Northern Lights Hike, Iceland — Reykjadalur Hot River

A Night Hike Like No Other

There are plenty of ways to chase the Northern Lights in Iceland. Most involve sitting in a bus, staring out a window, and hoping. This isn’t that. On this guided night hike, you walk into Reykjadalur, Steam Valley, under a headlamp, through a geothermal landscape alive with the scent of sulfur and the sound of bubbling springs, and arrive at a naturally heated river tucked between the hills. You change into your swimsuit, slip into warm mineral-rich water, and if the sky cooperates, you watch the Northern Lights ripple overhead while steam rises around you. No crowds, no buses, no city lights. Just your guide, a small group of up to 8, and one of Iceland’s most quietly extraordinary places.

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Steam Valley — A Geothermal Wonderland by Night

Reykjadalur is a geothermal paradise at any time of day. By night, it becomes something else entirely. The trail leads through steaming vents and bubbling hot springs, the darkness deepening the sense of otherworldliness. Native flora lines the path, nocturnal wildlife stirs in the shadows, and the landscape takes on a quiet, almost surreal character that daylight visitors never experience. Your local, certified mountain leader shares the geology and folklore of the valley as you walk, making the hour-long hike feel like far more than just a way to get to the river.

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Soak Beneath the Northern Lights

September and October are the sweet spot for this experience: dark enough for genuine aurora viewing, mild enough for a comfortable night hike. Reykjadalur sits well away from Reykjavik’s light pollution, giving you a clear, dark sky that dramatically increases your chances of seeing the lights. Soaking in the warm river while green and violet ribbons shift overhead is the kind of moment that’s genuinely hard to describe, and impossible to forget. Even on evenings when the aurora stays hidden, the Milky Way above Reykjadalur on a clear night is a spectacle in its own right.

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Stargazing in Iceland’s Quiet Wilderness

We can never guarantee the Northern Lights: they depend on solar activity and cloud cover, and Iceland’s weather does what it wants. What we can guarantee is a night hike through one of Iceland’s most beautiful geothermal valleys, a soak in naturally heated water, a sky free of light pollution, and a guide who knows this landscape intimately. On clear nights without aurora, the constellations shine with a clarity that most people have never seen. On aurora nights, you’ll have front-row seats with warm water around you and no one else in sight.

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What to Expect on the Night

The tour departs at 8 PM and returns around midnight. Pickup from Reykjavik is available for all participants: just select it during booking. Prefer to drive yourself? The hike starts in Hveragerði, about 40 minutes from Reykjavik. Directions sent the day before.

Your guide meets the group in Hveragerði and equips everyone with a headlamp before the briefing. The hike into Reykjadalur takes approximately one hour at a comfortable pace: gradual elevation gain through a trail that feels progressively wilder as the valley closes in around you. The scent of sulfur grows stronger, the steam vents become more visible in the torch light, and the sound of the river reaches you before you see it.

At the river, you’ll find a quiet spot to change and get in. The water temperature varies naturally, warm enough to be deeply comfortable, geothermal enough to feel genuinely special. You’ll spend around an hour at the river before the walk back out. The return hike at night, with the sky overhead and the valley behind you, is peaceful in a way that feels like a proper end to the evening. Back in Reykjavik around midnight. Total time including driving: around 4 hours.

Important: pack your swimsuit and towel, and bring a packed dinner or snack: you’ll want something to eat at the river.

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Is This Hike Right for You?

The Aurora hike is rated easy: 6 km with 330 m of elevation gain. It’s our most accessible tour and the only one suitable for ages 8 and up, making it a genuinely special option for families traveling with older children. The trail is well-defined and the pace is relaxed: if you can walk comfortably for an hour with some uphill, you’ll be perfectly fine.

Available in September and October only, when Iceland’s nights are dark enough for aurora viewing. If you’re visiting outside these months and want a night hike experience, get in touch and we’ll advise on the best alternative for your travel dates.

Not recommended for anyone with serious mobility limitations, as the trail involves uneven terrain and some steeper sections near the valley floor.

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Join Us for a Night You’ll Never Forget!

Whether you’re chasing the elusive Northern Lights, craving a peaceful retreat into nature, or seeking a romantic and rejuvenating soak in Iceland’s hot springs, this guided night hike to Reykjadalur delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Prepare for an unforgettable evening of wonder, warmth, and celestial beauty.

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REMEMBER TO TAKE WITH YOU:

1. Hiking shoes
2. Windproof jacket and pants
3. 0,5 L of water
4. Packed dinner
5. Cap and gloves
6. Swimsuit
7. Towel

Looking for more adventures? Discover our day hikes: Helgafell and the Lava Caves – Grimannsfell Adventure – Discover Moskardshnjukar

Learn more about hiking at night here and Reykjadalur with our friend Jórunn