Informasjon om Thvottahellir Cave

Inside Þvottahellir cave. Photo: Olikristinn, CC BY 3.0

Þvottahellir ("Laundry Cave" or "Washing Cave") is a small natural cave in Botnsdalur valley at the head of Hvalfjörður fjord in West Iceland, on the hiking trail to Glymur, Iceland's second-tallest waterfall.

The trail passes straight through it: you duck in at one opening and come out at another, a few minutes before the river crossing over Botnsá. The name records its old use.

According to the place-name record for the farm Stóri-Botn, written down by Þórmundur Erlingsson, laundry was sometimes dried in this cave in bad weather.

Key Takeaways About Þvottahellir

• Short natural cave the Glymur trail passes straight through, in the Botnsá gorge of Botnsdalur, Hvalfjörður.
• Named for laundry from the Stóri-Botn farm being dried here in wet weather (Stóri-Botn place-name record).
• About 20-30 minutes' walk from the free Glymur car park, just before the summer log crossing of Botnsá.
• Several openings, so no torch needed; a path goes around the outside.
• Trail season is roughly June to September, when the log bridge is in place.

The cave lies in the west wall of the Botnsá river gorge, before the trail crosses the river, east of the grassy hollow called Gamlistekkur (the old sheep fold), at about 64.382°N, 21.270°W.

Why visit Þvottahellir

Þvottahellir is not a destination in itself; nobody drives to Hvalfjörður only for it. It is one of the moments that give the Glymur hike its character. The trail leaves the car park through low birch scrub, climbs gently, and then disappears into the hillside.

The cave has more than one opening, so daylight comes in from both ends and no torch is needed; it is a short passage rather than a tunnel, and most people are through it in under a minute. There is a path around the outside for anyone who prefers not to go in.

What makes it worth a pause is the human story. Botnsdalur was farmland, and a dry, sheltered rock chamber in a valley this wet was useful enough to earn a name. The Icelandic place-name register (IS 50V) still carries the note that laundry was dried here in bad weather. Standing inside out of the rain, you see why.

Immediately after the cave the trail drops to Botnsá, where a log and a guide rope are laid across the river in summer.

From there the route climbs the east side of the gorge to the viewpoints over Glymur, which falls 198 m (650 ft) into the canyon.

The whole loop is about 7 km (4.4 miles) with 300 to 400 m (985 to 1,312 ft) of ascent and takes most people 3 to 4 hours.

How to get to Þvottahellir

Þvottahellir is reached on foot from the Glymur car park at the end of the road in Botnsdalur.

Þvottahellir cave entrance in Botnsdalur. Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0

• From Reykjavík: take Route 1 north towards Borgarnes. Just before the Hvalfjörður tunnel, turn onto Route 47 and follow it around the fjord to its head. At Botnsdalur a signed gravel side road leads about 3 km (2 miles) to the car park. The drive is roughly 70 km (45 miles) and takes 60 to 70 minutes.
• From Akranes or Borgarnes: join Route 47 from the north side of the fjord; the car park is about 50 minutes from Borgarnes.
• Vehicle: the gravel section is suitable for any 2WD car in summer. No F-road and no 4x4 needed.
• Parking: a large free car park at the trailhead, with an information board. Follow the marked trail up the west side of Botnsá towards the log crossing; the cave is about 20 to 30 minutes' walk in, shortly before the river crossing.

Best time to visit

Mid-June to September. The Glymur trail is only considered open once the log is placed across Botnsá, which is usually in June, and it is removed again in the autumn.

Outside that window the river has to be waded, which is cold and, in high water, dangerous, and the upper trail can be icy. July and August give the most reliable conditions; weekends in those months are busy, so start early.

The cave itself can be visited whenever the trail is walkable, since it lies before the river.

Safety and practical tips

• Footing: the cave floor is uneven rock and can be wet and slippery. Watch your head at the openings.
• The river: do not wade Botnsá when the log is not in place unless you have experience with river crossings. The water is cold and the current strong.
• Heights: beyond the cave the trail runs along the edge of the gorge with steep drops. It is not suitable for small children or anyone uncomfortable with heights.
• Weather: Botnsdalur is sheltered but the gorge above is exposed to wind and rain. Bring waterproofs and proper hiking shoes.
• Facilities: there are no toilets, water or shops at the car park or on the trail. The nearest services are at Hvammsvík and along Route 47.
• Fees and hours: no entrance fee, no opening hours, open access all year, though the trail is only safe in summer.