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Grjótagjá

Self-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight
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CaveNorth Iceland

Grjótagjá

North IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

About

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave near lake Mývatn in Iceland. It has a thermal spring inside.

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave near lake Mývatn in Iceland. It has a thermal spring inside.

Underground, the usual rules don't apply. It's dark, quiet, and slightly unnerving in the best way.

Formed during volcanic eruptions when lava flowed beneath a hardened crust. When the lava drained, it left behind these tunnels.

Bring a headlamp or flashlight even on guided tours. Caves are dark. Really dark.

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Plan your visit to Grjótagjá

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Map of Grjótagjá

Map

65.6272°N, 16.8817°W · North Iceland

Plan your visit

Getting there
Road 1 (Reykjahlíð)
Off the main road
1.3 km from Route 1
Nearest town
Vogar við Mývatn — 1.7 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
290 km in a straight line
What else is close
230 mapped places within 20 km

Tours that include Grjótagjá

Lake Mývatn Small Group from Akureyri Portfrom 42.000 ISK · 6 hHike and Bathfrom 18.900 ISK · 5 hEarth Exclusive - Earth lagoon Myvatnfrom 52.000 ISK · 4 hEarth Essential - Earth Lagoon Mývatnfrom 7.900 ISK · 1 h 30 minEarth Signature - Earth Lagoon Mývatnfrom 9.900 ISK · 1 h 30 minAskja Classicfrom 34.900 ISK · 12 hAskja Caldera & Herðubreiðarlindir - Super jeep day tourfrom 59.900 ISK · 12 hLake Myvatn and Dettifoss Waterfall (from Lake Myvatn)from 39.900 ISK · 6 hAskja & Herðubreið Super Jeep Tourfrom 59.900 ISK · 12 h
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ToursIn season nowNorthern Lights 4x4 Tour from Akureyrifrom 34.799 ISK · 2 h 30 minLake Mývatn & Snowmobile Tour from Akureyrifrom 59.900 ISK · 9 hGoðafoss and the Forest Lagoonfrom 26.400 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Grjótagjá weather and conditions

Last updated

2°Covercast · feels -3°C5 m/swind9 h 41 mdaylight · 08:02 – 17:44
In season now · Winter in IcelandNorthern Lights 4x4 Tour from Akureyrifrom 34.799 ISK · 2 h 30 min
See the tour
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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −12%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −12%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −12%

Photos & videos

Grjótagjá — photo by Chris 73 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Photo: Chris 73 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Grjótagjá, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Grjótagjá< 1 km
  2. 2Kvennagjá< 1 km
  3. 3Stóragjá2 km
  4. 4Kirkja5 km
  5. 5Kirkjan38 km
All caves in North Iceland →

Waterfalls

  1. 1Selfoss30 km
  2. 2Dettifoss31 km
  3. 3Geitafoss31 km
All waterfalls →

Hot springs

  1. 1Grjótagjá< 1 km
  2. 2Geothermal hot spring near Þingeyjarsveit2 km
  3. 3Stóragjá Cave2 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Reykjahlíð2 km · 310.9 kr/L
  2. 2Mývatn10 km · 308.6 kr/L
  3. 3Laugar25 km · 310.9 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Krambúð2 km
  2. 2Nettó50 km
  3. 3Hagkaup56 km
All supermarkets →

Tours

  1. (Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafossfrom 25.300 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
  2. (RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyrifrom 25.900 ISK · 6 hours
  3. Adventure snowmobile tour Akureyrifrom 166.750 ISK · 5 hours
All tours →

Frequently
asked
questions

Can I visit Grjótagjá without a guide?
Grjótagjá is generally open to self-guided visitors, but treat it seriously: it is dark and cold inside, the floor is uneven lava rock, and you must bring a head-torch and helmet. Never enter a cave alone or without telling someone your plans.
How do I get to Grjótagjá?
Grjótagjá is in North Iceland. Many Icelandic caves sit off highland tracks that need a 4WD — check live road and weather conditions on this page before you drive, especially in winter when routes close.
What should I bring to Grjótagjá?
A helmet and a proper head-torch or flashlight are the minimum — there is no daylight inside and the floor is broken lava rock. Add warm layers and sturdy boots; the cave stays near freezing year-round. Recommended gear: helmet, flashlight.
Does Grjótagjá cost anything to visit?
Grjótagjá is generally free to enter, though the access road may need a 4WD. Guided cave tours elsewhere in Iceland are paid. Conditions change with weather, so plan around the forecast.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.

All caves6 caves in North Iceland, mapped with photos, distances and live conditions
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10
8°C · overcastWind 2 m/sRing Road (R1) openAurora Kp 2.67Daylight 07:02 – 19:39Webcams