Adrenalin Adventure Park Travel Guide

Cargo net on the ropes course, Nesjavellir

Adrenalin Adventure Park (Adrenalíngarðurinn) is a high-ropes course at Nesjavellir, in the geothermal valley on the south side of Hengill, about 35 minutes east of Reykjavík and a short drive south of Þingvellir National Park.

Built on tall timber poles beside the Nesjavellir power plant road, it is, by the operator's account, the only high-ropes course of its kind in Iceland: roughly 50 obstacles on three levels, an 85-metre zipline, a quick-jump free-fall and a 12-metre giant swing.

It is run by Adrenalin, a Reykjavík adventure operator, and is aimed at families and groups rather than hardened climbers.

Key Takeaways About Adrenalíngarðurinn

• High-ropes course on timber poles at Nesjavellir with about 50 obstacles on three levels (1 m, 5 m, 10 m), an 85 m zipline, a quick-jump free-fall and a 12 m giant swing
• About 44 km / 35 minutes from Reykjavík via paved Road 435, next to the ION Adventure Hotel; about 21 km from Þingvellir via Roads 36 and 360
• Open daily 1 June–31 August (last booking 16:00); weekends in May and September; groups by arrangement in shoulder months
• Minimum age 6; children 6–9 need an adult on the course; harness limit 130 kg; bad weather can close the course
• Book in advance (July and August are busiest); the GTI tour includes all three levels, the zipline and the free-fall

Why visit Adrenalin Adventure Park

The course is laid out on three tiers at roughly 1 m, 5 m and 10 m above the ground, so children, nervous beginners and people who want a real challenge can all pick a line that suits them. The obstacles, including cargo nets and rope elements strung between the poles, finish with the 85 m zipline.

The operator describes the obstacles as ranging from light to demanding, testing balance, strength, concentration and teamwork; since a 2021 change to the belay system, two people can be on an obstacle at the same time and help each other across.

Two extras stand apart from the course. The Giant Swing (Risarólan) lifts you to 12 metres and drops you into a long pendulum; the operator describes it as the highest in Iceland. The Tower (Staurinn) is a 12 m pole offered to groups; a quick-jump free-fall descent is included with the standard course ticket.

Safety is handled with an Edelrid Smart Belay X continuous belay system, which uses magnetic carabiners so that you are never unclipped from the cable while on the course. A full-body harness, helmet and belay gear are provided.

The park is a member of the European Ropes Course Association. Expect to spend one to two hours on the course depending on how busy it is and how far you want to push.

The setting adds to it. Nesjavellir is a rift valley with steam rising from the hillsides, lava underfoot, and Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake, a few minutes' drive north. From the top level you look across the valley to the slopes of Hengill.

Zipline at Adrenalin Adventure Park

How to get to Adrenalin Adventure Park

From Reykjavík, take Route 1 east toward Selfoss and, about 3 km past Rauðavatn, turn left onto Road 435 (Nesjavallaleið). Follow it over the shoulder of Hengill and down into the valley.

At the junction with Road 360 turn right, then right again after about 1 km toward Nesjavallavirkjun power plant; the park is about 1 km from the plant, next to the ION Adventure Hotel. The drive is about 38 km from the city's edge and takes around 35 minutes.

From Þingvellir, take Road 36 west and then Road 360 south along the west shore of Þingvallavatn, about 21 km in all; Road 360 was fully paved in 2025.

Road 435 is paved but crosses high ground and can close in heavy snow; the park's season avoids most of that. The car park is about 100 m from the course. The address for sat-nav is Nesjavellir, 805 Selfoss.

Best time to visit

The park opens daily from 1 June to 31 August, from around midday to 18:00, with the last booking at 16:00. In May and September individuals can visit on Saturdays and Sundays, 13:00–18:00, and groups can book any day.

From March to April and October to November it opens for groups by arrangement only. The operator lists no opening from December to February. Bad weather, especially strong wind, can close the course.

Course poles at Nesjavellir

Safety and practical tips

• Minimum age is 6. Children aged 6–9 must be accompanied on the course by an adult, as they often cannot reach the safety cables on their own.
• Harnesses are certified for weights up to 130 kg.
• Closed shoes and clothes you can move in are sensible; leave loose items in the car.
• Summer prices at the time of writing were 6,900 ISK for adults (16+) and 4,900 ISK for children 6–15 for the course, zipline and quick jump; the Giant Swing is 2,000 ISK with a course ticket or 3,500 ISK on its own. Check adrenalin.is for current rates.
• The operator asks all visitors to book in advance; July and August are the busiest months.
• There is a heated service building with a dry toilet and free tea and coffee, but no other refreshments; you can eat a packed lunch inside. The nearest restaurant is at the ION Adventure Hotel, about 700 m away.
• Contact the park through adrenalin.is if the weather looks doubtful.