Hengill Geothermal Helicopter Tour from Reykjavik

Tour Overview

Step into Iceland’s geothermal heart on this Hengill Geothermal Helicopter Tour from Reykjavík. This short yet powerful helicopter experience takes you over lava fields, volcanic terrain, and steaming geothermal vents before landing in one of Iceland’s most active geothermal regions.

Perfect for travellers short on time, this tour covers a fire part of Fire & Ice experience without long drives or demanding hikes. In under an hour, you’ll witness the forces that shape Iceland beneath the surface.

Gates of Fire: The Hengill Volcanic System

The Hengill volcanic system lies approximately 40 km (25 miles) east of Reykjavík, directly along the Mid-Atlantic Rift where tectonic plates slowly pull apart. While Hengill has not erupted for nearly 2,000 years, the geothermal energy beneath the surface remains intense.

The area is defined by:

• Steaming hot springs

• Boiling mud pools

• Geothermal vents

• Rugged volcanic landscapes

Hengill also plays a crucial role in Iceland’s renewable energy network, with nearby power plants providing geothermal heat and electricity to the capital region.

Why Visit Hengill by Helicopter?

Reaching Hengill by road requires rough terrain, long hikes, and limited access. A helicopter tour offers a safer, faster, and more immersive way to explore this geothermal region.

A helicopter flight allows you to:

• Reach Hengill quickly from Reykjavík

• Access remote geothermal terrain safely

• Enjoy aerial views impossible from the ground

• Land directly in an active geothermal area

This tour is ideal for families, photographers, and first-time visitors looking for a compact but unforgettable experience.

What You’ll See from the Helicopter

Shortly after departure, Reykjavík’s colorful rooftops, coastline, and landmarks unfold beneath you. As the helicopter heads inland, the landscape rapidly transforms into volcanic highlands.

Aerial highlights may include:

• Hellisheiði Plateau

• Hengill Geothermal Area

• Nesjavallavirkjun geothermal plant

• Hellisheiðarvirkjun power station

• Bláfjöll mountain range

• Lava fields marked by steam vents

On clear days, you may also enjoy distant views of Þingvellir National Park from the air.

Geothermal Landing at Hengill

After landing, step into an active geothermal environment where steam rises directly from the ground and warm air contrasts with the surrounding mountain climate.

During your landing, you’ll experience:

• Boiling mud pots

• Colorful geothermal pools

• Steam vents cutting through volcanic rock

• Wide, untouched wilderness

In winter, snow-covered terrain combined with rising steam creates a dramatic fire and ice contrast unique to Iceland.

Kristnitökuhraun Lava Field (Aerial)

On the return flight, enjoy a scenic pass over the Kristnitökuhraun lava field, formed during historical eruptions and preserved as a frozen volcanic landscape.

The flight concludes with sweeping views back toward Reykjavík and the surrounding coastline.

Tour Details

• Meeting point: ACE FBO Reykjavík

• Total flight time: 50–60 minutes

• Landing time: Approx. 20–25 minutes

• Distance from Reykjavík: 40 km / 25 miles

• Age: 2+

• Season: All year

• Minimum passengers: 4

Why Book This Helicopter Tour?

This is one of the closest and most powerful geothermal helicopter tours from Reykjavík. Short, intense, and unforgettable, it delivers Iceland’s volcanic energy in under an hour.

If you want to feel the heat beneath Iceland’s surface, this tour delivers.

➡️ Looking for more landings?
Explore the Landmarks from Above Helicopter Tour or the Ice & Fire Helicopter Tour Iceland.