Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

This is aurora time, powered by you. In Reykjavik, I like this night outing because you ride a self-drive ATV on dark trails, not just watch from a warm coach seat. I also love the small-group setup and included pickup/drop-off, which keeps the whole hunt for the lights feeling personal and calm.

One thing to plan for: the Northern Lights depend on clear sky. When clouds roll in, you’ll still get a thrilling night ride and big-view stops, but the aurora show may not arrive.

Expect a late start around 9:30 pm and cold winter riding wind. You’ll suit up, get a safety briefing, then head out into the Icelandic countryside for a guided search around Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell.

Key highlights at a glance

• Self-drive ATV at night with a guide steering you toward better darkness and viewpoints
• Hafravatn Lake + Mount Hafrafell areas for reflections and skyline angles
• Small group (max 10), so you’re not lost in a crowd when the sky finally turns
• Practical aurora searching: if the lights are delayed, you can do stargazing while waiting
• Single ride option (pay extra) if you don’t want to share a quad
• Phone camera tip built into the trip so you can actually capture what you see

Why this ATV aurora hunt beats a standard coach viewing

Most Northern Lights outings are built around one big idea: drive to a dark spot, stop, and hope the sky performs. This one adds a second idea that feels more like real Iceland—you’re moving through the night landscape on an ATV while your guide reads the conditions.

That change matters. You’re not just standing around waiting for weather to cooperate. You’re getting an active, guided ride with multiple photo-friendly stops, plus the chance to see the aurora show reflect near Hafravatn when conditions line up.

Also, the vibe tends to be calmer because the group is capped at 10. With fewer people, you can actually hear instructions, and your guide can adapt when the sky behaves differently than forecast.

Pickup around Reykjavik and what “small-group” means in practice

The tour is built for convenience from Reykjavik. Pickup and drop-off are included, and you’ll be assigned a pickup point among the city-center options like Hlemmur (Bus Stop 10) or stops around Lækjargata and Skúlagata. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and you should expect the exact pickup details to be messaged to you closer to departure.

Start time is listed as 9:30 pm, so this is a proper night commitment. One reason I like that is you’re not doing the aurora hunt at the edge of evening chaos—you’re already in night mode when you leave town.

A max group size of 10 also helps with timing. If the guide needs to make a quick decision on where to stop next, it’s easier when everyone is close together and not spread across multiple vehicles.

Action Adventures base camp: gear up, listen, then ride

Your night begins with getting from Reykjavik to the ATV base camp area near Mosfellsbær (the activity start point is listed at Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær). From there, you’ll suit up with safety equipment and go through a briefing before the ride starts.

The briefing isn’t just paperwork. It’s what makes this work for most skill levels. The tour is designed so operations feel straightforward, and the reviews back up that beginners aren’t thrown in at the deep end.

Then you start moving: the route heads away from town trails and into open country outside Reykjavik. That matters for aurora hunting because you’re trying to get out of city brightness, while still staying close enough to reach good viewpoints without burning your whole night.

The ride route: Hafravatn Lake reflections and Mount Hafrafell views

The big aurora-and-view pairing here is Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell. You’ll ride to areas where the guide can set you up for a skyline angle, with the possibility of seeing the lights reflect in the lake.

Even when the aurora doesn’t show, the ride isn’t empty. A common highlight is the panoramic look back toward Reykjavik—city lights stretching out below, while stars appear above the mountainous terrain. You also might climb as far as it’s possible based on conditions, and that’s where the wow-factor hits.

The guide’s route planning is what turns it from a simple ATV drive into an aurora hunt with real sightlines. Iceland’s aurora viewing is famously weather-dependent, so you’re really paying for that on-the-ground decision-making.

How the guide searches for clear-sky chances (and keeps the night fun)

Auroras follow the sky’s schedule, not yours. That’s the reality—and this tour doesn’t pretend otherwise. Your guide chooses locations based on where skies look promising, with the goal of catching the lights once conditions improve.

If you have to wait for clearer skies, the tour still keeps you engaged. The route includes stargazing time while you watch for moments like shooting stars, and the group keeps moving toward better sightlines rather than just idling in one spot for long stretches.

In at least one review, the guide went out of their way with time and even arranged extra return timing after the hunt, which shows you the priority is the experience, not a rushed “on the dot” rhythm. Another review noted the guide took plenty of photos and shared them after—handy, because cold hands are great for spotting the lights, not for fiddling with camera settings.

Also, you may get different guides on different nights, but one named example from a review is Helga, praised for making the evening fun while staying safe and attentive.

Single ride vs double ride: sharing a quad is the key trade-off

The tour offers two riding modes. Double ride is the standard setup, meaning two people share one quad. If you prefer not to share, you can select single ride during booking and pay a little extra.

Here’s how I’d think about the choice. If you’re comfortable sharing a machine and want to keep costs down, double ride can be a smooth way to go. If you want full control of your own vehicle (or you’re traveling with someone who likes a different pace), single ride is worth considering.

Either way, the tour runs on the same basic idea: guided trails outside the city, with you using the ATV to reach better angles for aurora viewing.

What it’s really like to ride at 9:30 pm in Iceland

Riding an ATV at night isn’t like a daytime excursion. Darkness plus wind equals real cold, and that affects everything from comfort to how long you’ll want to stay outside for photos.

The tour strongly recommends dressing in layers and wearing warm shoes and socks. You’ll also want handwarmers and footwarmers, plus a scarf or buff to protect your neck. In reviews, people specifically called out the importance of layering so you can stay outside while you wait for the lights to appear.

For camera readiness, bring your phone and make sure it can handle night mode or longer shutter options. The guidance is specific: phones with night capture features work better, and an iPhone 11 or newer (or similar newer Google models) is recommended. You’re trying to capture aurora color without losing the moment to blurry, underexposed shots.

One practical tip: the cold will fight your fingers. If you want photos, set your camera mode before you step outside, then focus on watching. Let the guide’s stops do the hard work of finding the right angles.

Who can drive, who can ride, and the fitness reality

This is an active night tour, and the data here is straightforward. Drivers need a full driver’s license to drive the ATVs. Passengers can be from 6 years old, as long as they’re booked into the ride setup you chose.

The tour also asks for moderate physical fitness. That’s because you’ll be stepping in and out, staying balanced on a moving machine, and spending time outdoors in Iceland winter temperatures.

If you’re new to ATV riding, you’ll likely be fine. The overall tone from the experience feedback is that the operation is made manageable, and instructors pay attention to safe control and stop/turn basics.

Weather outcomes: what to expect if the sky doesn’t cooperate

Northern Lights tours are always a weather bet. This one is still worth it even when cloud cover wins, because you’re not just watching the sky—you’re getting the night ride and the Reykjavik-at-distance views.

That said, the night can go in different directions. Reviews include nights that were too overcast or cloudy to clearly see auroras, but the ATV portion remained exciting and the panoramas still impressed people.

On at least one occasion, the operator offered a chance to reschedule to a following night if conditions weren’t right, showing flexibility when weather blocks the main goal. If the sky doesn’t cooperate on your chosen date, it’s smart to be prepared for a Plan B—either shifting to another night or accepting that you’re paying for the ride and views as much as the aurora.

Price and value: why $199 can feel fair for this kind of night

At $199 per person for about 2 to 3 hours, you’re not just paying for an aurora “maybe.” You’re paying for several value drivers packed into one outing:

• Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik
• Small-group setup (max 10)
• A self-drive ATV experience, which is more involved than a passenger-only activity
• A guide actively hunting for better sky chances and viewpoints
• Stops designed for aurora angles, including Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell area viewpoints

When you add it up, you’re getting transportation, equipment, and guided planning in addition to the thrill of riding yourself. If you’re comparing value in plain terms, this can feel like a strong deal because it doesn’t treat the aurora as the only product. The night ride and views are a full part of the package.

Also, the average booking lead time is 44 days, which hints that dates can fill up. If you’re traveling in peak season, I’d plan early rather than waiting for the last minute.

Practical tips before you go (so you enjoy the whole hunt)

Here’s what I’d do to set yourself up for a great night:

• Dress for wind, not just temperature: layers, warm socks, and protective neck gear
• Bring handwarmers and footwarmers so you can keep your hands working for photos
• Choose your riding mode early: single ride if you want your own quad control, double ride if you’re cost-focused
• Charge your phone and test night settings before pickup
• If you’re hoping to get pictures, think less about filming and more about quick snapshots at each stop

One more thing: expect the timing to run late sometimes. In a review, people were returned around 1 am after the guide kept working to find the lights and ensure they got time on the mountain and viewpoints.

That’s a reminder that auroras aren’t scheduled. The tour’s value is tied to the guide’s willingness to keep searching when conditions are near the edge.

Should you book the Northern Lights ATV Adventure?

Book it if you want the aurora hunt to feel like an experience, not just a waiting game. The self-drive ATV at night, the small-group pace, and the Hafravatn/Mount Hafrafell sightlines are what make this tour different.

Skip it if you’re looking for a low-effort, seated activity only, or if you’re uncomfortable with cold outdoor time and moderate physical movement. Since auroras are never guaranteed, you also need to be okay with the possibility of clouds turning the night into a great ride plus city-view photos, not a full light show.

If you’re open to that trade-off, this is one of the more exciting ways to chase the lights from Reykjavik—because you’re doing more than watching the sky. You’re driving through the Iceland night while your guide works for the best dark-sky angles.

FAQ

What time does the Northern Lights ATV tour start?

The start time is listed as 9:30 pm, with pickup from Reykjavik included.

How long is the ATV adventure?

The tour runs about 2 to 3 hours.

Is pickup in Reykjavik included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included, and pickup details are messaged later.

Do I need a driver’s license to drive the ATV?

Yes. Drivers need a full driver’s license to drive the ATVs. Passengers don’t drive.

What is the minimum age to ride as a passenger?

A passenger can be from 6 years old.

What if it’s cloudy and the Northern Lights don’t show?

The tour is weather-dependent. If the conditions don’t allow a good aurora viewing, you may be offered a different date or a full refund, and you’ll still have the ATV ride and viewpoints as part of the experience.