Explore this 8,000-year-old lava cave by booking this exciting tour to Vatnshellir Cave, found in the forever-sublime Snæfellsjökull National Park. This tour is perfect for thrill seekers, nature lovers and those travellers looking to experience something truly unique whilst in Iceland!
Given that this cave has only been open to the public since 2011, you can be guaranteed that this is one of Iceland's most exciting new activities. Vatnshellir can be located just 10-minutes drive from the village of Hellnar, making it easily accessible to those travelling through the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
You'll receive all the necessary gear (ie; a helmet and headlamp) to help you see deep below the earth. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the volcanic rock beneath your feet can be quite difficult to traverse! When everyone is ready, there is a spiral staircase to descend into this naturally formed underworld.
You will follow the path of the lava flow, about 200 meters into the cave, 35 metres below the surface, to see some truly amazing colours and lava formations. The cave is an easy walk, but the ground is sharp and uneven, so children age 5 and up are welcome, as are visitors in good health and physical fitness - the tour provider prefers everyone on the tour to be able to walk unassisted!
At the bottom of the cave, you'll turn off your lights for a moment to experience the all-consuming darkness! In the modern era, we are used to having easy access to light, so it can be startling to imagine life before electricity! After feeling a little spooked, you will proceed to explore a number of chambers hidden within the cave.
Throughout the tour, your guide will be eager to tell you all about the bursting eruption which cracked the earth open to form this cave, as well as the folklore woven into the fabric of the peninsula.
So what are you waiting for? Don't miss this opportunity to see the strange, subterranean beauty of Vatnshellir cave! Check the booking availability by choosing a date.
If you have any special requirements, please inform the tour operator as quickly as possible. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts