Iceland is the land of fire and ice! What better way to discover the subterranean world of this volcanic land than to enter a lava tunnel… One of the most beautiful places to enjoy this paradise of contrasts is definitely the Vidgelmir Lava Grotto in the Silver Circle region.
Inside, we enjoyed the layers of lava, the colorful minerals and the power of nature.
Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit Vidgelmir Grotto?
Is this lava tunnel worth a visit? Our opinion:
Yes, the Vidgelmir Grotto is well worth a visit in our opinion. This is our favourite lava cave in Iceland! It’s a long lava tunnel, the largest in the country, and quite impressive in its size. Did you know that it is 1585m long?
The cave is over 16m wide and around 16m high, giving you great views of the walls. The visit is well worth it, with many fascinating shapes in the lava and friendly guides. You must visit the cave with a professional team who will guide you on site, as the site is not open to the public.
In winter, you’ll notice that water penetrates the cave and creates ice sculptures inside. A wonderful contrast!
This is one of the most beautiful places to see in Iceland’s Silver Circle region.
>> Book your ticket for the Vidgelmir lava tunnel tour now!
Our favorite moments
We’ll describe our experience at Vidgelmir Lava Grotto in detail later in this article, but we wanted to share our favorite moments with you:
- the contrast between lava formations and ice structures
- the cave’s largest chamber, over 16m high
- stalagmites and stalactites of ice mingling with lava formations
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How to get to the Vidgelmir lava cave (Iceland): access and map
Where is Vidgelmir?
- Northeast of the Silver Circle
- Driving time from Borganes = 1h
- Driving time from Husafell = 15min
- Driving time from Reykjavik = 2h
- Driving time from Reykjavik to Husafell = 1h45min
- Driving time from Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls = 20min
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
How to get there? Access road
You have several options for getting to the Vidgelmir Lava Tunnel:
- Organized tours: in our opinion, this is the easiest and most practical choice whatever the time of year, especially if you don’t want to drive. You can relax on the way and enjoy the scenery! Discover the options from Reykjavik on a one-day or multi-day combined tour
- By car: head west on Route 1 and turn onto Route 518 towards Húsafell, where several signs indicate Vidgelmir. Be aware that access requires driving on sometimes unpaved tracks. Make sure you have a sufficiently adapted vehicle, especially if you’re driving in winter. Read all our car rental tips here.
- By shuttle from Husafell: if you opt for on-site entry, a shuttle can pick you up atHotel Husafell.
Normally, the roads are cleared quickly enough for access. But during snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check the status of roads on Umferdin.
Parking
If you’re travelling on your own, you can park in the Vidgelmir Lava Grotto parking lot, which is well signposted on arrival.
If you opt for an organized tour from Reykjavik, leave your car in one of the capital’s parking lots (to be found on the official Parka websites here and EasyPark here).
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
The Vidgelmir nature reserve is accessible all year round. Depending on the season you choose, the atmosphere will be slightly different! All year round, you can contemplate the hues of the volcanic rock on the walls and the effects of light. In winter, as water enters the cave, it freezes and crystals form. It’s quite impressive to watch!
As the tour is systematically guided, the maximum number of people per group is limited. We recommend that you book your ticket as early as possible to ensure a place, as this activity is very popular in both summer and winter. Please note that the tour takes place during daylight hours. As a result, there will be slightly less choice of slots in winter, as the days are shorter.
Prices: ISK 8,000 per adult, ISK 4,000 per child aged 7 to 15, free for children under 7.
Opening times depend on sunshine hours. For example, there are 3 slots between 10am and 1pm in January and February, when the days are shortest. The number of visiting slots then increases, before decreasing again in September. See more details here.
Length of visit and main difficulties
The visit to the Vidgelmir Lava Tunnel lasts 1h30. Helmets and headlamps will be provided on arrival at the welcome center. For your own safety, it is imperative to wear them during the guided tour of the cave, and to listen to the instructions of your professional guide. You’ll find that the route is fairly easy, with a generally flat walking area and a staircase. The cave is very well laid out, making access fairly easy, even if you sometimes have to twist a bit in the narrow passages. However, wheelchair users and baby carriages will not be allowed access.
Make sure you wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes (hiking boots are preferable). Put on several layers of easy-to-remove clothing to adapt to the temperature conditions inside and outside the cave. If you suffer from claustrophobia, this exit is not suitable.
Advice on how to visit
Please listen to your guide’s instructions and follow any safety signs.
Visiting with children
This tour is ideal for families. Whether in summer or winter, it’s a great place to discover with your children, to teach them about the power and beauty of nature! Helmets will also be provided. If you’re visiting with very young children, it’s best to use baby carriers, as strollers won’t be suitable. If you’re visiting the tunnel with your children, dress them warmly like you, with several layers. Remember to equip them with good shoes too.
Be careful, with snow and ice on the ground, it can be slippery. We recommend you always carry cleats with you to add to your shoes. See our article on winter packing.
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
The site has a reception center with toilets and dedicated parking.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
Vidgelmir, the world’s largest lava tube
Iceland offers astonishing lava fields and lava formations all around the country. We wondered what was underneath! At Vidgelmir, nature has sculpted some astonishing creations.
After donning our helmets and headlamps, we plunged into the bowels of the Earth through this monumental downhill entrance. This experience left us speechless, especially when we arrived in the main “chamber”, a cavity 16m high and wide!
The Vidgelmir Lava Grotto is located in the Borgafjordur valley and lava field, a consequence of the Hallmundarhraun lava field in western Iceland. Did you know that this lava tunnel was formed over a thousand years ago during the Viking Age? Measuring 1.5km long and with a volume of 150,000m3, we were fascinated to visit the world’s largest lava tunnel. It really is one of our favourite places in Iceland!
A unique sensory experience
One of the special features of the Vidgelmir tunnel is its size. Caves are usually rather narrow and dark. Here, we started out in a cramped section with smooth walls, before the walls opened out into increasingly wider cavities until we reached the main one. It seemed like a pretty incredible thing to experience!
You’ll notice fixed lights illuminating the cave in several places. Our guide dimmed the lights to total darkness for a few minutes. The perfect time to listen and enjoy the silence in the heart of the cave. You’ll be surprised by the gentle sounds of flowing water and the vibrations of the cave walls. Let yourself be carried away by the sounds of nature, the acoustics are quite unique!
Consider wearing several layers of clothing that are easy to put on and take off. Indeed, we were glad to be warmly dressed for our visit. Vidgelmir Grotto is so large that it has its own microclimate. The inside temperature is around 2°C all year round, and can even be negative. We were surprised to learn that it warms up very little in summer.
Geological wonders: a colorful underground world
This lava tunnel was formed almost 1100 years ago during the Viking era. You may be surprised to discover that Iceland’s Langjökull glacier, Europe’s 2nd largest, has long been a hotbed of volcanic activity. The Hallmundarhraun lava field on which you’ll arrive to begin your tour is the source of this immense lava tube. Interesting, isn’t it?
The spectacular lava structures inside intrigued us as we went along. On contact with air, the magma from a volcanic eruption changes color and texture. Basalt is the fastest-crystallizing volcanic rock. You’ll see rocks ranging from light grey to anthracite black.
Did you know that when the lava flow is no longer fed at the end of the eruption, the material freezes, giving the rock slopes a draped appearance?
We were also delighted to be able to get up close and personal with the many different coloured and shaped fragments of volcanic rock on display in the cave. Each piece of debris is unique.
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Surprising colors and immense cavities
As you walk through the lava tunnel, illuminated in places, the variety of hues in the volcanic rock will amaze you! The lighting effects on the walls are also amazing and added a touch of magic to our visit.
Some sections of the cave are truly remarkable. We were impressed by the size of the main cavity (also known as the “chamber”). With its 16m height and width, it reminded us of a cathedral in its immensity and serenity. Whether you’re a caving enthusiast or simply curious, this tour is definitely worth the detour in our eyes!
A thousand-year-old archaeological site
We were also drawn to the area by the discovery of archaeological remains! Bone remains as well as leather, glass and piles of stones were found. These ruins have been dated to the very beginning of the 2nd millennium, almost 1,000 years after the natural creation of the tunnel – go figure!
Over and above the power of nature that manifests itself in this spellbinding underground place, we were overcome with emotion when we realized that we were walking in a place so steeped in history!
The Vidgelmir lava cave in winter
We were lucky enough to visit the Vidgelmir lava cave in winter. Take the time to observe the ice formations at this time of year. The water that rushed into the cave froze. The humidity inside and the very low temperature favor the creation of ice stalactites and stalagmites. Do you know the difference between the 2? Stalactites descend from top to bottom and stalagmites rise from bottom to top. It’s a very slow but fascinating natural process. We could spend hours admiring the contrast between the darkness of the volcanic rock and the brilliance of the ice!
Move forward a little on the gangway and keep your eyes open. Numerous crystals have formed, giving the impression that thousands of stalagmites have sprung up from the ground, embracing the stalactites and stalagmites of lava. Needless to say, the mineral formations in this section of the cave are quite extraordinary. See for yourself in the photo below!
Depending on the time of year you visit the tunnel, you may be able to hear and see underground water temporarily trickling into the cave. This is ice melted after the winter.
Finally, the other advantage of visiting in winter is undoubtedly the beauty of the snow-covered volcanic rock. These images will stay with us forever!
Other nearby attractions
You can combine your visit to Vidgelmir Grotto with these nearby attractions:
- Langjökull ice tunnel, an original place accessible all year round (20min drive)
- Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, a unique winter spectacle (20min drive)
- Husafell Canyon Baths, a magical outdoor experience with hiking (20min drive)
- Krauma geothermal baths, bathing in the hot springs of Deildartunguhver (35min drive)
- Thingvellir National Park, cradle of the Icelandic nation (1h30min drive)
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
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