10-04-2024
As the longest and most renowned lava cave in Iceland, Surtshellir Lava Cave is an incredible geological wonder to visit during your time in the Land of Ice and Fire. With historic archaeological remains, gleaming basalt rock and dazzling ice formations, Surtshellir Lava Cave is one not to miss!
Let’s discover all you need to know about Iceland’s epic Surtshellir Lava Cave, including where exactly this cave is, how to get there, its history, how it was formed and top tips for your visit!
Over a mile long, Surtshellir Lava Cave is the longest lava cave in Iceland and was, in fact, the first known lava tube in the world! Surtshellir lies next to another lava cave called Stefanshellir; together, these lava caves form a 3,500 meter (~11,480 ft) long cave structure.
Surtshellir takes its name from Surt, a fire giant in Norse mythology, who is said to have created and lived in the cave himself. And that’s not all for the cave’s links with folklore, as Surtshellir is also said to be haunted!
Inside, the walls of Surtshellir Lava Cave are made of basalt and magma and the roof of the cave reaches 10 meters tall at its highest point. The lowest and innermost part of Surtshellir is known as the ‘Ice Cave’, or Íshellir in Icelandic, as it’s covered in glistening ice formations, including ice columns, ice candles and ice stalagmites.
Did you know? Surtshellir Lava Cave was believed to be a place of refuge for outlaws and bandits who would steal livestock from the local farmers and shepherds. Archaeological remains have been found at Surtshellir Lava Cave, including human bones and stone-built walls.
Located in West Iceland in the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field, Surtshellir Lava Cave is around 60 kilometers from the settlement of Borgarnes. If you’re looking for the exact GPS coordinates of Surtshellir Lava Cave, we have them for you here: 64.781464, -20.723667.
Surtshellir Lava Cave is around 145 kilometers from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík, making the journey fairly short at around 2 hours and 15 minutes. To reach this unique lava cave, you’ll need to take the main Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1) towards the town of Borgarnes. Before you reach the bridge to take you to the town, you’ll need to take Road 50 to get to Surtshellir.
Formed after a massive volcanic eruption that occurred at approximately the time that Iceland was first settled (around the year 900), the 1,970 m (6,463 ft) long Surtshellir Lava Cave is one of 20 known caves in the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field. This massive eruption caused at least three or four vents to open in the Langjokull Glacier.
Over 240 square kilometers of land (both grazing and settled land) became covered with lava up to 20 meters thick and the lava caves, including Surtshellir, carried magma from the vents to the very edges of the lava field, stretching over 50 kilometers westwards.
Here are our top tips for visiting Surtshellir Lava Cave to make sure you have the best time possible!
Bring the correct equipment – Although you can visit Surtshellir Lava Cave without a guide, we highly recommend making sure you have the correct equipment to explore this incredible lava tube safely. It’s important to wear a helmet and headlamp to both protect your head and allow you to see all the incredible lava and ice formations in the cave.
Take a look at guided tour options – If you prefer to explore Surtshellir with a guide and learn more about this fascinating lava cave from an expert, we recommend checking out guided tours of Surtshellir to see if one takes your fancy.
Wear appropriate clothing – Due to the rough terrain around the lava cave, make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and comfortable, warm clothes that you can easily move in. Waterproof clothes and shoes are the best option, especially for exploring the icy parts of the cave.
Check the weather and road conditions ahead of time – Due to the changeable nature of Iceland’s weather, it’s always a good idea to check the local Icelandic weather forecast and up-to-date Icelandic road conditions before heading out for the day.
Ready to take to the skies to reach the incredible Nordic island of Iceland? Adventures await across our beautiful Land of Ice and Fire! You can get prepared for your trip by reserving your rental car in Iceland, so you’ll be able to hit the road and explore the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland in your own time – perfect!