The Lava Tunnel

The Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel is one of the longest and best-explored lava caves in Iceland. It is located below the earth's surface about a 30-minute drive outside the capital Reykjavík and can be visited all year round. The tunnel is 1,360 meters long, up to 30 meters wide, and a maximum of 10 meters high.

On a guided tour of the lava tunnel, you will learn how the cave was formed by a volcanic eruption over 5,000 years ago and how the lava made its way through the plain in southwest Iceland.

Standard Lava Tunnel Tour:

The standard tour lasts about an hour and allows you to explore the lava tunnel comfortably and without any special skills. A footbridge leads to an illuminated part of the tunnel, where the geological features are explained and the intense volcanic activity that formed the tunnel is vividly demonstrated. You can also book a bus transfer to and from Reykjavík with the standard tour. Specially booked evening tours are also available.

The Lava Falls Adventure Tour:

The Lava Falls Adventure Tour is aimed at adventurous cave explorers who are physically fit. On this tour, you will travel the entire length of the cave and be rewarded with impressive lava falls and other natural phenomena. The Lava Falls Adventure Tour is only available for small groups and also includes transportation to and from Reykjavík.

The cave, one of the longest in all of Iceland, was formed by the eruption of the Leitahraun volcano, which occurred about 5,200 years ago east of the Bláfjöll mountains. Slowly flowing lava, so-called A'a lava or in English "blocky lava", formed a uniform hard crust and thus created a roof, beneath which the remaining lava continued to spread.

Until the last century, the Lava Tunnel was full of stalactites (dripstones hanging from the cave ceiling). After more and more people began visiting the cave from 1950 onwards, these disappeared and are hardly to be found there today.

However, spectacular ice sculptures still form in the Lava Tunnel every winter, making the visit even more impressive.

The Lava Tunnel is located about 30 minutes by car from the Icelandic capital Reykjavík. Even in winter, the road conditions are sufficient to reach it without problems.

From Reykjavík, head east on Road No. 1 and follow it for about 18 kilometers. Then turn right onto Road No. 39 (Þorlákshöfn) and stay on this route for another 12 kilometers. On the right side of the road there is a parking lot, with the entrance to the Lava Tunnel directly next to it.

If you participate in one of the tours through the tunnel, you can also book a bus transfer from and back to Reykjavík.