Lava Fields and Craters

For spelunkers and potholers, Iceland has scores of caves, large and small,deep and shallow, to be explored. Some caves may be explored without a guide and manyagencies offer cave exploration tours for others.

Exploring Vatnshellir Cave is truly an amazing and unforgettable experience. This 8.000 year old Lava Tube reaches over 200 meters and reaches 35 meters below the surface. During summer, guides tours are offered from 10am-6pm. During winter season 2 tours are offered per day. Please check the website www.summitguides.is for further information.  All guests are provided suitable equipment such as flashlights and helmets.  Hiking shoes and warm clothes are recommended.  10 minutes drive west of Arnarstapi, 25 minutes south of Hellissandur.  Further info:  info@summitguides.is - summitguides.is - (+354) 787 0001 

Hailed as the mightiest of Iceland's caves, its diversity and grandeur is unrivalled. This makes for an experience not to be forgotten. Just shy of 1600 meters / 5250ft, the cave features amazing colours and lava formations that lurk in the depths of the earth. We offer a family friendly tour that all generations can enjoy, thanks to our all new signature walkway and feature lighting. For those who desire more physical activity we offer a half day tour to the caves end.  Caves are often dark, tight and uninviting places; how ever this is not the case in Víðgelmir lava cave. What used to be slow traveled rugged terrain is now easy and enjoyable. Leading from one great hall to the next our path is lit slightly flowing through this magical underworld.

Berserkjahraun is a 4000-year-old lava field situated on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It covers the western part of Helgafell, between Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður. The name Berserkjahraun comes from one of the Icelandic Sagas, Eyrbyggja-Saga. According to the saga, a farmer brought two berserkers from Sweden to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. He later gave the berserkers to his brother, Víga-Styr, who lived on the other side of the lava field. One of the Swedes fell in love with Víga-Styr’s daughter and asked for her hand in marriage. Víga-Styr made a deal with the berserker, he could have his daughter’s hand if the two Swedes could clear a path through the lava field, connecting Víga-Styr’s farm to his brother’s. The feat was considered impossible but the berserkers managed to complete the path quite quickly. Instead of keeping his promise, Víga-Styr had the two Swedes killed and buried them near the path. The lava field was created after four scoria craters erupted in short intervals around 4000 years ago. The lava ran from the mountain slopes of Bjarnarhafnarfjall and out to the sea at Hraunsfjörður and Hraunsvík.

A beautifully-formed crater rising 60m above the surrounding lava. The spatter cone is the largest crater along a short volcanic rift, 200 m in diameter and 50 m deep. Its last eruption was about 5000-6000 years ago. According to medieval chronics there was also one around the time of the colonisation of Iceland about 1000 years ago, but today it is known that it came from another of the many craters of the valley Hnappadalur which are part of the volcanic system Ljosufjoll, the mountains of the light. It is easiest to approach Eldborg from Snorrastadir on its southern side, walking 2,5 km through the shrub-covered lava field. It is possible to walk all the way around the crater as well as up it.

The largest of three craters in a short volcanic fissure.  Beautiful scenery over Borgarfjordur is  from the top of the Grabrok crater. Mt. Grabrok can be ascended by a marked trail from the main Ring road no. 1.

Hallmundarhraun includes the longest and largest caves in Iceland.Hallmundarhraun lava field was formed in giant eruption close to the Langjökull glacier around the year 930 and is 8-9 cubic kilometers. Hallmundarhraun includes three caves Surtshellir/ Stefánshellir they are together 3500 meters, longest lava cave in Iceland. Viðgelmir lava tube is the largest of all lava caves in Iceland the tubes volume is well over 150,000 cubic meters.

Hólahólar are an ancient crater cluster. One of the craters is open on the side and formed like a huge amphitheater. The deserted farm Hólahólar was formerly the capital of a settlement in Dritvík and Djúpalónssandur but was deserted in 1880 and since then invisible elves (Huldufólk) have been ruling there ever since.

Hraunfossar - Lava Falls - are beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River. Hraunfossar have been protected since 1987. There is a viewpoint at the car park offering an amazing view over the Lava Falls and Hvita River. Restaurant and souvenir shop open all year round.

Uniquely-formed remnants of ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea. Londrangar and the hill Svalthufa are the remains of a crater, which has been eroded to its present form by the sea. The farmers in the area never made or make hay on the hill, because it is said to belong to the elves living in the area. Younger lava fields surround this old crater ruin. The higher pillar (75m) was first climbed in 1735 and the lower (61 m) in 1938. Below the hill you may find Thufubjarg cliff where according to a folktale the poet Kolbeinn Joklaskald had an encounter with the Devil. On these cliffs, puffins and fulmars have their nests.

Víðgelmir in Borgajford is the largest of all caves in Iceland, 148,000 cubic metres, and one of the largest lava caves in the world.  It has beautiful ice formations and deep inside there are lava stalactites and stalagmites. Bones and jewelry from the viking age are a part of the archeological remains found in the cave in 1993. It has been preserved since 1993 and entrance is only allowed with proper guidance. Guides from "The Cave" arrange short (1,5 hour) and long (4 hours) tours. Please contact The Cave for information, availability and schedule. Víðgelmir lava cave is considered by specialists to be one of the most remarkable caves on earth.

Saxhóll Crater is located in the Snaefellsjokull National Park. It´s easy to climb and the view from the top is spectacular. A low-set metal stair follows the path´s course to the top. The stair is made up of modules three meters long and 1,5 meters wide that hold seven treads each between solid stingers with open risers. The units join together like a necklace on the slope. The stairs were awarded Rosa Barba International Landscape Prize 2018 which are the fourth awards the project achieves since 2017.