Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour in Snæfellsnes National Park

Travel into the Earth’s depths with this fantastic caving tour to Vatnshellir, an 8000-year-old lava cave located near the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano. This is the perfect excursions for those travelling the fascinating Snæfellsnes Peninsula and are looking to spice up their journey with a great family-friendly adventure.

Vatnshellir Lava Cave was created in a volcanic eruption from the nearby Purhólar crater some 8,000 years ago. Today, it’s a great stop for those looking for a subterranean adventure and learn about Iceland’s volcanic environment.

You will meet your friendly guide at the basecamp on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. They will give you all necessary gear for this expedition, such as a helmet and torch. Be sure to wear warm clothes as it is going to be cold down there.

You will descend a 35-metre (100 ft) metal staircase into this ancient lava tube. Your guide will take you along the path molten lava created thousands of years ago. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular colours of purple and grey as well as stalagmites and other strange rock formations.

After exploring the 200-metre (656 ft) cave, your guide will gather your group around and ask you to turn off the torches you´ve been using to light up your surroundings. Take a moment to enjoy the total absence of light. You will be in complete darkness, hearing only droplets of water fall down from the cave’s roof.

The nearby Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano served as the entry to Jules Verne’s subterranean adventure novel, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Inside the cave, is a nod to the famous book, see if you can spot it!

Have your own underground adventure on your journey around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Book now to secure your spot on this fantastic adventure.