More than just scratching the surface during your Icelandic experience, this cave adventure is surely off the beaten path
Raufarholshellir lava tube cave is one of the better known lava caves in Iceland and it is easily accessible. The length of the tube is estimated to be 1360 metres. There are four entrances, all in easy reach of each other. The cave is partially collapsed and is difficult to trek, except for the innermost part which is easier because little has broken from the ceiling.
During the winter time a lot of ice forms in the forward section of the cave and almost every stone is coated with a thin crust of ice, which makes it hazardous to walk around the cave.
In the backward section, the cave forks into 3 tunnels, the lava flow from those tunnels probably joined in the Raufarholshellir cave 5000 years ago. Lava falls and other spectacular lava formations can be seen deep in those tunnels.
There are large chambers in Raufarholshellir lava tube, the largest chamber in Iceland, excluding those in Surtshellir and Vidgelmir lava tubes in Hallmundarhraun lava fields in western part of Iceland. The walk around the cave is an exciting journey and there are many things to see.
There’s a road leading to the cave’s entrance and it’s accessible all year round. It takes about an hour to reach the cave from Reykjavik in a car, and the trek through the cave itself takes about four hours. So it is probably best to plan 5-6 hours for the whole tour.
Lava tubes are natural conduits through which lava travels beneath the surface of a lava flow, expelled by a volcano during an eruption. They can be actively draining lava from a source, or can be extinct, meaning the lava flow has ceased and the rock has cooled and left a long, cave-like channel.
Lava tubes are formed when an active low-viscosity lava flow develops a continuous and hard crust, which thickens and forms a roof above the still-flowing lava stream. Tubes form in one of two ways: by the crusting over of lava channels, and from flows where the lava is moving under the surface.
Have a car? You can meet us on site. The tunnel is located less than 30 minutes drive (approximately 30 km) from Reykjavík, Iceland and is accessible by all vehicles. Driving from Reykjavík east on Route 1 and driving for about 18 km. Turn right onto Route 39 (Þorlákshöfn) and drive for another 12 km. The parking area will be on your left-hand side. Click here for a Google Map.
The GPS coordinates are: N.63º 56.407 / W. 021º 23.742
Yes, we will provide you with a headlight and a helmet.
The Icelandic weather is very unpredictable therefore we highly recommend to dress in layers. Warm layers closest to you preferably wool/thermal underwear, pants sweater and on top waterproof outdoor clothing. It is also suitable to wear good hiking shoes and gloves. Jeans have proven to be a bad choice.
Alcohol is prohibited on all of our tours before and during activities. If we find the participant to be intoxicated, we will prohibit them from taking part in the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished then you are more than welcome to have a drink and relax.
Yes, we do have a tour into Langjökull Ice Cave that has no minimum age and it is a fantastic option for the whole family. As a Whale Watching with our partner company Special Tours, enjoyable tour for a family traveling with young children, these guys have an enormous success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).
If you want to explore parts of Icelandic Highlands than we have our magnificent Landmannalaugar Safari tour that also offers you to bathe in natural hot springs. Almost all of our jeep tours are suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. Then we also have a relaxing experience that we highly recommend, our Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.
Yes, we have specially trained and certified guide on all of our tours, expect on our self-drive tours.
All of our tours are English guided.
We have four different categories that help participants to get a better understanding of what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. All of our tours are rated to make it easier for you to find a tour that suits you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
