Your Comprehensive Guide to Leidarendi Cave in Iceland

Leidarendi Cave in Iceland

blog author By Johanna Sigurðardóttir shield verificationVerified Expert

Lava is the name of the game in Iceland, as it is the very foundation of the entire island. It is the source of everything from amazing rock formations to naturally formed hot springs, and you can see these wonders all over the island. Leidarendi is one of the celebrated caves in Iceland, well known for both beauty and tragedy.

In this article, we will walk you through Leidarendi and tell you all the beautiful and not-so-beautiful things about this cave. There are many good reasons why this needs to be on your Iceland Itinerary, so get your spelunking gear on and follow us!

Leidarendi Legends and Lore

Since Iceland sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it is a very geologically active area. This means that this island sports many cool geological features like hot springs, massive lava fields, and, of course, lava caves! Just like with all dark and deep caves, Leidarendi carries a veil of mystery and has been treated with caution by locals for centuries.

Caves in Iceland have long been avoided by the locals for many different reasons, some more interesting than others. The most common lore around places like Leidarendi is that it would be the home of a troll or another mythical creature. Anything that would eat or kill you if you dared to venture into the cave or get too close.

Leidarendi cave interior

Trolls, elves, and giants were not impressed with the humans and would take almost any excuse to either eat or kill anyone that came close. Trolls would be notorious for being proud and stupid and would take any chance they got to get a human snack. Elves in Iceland would be more cunning and see people as trespassers who need to be disposed of.

Other reasons to stay away from caves would be that they were known homes of outlaws, bandits, and other ruffians on the outskirts of society. Much like the trolls and elves, these would seldom greet visitors with a friendly attitude. Unfortunately, poverty and desperation led many people to seek out caves like Leidarendi for shelter when they couldn’t afford a roof over their heads. Due to their situation, some would turn to crime to survive, adding to the dangerous nature of the caves.  

The reason why legends of man-eating trolls became so commonplace is partly due to the number of people vanishing in and around caves. Fragile cave roofs and intricate tunnel systems caused many who ventured into caves (voluntarily or not) to disappear, likely meeting horrible fates. This prompted legends that would give everyone a good reason to stay away.

How Was Leidarendi Formed?

Unlike most other caves, this one used to be two. The Leidarendi lava caves were two separate caves created by eruptions from Icelandic Volcanoes, almost a thousand years apart. The first was created two thousand years ago, and the second came along just a thousand years ago, right after the Vikings arrived. Both are lava tubes that formed when the outer layers of lava hardened before the inner layers, allowing the inner layers to be drained somewhere else.

As time went by, the caves collapsed into each other, creating the Leidarendi lava tube. The joint caves have formed an interesting circular shape with a few hidden nooks and crannies. One result of this is a skeleton left in a small chamber, which turned out to be a ram that lost his way when seeking shelter. This is where the cave got its name from. “Leidarendi” literally means “end of the road”.

The Geology of Leidarendi

Since the Leidarendi Cave is the result of two separate eruptions, you can see a wide range of colors and rock formations here. This cave has been mentioned multiple times as a good example of how beautiful lava caves in Iceland can be. Leidarendi sports a wide spectrum of colors with blends of different shades of red, green, and yellow, and all colors between them.

The yellow color comes from sulfur compounds, so there can be a little bit of a stink in the cave in certain areas. The red comes from iron oxide and the green from copper oxide. Some parts of Leidarendi look like they’ve been painted, and you will notice that there are colorful flakes on the ground all over the cave that have fallen off the walls and ceiling.

Where is Leidarendi?

The Leidarendi Lava Tube Cave is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, just 25 minutes away from the capital. It is located in a massive lava field right next to the small Bláfjöll Mountain and has a dedicated parking area on Road 417.

How to Get to Leidarendi

As with most cool spots in Iceland, the Leidarendi Cave can be visited either on a tour or via a self-drive.

Join a Tour

The only way to safely explore Leidarendi inside will be as part of a guided tour. Multiple tours depart from Reykjavik, but, if you plan on making Leidarendi a stop along a longer road trip, you can also join one of the tours that meet at the cave itself. Either way, you can enjoy the experienced guide’s knowledge as you walk and crawl through Leidarendi, aka the end of the road.

Drive There Yourself

If you want to link up with your tour guide on the spot instead of going with them from the capital, simply take Roads 40 and 41 to Hafnafjördur and take Road 42 from there. After 5-6 kilometers, take Road 417 and park at the parking lot next to Bláfjöll.

Visiting Leidarendi

Even though you can technically venture into the cave on your own, you should under no circumstances do so. The guides that take you on these tours will know the cave like the back of their hand and are trained to help in case anything goes wrong. Without a guide, you might run the risk of joining the ram in the cave.

Leidarendi is not a cave that has been adapted to receive visitors, so It’s very much raw mother nature. The basic gear to enter the cave will be prongs on your feet, a helmet with a lamp, and protective clothing. Some areas of Leidarendi are narrow with a low ceiling, making it difficult to move through. So, having clothes that won’t rip is going to be preferable.

Some tours will only equip you with helmets and prongs. Others are generous enough to also provide a sturdy overall. This way, your clothes won’t get damaged, and you can crawl and climb to your heart’s content (under guide supervision, of course).

The Best Time to Visit Leidarendi

Even though you can visit all throughout the year, winter and summer will be the best time to visit Leidarendi. In the summer in Iceland, the weather is as pleasant as can be, and you can emerge from the cave with sunlight on your face.  

The winter in Iceland is considered slightly better due to the many ice formations that can be found throughout the cave. Even though some areas of the cave might be a little slippery at this time of the year, the ice blends in with the scenery and creates a magical atmosphere. The only downside is that the entrance to Leidarendi might be a little tricky to find in the winter, making an experienced guide a wise choice once again.

What to Do Close to Leidarendi

Since Leidarendi is right on the Reykjanes Peninsula, there are a myriad of things to do and explore nearby. Below is a selected list of experiences for you to indulge in before or after your visit to the cave:

There are many other things to do in the area, so check out our article on the top 11 things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula.

Hallgrimskirkja at dawn

Where to Stay Close to Leidarendi

Since this is so close to the capital, you will find plenty of accommodation there alone. Below are some examples of places to stay not far away from Leidarendi Lava Cave:

  • Vogar Camping – An excellent option if you want to stay close to nature, but not too far away from civilization.
  • Lava Hostel and Camping – A classic blend of cozy hostel and camping grounds with all the amenities you could possibly need.
  • The Reykjavik EDITION – if you want to turn up the luxury factor of your holiday. This is where you go to break the holiday budget and spoil yourself.
  • Blue Lagoon – if you want luxury outside the city – stay here!

Plan Your Visit to Leidarendi

As you now know, this is a cave of tragic history, mythical creatures, and stunning geological features. Taking a tour in Leidarendi is an easy way to elevate your holiday in Iceland and create memories for life.

Even if a tour is the easier way to visit Leidarendi, the rest of Iceland is your oyster if you make the right choices. The first and best choice you can make is to rent a car in Reykjavik to get on the road to an Icelandic Adventure. Just ensure it’s not the end of the road for you like it was for the ram. 

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