Adventurous 3-Hour Raufarholshellir Lava Caving Tour

Plumb the depths of a fascinating lava tube on this caving tour. You will spend three to four full hours exploring Raufarhólshellir, making this one of the most adventurous and immersive caving tours available in Iceland.

You can meet your guide at Raufarhólshellir cave, but the site is just about 35 kilometres outside the city. This lava tube is only about half an hour's drive from Reykjavík, near the geothermal town of Hveragerði.

Once your group is all gathered, you’ll be provided with the equipment you need: a helmet, torch, gloves and crampons if necessary. All you need to bring are sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, for the uneven ground, and warm clothes, as the cave is between freezing and four degrees Celsius year round. Dressing in layers in highly recommended.

You may also wish to bring a camera and a water bottle; after all, three hours is a long time to be without a drink, especially considering that this trip is rather active.

You will be blown away by the beauty of this lava tube as soon as you enter it. The colouration of the rocks, caused by minerals churned up in the eruption that created the cave, is breathtaking, and the shapes the lava forms are incredible. If you visit during the winter months, you will also get to see beautiful ice formations, hanging from the ceiling and rising from the ground.

The early part of the cave has a man-made walkway to help you through. However, you will soon leave it for the rocky ground, which becomes more rugged the deeper you get. It is not the easiest to traverse, but it adds to the sense of adventure for those in good shape.

In spite of the uneven ground, there is no crawling or climbing required anywhere in Raufarhólshellir. One of the great advantages of this cave is the fact that it is so open; the paths are wide and the ceiling high. This makes the trip a lot more comfortable for those who dislike confined spaces.

Another great trait of this cave is its length. Almost 1.4 kilometres long, it is one of Iceland's longest caves that is possible to tour. You will find no shortage of things to see and paths to take over the time you will spend here.

Your expert guide will tell you all about how the cave formed, and the volcanism of Iceland, as you travel. The fascinating geology all around you will illustrate their commentary.

After you have fully explored Raufarhólshellir, you will exit back into the open world and fresh air. By the time you emerge, you will no doubt be an expert on Iceland's lava tubes, and eager to adventure underground again.

Don’t miss this affordable, extreme excursion in the hidden, secret world of a lava tube. Grab your hiking boots and come exploring. Check availability by choosing a date.