The Silver Circle: Private Borgarfjörður Day Tour with Optional Hot Springs, Snowmobiling, Ice Cave, ATV or Lava Tunnel
A full-day private journey through Iceland's saga heartland, lava fields, waterfalls, and geothermal wonders
The Silver Circle day tour takes you deep into Borgarfjörður, a region of West Iceland shaped by volcanic forces and immortalized in the medieval Icelandic Sagas. Over ten hours, you will encounter roaring waterfalls, Europe's most powerful hot spring, and the edge of Iceland's second-largest glacier. This is a private tour designed for travellers who want more than the standard route.
Borgarfjörður is often overlooked by visitors who follow the Golden Circle, yet it holds some of Iceland's most dramatic and storied landscapes. The valleys here were home to saga heroes such as Egill Skallagrímsson and the scholar Snorri Sturluson, whose lives are still woven into local place names and folklore.
Beyond its literary heritage, the region offers a concentrated range of natural features within a single day's drive. Lava fields that date back thousands of years border glacial rivers, and geothermal activity surfaces in spectacular fashion at several points along the route.
The tour is rated moderate in difficulty. Most of the walking is on well-maintained paths, though some terrain near the waterfalls and lava areas can be uneven. Sturdy footwear is recommended for all participants.
Tour Highlights
Stand beside Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, where water emerges at nearly 97 degrees Celsius from moss-covered lava rock.
Visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, two waterfalls with contrasting characters — one a wide, tranquil curtain of spring water and the other a churning torrent wrapped in local legend.
Reach Húsafell, a gateway to Langjökull glacier, where optional activities including snowmobiling and an ice tunnel tour are available for those seeking more adventure.
Travel through the valleys that gave rise to the Icelandic Sagas, passing landmarks connected to figures like Egill Skallagrímsson and Snorri Sturluson.
Explore quiet farmlands and vast lava fields away from the main tourist routes, with opportunities to spot Icelandic horses and hidden waterfalls along the way.
Venture inside Víðgelmir, one of Iceland's largest lava caves, as an optional add-on to witness ancient volcanic formations at close range.
Unwind at Krauma Geothermal Spa or the Húsafell Canyon Baths as optional extras, both fed by the geothermal waters of Deildartunguhver.
How the Day Unfolds
Your private vehicle departs from Reykjavik, heading northwest along the Ring Road before turning into the Borgarfjörður region. The drive itself offers views of lava fields and coastal inlets that set the tone for the day ahead.
Your first stop is Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful geothermal spring, where approximately 180 litres of near-boiling water surge to the surface every second. The site sits adjacent to the Krauma Geothermal Spa, available as an optional activity for those who wish to soak before continuing.
A short drive leads to two contrasting waterfalls. Hraunfossar stretches across a wide lava shelf, with clear spring water filtering through the rock and falling gently into the Hvítá river. Barnafoss, just steps away, presents a more dramatic scene, with powerful currents rushing through a narrow gorge beneath a natural stone arch.
The route continues to Húsafell, a small settlement at the edge of the Hallmundarhraun lava field with Langjökull glacier visible in the distance. Here, participants can choose from several optional add-ons, including snowmobiling on the glacier, ATV quad biking, a guided tour of Víðgelmir lava cave, the Húsafell Canyon Baths, or the Into the Glacier ice tunnel experience.
On the return journey, the tour passes through the valleys most closely associated with the Icelandic Sagas, with stops or slow drives through farmland and ancient lava flows. Your guide will provide context on the historical figures connected to specific locations along the route.
The tour concludes with the drive back to Reykjavik, arriving after approximately ten hours from departure. The return route may vary slightly depending on conditions and the optional activities chosen during the day.
What Is Included
Included
- Private vehicle and professional driver-guide
- Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik
- Guided visit to Deildartunguhver hot spring
- Visit to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
- Travel through Borgarfjörður saga landscapes
- All fuel and transport costs
Not Included
- Optional snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier
- Optional ATV quad biking at Húsafell
- Optional Víðgelmir lava cave guided tour
- Optional Húsafell Canyon Baths entry
- Optional Into the Glacier ice tunnel experience
- Optional Krauma Geothermal Spa entry
- Meals and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on the Silver Circle
Secure your private tour of Borgarfjörður and build the day around the optional activities that interest you most, from glacier adventures to geothermal relaxation.
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