The Lava Tunnel

The South


Known as Raufarhólshellir, this 11th-century lava tube is 1360m long (Iceland's third largest) and contains wonderful lava columns. Regular one-hour tours run on the hour every hour. The thrilling 'extreme' tour (adult/child 19,500/9950kr) guides visitors deep into the cave, where they have to climb over boulders and squeeze though tight spaces. Helmets and flashlights are provided but bring sturdy boots.

Tours run year-round. Extreme tours start at 11am every day and last three to four hours. In winter cold air is funnelled down and trapped inside, producing amazing ice formations; bring warm clothes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant

6.76 MILES

The sleek shell of Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant is one of the few plants that provides 30% of Iceland's electricity. A multimedia exhibition and…

2. Flói Nature Reserve

6.8 MILES

Birdwatchers should head 3km northwest of Eyrarbakki to Flói Nature Reserve, an important estuary and marshland on the eastern bank of the Ölfusá. It’s…

4. Listasafn Árnesinga

7.5 MILES

This airy modern-art gallery puts on superb exhibitions. When it's quiet the staff are more than happy to walk guests around the gallery, offering an…

5. Geothermal Park

7.6 MILES

The geothermal park Hverasvæðið, in the centre of town, has mud pots and steaming pools where visitors can dip their feet (but no more). Groups of 15 or…

6. Húsið á Eyrarbakka

9.02 MILES

One of Iceland’s oldest houses, built by Danish traders in 1765, Húsið á Eyrarbakka has glass display cabinets explaining the town’s history, interesting…

7. Sjöminjasafnið á Eyrarbakka

9.09 MILES

Just behind Húsið á Eyrarbakka, this small maritime museum has displays on the local fishing community. Its main exhibit is the beautiful 12-oared fishing…

8. Selfosskirkja

11.77 MILES

The pretty riverside church in Selfoss was built in the 1950s.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "iceland/hveragerdi-around/attractions/the-lava-tunnel/a/poi-sig/1413885/1318061",
      "destination": "The-South",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Iceland",
      "region": "The-South",
      "position": "superzone"
    }