Lava Cave Experience, Golden Circle

Name: Lava Cave Experience, Golden Circle
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

5.0 (3 reviews)

Follow an expert guide along easy-to-navigate paths and walkways as you explore Víðgelmir, Iceland's largest lava cave.

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Jenna S.

Aug 23, 2023
The lava cave was really awesome. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about how the lava tube was created and took the time to answer questions... Read more

Jennifer B.

Jul 10, 2023
This was a fun tour. The cave was super interesting and the guide was so educated on the history. We all loved this.

See all reviews

Overview

Experience the thrill of caving in a safe and family-friendly way with a guided exploration of Víðgelmir, Iceland's largest lava cave. Located beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field in West Iceland, this geological wonder stretches for almost a mile underground, with a series of wooden walkways, well-maintained paths, and state-of-the-art lighting built throughout. This 1.5-hour excursion takes you deep underground as you don a helmet and headlight and follow an expert guide through soaring chambers and narrow caverns lined with giant stalactites and stalagmites.

Highlights

Explore Iceland's largest lava cave with a guided walk along underground walkways and paths
Discover facts about the cave's fascinating geology and Viking history from your expert guide
Marvel at the vibrant colors and unusual rock formations illuminated by state-of-the-art lighting
Learn more about how the cave was formed by cooling lava from a 10th-century CE eruption

Know before you go

Duration
1.5 hours

Recommended for
All ages

Group
Group tour, 32 people or less

What you'll do

Your lava cave adventure starts when you arrive at the site's visitor center, located about an hour's drive east of Borgarnes and 15 minutes north of Húsafell. Make sure you're dressed warmly and wearing comfortable walking shoes, then grab a helmet and headlight and follow your expert geologist guide and the rest of your small group as you descend into the cave's depths. During this 1.5-hour exploration, you'll traverse purpose-built walkways and paths that make navigating the cave easy even for families and non-hikers.

Glimpse fascinating geological features like stalactites, stalagmites, and lava crystals, and learn about how Iceland's largest lava cave stretches for almost a mile underground and reaches depths of 5,250 feet (1,600 m), with ceilings as high as 52 feet (16 m) in some portions. Your guide will explain how the tube-like structure was formed by cooling lava during a massive volcanic eruption in the 10th century CE, and share stories of its importance throughout the country's human history, including the discovery of Viking Age artifacts now on display at the Iceland National Museum.

Start times

Monday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Tuesday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Wednesday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Thursday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Friday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm
Saturday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Sunday

10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm

What's included

Professional geologist guide
Helmet
Headlamp

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Traveler reviews

3 total ratings, 2 with reviews

5.0

Feature ratings

Quality of Experience
5.0

Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0

Transport
5.0

Jenna S.

Largo, FL | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2023

The lava cave was really awesome. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about how the lava tube was created and took the time to answer questions along the way. It was an amazing adventure and was very family friendly Read more

Jennifer B.

East Tremont, NY | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

This was a fun tour. The cave was super interesting and the guide was so educated on the history. We all loved this. Read more

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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