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If you are in the mood for something out of the ordinary, Vidgelmir Cave is going to be right up your alley. Or right up your cave, whichever you prefer. There are a myriad of different attractions and exciting activities in Iceland, and most come from the powerful forces of Icelandic Mother Nature.
Walking through Vidgelmir Cave is one of those experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life. In this article, we explain why we are ready to make such bold claims and why we strongly encourage you to make this a part of your next Iceland Holiday.
Diving into Vidgelmir Cave
There are caves, and then there are caves. Vidgelmir Lava Tube is the latter since it is known to be one of the largest lava caves in the world. With a staggering 1585 meters in length, 15.8 meters high, and 16.5 meters wide at its largest point, this is an absolute beast of a cave. It’s not surprising that this is a very popular destination for hundreds of visitors every year. Due to historical and geological importance, the cave has been protected since 1993 and now has parts of it closed off with iron gates.
The inside of Vidgelmir Cave is coated in shifting colors from various mineral deposits, and the entire cave is lined with impressive lava formations (so the size isn’t the only thing that attracts a crowd). These things make for excellent opportunities for Víðgelmir photos. Since the cave is well-maintained and has nice wooden pathways and stairs throughout, you don’t have to do any serious spelunking here.
The Forming of Vidgelmir Cave
Most geological formations in Iceland often date back thousands of years, but not Vidgelmir. Around the year 900, a massive eruption took place and covered about 200 square kilometers of ground with lava creating the surrounding Hallmundarhraun lava field. Sometimes, the outer layers of lava will harden before the inner ones, creating a situation like one of those candies with a hard shell and runny middle.
Sometimes, this softer middle will have time to drain into a lower chamber or funnel out on the surface. When this happens, the outer shell is left behind as a lava tube, just like Víðgelmir Lava Cave.
Víðgelmir, one of the largest known lava tubes in the world, holds significant geological importance. It has been the subject of numerous scientific studies due to its unique preservation and stunning lava formations, including rare lava stalactites. Its well-preserved structure provides valuable insights into volcanic activity, making it a notable site for researchers.
Where is Vidgelmir Cave?
Vidgelmir Cave is part of a large lava field, Hallmundarhraun, that is home to at least 10 other known lava caves. The field is just west of Langjökull Glacier and north of Húsafell. The area is in the western part of Iceland and roughly 136 kilometers from Reykjavik.
How Do I Get to Vidgelmir Cave?
As with most popular spots in Iceland, you can reach Vidgelmir Cave either with a guide as a part of a tour or by driving yourself.
Join a Tour
You can join a tour to Vidgelmir Cave from multiple locations, but Reykjavik is the most common location of departure. Most of these longer tours have Vidgelmir Cave as one of many stops along either single or multi-day tours.
Some of the few tours that don’t depart from Reykjavik are organized by The Cave people who organize the tours inside the cave. If you happen to be in Húsafell and tired of driving, you can park your car and butt at the Húsafell Bistro and get picked up there.
Drive Yourself
Driving yourself is our favorite method of transport and the best way to explore the island! If you want to visit Vidgelmir Cave as a part of your holiday, you can easily get there on your own. Just remember that you still have to join a tour to get inside.
From Reykjavik, drive the Ring Road heading north until you reach Borgarnes. From there, follow Road 50, heading northeast for just over 30 kilometers until you can turn right on Road 518. After about 20 kilometers, take Road 523 and follow it until you reach the building at Vidgelmir Cave.
The Dark History of Vidgelmir Lava Cave
Hundreds of years ago, when Iceland was scarcely populated, and the transport on and off the island was difficult to arrange, places like the Cave Vidgelmir played an important role with the less desirable citizens of society.
When people committed crimes back then, they would be cast out of society, and no one would be allowed to help them survive. There have been multiple records of outlaws residing in caves all over the island, and they have found the physical remnants of these people in some of them. Even though the Icelanders living here today are really nice people, the island used to have a couple of bad eggs.
Visiting the Vidgelmir Cave
When you visit Vidgelmir Cave today, you don’t have to worry about any criminals hiding behind the stalagmites. The cave is completely closed off, and you can only visit via guided tour.
Víðgelmir Cave is open for exploration throughout the year, but the experience varies greatly with the changing seasons. In summer, the surrounding landscapes are lush, offering pleasant temperatures and easier travel conditions to the cave. Winter visits, on the other hand, provide a more dramatic experience, with snow-covered surroundings and a mystical atmosphere inside the cave. Regardless of the season, the guided tours inside the cave remain consistent, but the journey to Víðgelmir may feel quite different depending on the time of year.
Vidgelmir Cave is now operated by a family company specializing in easy-access caving, and their tours are family-friendly enough for the entire family! The price to enter the cave on one of the tours is 8,000 ISK ($60) for adults over 16 years, 4,000 ISK for children between 7 and 15 years, and free for children 6 years and younger. The only restriction is that any children under 6 years must stay behind with a guardian before the last stop of the tour.
Helmets with a headlight are included in the tour, so remember to bring cave-proof clothing like a good pair of boots, gloves, and maybe a hat to wear underneath the helmet. The tours are 1.5 hours long, and it’s required that you show up at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Remember This When You Visit Vidgelmir Cave
There are many things to consider when walking in a cave. First of all, touching stalagmites and stalactites can stop them from growing completely, so they are completely off-limits. Also, even though this is a lava cave, it will be much colder than the surface, so dress accordingly. Like any other part of nature you venture into, you must leave Vidgelmir Cave the way you found it. So, don’t throw trash, pour out any liquids, or take “souvenirs” on your visit.
Since Vidgelmir Cave is equipped with wooden boardwalks and railings, you don’t have to worry too much about safety. It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that caves are naturally moist, and it’s easy to slip on wet wood, so keep an eye on the ground as you walk. The railings and boardwalks also make it easier to ensure that you don’t accidentally do something you’re not supposed to, so you can feel relaxed on your tour.
What to Do Close to Vidgelmir Cave
You will find that even though spelunking in a lava cave can be an amazing experience, with a 90-minute-long tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the surroundings.
There is, for example, another impressive lava cave not far away. Surtshellir Lava Tube was considered the longest known lava tube in the world for a very long time, and it’s just a couple of kilometers away.
If you’re done with the lava caves, why not visit some of the nearby ice caves in Iceland? The nearby Langjökull Glacier has a nice selection of ice caves you can access with different tours.
After the Viðgelmir Lava Cave Tour, having a soak in the nearby Krauma Geothermal Baths and Spa might be more to your liking. This is a stunning spa built on top of the most powerful hot spring in Europe and blends in perfectly with the surrounding nature. This place practically screams (or whispers) “peace of mind”.
If you want more adventure, Vidgelmar Cave is right on the doorstep of the Icelandic Highlands. Just ensure you have a 4x4 if you decide to take on this part of Iceland.
Where to Stay Close to Vidgelmir Cave
Even though Vidgelmir Cave is a bit remote, there are a couple of nice places to stay in the (almost) vicinity. Below are some of the options for nearby accommodation:
- Húsafell Campsite – perfect budget option if you want to stay close to nature.
- Hotel Húsafell – the nearest hotel with great service.
- Fosshotell Reykholt – if you want to turn up the luxury feeling.
- Guesthouse Gamli Bær – an excellent budget option if you don’t want to camp.
Plan Your Visit to Vidgelmir Cave
With a land filled with natural wonders, you must take the opportunity to explore every unique setting you possibly can, and Vidgelmir Cave should be a priority. There are few places on earth that would give you the same feeling as stepping into a massive lava cave filled with colors and cool rock formations.
Exploring Iceland is best done on your own terms, so renting a car in Reykjavik is the best way to take on the Land of Fire and Ice. After that, the island is your oyster (or lava cave)!
