mountain is the part you cannot fully reproduce.

Is $199 a fair price?

The $199 price makes sense if you want two activities in one evening: ATV riding and Northern Lights hunting. You receive transportation from Reykjavik, equipment, instruction, a guide, and access to rural viewpoints. A small group also gives the outing a more personal feel than a large coach trip.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see the aurora. No one can promise that result, and you could spend the evening riding through cloud. You are paying for the full experience, not a guaranteed natural show.

The double-ride arrangement helps keep the standard price from climbing higher. If two people share a quad, you can alternate driving and watching the countryside. The single-ride upgrade is worthwhile if operating the machine is your main reason for booking, but it makes the $199 starting price less representative of your final cost.

I see this as a good choice for an active couple, friends, or a family with an eligible adult driver and a child passenger. It is also a strong fit for anyone who finds standard aurora buses dull. If you dislike cold, late nights, or unpredictable weather, you may prefer a less physical Northern Lights option.

Handling weather and cancellations

The operator requires suitable weather for the activity. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum group size is not reached, the same basic choice applies: another date or experience, or a refund.

For your own plans, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 pm start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Keep this in mind if you are building a tightly packed Reykjavik schedule.

Because weather can change quickly, it is sensible to place this tour on a night when you have some flexibility. Booking far ahead may be wise during popular aurora months, but leave room in your schedule if possible. The average booking lead time is about 44 days, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before arrival.

Who should book this ATV aurora hunt?

Book it if you want the Northern Lights search to feel like an outing rather than a wait. The ATV ride gives you something worthwhile even when the sky does not cooperate, and the views toward Reykjavik provide a second reward.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of activity, cold air, a late finish, and the responsibility of driving if you choose to operate the quad. Beginners are welcome, but you still need a full driver’s license and the ability to follow instructions.

The tour is less suitable if you need a guaranteed aurora sighting or if you want a quiet, warm evening. The lights may appear immediately, or they may never show. That uncertainty is part of the deal.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights ATV tour last?

The experience lasts about two to three hours, with the ATV outing described as approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 pm.

Where does the ATV ride take place?

The tour begins at Action Adventures, Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær, and visits the area around Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell.

Is Reykjavik pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are offered from many Reykjavik hotels and designated bus stops. The exact pickup details may be sent later by the operator.

Can children ride on the ATV?

Passengers can be from six years old. Anyone driving an ATV must have a full driver’s license.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and cloud, rain, bright moonlight, or other conditions may prevent a sighting. The tour may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a lively, hands-on night outside Reykjavik and can treat the aurora as a bonus rather than a promise. The ride near Hafravatn, the views from Mount Hafrafell, small groups, and patient guides make the evening worthwhile on its own.

Book the single-ride option if driving is your priority. Choose the standard double ride if you want to share the cost and the machine. Above all, bring serious winter clothing and a phone suited to night photography. If you can handle the cold and uncertainty, this is one of the more memorable ways to hunt the Northern Lights around Reykjavik.