Midnight Sun ATV Tour

At nearly midnight, the sun can still be shining across Iceland. That odd, beautiful light is the point of this tour: you ride an ATV up Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell, then look down over Reykjavik while most cities would be asleep. I especially like the midnight-sun timing and the chance to get onto rough mountain tracks without leaving the capital region.

I also like the practical setup. Hotel transport, riding gear, a safety briefing, and coffee at basecamp are included, so you do not need to arrange much. The main drawback is cost: at $255 per person, this is a serious splurge, and only about two of the three-and-a-half-hour outing is spent driving.

Key points at a glance

• Midnight riding in June and July: You climb mountain trails in broad daylight close to midnight.
• Two mountain viewpoints: The route includes Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell, with especially good views toward Reykjavik from the second peak.
• A real off-road ride: After a short stretch on asphalt, the tour moves onto rough tracks and mountain trails.
• Good for first-time ATV drivers: A 30-minute safety briefing gets you comfortable before the two-hour ride.
• Shared or single ATVs: Each machine can carry two people, but solo riding is available. Odd-numbered groups need one single-rider booking.
• Weather-ready equipment: Helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear if needed are supplied.

Why the midnight sun makes this ride special

Iceland’s summer light is not just a longer sunset. In June and July, daylight lasts through the night, giving you the strange feeling of riding into late evening while the sun still hangs in the sky. You can sit on a mountain near midnight, breathe cold air, and look across Reykjavik without needing a headlamp.

That timing gives the tour its character. A daytime ATV ride can be fun, but the late departure makes this feel tied to Iceland rather than like a standard motor excursion. It also fills an otherwise unusual part of your schedule. After dinner, instead of heading back to your hotel, you are climbing a mountain in daylight.

The timing is worth checking carefully. Pickup is generally between 20:00 and 20:30, with the activity beginning around 21:00. The full outing takes about three and a half hours, including transport, so you will likely return close to midnight. The exact start time can vary, and the tour is specifically aimed at the June and July period when the midnight-sun effect is at its best.

Hotel pickup keeps the evening simple

Safari Quads provides pickup and drop-off from hotels in Reykjavik. A long list of pickup points also covers bus stops around the city, including City Hall, the Culture House, Höfðatorg, Snorrabraut, Vesturbugt, and the cruise terminal at Skarfabakki.

This matters because Reykjavik uses designated pickup areas for some hotels. If your accommodation lies outside a direct pickup zone, you will be assigned a nearby bus stop. Confirm that location before the evening begins, and be ready around 20:00 rather than waiting until the stated tour departure.

The ride to basecamp is part of the three-to-four-hour total. That means the advertised two-hour ATV session is not the same as two hours of door-to-door activity. I would allow the whole evening, especially if you have another booking afterward.

If you are staying at a listed hotel such as Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Hotel Cabin, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, ODDSSON, or Reykjavik Lights, pickup is arranged through the normal system. You can also contact the operator if you prefer to meet at basecamp.

Basecamp preparation and the 30-minute safety briefing

At basecamp, you are fitted with the equipment needed for Icelandic weather. The package includes a helmet, gloves, protective overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear if conditions call for it. Bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing, but remember that rental shoes are not included.

The safety briefing lasts about 30 minutes. That may seem long when you are eager to start, but it is useful for anyone who has never handled an ATV. You learn the basic controls, riding rules, and how the group will move along the route.

First-time drivers should not feel pressured to act like racers. One earlier group was divided between faster riders and people who wanted a more cautious pace, allowing each person to choose a comfort level. That is a useful feature for mixed groups, especially when confident drivers and beginners are riding together.

The machines carry two people at once, so you can share with a partner. If you want to drive alone, a single-rider option is available. Watch the booking details if your group has an odd number of people, since one participant must be booked as a single rider in that case.

From asphalt to Hólmsheiði mountain tracks

The ride begins with a short section on paved road. This gives you time to settle into the machine before the route turns off-road toward Hólmsheiði.

Once you leave the asphalt, the character changes. You follow tracks and trails toward the mountain, handling uneven ground and gradual climbs rather than simply cruising around a flat field. You are operating the ATV yourself, but the guide leads the group and keeps the pace organized.

Hólmsheiði is close enough to Reykjavik to make this a practical half-day outing, yet it gives you a clear break from city streets. You are not spending the whole tour being driven to a distant part of Iceland. The appeal is access: the capital is your base, and the open mountain route begins nearby.

The terrain can feel more demanding than a sightseeing bus ride. You need to pay attention, use the controls carefully, and dress for wind and rain. A light drizzle or a bank of cloud can make the supplied clothing feel very sensible, even if the evening starts calm.

Hafrafjall: your first mountain climb

The first major climb takes you toward Hafrafjall. The route leads up mountain trails, giving you a first high view and a chance to get comfortable with the ATV before the second ascent.

This is where the tour shifts from a motor activity to a viewpoint experience. You are not simply riding in circles. The climb gives the outing a clear goal, and the open air at the top provides a pause from the vibration and noise of the machines.

You may have time to stop, breathe, and take in the summer light. The setting is especially unusual at this hour because the sun remains visible even though your body may be telling you it is bedtime.

Keep your expectations practical. This is not a long wilderness expedition or a technical mountain race. The driving time is two hours, and the route is guided. Still, the combination of trail riding and elevated views makes it more substantial than a short ATV introduction.

Ulfarsfell brings the best Reykjavik view

After Hafrafjall, the route continues to Ulfarsfell. This mountain is known as a popular hiking area, so you might pass walkers on the way up. A quick hello is enough before you continue on the ATV route.

The second mountain is described as offering the better view over Reykjavik. That city outlook gives the tour a satisfying high point. You see the capital from above rather than from another street-level viewpoint, while the late sunlight keeps the scene bright and clear.

This is also a good place to slow down. The appeal is not only reaching the top, but sitting with the view and feeling the cool Icelandic air. If you enjoy photography, the long evening light should give you plenty to work with, though weather can change quickly and no clear sky is promised.

The descent returns you to basecamp, followed by transport back to your hotel or assigned city drop-off point. The route is designed as a loop through the nearby mountains, not as an all-day ride across Iceland.

What $255 buys you

At $255 per person, this is among the pricier ways to spend an evening in Reykjavik. The value depends on what you want from the experience.

You are paying for more than the ATV itself. The fee includes hotel transport, the guided ride, the safety instruction, protective gear, and coffee at basecamp. The unusual departure time also matters. A late-night mountain ride beneath the midnight sun is a seasonal experience, available in its most distinctive form for only a short part of the year.

The price is easier to justify if you are already interested in off-road driving. You get two hours behind the controls, two mountain climbs, and views toward Reykjavik. It is also a good fit for a group that wants one shared activity rather than several separate sightseeing stops.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a viewpoint. In that case, an ATV is an expensive way to reach a mountain view, especially since the tour includes transportation and preparation time rather than three or four full hours of driving.

Solo riders should also check the price carefully. The standard arrangement is two people per ATV, but a single-rider option costs more or is handled separately depending on the booking choice. For groups of three, five, or another odd number, plan for one person to ride alone.

Weather, clothing, and physical demands

Icelandic summer does not mean warm or dry. The sun can be out, then clouds and light rain can roll in. One August outing had enough cloud and rain to make the supplied protective clothing seem excessive at first and very useful later.

Wear comfortable shoes with good support. Rental shoes are not included, and you will be operating a vehicle over uneven ground. Outdoor layers are sensible, even though overalls and rain gear may be supplied.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Drivers must be at least 17 and carry a valid driver license. Passengers who are not driving must be at least six years old.

There is also a weight limit of 220 kilograms, or 485 pounds, per person for either a single rider or a shared rider on an ATV. If this could affect your booking, check with Safari Quads before paying.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour for you if you want a hands-on activity near Reykjavik and like the idea of reaching a viewpoint under your own power. It works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and groups with a mix of ATV experience.

Families should note that children can ride as passengers from age six, but only licensed drivers aged 17 or older may operate the machines. A first-time driver can also manage the experience, thanks to the briefing and guided format.

The tour suits people who want a little action without giving up scenery. You ride off-road, but you also stop on mountain tops to look out over the capital. It is less suitable if you dislike machinery, want a quiet nature walk, or prefer a tightly timed evening.

Groups can benefit from the choice of riding pace. Faster and more cautious riders have been separated into different groups on previous departures, which helps keep nervous beginners from feeling rushed. Ask about this on arrival if your party has very different comfort levels.

A few smart booking tips

Book with the midnight-sun season in mind. June and July offer the clearest match between the tour’s late departure and its main idea, though listed outings and availability can vary.

Bring your driver license if you intend to drive. Without it, you cannot take the controls. If you are sharing an ATV, decide in advance who will drive and who will ride as passenger.

Wear shoes you can comfortably use on rough ground, and do not treat the provided overalls as a reason to skip warm layers. The rain gear is there for a reason. Coffee is included at basecamp, but food is not, so eat before pickup if you expect to be hungry late in the evening.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Reykjavik schedule depends on weather, cruise timing, or changing plans.

Should you book the Midnight Sun ATV Tour?

Book it if you want a memorable evening activity with real driving, not just a ride to a viewpoint. The combination of Hólmsheiði trails, Hafrafjall, Ulfarsfell, and a bright sky near midnight is distinctly Icelandic.

Skip it if $255 feels too high for two hours of ATV time, or if you would rather spend the evening on foot and in silence. Also think twice if rain, rough tracks, or shared machines sound unpleasant.

For the right person, this is a strong choice: well organized, easy to reach from Reykjavik, friendly to beginners, and packed with the kind of strange summer light you cannot reproduce at home. The best reason to book is not simply the ATV. It is the chance to sit on a mountain at an hour when the sun should be gone, with Reykjavik below and the whole evening still ahead of you.

FAQ

When does the Midnight Sun ATV Tour operate?

The tour is designed for June and July, when Iceland has daylight for nearly 24 hours.

How long does the experience take?

The full outing takes about three to four hours, including transportation. The guided ATV ride lasts about two hours.

What time is pickup?

You should be ready around 20:00. Pickup generally takes place between 20:00 and 20:30, with the activity beginning around 21:00.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in Reykjavik. If your accommodation is outside a direct pickup zone, you will be assigned a nearby bus stop.

Do I need a driver license?

Yes, every ATV driver must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver license. Bring the license with you.

Can children join the tour?

Non-driving passengers must be at least six years old. Only people aged 17 or older with a valid license may drive.

Are ATVs shared?

Each ATV can carry two people. A single-rider option is also available. If your group has an odd number of participants, one person must be booked as a single rider.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear if needed. You should bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. Rental shoes are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.