Every night could be the night for the aurora. Book Your Spot

Buggy Tour To Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Operated by our trusted partner
New Tour

About Tour

Drive a buggy yourself, following your guide to the foot of Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-capped volcano at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The terrain under you keeps shifting, from lava to gravel as you go.

The whole experience takes about two hours, starting in Arnarstapi, a small village on the coast. Rated easy and open to first-time drivers, it needs no off-road experience to enjoy.

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year
Duration 2–2.5 hours
Departs From Arnarstapi
Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Minimum age 8 years
Max Group Size 10
Meet on Location Yes
Pickup No

Highlights

  • Drive a buggy to the foot of Snæfellsjökull
  • Cross the Eysteinsdalur valley's lava and gravel
  • Take in views over Faxaflói Bay
  • Explore the quiet Snæfellsnes interior

Included

  • Experienced guide
  • Protective overalls and helmets
  • Off-road buggy for each driver
  • Safety briefing before departure

What to bring

  • Warm layers (wool base, waterproof and windproof on top)
  • Sturdy, waterproof shoes
  • Hat, gloves, and a buff or face covering
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Small backpack
  • Reusable water bottle

From

218
Per
Adult
Klarna 256x40
  • No Booking Fees
  • Fast & Secure Payment

From

218
Klarna 256x40 Per Adult

Itinerary

You'll meet your group at Arnarstapi and point the buggy toward Snæfellsjökull, one of Iceland's most famous mountains. Jules Verne chose this volcano for Journey to the Center of the Earth, sending his characters down into a passage inside its crater. You'll stay above ground the whole time, but you'll reach the mountain’s base all the same.

The way there crosses Eysteinsdalur, a valley where the surface underfoot changes from lava rock to moss to gravel. On a clear stretch, sea, mountain, and glacier come into view at once, with Faxaflói Bay behind you along the coast.

What you cover depends on the weather and the day's road conditions, so the route is set fresh each time. You'll follow your guide throughout and keep your own pace over the rough ground.

  • Drivers must hold a valid driver's license.
  • The minimum age to ride as a passenger is 8 years old.
  • The maximum weight limit is 140 kg (310 lbs), set by the manufacturer.
  • Weather can change fast on Snæfellsnes, and a departure may be postponed or canceled if conditions turn unsafe.
  • The buggy is open to the elements, so warm, windproof, and waterproof layers make a real difference, even in summer. See the What to Bring list for the full kit.
  • Everyone wears the provided protective gear. The ride is bumpy over uneven sections, so hold on. If you're not sure the tour is right for you, consult with us before you book.

This is a meet-on-location tour. Pickup isn't included, so make your own way to Arnarstapi and meet the group there.

Address: Arnarstapavegur 2, 356 Snæfellsbær, in the village of Arnarstapi on the south coast of Snæfellsnes.
Coordinates: 64.7671° N, 23.6396° W

From Reykjavík, take Route 1 (the Ring Road) north to Borgarnes, then Route 54 along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and finally Route 574 (Útnesvegur) into Arnarstapi. The roads are paved the whole way, so a 2WD car is fine in summer. A 4x4 is the safer choice in winter, from about October to April, when snow and ice are more likely.

Rough driving distances and times to Arnarstapi:

Starting point

Distance

Drive time

Reykjavík

193 km (120 miles)

About 2.5 hours

Borgarnes

117 km (73 miles)

About 1.5 hours

Stykkishólmur

87 km (54 miles)

About 1 hour

Akureyri

428 km (266 miles)

About 5.5 hours

Distances are one-way, and drive times assume summer conditions.

FAQ

Yes, you do need to have a valid driving license from your home country.

No, you don’t need to have a specific motorcycle license, a regular driver’s license is enough to be able to join the tour.

Before starting any of the activities, participants will receive a safety briefing highlighting the safe and proper use of equipment, the role of guides during the trip, and the significant risks and hazards involved in their activity.
 
The safety briefing will also cover potentially foreseeable scenarios that may arise and explain how participants should react in such circumstances. Our guides will also outline their expectations of participants during the trip where needed and address any specific questions or concerns that may arise during this time.
 
Any medical conditions or personal health concerns that may jeopardize your well-being or affect your ability to meet the physical demands of the trip must be clearly communicated to the trip leader before the tour start.
 
Any medications you may require for minor medical conditions (asthma inhalers, etc.), should be kept close and you should bring it with you on the trip if possible. It is important that you notify your guide about such medications and their whereabouts before setting off.

As with any and all world travel, we strongly recommend having travel insurances that can provide cover if you need to cancel your travel reservation with short notice. We also recommend that you have personal health insurance coverage when participating in any adventure activities in Iceland.

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

Similar tours that people also viewed

Contact us for more information about this tour

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.