ATV with the Landowners
An exclusive ATV experience on private land, hosted by the landowners, descendants of a family that has farmed this area since the year 1300. This is not a public trail; it is a 2-hour journey through their own backyard. You will navigate winding riverbeds and cross the glacial Morsá river, all entirely within the boundaries of their historic estate in Skaftafell.
Overview
The Estate
Most ATV tours in Iceland run on public trails shared with every other operator in the area. This one runs on private land that has been in the same family since the year 1300. The terrain sits below Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, where braided riverbeds, black sand flats, and glacier-eroded landscapes stretch out beneath the shadow of Öræfajökull. The trails you ride were originally forged for gathering sheep, stringing electric lines, and laying communication cables across the outwash plains. Some of them follow paths linked to the centuries-old search for the gold ship Het Wapen van Amsterdam, a Dutch vessel lost off this coast.
The Ride
The route begins on the sand flats and descends into the riverbeds that carve through the glacial outwash. The highlight is the crossing of the Morsá, a glacial river that changes depth and course with the seasons. Your guides know exactly where to cross and when to hold back. Further along, you cross Skeiðarárbrú, a historic bridge damaged by a catastrophic glacial flood, a reminder of the raw power of the ice looming above you. On the return, the glacier fills the horizon. Some trails wash out in spring floods and winter storms, so the route is never quite the same twice.
The Local Difference
Your guides are the landowners, descendants of the family that has worked this land for over seven centuries. If the group is curious, they will share the history of every riverbed and ruin along the way. If the group just wants to ride, they ride. Either way, you are on private terrain that no other operator can access, with people who know exactly where the river is safe to cross and where the trail washed out last winter. This is for travelers who want the ride and the story behind it. It is not for those who just want to go fast.
Included
- 2-hour guided ATV tour
- Professional local guides (the landowners)
- Exclusive access to private trails
- Helmet with face shield
- Balaclava, insulated waterproof overalls, gloves, hand warmers
What to Bring
- Valid Driver’s License (Mandatory for the driver)
- Sturdy boots (Preferably waterproof with proper ankle support)
- Warm layers and socks (Wear thermal/ warm clothing under the provided overalls)
Meeting Point
Skaftafell Vatnajökull
Meet on Location
Meeting point is located in Skaftafell near Vatnajökull National Park (4.5+ hour drive from Reykjavík). Specific location will be given upon booking. We ask that you kindly arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
Reviews(10)
Incredible trip and the guides/owners were incredible! Friendly, helpful and just all around amazing. The trip was beautiful and really fun. It had something for everyone, great scenery, off reading through rivers, speeding through sand dunes. It's fun for all ages. They also take time to make sure that everyone is comfortable and give time for pictures and to just take in the breathtaking scenery.
10/10 can not recommend this enough!
Even if you’ve never driven an ATV before, this tour is a great choice! The guides were super friendly and explained everything clearly, so you feel confident from the start. We had an awesome time riding through rivers, crossing an old bridge with great views, and enjoying the beautiful nature around us. Definitely could recommend!
The quad tour was an absolutely amazing experience! I can highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys adrenaline and adventure. Our guides, Siggi and Eyrún, were fantastic and made the whole trip even more enjoyable. Everything was perfectly organized. The absolute highlight for me was crossing the river – truly unforgettable!BÁra
We enjoyed every minute of this ATV tour. The guides explained to us how to use the ATVs and made sure we were safe at all times. The route was very diverse (sand, stones, slopes, riverbeds, old bridge) and we had a blast, even as beginners! The guides also introduced us to the history and Skaftafell and the surroundings, which made you feel connected to the place.
We recently went on an amazing ATV tour as a family, consisting of two adults and our 11-year-old son. We chose the longer tour, and it was absolutely fantastic. The landscape was unique, with breathtaking views that we’ll never forget. The ATVs were in excellent condition, and the rental provided all necessary clothing and safety gear, which made us feel secure throughout the adventure. Overall, this experience was thrilling and memorable, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for an outdoor adventure in Iceland!