Silver Circle: Lava Cave, Waterfalls & Iceland Horses-Small Group

The most memorable part of this Silver Circle day is not one grand waterfall. It is the odd mix of lava waterfalls, hot springs, Icelandic horses, and a lava tube spread across western Iceland. You see nature, local life, and medieval history without driving yourself.

I like the warm, personal stop at Sturlureykir horse farm, where you can meet the horses, see geothermal bread-making, and sample rye bread with a drink. I also like the quieter pace and smaller maximum group of 19, which makes the day feel less like a parade of buses than the Golden Circle.

The main drawback is the road time. It can take about two hours to reach the first stop, and some roads are rough enough to bother anyone with serious back pain. Winter ice can also make the short walks slippery, though crampons may be provided.

Key Points Worth Knowing

• Viðgelmir Lava Cave is the main event: Spend about 90 minutes underground among lava formations, ice stalagmites, and narrow passages.
• Sturlureykir feels personal: Meet Icelandic horses, learn about a family farm, and taste bread baked with geothermal heat.
• Hraunfossar is unlike Iceland’s famous plunging falls: Water appears to stream from beneath an old lava field across nearly 900 meters.
• The Silver Circle is quieter than the Golden Circle: Expect fewer crowds at many stops, though this can vary with the day and weather.
• The day is full but not frantic: Seven major stops fit into roughly 10 hours, with time for lunch purchased separately.
• Pickup is simple but precise: Hotel pickup is offered around Reykjavik, though central hotels may use a nearby bus stop.

Why the Silver Circle Makes a Fine Full-Day Choice

I see this tour as a good answer to a common Reykjavik problem: you want to get beyond the capital, but you do not want to rent a car, study Icelandic roads, or spend your holiday watching the weather forecast from behind a steering wheel.

The route covers several kinds of Iceland in one day. You get waterfalls, geothermal power, a historic settlement, farm life, and a proper lava cave. The sights are not all of equal weight, but the variety keeps the day moving.

At $219 per person, the price is not low for a day out. Still, it includes hotel pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik capital area, transportation, a guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave, and entry to the horse farm. Once you add the cave ticket and transport you would otherwise arrange yourself, the cost looks fair, especially for visitors who do not plan to drive.

The bus holds no more than 19 people, although the actual group may be smaller. That matters here. Several stops involve short walks and informal explanations, and a compact group makes it easier to hear the guide and move at a reasonable pace.

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00. You need to be ready from 8:30 and watch for the vehicle with red NICE Travel logos. If you prefer to meet the group directly, the office is at Fiskislóð 45M, with arrival requested before 8:20.

Glanni Waterfall Starts the Day Quietly

Glanni is the first proper stop, in the Bifrost area. You get about 20 minutes to walk to the viewpoint and take in a scenic waterfall in a calm setting.

Do not expect the force or scale of Gullfoss. Glanni is a smaller, gentler introduction to the day. Its value is the setting and the chance to stretch your legs after the ride north.

The path can be icy in cold weather. On one winter outing, crampons made the walk much safer, and you may be offered them when conditions call for extra grip. Wear shoes with a firm sole and bring clothing that can handle wind.

Some departures have included an extra stop at a nearby volcanic cone. It is not guaranteed by the stated route, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than part of the bargain. When included, the short climb and crater path provide wide views, but strong wind can make the top uncomfortable.

Deildartunguhver Shows Iceland’s Geothermal Muscle

At Deildartunguhver, you see Europe’s highest-flow hot spring. Around 180 liters of water per second emerge at roughly 100 C, a number that feels more real when you hear the force of the vents and watch the water surge from the ground.

This is not a bathing stop. It is a geothermal viewing area, and you need to stay on the marked path. The heat and movement are impressive, but the stop is brief, around 20 minutes, which is about right.

I like this stop because it explains something practical about Iceland. Geothermal energy is not just a dramatic sight for visitors. It heats homes and buildings, and the horse farm later in the day gives you another example of how people use the heat.

Sturlureykir Brings You Close to Icelandic Horses

The horse farm is where the tour shifts from scenery to local life. At Sturlureykir, you can approach the Icelandic horses, interact with them in the stable and outdoors, and learn about the family’s breeding work.

This is much more satisfying than stopping beside a roadside paddock for a quick photograph. The farm visit lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to brush or feed the horses and see them at close range. The owners have also taken photographs of visitors with the animals.

The farm has a private hot spring, used to heat the home and stables. You also learn how the family bakes rye bread, called rúgbrauð, in geothermal heat. The sample, served with a drink such as coffee, hot chocolate, or water, turns a technical subject into something you can taste.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it feels connected to everyday Iceland. The farm is a working family place, not simply an animal photo stop. If you have children, enjoy horses, or want more contact with local culture, this visit may be worth the tour price by itself.

Snorralaug Connects the Route to Medieval Iceland

Reykholt gives the day a useful historical pause. Here you see Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval poet, author, and political figure.

The pool was used by local people from at least the 12th century and appears in medieval writing connected with Snorri. Your guide explains the site and the village, so this is more than a quick look at a small pool.

You get about 20 minutes here. The stop will appeal most if you enjoy stories tied to real places. If your priority is dramatic scenery, Snorralaug may feel modest, but it adds context that many nature-only day tours lack.

Hraunfossar Is Water Emerging from Lava

Hraunfossar is the scenic centerpiece above ground. Rather than dropping from one high cliff, the falls appear as countless rivulets flowing from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field into the river below.

The water spreads across about 900 meters, creating a series of separate cascades. The effect is delicate and unusual. You are not looking at an ordinary river falling over a ledge. You are seeing water filtered through old volcanic rock before it reaches the river.

The lava field formed around 1,000 years ago during an eruption beneath the Langjökull glacier. That connection between ice, fire, and running water is the real lesson here.

You get roughly 30 minutes, with short paths leading to several viewpoints and a bridge across the river. These paths may be icy, and crampons are useful in winter. Bring a waterproof outer layer. Spray and wet surfaces can make a camera stop more enjoyable when your hands and coat are not getting soaked.

Barnafoss Adds a Sharper, Faster Contrast

Barnafoss is only a short distance from Hraunfossar, so the two waterfalls work well together. Hraunfossar is broad and delicate. Barnafoss is narrower, faster, and more turbulent.

The name means waterfall of the children and comes from a tragic local story. A natural stone bridge once crossed the river, and two children fell to their deaths while crossing. Their grieving mother then had the bridge destroyed.

The story gives the place an emotional edge, but the river itself is the main sight. Stay on the marked paths and viewing areas. You have about 30 minutes here, usually enough to see both falls without feeling rushed.

Lunch is taken around the waterfall portion of the day, with food purchased separately. A nearby rustic cafe has offered soup and bread, including an all-you-can-eat option, as well as buffet food. Exact choices can change, so do not treat lunch as included in the $219 price.

Viðgelmir Lava Cave Is the Day’s Big Finish

Viðgelmir is one of Iceland’s largest lava caves, measuring just under 1,600 meters. The visit lasts about 90 minutes and is the most distinctive part of the route.

You begin near the entrance, then follow wooden steps down into the lava tube. Hard hats and headlamps are provided. The cave has low ceilings and some narrow sections, although the route is not described as highly strenuous.

Inside, the scenery differs from a conventional limestone cave. You see colors and textures left by cooling lava, including lava stalactites, stalagmites, wall markings, and ice formations. The cave guide explains how the eruption shaped the tube and points out details that are easy to miss in the dim light.

Some of the cave lighting is limited, so your headlamp matters. The guide may also invite the group to switch off the lamps briefly on part of the return route. That small moment gives you a sense of how completely dark a lava tube can become.

The cave is chilly, even when Reykjavik feels mild. Bring a warm layer and wear shoes suitable for uneven ground. You should also be comfortable walking for about an hour and a half, with steps and low sections.

The cave guide is separate from the main driver-guide. Names have included Gareth and Jan on different departures, and the experience depends partly on who leads your group. The cave guides have been praised for making the geology clear and entertaining, rather than leaving you to stare at a hole in the ground.

The Guide Can Shape the Whole Day

The route has enough variety to work even with a quiet guide, but a good one improves every stop. Guides named in past departures include Monica, Thorri, Gulli, Filip, Christina, Walter, Bart, Addi, and Maria.

Their styles vary. Some focus on Icelandic stories and music, some bring food knowledge, and others leave more quiet time for scenery. Thorri, for example, has been noted for connecting the Reykholt site to the wider story of western Iceland, while Filip has used local stories and music to keep the long drives lively.

You should expect commentary throughout the day, but not constant talking. The best rhythm allows you to hear about geology and history, then simply watch the scenery through the window. Wi-Fi on the bus is a useful extra for checking maps, messages, or weather updates, though the real point of the ride is seeing the countryside.

How Hard Is the Day?

This is not a strenuous hiking tour, but it is not a fully passive sightseeing ride either. You walk at Glanni, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Reykholt, and Viðgelmir. The cave includes stairs, uneven surfaces, low ceilings, and a 90-minute underground visit.

Most people who can manage ordinary short walks should be able to take part. Still, winter ice changes the equation. Crampons can help at the waterfalls, but you should bring warm, wind-resistant, waterproof clothing and footwear with good grip.

The bus ride deserves an honest warning. Parts of the route can be bumpy, and one person with serious back pain found the ride very uncomfortable. If your back is sensitive, ask the operator about current vehicle and road conditions before booking.

Who Will Get the Most from This Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want more variety than the standard Golden Circle and prefer a quieter day. The horse farm, Snorralaug, and Viðgelmir make the route feel less predictable than a simple waterfall circuit.

It suits you especially well if you:

• Want to see western Iceland without renting a car
• Enjoy geology and volcanic scenery
• Like animals and local farm visits
• Prefer smaller groups to large coaches
• Want a guided cave visit with equipment included
• Can handle a long day with several short walks

I would hesitate if you dislike bus rides, have severe back pain, or want a relaxed spa day. Lunch is not included, and the route can feel full even though the stops are generally well timed.

Booking, Pickup, and Cancellation Details

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included within the Reykjavik capital area. Because large buses cannot enter some central streets, your pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop. Confirm the exact location after booking and be ready from 8:30 a.m.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is sent at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the tour depends on suitable weather, a cancellation by the operator due to poor conditions brings a choice of another date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Silver Circle Tour?

I would book it if you want a full, varied day with fewer crowds, a genuine farm visit, and a proper lava cave. The strongest moments are Sturlureykir, Hraunfossar, and Viðgelmir, with Deildartunguhver and Snorralaug adding useful context.

The $219 price is reasonable for the included transport, admissions, guide, and small-group format, though you should budget separately for lunch. Choose another tour if you want Iceland’s biggest classic waterfall, a hot-soak experience, or very little walking.

For an introduction to western Iceland that mixes natural power with local life, this is a smart choice. Just pack for wind, ice, cold cave air, and a bumpy road, then let the driver handle the route.

FAQ

How long does the Silver Circle tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start and pickup taking place between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels in the Reykjavik capital area. Some central locations may use the nearest bus stop because buses cannot enter certain streets.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is 19 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the day includes a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break. Food can be purchased separately.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee for Viðgelmir Lava Cave is included, along with the cave visit lasting about 90 minutes.

Are Icelandic horse farm visits included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir horse farm is included, and the visit lasts about 45 minutes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the tour starts.