The Cave Vidgelmir

About The Cave Vidgelmir

Víðgelmir cave is a lava tube about 1,585 meters long in the Hallmundarhraun lava field in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland, about two hours' drive from Reykjavík. The Cave, the company that runs tours here, calls it Iceland's largest lava cave, with a volume of roughly 148,000 cubic meters and a ceiling that rises more than 15 meters in places.

It formed when the surface of a lava flow hardened while molten rock kept draining away underneath, leaving a hollow tunnel behind. The operator dates the formations inside to about 1,100 years ago, and the walls are streaked with color where the lava cooled. The cave has been protected since 1993, and an iron gate now keeps it closed to anyone without a guide.

That means the only way into the Víðgelmir lava cave is a guided tour. The standard Cave Explorer tour takes about 1.5 hours and is rated 1 out of 5 for difficulty, following wooden walkways, stairs and railings from chamber to chamber, with a helmet and headlamp included. In the colder months, you may also see seasonal ice formations. Parents with small children are asked to stay at the back of the group and skip the final stop.

Tours run year-round, and the operator does not publish fixed prices outside its booking system, so check the current rate when you book. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure. It stays cold inside in every season, so bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves along with sturdy shoes, even in July.

The cave sits on the farm Fljótstunga, about 15 minutes' drive from Húsafell. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls are a short drive west, and Surtshellir, an unlit cave in the same lava field with no walkways, makes an interesting comparison for experienced visitors. Without a car, a few West Iceland tours from Reykjavík include a Víðgelmir visit.