Lava Caving Experience

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Reykjavik, Iceland

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

1 hour (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the world beneath the earth's surface on this small-group caving adventure in the lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland. Hidden deep beneath the Blue Mountains (Bláhnjúkur), Raufarhólshellir is home to a volcanic wonderland of rock formations, ice, and craters. Hike through the tunnels to a cave and see the inner workings of a volcanic eruption.

Explore the world below Iceland's surface on a caving adventure
Small-group tour (maximum 15 guests): A more intimate experience
Discover Iceland’s otherworldly sights at their finest
All caving equipment is provided: Suitable for first-timers

What's Included

Guided Tour with a Certified Caving Guide
All Necessary Safety Equipment
Helmet & Head Torch
Crampons (in winter)

Meals
Transport to and from Reykjavík

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Raufarhólshellir
816, Iceland
The tunnel is located less than 30 minutes drive (approximately 30 km) from Reykjavík and accessible by all vehicles. Driving from Reykjavík east on Route 1 and drive for about 18 km. Turn right onto Route 39 (Þorlákshöfn) and drive for another 12 km. The parking area will be on your left-hand side.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Raufarholshellir

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Gayle_W

The lava tunnel was wonderful. The guide was friendly and extremely knowledgable. You should definitely see this

Reviews

4.9

based on 25 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing experience but expensive

Jaznae_S, Mar 2026

Our tour guide Juan was amazing and the lava cave was a great experience. Juan was very knowledgeable, funny, and interactive with the large group. It was a little pricey being $100 for an hour but everything else was great.

A must see in Iceland

Gayle_W, Jan 2026

The lava tunnel was wonderful. The guide was friendly and extremely knowledgable. You should definitely see this

Lava tunnel

Rhonda_N, May 2025

This was such a cool tour! You can’t exploit lava tunnels without a tour guide so it’s def something worth checking out! Our guide was very nice, funny, and informative!

Wonderful experience

Tasha_P, Dec 2024

Awesome! Very cool lava tube with beautiful colors, textures, and skylights! Stunning when the water drops freeze in a pile and the lights shine through them. They look like a bunch of candles. We highly recommend this activity!

Amazing Experience

Maxine_W, Dec 2024

Very well organised. You are provided with everything you need (helmet, crampons & walking stick). The lady who was our guide was amazing. She made it very interesting and you could tell how much she loves her job. Full of enthusiasm and made us feel safe and able to ask questions. Would defiantly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Iceland.

Great tour

Sara_B, Oct 2024

Educational tour with actual geologists and vulcanologists. I learned a lot about how the volcanoes have shaped Iceland and its people. Highly recommend! Even the sulky teen had fun!

Lava Tunnel

Kirsty_P, Jun 2024

What a great tour - the lava tunnel was so beautiful and the ice stalagmites made it feel even more primordial. Highly recommend this tour.

A Look at the Cave

Sharon_Y, Feb 2024

My husband and I enjoyed going into the cave. I was concerned about the walk but it was relatively easy. The company provides you with equipment needed to take the quick trekk. The guide was knowledgeable.

Lava tunnel

Chandra_C, Nov 2023

Great introduction to lava caves. Guides are very knowledgeable. It was super fascinating and by the end I wanted to do the excursion/longer tour!!!

Fun, entertaining, informative. Worth it.

Marc_R, Jul 2023

Very fun experience. Our guide was knowledgeable in the history and geology of Ísland 🇮🇸, plus engaging and funny. The colours inside the lava tunnel are just amazing. The side jaunt into the smaller cave, with the iridescent bacteria, also cool. Would recommend this experience. Wear a jacket and hiking boots. Only caveat: was not at all a small group experience - our group had 36 people in it!

How beautiful

Michelle_M, Mar 2023

This was absolutely amazing to see. Mother Nature is incredible. Even though this is a short tour, it was a very interesting one

Awesome experience

Susan_P, Mar 2023

Awesome experience, great opportunity to see a lava cave and see ice formations within the cave, learn about the country and what it offers, great find!

Must see.

Edward_H, Jul 2022

Last minute booking. Well worth the trip. We had a great time. Dress appropriately, listen to the guide, very informative.

Piacevole

Fabio_M, Aug 2024

La guida era piuttosto preparata e simpatica. La grotta era molto interessante e ricca di spunti speleologi.

Äußerst beeindruckendes Erlebnis mit sehr lustigem und kompetenten Guide. Absolutes Muss für jeden neuen Island-Besucher

Detlef_G, Jul 2024

Der Guide war super, hat auf sehr lustige Weise sehr Interessante Infos geteilt. Die Lavahöhle ist äußerst beeindruckend und sein Geld absolut Wert. Ein Muss für jeden Besucher, der Island kennenlernen möchte.

Wir fanden Preis/Leistung völlig ok, 👌🙏👍

Ursula_R, Mar 2023

Wir haben kurzfristig diese Tour für kleine Gruppen gebucht und das kann ich nur empfehlen. Es war großartig. Wir hatten großes Glück mit unserem Guide Dimitri, ein wirklich netter Typ. Er hat uns vieles über die Entstehung der Höhle erzählt und das mit viel Charme und Humor.