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Last updated: 21 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

Volcanoes aren’t just about the craters: sometimes, there’s even more to see underground.

Iceland is one of the few places on the planet where it’s possible to venture down into ‘lava tubes’. These tunnels of volcanic rock are formed around molten lava flows, usually close to eruption points. As the flows peter out, the rock surrounding them cools, leaving behind hollow tubes that can be 15m wide and hundreds of metres long.

Hiking into these subterranean structures is a seriously spooky experience: dark, cold and lined with peculiar rock formations, it feels like venturing into the lair of some gigantic, monstrous worm.

Most lava tubes can only be visited on a guided tour. Access is variable: some of the more accessible caves have walkways built into them, while others involve scrambling, sliding and uneven footing.

Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel

Iceland

People visiting the Raufarholshellir lava tube tunnel and caves, one of the longest in Iceland.

One of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland – 1360m long, 30m wide and up to 10m high. The ‘Standard’ lava tunnel tour (1 hour) visits the most accessible section of the cave, while the longer ‘Adventure’ tour (3-4 hours) ventures into the deeper sections.

Adult price: £45

Best for ages 6+

Frequency: monthly

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Little Bjorn- Vorouhellir Lava Tunnels

Iceland

Tour group underground in a tunnel listening to tour guide

For the full-on caving experience, visit these neighbouring caves in Thingvellir National Park, including the longest of all, 1,100m-long Vorouhellir. Initially thought to be separate, the caves are actually connected – and you get to squeeze through narrow tunnels joining the two systems.

Adult price: £35

Min age 5

Best for ages 6+

Frequency: monthly

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Leidarendi Lava Tunnel

Iceland

View down a long lava tunnel

This 900m-long lava tube is popular as it’s one of the nearest to Reykjavik. Guided tours explore the main cave sections, with impressive displays of stalactites and stalagmites.

Adult price: £45

Best for ages 6+

Frequency: monthly

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Vatnshellir Lava Tunnel

Snaefellsjokull National Park, Iceland

Vatnshellir Lava Tunnel

Way out on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a spiral staircase leads down into this deep lava tube – estimated to be one of Iceland’s oldest (circa 8,000 years). With a guide, it’s possible to walk around 200m into the cave: wear good shoes as the base of the cave is unstable underfoot. Tours last 45 minutes.

Adult price: £35

Min age 5

Best for ages 5+

Duration: 45 minutes

Frequency: monthly

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Vidgelmir Lava Tunnel

Borgarfjordur, Iceland

View down a yellow walkway descending into a tunnel

An accessible, family-friendly cave in the Hallmundarhraun lava field, in Borgarfjordur. It’s a great choice for kids, as most of the cave is reached via a walkway, and illuminated by fixed lighting. No squeezing, sliding or slipping required here.

Adult price: £40

Best for ages 6+

Frequency: monthly

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Lofthellir Lava Tunnel & Ice Cave

Lake Myvatn, Iceland

Lofthellir Lava Tunnel & Ice Cave

This unusual cave near Myvatn combines two geological processes in one: it’s a lava cave coated in impressive ice formations. Around 370m of the cave is accessible on foot. Don headlamps, spiked boots and waterproofs – it’s a proper, big-thrill caving experience, so expect to get wet and muddy – and be prepared to squeeze through some tight spots. Tours last 4-5 hours.

Adult price: £200

Min age 8

Best for ages 8+

Duration: 4-5 hours

Frequency: monthly

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Price from: £40
Minimum age: 3
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around
Duration: 2+ hours

Getting there & doing it

You need to book with a Reykjavik day tour company to go on a lava caving trip – you can’t do it unaccompanied or unguided.

There are a variety of locations and tours to select from, many in Thingvellir National Park, just under an hour‘s drive from Reykjavik.

Sturdy walking boots are recommended for the lava caves, as surfaces can be uneven or slippery. All equipment, including overalls and a head torch, will be provided.

When to do it

Trips run all year, but are weather dependent (as roads to Thingvellir and other sites) may be cut off in winter. Start times vary by operator.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

The Lava Tunnel - Standard Lava Tunnel Tour - Raufarhólshellir

Reykjavik

The Lava Tunnel - Standard Lava Tunnel Tour - Raufarhólshellir
Explore the magnificent lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. Located just 30-40 minutes from Reykjavík, the tunnel is easily accessible year round. Discover the inner workings of a volcanic eruption and walk along the path where lava flowed during the Leitahraun eruption, which occurred approximately 5200 years ago. Our tour is approximately one hour whereas platforms and lights have been incorporated - making the experience of visiting the cave simply breathtaking.   The tour includes all necessary equipment. Choose your preferred departure time upon booking.  Please note that this tour does not include pick up and is for self driving passengers only.

Price: €51

Min age: 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [1306 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Lava Tunnel - Standard tour with transfer from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

The Lava Tunnel - Standard tour with transfer from Reykjavik
Explore Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland, with transport to Reykjavik. An ideal half-a-day activity that combines amazing Icelandic nature just outside the capital Reykjavik. You will be provided with a helmet and headlamp and on this guided tour you will learn about and witness amazing geological features that can only be found inside a lava tube. Paths and platforms are provided making this accessible activity for most people and our lighting design has won numerous awards. Tours with transfer from Reykjavik are provided 2- 3 times a day.

Price: €92

Min age: 3

Rating 4.56 / 5 [218 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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3-Hour Lava Caving Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

3-Hour Lava Caving Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik
Leave behind Reykjavík and journey to Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel for a one-hour lava cave tour, just 30 minutes away. Walk through the lava's path and learn about the tunnel's history. The lava tunnel is one of the biggest in Iceland and scenes from the film Noah were shot in the cave. This tour includes a driver/guide and safety equipment.

Price: $95

Min age: 3

Rating 4.42 / 5 [128 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Lava Tunnel Caving with Transfer | Small Group

Reykjavik

Lava Tunnel Caving with Transfer | Small Group
Want to see what's underneath all the lava in Iceland? Then join us and explore the hidden world of the lava fields at The End of the Road, Leidarendi Cave. Leidarendi is a pitch black, 900 meter long circular lava tube, showcasing lava formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, along with surprising colors. A lava tube is created after a volcanic eruption when the lava has hardened on the surface, but magma still flows underneath. When the flow of lava ceases and the rocks cool down, a long hollow cave is formed - this natural wonder is called a lava tube. Leidarendi is less visited than other lava tubes is because of its structure inside. It is not a cave that has proper wooden planks for walking on therefore good sturdy hiking boots are recommended. It has some optional areas where you can crawl through allowing for a more adventurous visit but there are other areas that are accessible for and easier journey and yet end up at the same place, making it a loose figure of 8.

Price: $95

Min age: 12

Rating 4.81 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Small Group Lava Caving Experience From Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Small Group Lava Caving Experience From Reykjavik
Explore Iceland’s ancient underground lava tunnels at Raufarholshellir lava tunnel on a caving experience with transport from Reykjavik! Hidden deep beneath the stunning Blue Mountains (Bláhnjúkur), Raufarholshellir lava tunnel is home to a volcanic wonderland of rock formations, ice and craters. Using specialist caving equipment, follow a local guide and hike through the tunnels to the cave, discovering Iceland’s otherworldly sights at their finest and witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption.

Price: €101

Min age: 6

Rating 4.45 / 5 [77 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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1hr ATV Adventure & Caving from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

1hr ATV Adventure & Caving from Reykjavik
Experience these two adrenaline-filled activities in one day in only 8-hour total time from Reykjavik. We will begin the day with a pick up from our caving partners at 8:00 and they will take you our in the nature to explore Raufarhólshellir the Lava cave Raufarhólshellir is one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. This is a great opportunity to see the path of an ancient volcanic eruption. The Leitahraun eruption carved out the landscape around 5200 years ago.   – After the Caving adventure, our partners will take drop you off at a meeting point, where you get a little Lunch break. Then we Safari Quads will come and We will pick you up and drive you to our brand new headquarters with hot coffee available. Then off we are for a 1-hour ATV adventure through the Icelandic wilderness, experience an amazing view over Reykjavik. After you will be dropped off where you were picked up. Note: that this is a combo activity operated by 2 trusted partners

Price: $260

Min age: 8

Rating 5 / 5 [9 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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SuperSaver: Small Group Silfra Snorkeling & Lava Caving Adventure from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

SuperSaver: Small Group Silfra Snorkeling & Lava Caving Adventure from Reykjavik
Go cave exploring in the amazing Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel. One of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland, located only 30 minutes from Reykjavík, you are in for a unique experience exploring the colorful underground. After the caving experience, visit Silfra fissure, located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Thingvellir National Park for a snorkeling adventure. Alongside your guide, discover the depths of some of Iceland's most stunning natural wonders as you explore a mysterious cave and snorkel in a pristine, dream-like underground pool.

Price: €269

Min age: 12

Rating 4.65 / 5 [158 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Lava Tunnel Caving & Snorkeling in Silfra with Transfer | Free Photos

Reykjavik

Lava Tunnel Caving & Snorkeling in Silfra with Transfer | Free Photos
Combining snorkeling and caving gives you the ultra experience of Icelandic nature. You will explore the hidden world of the lava fields on foot and underwater. The cave we will visit is called Leiðarendi. The 900 meter long lava tube offers unique rock formations, such as stalactites and shelves. Some light crawling may be required yet Leiðarendi cave has a rather easy access to the underworld wonders of the Icelandic lava fields. Snorkel in between two continents at one of the top diving sites in the planet! Silfra is located in Iceland’s National Park, Thingvellir, and is a fissure that was formed by the divergent tectonic drift of the Eurasian and North American plates. What makes Silfra exceptionally unique is not only its geological significance, but it is also world-renowned for its crystal clear, fresh glacial water. No diving experience or diving license is needed for this experience, and all the gear that you need is provided.

Price: $283

Min age: 12

Rating 4.96 / 5 [28 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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