Tandem Paragliding over the Rugged Lava Fields at Blue Mountains

Iceland looks different from the sky. This tandem paragliding trip takes you from Reykjavik toward Reykjanesfólkvangur, where a 4×4 ride, a mountain launch, and sweeping views of lava fields turn a short outing into a memorable adventure. I especially like the small group limit of six and the fact that your instructor handles the glider while you enjoy the ride. The main drawback is Icelandic weather, which can cancel the flight or change plans at short notice.

I also like the careful safety process and the option to arrange pickup from central Reykjavik. Guides including Thordir, Thunner, Throstur, and Sara have been praised for their friendly manner and clear instructions. At $254.22 per person, plus an optional pickup fee and possible GoPro cost, this is not a cheap sightseeing trip, but it offers an experience you cannot get from a bus window.

Quick points before you book

• The flight lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, while the whole outing takes roughly one hour.
• A 4×4 vehicle carries you up an off-road mountain track to the launch point.
• Your instructor controls the paraglider, but you may try basic supervised control.
• Weather decides the schedule, and poor conditions can lead to a new date, another aerial activity, or a refund.
• Central Reykjavik pickup costs an extra 5,000 ISK and must be arranged in advance.
• GoPro footage costs extra, so bring your own camera only if you are comfortable accepting the risk.

From Reykjavik to the Reykjanesfólkvangur launch site

The meeting point is at Blafjallavegur 1, 206, Iceland. You can get there yourself, or request pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel for an additional 5,000 ISK. The pickup fee is payable on site or added during booking, and you need to provide an address in advance.

The self-drive directions deserve attention. A GPS may guide you past the parking area and onto a road marked do not enter. A useful local tip is to watch for the only light visible along the road, set into the lava rocks. Turn onto the unmarked dirt road there. It is roughly a quarter mile, or about one kilometer, from the main road after the turnoff, according to the practical directions provided by a past participant.

Once everyone has arrived, you climb into a 4×4 and head up a rough mountain track. This drive is part of the character of the trip. You are not simply stepping from a city van onto a prepared platform. You are being taken into the rugged volcanic country that makes this area such an appealing place to fly.

The drive may also remind you that this is an outdoor activity, not a fixed amusement-park ride. Conditions can change, the route may feel rough, and the start time may need adjusting. The group size is limited to six, which helps keep the transfer and preparation more personal than a large coach excursion.

The safety briefing before takeoff

At the launch point, your instructor gives a full explanation of the equipment and the takeoff process. This matters most if you are trying paragliding for the first time, as many participants do. You do not need to know how to fly a paraglider before arriving.

Your pilot evaluates the wind and general flying conditions right before takeoff. In Iceland, a clear sky does not automatically mean suitable paragliding weather. Wind direction, strength, and changing conditions all matter, and the instructor may decide that a flight is not safe even when the view from the ground looks promising.

That judgment is one of the best parts of the operation. A cancelled flight is frustrating, especially if paragliding is the big adventure in your Iceland itinerary, but a grounded paraglider is far better than a risky one. If conditions are poor, you can reschedule, choose another aerial activity, or receive a full refund under the weather cancellation arrangement.

The company has also handled weather problems by offering an ultralight plane or glider flight as a replacement. That option is not guaranteed every time, so you should not book expecting it, but it shows that the day may still be salvaged when the paraglider cannot safely launch.

Running from the mountain and into free flight

When the pilot gives the signal, you take a running start with the paraglider attached to your harness. The rising air lifts the canopy, and you move away from the launch point with your instructor beside and behind you.

The start can feel alarming for a few seconds. You are leaving solid ground from a high point, and the running motion may feel more dramatic than expected. Listen closely to the instructions, keep your steps moving when told, and let the pilot manage the equipment.

After takeoff, you lean back into the harness and settle into the flight. The pilot controls the glider, so your job is mainly to relax, look around, and enjoy the view. The flight offers a different way to see Reykjanesfólkvangur, with rugged lava fields, mountain forms, and open Icelandic countryside spreading beneath you.

The included tandem flight is listed as 10 to 15 minutes. The trip description also refers to about 20 minutes in the air, so your exact airborne time depends on conditions and the flight plan. Either way, this is a short flight inside an outing of about one hour, not a half-day aerial expedition.

That short duration is worth keeping in mind when judging the price. You are paying for the instructor, safety equipment, preparation, 4×4 access, and the chance to fly in a special volcanic setting. If you measure the cost only by minutes in the air, it will seem expensive. If you value a rare first-flight experience with a small group, the price is easier to justify.

What you can do while airborne

Your instructor keeps control of the glider, but you may be invited to try basic supervised control. This gives you a taste of free flight without leaving you responsible for the whole aircraft.

You can also ask the pilot to perform turns or more energetic maneuvers. The guides have been praised for explaining each step, including what is happening in the air, and for adjusting the experience to the passenger’s comfort. If you are nervous, say so. If you want more excitement, ask clearly rather than assuming the pilot will guess.

The best approach is to treat the flight as your own pace of adventure. Some people want a calm view of the lava fields. Others want to feel the glider bank and turn. The pilot remains responsible for the flight, but your comfort should shape how much action you request.

A GoPro can be rented on location for an additional charge. This is useful if you want a record of the flight without holding your own camera. You may bring a camera at your own risk, but you should not assume you can safely use it throughout the flight. Your hands, harness, and attention are better used following instructions and enjoying the view.

Landing and the ride back to Reykjavik

The landing brings you back to solid ground after the flight. Your pilot guides the approach and tells you when to prepare your feet. The experience ends back at the original meeting point, unless a separate arrangement has been made.

The return ride is brief, but the company has shown flexibility with transport. One guide even dropped a passenger at the Reykjavik bus terminal in time to reach a departing bus. Do not count on a special transfer unless you arrange it directly, but this is useful evidence that the staff may help when plans get tight.

Because the whole activity lasts only about an hour, it can fit neatly into a Reykjavik day. Still, I would avoid placing it immediately before an important airport transfer, bus departure, or timed attraction. The weather can alter the schedule, and outdoor activities rarely obey a perfect city timetable.

The people behind the harness

The staff are a major part of the experience. Thordir and Thunner have been praised for warm hosting, clear explanations, and attention to comfort. Throstur and Sara have also received specific praise, including for making the day welcoming and enjoyable.

That personal touch matters in tandem paragliding. The equipment may be sound, but you are still trusting a person with an unusual moment of vulnerability. Friendly communication before the activity, a careful briefing, and encouragement during takeoff can make the difference between tense and thrilling.

The group maximum of six is another practical strength. It does not guarantee that every person will fly instantly, since each passenger needs preparation and individual attention, but it limits the scale of the outing. Families can book together, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Most people can participate, but the activity still requires you to follow instructions and wear suitable outdoor clothing. Ask the operator about any personal concern before booking if you are unsure.

Clothing, comfort, and what to bring

The air is usually colder than the ground, so dress for a brisk outdoor activity rather than a mild city walk. Wear weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. The takeoff involves a running start, making firm footwear especially important.

Layers are the sensible choice. Icelandic conditions can shift quickly, and a jacket that feels excessive in Reykjavik may be welcome on the mountain. Avoid arriving in delicate clothing or shoes that are difficult to run in.

A phone or camera can be tempting, but any personal device is your responsibility. The paid GoPro option is the simpler choice if recording matters to you. Ask about the rental on location and confirm the added cost before committing.

Weather is part of the experience

This is the one issue you should take most seriously. Paragliding requires favorable weather, and the company may cancel close to the scheduled time if the wind or other conditions are unsuitable.

That can be hard to accept when the sky looks bright. A marine breeze may affect the clouds and flying conditions even when the day appears clear. One booking experienced several changes and cancellations before the flight failed to take place, creating understandable frustration. This is the risk of placing an aerial activity at the center of a short Iceland visit.

The positive side is the operator’s communication and flexibility. The company has kept people updated about wind, offered alternative aerial flights, and provided the choice of another date or a full refund when poor weather cancels the activity.

I suggest booking this early in your Iceland schedule rather than on your final day. The experience is normally booked about 35 days ahead, so popular dates can fill. Booking ahead helps with availability, but leaving room for a second attempt gives you better protection against Iceland’s changeable weather.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of weather under the stated weather arrangement.

Is $254.22 a fair price?

At $254.22 per person, this is a premium activity. The price does not include central Reykjavik pickup, which costs 5,000 ISK, and GoPro footage is an extra purchase.

I think the value depends on what you want from Iceland. If you are mainly seeking low-cost sightseeing, the short flight time may not feel sufficient. The same money could cover several ordinary attractions or part of a longer excursion.

If you want a personal, high-adventure memory, the calculation changes. The fee covers an expert tandem pilot, safety equipment, a 4×4 ride into the launch area, and a small group rather than a crowded commercial setup. You are also paying for access to a view most people will never see.

The strongest value comes when the weather cooperates and you are excited by the activity itself. The weakest value comes when you are nervous about flying, need a guaranteed schedule, or cannot afford to lose time to a cancellation.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to you if you want to try paragliding for the first time, enjoy outdoor adventure, and can accept weather uncertainty. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by an adult, and solo participants who want a memorable activity near Reykjavik.

It is especially good for someone who prefers a genuine sense of flight over a conventional sightseeing platform. The option to try basic control and request turns gives you more involvement than simply sitting in an aircraft.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed departure time, dislike running starts, or have only one open morning before a flight home. I would also think twice if the $254.22 price does not leave room for optional transport or video costs.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience start?

It starts at Blafjallavegur 1, 206, Iceland. The activity also ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from anywhere in central Reykjavik for an additional 5,000 ISK. You need to provide the pickup address in advance.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing takes approximately one hour. The tandem flight itself is listed as lasting 10 to 15 minutes, while the tour description also refers to about 20 minutes in the air.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is six participants.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The company may cancel the flight for safety. You can then choose another date, select another aerial activity if available, or receive a full refund.

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No previous experience is stated as required. The instructor gives a safety briefing, controls the paraglider, and may let you try basic control under supervision.

What should I wear?

Wear outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and sturdy shoes or boots. It is normally colder in the air than on the ground.

Is GoPro video included?

No. A GoPro can be rented on location for an additional fee. You may bring your own camera at your own risk.

Can children participate?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity information also states that most people can participate.

Should you book it?

Book this tandem flight if you want a short but memorable burst of adventure near Reykjavik and can keep your schedule flexible. The strongest reasons to go are the small group, careful safety briefing, friendly instructors, 4×4 access to the mountain launch, and the rare chance to float above Iceland’s lava fields.

I would reserve it well ahead, choose pickup if reaching the site is inconvenient, and leave a spare day in your itinerary in case weather changes the plan. If you need guaranteed timing or want a longer flight for the money, choose another activity. For an adventurous first taste of paragliding with experienced support, this is a worthy Iceland splurge.