Lava Tunnel in Raufarholshellir
A Fascinating Glimpse into Iceland’s Underground
27.05.2024
What can you expect during a fifty-minute visit to the Lava Tunnel in Raufarholshellir? Here you’ll find all the important information about the tour, the experience, photo opportunities, and my personal review.
Table of Contents
Information
The Lava Tunnel tour in Raufarhólshellir can be booked via GetYourGuide* or ViatorThere’s also an option to book a tour including bus transfer from Reykjavik. The standard tour lasts about 50 minutes and provides a short insight into the tunnel. There’s also a longer 3–4 hour tour for a more extensive experience, which I haven’t tried myself.
Helmets and walking sticks are provided free of charge. Since the tunnel is very cold, warm clothing is recommended. A knowledgeable English-speaking guide leads the tour. Group sizes can be quite large.
Arrival
After check-in, each participant selects a helmet, which is mandatory for the entire tour.
Experience
The paths inside the tunnel are partly very uneven and slippery – large, wet, or loose stones require sure-footedness. The tour is not suitable for people with walking difficulties, poor vision, or unsteady mobility. Some sections include metal stairways.
Raufarhólshellir is just one of many lava tubes in Iceland. Striking rock formations in various colors reveal the history of past volcanic eruptions. In the cold season, impressive icicles of all shapes and sizes can be seen.
At the end of the tunnel, the lights are switched off briefly, leaving visitors in complete darkness – an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, the guide takes photos of the guests. Participants may then walk back at their own pace, taking photos and videos along the way. On the return to the starting point, the guide shares detailed explanations about the formation of the cave, which are best understood up close.
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After this experience
At the tunnel exit, visitors return to the registration building to return their equipment. The tour ends there.
Photos
At the designated photo stop, the guide takes a picture of each guest. There is also plenty of time on the way back to take your own photos and videos.
My Review
I really enjoyed the tour. The guide provided a lot of interesting information about the lava tunnel and Iceland’s volcanic history. The 50-minute tour offers a great overview, though it is not as in-depth as the longer option. The tour is only suitable for sure-footed visitors, and using a walking stick, which is provided, is highly recommended.
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