Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is simple: you are not sitting in a warm coach waiting for the sky to change. You are driving an ATV at night through the countryside east of Reykjavik, stopping near Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell to look for the aurora. I like the small group, capped at 10 people, and the chance to see Reykjavik glowing below from a mountain track. The drawback is just as clear: the northern lights may not appear, and cold, cloud, rain, or a bright moon can change the night.

I also like that the ride itself still gives the tour a purpose if the aurora stays hidden. Guides such as Helga have helped beginners handle the machines with patience, while experienced riders get a lively trail ride. Good layers and warm footwear are essential, since the wind cuts through you when you stop to watch the sky.

Key points to know before booking

• Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell: Look for green light reflected in the water, with views toward Reykjavik and Mosfellsbær.
• Small-group riding: The maximum group size is 10, giving the guide room to help new ATV drivers.
• Double riding is standard: Two people normally share one quad. You can pay extra for a single ride.
• Pickup from Reykjavik: Hotel pickup is offered, usually through designated city bus stops.
• A real weather gamble: The tour goes only when conditions offer a reasonable chance of clear sky, but no one can promise an aurora.
• Bring the right phone: An iPhone 11 or newer, a newer Google phone, or another phone with night mode can capture the lights more effectively.

Why an ATV is a smart way to hunt the aurora

Northern lights tours often involve long stretches of waiting. That is not necessarily bad. The aurora follows its own schedule, and even a perfect forecast cannot force it to appear. Still, sitting on a bus for hours can feel like a poor use of a short Iceland visit.

This ATV trip gives you something active to do while you wait. You follow a guide along rugged tracks, climb toward viewpoints, and stop in open country away from some of Reykjavik’s city glow. The ride adds a little fun and nerve to the evening, especially when the trail rises toward the mountain.

I would not book this only as a guaranteed northern lights outing. I would book it as a night ATV ride with a serious chance of seeing the aurora. That distinction matters. On some evenings, the sky may offer a full display. On others, you may see stars, shooting stars, the city lights, and a fine view from the mountain, but no green curtain overhead.

From Reykjavik pickup to the ATV base

The activity begins with pickup in Reykjavik, followed by a drive to the ATV base at Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær. The published start time is 9:30 p.m., though your exact pickup time and location need to be confirmed in advance.

Pickup arrangements cover a long list of hotels, apartments, and designated bus stops. Reykjavik’s central hotels commonly use stops such as City Hall, Hlemmur, Lækjargata, Hallgrímskirkja, Skúlagata, or Harpa. Some accommodations outside the center, including places in Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður, are also listed.

Do not assume the van will come directly to your hotel door. Reykjavik uses designated pickup points in many central areas, and some stops have changed or closed. Check the pickup message carefully, especially if your accommodation is in the old center. The operator’s details include a general note that the pickup point may be confirmed later, so leave enough time to sort this out.

The transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange a taxi to the base. It also lets you focus on the ride instead of navigating unfamiliar roads after dark.

Getting suited up and learning the quad

At the base, you receive safety equipment and a briefing before setting out. You should expect basic instruction on operating the ATV, along with guidance on how to stop, turn, and manage the machine on the trail.

This is important if you have never driven a quad. One parent traveling with a son described receiving close help with the controls, and the guide stayed attentive as the new driver learned. That fits the character of this activity: it has some adventure, but it is not designed only for experts.

You still need moderate physical fitness and a full driver’s license if you plan to drive. A passenger can be as young as six years old. The standard arrangement is a double ride, with two people sharing one ATV. If you want control of your own machine, select the single-ride option and pay the added charge.

Sharing can be a good value for couples, friends, or a parent and older child. It also lets one person drive while the other handles the camera. If independent riding is part of the reason you are booking, the single option will make more sense.

Following the trail toward Hafravatn Lake

The ride leads out into the countryside near Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell. The setting changes quickly from Reykjavik streets to rough tracks and open ground. At night, the beam from the ATV and the shape of the hills become part of the experience.

Hafravatn is the main scenic focus. If the aurora appears above the lake, its light may reflect across the water. Mount Hafrafell gives the group a higher viewpoint and, when conditions allow, broad views back toward Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær, and nearby towns.

The mountain section is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a standard city-based aurora outing. You get the dark sky search, but also a clear sense of where you are. City lights below can help you understand the shape of the area, while the stars appear above the mountains.

The trail is rugged enough to feel like an outing rather than a paved sightseeing drive. That means the ride can be bumpy and exposed. If you want a soft seat, a heated cabin, and little physical effort, choose a coach tour instead.

Waiting for the northern lights

The operator checks conditions and only runs the tour when there is a possibility of clear sky. That improves your odds, but it does not turn the aurora into a scheduled event. Clouds can move in, rain can spoil visibility, and the moon can be too bright for a strong display.

The guide may use the waiting time for stargazing and watching for shooting stars. This is a useful change of mindset. Instead of treating the entire evening as a pass or fail test based on green light, you can enjoy the darkness, the mountain air, and the view over the city.

Several bookings have gone ahead in poor conditions and still produced a worthwhile evening. The ATV ride can be exciting even when low cloud blocks the sky. In one case, the guide offered a different date after wet weather, but the group kept its plans and later saw the aurora despite the rain and cloud.

That is why I would leave room in your schedule for a possible second attempt if the operator cancels for weather. The policy allows a new date or a full refund when poor conditions force cancellation. If the tour operates and the lights simply fail to appear, that is a different matter. The ride continues, but the natural show is never guaranteed.

What the views add to the night

The view toward Reykjavik is more than a backup prize. From the mountain, the city becomes a band of warm lights below the dark hills. Mosfellsbær and other nearby communities add small points of light, while the open country around you helps reveal how little development lies outside the capital.

This is also a good setting for photography, but do not expect a normal phone snapshot to capture much in the dark. Bring a phone with a strong night mode or a setting that allows a few seconds of exposure. An iPhone 11 or newer, a newer Google phone, or a similar modern device is recommended.

Keep your hands warm before you start taking pictures. The cold becomes most noticeable when you stop riding, remove gloves, and hold a phone still for several seconds. Hand warmers and foot warmers are worth packing, not just for comfort but because you will stay outside longer if your fingers and toes are not numb.

Guides may take photos during the evening and share them afterward, but you should not depend on that for every booking. Bring your own camera and keep it protected from damp weather.

Clothing matters more than you think

Wear every useful layer you have. A warm base layer, fleece or sweater, waterproof outer layer, thick socks, insulated shoes, gloves, and a scarf or buff around your neck will help.

The ATV gear adds protection, but it does not replace your own warm clothing. A few people found the supplied kit useful and still preferred their own extra layers. That is sensible. Icelandic night air can feel much colder on an open vehicle, especially at the mountain stops.

Warm footwear is especially important because your feet remain fairly still while you ride. Avoid thin city trainers. If you are visiting Iceland with limited luggage, buy or borrow hand warmers before the tour rather than hoping the equipment at the base will cover every need.

Is $199 a fair price?

At $199 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the northern lights. A basic coach outing may cost less, and it may keep you warmer. The ATV price includes pickup, the base transfer, safety equipment, the guide, and roughly three hours of activity.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If your only goal is to see the aurora as cheaply as possible, this may not be your best choice. You are paying for the ride, the small group, the access to mountain tracks, and the chance to reach viewpoints that feel more personal than a crowded bus stop.

The small group helps justify the price. With no more than 10 people, the guide has a better chance of helping beginners, adjusting the pace, and finding a comfortable place for everyone to stop. You also avoid spending the entire night in a large group with little contact with the guide.

For me, the price makes sense if the ATV ride matters nearly as much as the northern lights. If the lights appear over Hafravatn, the combination can feel like one of the stronger night experiences near Reykjavik. If they do not, you still need to enjoy off-road riding and mountain views to feel you received fair value.

Who should book this experience?

This tour suits you if you like active outings, do not mind cold air, and want more than a coach window. It works well for couples, friends, families with an eligible passenger, and anyone who enjoys driving in a small group.

It is also a good choice for a first-time ATV driver. The guides have shown patience with beginners and can offer help with the controls. You do not need advanced riding skill, but you do need to listen carefully and feel comfortable operating a motor vehicle on a rough trail.

I would be more cautious if you dislike uncertainty. The aurora can fail to appear, and the tour can be affected by rain, cloud, wind, or moonlight. You should also choose another type of outing if you want a warm, quiet evening with little movement.

The activity is usually booked well ahead, around 44 days in advance on average. That suggests you should not leave it until the last night of a short visit, especially if you want room to reschedule after poor weather.

Practical details before you commit

The tour lasts about two to three hours, with the riding program listed at three hours. It begins at 9:30 p.m. and ends back at the ATV meeting point before your return transfer.

You need a full driver’s license to drive. Passengers can be from six years old, and the standard ATV setup places two people on each quad. Select a single ride if sharing is not suitable.

Confirmation is issued when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

The weather rule is helpful. If conditions are poor enough to cancel the experience, you can accept another date or request a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure?

Book it if you want the northern lights search to feel like an adventure rather than a transfer to a viewing field. The combination of ATV riding, Hafravatn Lake, Mount Hafrafell, and city views gives the evening real substance even when the sky stays dark.

Skip it if your priority is comfort, a low price, or a guaranteed aurora. No tour can promise the lights, and this one adds cold, rough tracks, and an extra charge for solo riding.

My practical advice is to book early, confirm your pickup stop, bring serious winter layers, and treat the aurora as a bonus rather than a promise. If you enjoy the ride on its own, you will be ready for a great night when the sky finally turns green.

FAQ

Where does the ATV tour begin?

The ATV base is at Flugumýri 18 in Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Pickup is offered from many Reykjavik hotels and designated city bus stops.

What time does the experience start?

The published start time is 9:30 p.m. Your exact pickup time may differ, so confirm the details before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about two to three hours, with the riding portion listed at three hours.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. Anyone driving an ATV needs a full driver’s license.

Can children join the tour?

Passengers can be from six years old. The driver still needs a full driver’s license.

Is one ATV provided for each person?

No. Double riding is the standard rate, with two people sharing one quad. You can choose a single ride for an added cost.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.