10 Iceland lava caves (+ tunnels) to explore

Best Iceland lava caves - Introduction

Iceland offers some amazing lava fields and lava formations all around the country (see my favorites) but have you wondered what is under them?
In some areas, nature has sculpted some amazing creations: the lava caves, also known as lava tunnels. Visiting one of them is quite an  experience!

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#1 - Vidgelmir Cave - largest lave cave in Iceland

Why visit - Best features

Vidgelmir is my favorite lava cave in Iceland. It is a long lava tunnel, the largest in Iceland. It is quite impressive because of its size: 1585m long (1733 yards).
Plus at its largest section, it is over 16m wide and almost 16m tall (52ft).
It is really worth the detour with lots of fascinating shapes in the lava and friendly guides.
Plus, in Winter, water enters the cave and creates ice sculptures inside the cave. A wonderful contrast!

Location / How to get there

• On the Silver Circle, not far from the Hraunfossar waterfalls - see my Silver Circle article
• Unpaved road from Husafell - Shuttle available 
• Reykjavik to Husafell = 1h45 drive
• If you don't plan on driving, it is included is some 2 day trips from Reykjavik such as this one (see details) and in Winter, it can also be visited on a day trip from Reykjavik in combination with the Ice Tunnel - check out details and availability

Planning tips

• Entrance is only by guided tours
• At the office you will be given helmets to wear
• The tour from the office is 1h30
• Level of difficulty - it is quite an easy tour with overall flat walking and one staircase (easy) - family friendly
• Open all year round
• Number of visitors is limited
• Book your visit to be sure to have a spot

Where to stay 

• Borgarnes is where you will find the most options. It is a practical location if you want to do the Silver Circle on one day and the Snaefellsnes peninsula on another - Check out the best rated accommodations in Borgarnes
• I really enjoyed the Icelandair Hotel Hamar. The views from the room were beautiful and the food really nice - Check out photos and availability
• Otherwise if you want to stay more in nature, check out the accommodation options around Husafell

#2 - Vatnshellir Cave 

Why visit - Best features

This cave is a lot shorter (200m long - 218 yards), but it is impressive because of its height. It is 8000 years old.
Plus the advantage is that it is a short visit, that you can  easily access as you drive around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
It is not the most beautiful, but it you are limited in time this is a fantastic option to enter a lava cave!

Location / How to get there

• Located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, along the West shore
• Paved road access
• Reykjavik to Vatnshellir Cave = 2h30 drive
• Grundarfjordur to Vatnshellir Cave = 50min drive

Planning tips

• Entrance is only by guided tours
• At the office you will be given helmets to wear
• The tour from the office is 50min
• Level of difficulty - No technical difficulty, but there is a very tall circular staircase. People with strong vertigo might have difficulties
• Open all year round
• Number of visitors is limited
• Book your visit to be sure to have a spot

Where to stay 

• Kirkjufell is my absolute favorite location on the peninsula, so I recommend staying in Grundarfjordur right next to it, to go as many times as you want and during the best lights. You can check out the best accommodations in Grundarfjordur.

#3 - Raufarholshellir Cave (the Lava Tunnel) 

Why visit - Best features

Raufarholshellir is probably the most famous of all the caves because it is close to Reykjavik and day tours are offered just to the cave.
This is really a tube or tunnel (it is called the Lava tunnel) more than a cave. And it has 3 holes in its ceiling, which means you can enjoy natural light pouring in making it easier to see the lava and its colors.
Some photographers are really good at capturing this one, which is another reason why it has become one of the most popular.
It is 5000 years old.

Location / How to get there

• South West Iceland
• Reykjavik to Raufarholshellir Cave = 40min drive
• Short 10min detour from Road 1
• If you don't plan on driving, day trips are available from Reykjavik to go and enjoy it - Book your excursion

Planning tips

• Entrance only by guided tours
• At the office you will be given helmets to wear
• The tour from the office is 1h
• Level of difficulty - No technical difficulty, but the ground is uneven, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes
• Open all year round
• Number of visitors is limited
• Book your visit to be sure to have a spot

Where to stay 

• You are very close to Reykjavik - so, check out the best rated accommodations in Reykjavik
• Or if you want to stay out of the way by the water, check out the accommodations in the nearby Ölfus.

#4 - Leidarendi Cave

Why visit - Best features

Leidarendi is located in the Tvíbollahraun lava field. It is a very colorful cave with some interesting formations (red from iron, yellow from sulfur, and green from copper).
It is actually 2 caves created by 2 different eruptions (2000 and 1000 years ago).
And in Winter, this cave also has ice sculptures.

Contrary to the 3 first caves, this one is still raw without man-made structures to facilitate the visit.

Location / How to get there

• South West Iceland, close to the Blue Mountains
• Reykjavik to Leiðarendi lava cave = 30min drive
• Not far from Aurora Base Camp
• If you don't plan on driving, day trips are available from Reykjavik combining it with other great activities such as Silfra diving - See options

Planning tips

• Free entrance but due to the risk of visiting a lava tube, you should only visit with a guided tour that can give you proper equipment such as a helmet
• The tour from the Aurora Basecamp is 1h
• Level of difficulty - There is no man-made path. Plus, the ceilings are low. This is not very difficult, but it is not easy either. You will have to squat. Make sure to wear your helmet.
• Open all year round
• Book your visit with a guide

Where to stay 

• You are very close to Reykjavik - so, check out the best rated accommodations in Reykjavik

#5 - Thrihnukagigur Cave - Inside the volcano

Why visit - Best features

Thrihnukagigur (Þríhnjúkagígur) is for the adrenaline-looking visitors. This is not a cave. You are actually entering the magma chamber inside a volcano.
The volcano has been dormant for the last 4000 years and shows no sign of activity.
Maybe one of the most surprising things you could do in Iceland!
The activity is called Inside the Volcano: you get to hike through the lava field and to descend 120m (400ft) inside the chamber.

Location / How to get there

• South West Iceland
• Reykjavik to Thrihnukagigur = 35min
• However, the cave is only accessible by organized tour from Reykjavik with 2 options:
• A 6h tour with hike, descent and traditional soup - Check out program and book
• Or a descent combined with an helicopter ride to really make the day an unforgettable experience - Check out program and book

Planning tips

• Hiking is required
• Not available in Winter

#6 - Grjotagja lava cave and pool

Why visit - Best features

Grjotagja is a small lava cave created by a fissure in the crust.
It is filled with geothermally-heated water in a pool that is between a few centimeters and a few meters deep.

It used to be a popular bathing place until the volcanic activity in Krafla over the period 1975-1984 which caused the temperature of the water to rise. Now it is cooling down, but it is still between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius and bathing is forbidden.
Learn more on my article

Location / How to get there

• North Iceland, not far from lake Myvatn
• Gravel road
• From Reykjahlíð (village East of lake Myvatn) take road 1 towards the East (Egilsstaðir). After about 1 km take exit to gravel road 860 where Grjótagjá is clearly indicated. This is accessible to 2WD and there is a large carpark in front.

Planning tips

• It is on private land - the opening and closure is decided by the landowner. It has been closed a lot recently because of the high impact of visitors. You will have to drive by to see if it is open
• There are 2 entrances to the cave. Both require that you climb down a small wall of big rocks. It is not too difficult, but I do not recommended for people with knee problems.
• Be aware that the roof is not stable
• Bathing is forbidden
• Check out the best rated accommodations in the area.

#7 - Lofthellir Cave

Why visit - Best features

Lofthellir is a 370m long lava tube (400 yards). It was formed 35000 years ago and is located in the lava field Laxardalshraun.
It is famous in winter for its ice sculptures. This is truly an ice cave (and not a glacier cave).

Location / Planning tips

• North Iceland, near lake Myvatn
• Hiking required from parking near Mount Hvannfell - 30min
• Floor has water and ice
• Crawling is required
  
• You should not enter without a guide - see guided tour

#8 to #11 - Other caves

#8 - Búri Cave

On the Reykjanes peninsula, Buri cave is 1km long and has a 17m (55ft) deep lava pit: an incredible feature. It is around 5000 years old but was discovered only in 2005!
However the site needs protection, and the cave has been closed in 2014. Maybe tours will be organized (but note that it requires crawling and difficult hiking).

#9 - Surtshellir lava cave - West Iceland

Located in West Iceland, Surtshellir is in the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Part of it has very low ceiling and is famous for its ice sculptures.
It is located in the same area as Vidgelmir (#1) but more inland into the lava field.
Access is via a rough path. 

#10 - Mariuhellar Caves

The 3 caves are located in the Heidmork Nature Reserve, very close to Reykjavik (15min drive).
They are very easy to access surrounded by grassy lava land. One is close to the road: Urridakotshellir. The others are Vífilsstadahellir and Draugahellir.
Access is free. It can be fun to explore but they are not as beautiful as the ones listed before. Make sure to bring flashlight and helmet.

#11 - Gjabakkahellir Cave

This cave located in the Thingvellir National Park, and also known as Helguhellir or Stelpuhellir, formed 9000 years ago.
It offers beautiful lava formations and ice sculptures.
Access is free. Make sure to have proper hiking boots, warm clothes, helmet and torch. Access is via a very very small hole and visit requires hiking over big boulders.

Geology Intro - how do lava caves / tubes form?

If you are wondering a little about how they formed, here is a quick geological introduction (more in-depth explanations here):

Lava tubes form from a lava flow. The river of lava cools down from the outside, forming a crust, while the lava still flows under it.

When the supply of lava stops (at the end of an eruption or if the lava is diverted), the lava drains downslope and leaves the tunnels empty beneath the ground.
Those tunnels are only discovered when part of the roof collapses, creating an entrance.

Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?

• 45 most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures - read article
• The best stops on the Ring Road - read article
• The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland - read article
• 21 most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - read article
• Top 5 places to see around Myvatn - read article
• 5 best lava fields in Iceland - read article
• The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland - read article

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