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

Viðgelmir Lava Cave is the star here, but the best part of this Silver Circle tour is the mix of experiences around it. In one day, you move from waterfalls pouring out of old lava, to Europe’s highest-flow hot spring, to a family horse farm where rye bread is baked with geothermal heat.

I like the quieter roads and the personal horse-farm visit. I also like the way the stops balance scenery, Icelandic history, food, and geology instead of giving you seven versions of the same waterfall. The tradeoff is a long day with some bumpy driving, icy paths in cold weather, and a cave that can feel chilly and physically demanding.

Key points to know before booking

• Viðgelmir Lava Cave takes about 90 minutes: Expect hard hats, headlamps, low ceilings, colorful lava formations, and a walk into one of Iceland’s largest lava tubes.
• The horse farm is more than a photo stop: At Sturlureykir, you can meet the horses, learn about the family farm, and taste geothermal rye bread with a drink.
• Hraunfossar is unusual: Water streams out from beneath a lava field for roughly 900 meters rather than dropping from one single cliff.
• This is a quieter alternative to Iceland’s busiest day routes: Several stops usually feel more peaceful than the Golden Circle, though conditions and group size vary.
• You get a lot for $219: Pickup, transport, Wi-Fi, a guide, the horse farm, and Viðgelmir admission are included, but lunch is extra.
• Plan for Icelandic footing: Waterproof clothing, warm layers, sturdy shoes, and traction for icy paths will make the day much easier.

Why the Silver Circle feels different from the Golden Circle

The Silver Circle covers a less famous part of West Iceland, and that changes the mood. You still get dramatic waterfalls, hot water, volcanic geology, and a strong sense of Icelandic culture, but the day usually feels less like a procession from one crowded viewpoint to the next.

You leave Reykjavik at about 9:00 am and spend roughly two hours reaching the first main stop. That drive is not wasted time. Your guide may fill it with Icelandic stories, music, local geography, and background on the places ahead, or simply let you watch the scenery and rest.

The vehicle holds no more than 19 people, which is a useful middle ground. You avoid driving yourself on unfamiliar roads, but you are not locked into a huge coach experience. Wi-Fi is available onboard, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the Reykjavik capital area.

Pickup runs from about 8:30 to 9:00 am. Central Reykjavik has restrictions on bus traffic, so your pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop rather than directly outside your hotel. If you choose to meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð, you need to arrive before 8:20 am.

Glanni Waterfall and the first taste of West Iceland

Glanni Waterfall is a short first stop in the Bifrost area. It is not Iceland’s biggest waterfall, and it does not try to compete with Gullfoss in sheer force. Its appeal is the setting: a quieter river scene where you can start the day with open views and fresh air.

The walk is brief, but cold-weather footing matters. A path can be icy, especially in winter or during shoulder seasons. On some departures, crampons have been supplied for the walk, but I would still pack sturdy shoes and not depend entirely on borrowed gear.

A useful extra has sometimes been included nearby: a short climb around a volcanic cone. It is not listed as a guaranteed stop, so do not book the tour expecting it, but if conditions and timing allow, it can provide wide views from the crater rim. Wind can be fierce there, so windproof trousers and a jacket are practical, not fancy extras.

Deildartunguhver, where the ground sends up 100-degree water

At Deildartunguhver, you see geothermal power in a raw and forceful form. The spring produces about 180 liters of water per second at roughly 100 degrees Celsius, making it the highest-flow hot spring in Europe.

This is not a bathing stop. You follow paths near a series of vents and watch hot water surge from the earth. Stay behind the barriers and follow your guide’s instructions. The water is dangerously hot, and the steam and noise make the site feel more powerful than a simple roadside photo stop.

The visit lasts about 20 minutes, which is about right. There is enough time to see the vents and take pictures without turning the stop into a long wait. It also sets up one of the day’s central themes: Iceland’s geothermal heat is not just a natural curiosity. People use it to warm homes, heat buildings, and even bake bread.

Sturlureykir Horse Farm and geothermal rye bread

For many people, Sturlureykir becomes the most personal stop of the day. Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and friendly, and at this farm you can get close to them rather than simply photographing animals behind a roadside fence.

The visit lasts about 45 minutes. You may see the horses in their stable and outdoors, learn about the family’s breeding program, and hear how the farm works. The family has been connected with the property for generations, and the owner has described the farm, the animals, and local life directly to visitors.

The geothermal bread is the memorable touch. Rye bread, called rúgbrauð, is baked using heat from a private hot spring. You can taste it with coffee, hot chocolate, or water, depending on the visit. One especially appealing part of the experience is seeing how the hot spring also helps heat the house and stables.

This stop gives the tour something a standard sightseeing route cannot: a direct look at a working Icelandic farm. You are not simply checking Icelandic horses off a list. You are seeing how animals, food, family life, and geothermal energy fit together.

Snorralaug and the story of Snorri Sturluson

At Reykholt, the tour pauses at Snorralaug, a small hot spring linked to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval poet, historian, and political figure. The pool has been associated with local use since the 12th century and appears in medieval writing connected with Snorri.

The stop takes about 20 minutes. It is not a large archaeological complex, so the value depends on the guide’s explanation. Guides such as Thorri have been praised for making this quiet place meaningful through stories about Snorri and the village.

I like this pause because it keeps the day from becoming only a nature tour. Iceland’s scenery is dramatic, but its written traditions and old settlements add another layer. Snorralaug is small and easy to overlook if you drive past on your own. With a guide, it becomes a quick but worthwhile connection to Iceland’s medieval culture.

Hraunfossar, the waterfall that comes from the lava

Hraunfossar is one of the most distinctive stops. Instead of one river dropping over a single cliff, countless streams appear to flow out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field and run into the river below.

The waterfall series stretches for about 900 meters. The lava formed roughly 1,000 years ago during an eruption beneath Langjökull glacier, and water now finds its way through the porous rock before emerging along the riverbank. That is why Hraunfossar is often called the Lava Waterfalls.

You get around 30 minutes here, enough for several viewpoints. Short paths lead along the river, and a bridge offers another angle. In icy conditions, these paths can be slippery. Waterproof shoes and extra care are worthwhile, particularly if you want to move between viewing points.

Hraunfossar is not a substitute for Gullfoss if your goal is maximum volume and thunder. It is more delicate and spread out. I prefer it for the unusual geology and the way the water seems to come from inside the lava itself.

Barnafoss and the story behind its name

Barnafoss is only a short walk from Hraunfossar, but it has a different character. The water rushes through a narrow channel with a stronger, faster feel than the nearby lava-fed falls.

Its name means waterfall of the children. Local tradition tells of two children who fell from a natural stone bridge while crossing the river. Their grieving mother is said to have ordered the bridge destroyed.

The story is stark, and your guide can put it in context without turning the stop into a simple photo opportunity. You have about 30 minutes for Barnafoss and the nearby viewpoints, so the two waterfalls work well as a pair.

A lunch stop follows in the wider area. Lunch is not included in the $219 price, but there is time to buy food, and one option has been an all-you-can-eat soup and bread meal or a buffet in a rustic cafe. Carrying a small snack is still sensible, since the tour schedule and available menu can vary.

Entering Viðgelmir Lava Cave

The final major stop is Viðgelmir Lava Cave, a lava tube nearly 1,600 meters long and one of the largest in Iceland. The guided visit lasts about an hour and a half, making it the most substantial activity of the day.

First, you receive a safety briefing and equipment. Hard hats are used for low ceilings and narrow passages, and headlamps help you see where fixed lighting does not reach. The entrance area may include rock displays, maps, restrooms, and snacks before you walk across the exposed lava field to the stairs leading underground.

Inside, the cave feels different from a conventional limestone cave. Its walls show the marks of cooling lava, and the formations include lava stalactites, stalagmites, and striking colors. In cold conditions, you might also see ice formations. The cave guides, including names such as Gareth and Jan on different departures, have been praised for clear explanations and a good sense of humor.

This is a guided walk, not a technical caving expedition, but it still demands attention. You may bend under low sections, walk on uneven ground, and spend a long period underground. The cave can feel chilly even after a day of sightseeing, so keep a warm layer with you instead of leaving everything on the vehicle.

One playful part of the visit can be walking with headlamps switched off for a short stretch. Only do this when the cave guide says it is safe. The darkness helps you understand how little light reaches the interior, but you should follow instructions closely.

What the $219 price really covers

At $219 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one or two Icelandic sights. It is a full-day route with several included admissions and no need to rent a car, navigate rural roads, or plan the timing yourself.

The price includes:

• Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off
• Transport in a Wi-Fi-equipped vehicle
• A professional guide
• Admission to Sturlureykir horse farm
• Admission and guided access at Viðgelmir Lava Cave

Lunch is extra, and there is also a coffee break in the afternoon. Since the route lasts about 10 hours, budget for a meal and possibly a snack.

I consider the value good if you want variety. The horse farm and cave admissions alone add experiences that are not free roadside stops, while the guide connects geology, Icelandic history, farming, and local stories. The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed waterfall tour or dislike long drives on rough rural roads.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The guide can shape this tour more than the route itself. Different departures have featured guides including Monica, Filip, Gulli, Thorri, Walter, Christina, Maria, and Addi. The strongest guide experiences described include lively Icelandic stories, well-timed stops, music, humor, and a good balance between talking and quiet driving.

That does not mean every guide will have the same style. You may get someone energetic and chatty, or someone more reserved. The cave has a separate guide, so the quality of the underground explanation does not depend entirely on the driver.

With a maximum of 19 people, the group is small enough for a more personal horse-farm visit and easier movement at viewpoints. Some departures may be only half full, while others may feel more compact. A smaller vehicle also makes it easier to store winter coats and small bags on empty seats when space allows.

The road quality is the main comfort concern. Rural Iceland can be rough, and one long section toward the first stop takes about two hours. If you have serious back pain or are highly sensitive to repeated jolts, this may not be your best day tour.

Who should book this Silver Circle tour

I would choose this tour if you want several kinds of Iceland in one day:

• Waterfalls with very different shapes and origins
• Geothermal activity beyond a bathing pool
• A working Icelandic horse farm
• A small but meaningful historic site
• A substantial lava cave visit
• A route with fewer crowds than the most famous southern circuits

It suits nature lovers who do not want to drive. It also works well for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to western Iceland without spending several nights outside Reykjavik.

You should think twice if you want a slow day. Seven main stops, lunch, hotel transfers, and a 90-minute cave visit make this a full schedule. It is not frantic, and several stops are short, but you will spend much of the day moving between places.

The tour requires ordinary walking ability, careful footing, and comfort with stairs, uneven paths, and a cave environment. Most people can take part, but winter weather can make short walks harder than they look.

Practical details that will improve the day

Wear waterproof outer layers. The waterfalls can spray, the paths can be wet, and Icelandic weather can change quickly. Add warm layers for the cave, even if Reykjavik feels mild.

Use sturdy shoes with good grip. If the paths are icy, traction aids are useful. Some departures have provided crampons, but conditions are not fixed, so arrive prepared.

Keep your phone charged for photos, but take advantage of the Wi-Fi if you need to check messages during the long drive. Bring a snack and money or a card for lunch, since food is not included.

The tour offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a rescheduled date or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a varied, lower-crowd day with a real sense of place. The horse farm, geothermal bread, Snorralaug, and Viðgelmir make it more interesting than a simple waterfall loop, and the $219 cost is reasonable once transport and admissions are counted.

Skip it if bumpy roads, cold underground spaces, or a 10-hour schedule sound unpleasant. For the right person, though, this is one of the better ways to see West Iceland without a rental car. Pack for wind, ice, and a chilly cave, then let the guide handle the route.

FAQ

How long does the Silver Circle tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours, beginning at about 9:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels in the Reykjavik capital area. In central Reykjavik, the pickup may be from the nearest designated bus stop because buses cannot enter some streets.

What time should I be ready for pickup?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 am. You should be ready at your pickup point from 8:30 and look for a bus with red NICE Travel logos.

Can I meet the tour at the Nicetravel office?

Yes. You can meet at the Nicetravel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavik. You must notify Nicetravel and arrive before 8:20 am.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the tour provides time for a lunch stop. A coffee break is also offered in the afternoon.

Is admission to Viðgelmir Lava Cave included?

Yes. The admission fee and guided visit to Viðgelmir Lava Cave are included.

How long is the cave visit?

The cave visit lasts approximately one and a half hours.

Is the visit to the horse farm included?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 19 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.