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CaveReykjavík Area

Raufarhólshellir

Reykjavík Area, IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

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CaveReykjavík Area

Raufarhólshellir

Reykjavík Area, IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

About

Raufarhólshellir is the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland. The cave's proximity to Reykjavík made it popular with visitors, who caused damage to the cave. In late 2016 the cave was closed to the public to clear accumulated garbage and install lighting and a walkway to part of the cave. The cave reopened for guided tours the following year.

Lava caves have their own beauty - twisted formations frozen in time from ancient eruptions.

The cave's proximity to Reykjavík made it popular with visitors, who caused damage to the cave. In late 2016 the cave was closed to the public to clear accumulated garbage and install lighting and a walkway to part of the cave. The cave reopened for guided tours the following year.

Wear warm clothes - caves maintain a constant cool temperature regardless of the weather outside.

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Map of Raufarhólshellir

Raufarhólshellir is in the Reykjavík Area, Iceland at 63.9402°N, 21.3972°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

Open Raufarhólshellir on the interactive map →

Plan your visit

Getting there: Road 39 (Þrengslavegur)
Off the main road: 0.1 km from Route 39
Nearest town: Þorlákshöfn — 10.1 km away
Distance from Reykjavík: 35 km in a straight line
What else is close: 239 mapped places within 20 km

Raufarhólshellir weather and conditions

At Raufarhólshellir in Reykjavik, conditions as of 1 September 2026, 07:15 (Iceland time): 5°C (feels like 0°C), clear, wind 6 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 40 m (sunrise 06:06, sunset 20:46). Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 1 September 2026, 07:15· source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility —

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Reykjavík South Coast West North East Westfjords Reykjanes Highlands

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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation

KEF airport pickup 24/74.8

SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

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

VW Caravelle

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

TransmissionAutomatic

12,750 kr15,000 kr/day

Reserve −12%

Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

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

Tours near Raufarhólshellir

Free cancellation

Small groups

Lagoons & spa

A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!

Embark on a private adventure through the Golden Circle with Northern Adventurer.

Duration8 hours

HighlightsReykjavík area

A Magical Day in Iceland - a private custom made tour - Up to 9 passengers

So often our customers ask for something different.

Duration8 hours

HighlightsReykjavík area

A Premium Private Tour of Ancient Legends and Natural Marvels of Snæfellsnes!

Come with us on an journey to the land of Snæfellsnes, an ancient realm steeped in legends and wonder.

Duration11 hours

HighlightsReykjavík area

From

323.999 ISK

View tour →

Photos & videos

Raufarhólshellir — photo by Markus Trienke · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Markus Trienke · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

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

Reviews

Frequently
asked
questions

Can I visit Raufarhólshellir without a guide?

Raufarhólshellir 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 Raufarhólshellir?

Raufarhólshellir is in Reykjavík Area. 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 Raufarhólshellir?

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 Raufarhólshellir cost anything to visit?

Raufarhólshellir 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.

Nearby

km column = your drive

Waterfalls

#1.Reykjafoss

13 km·~15 min drive

A waterfall in the Capital Area.

#2.Djúpagilsfoss

14 km·~16 min drive

A waterfall in the Capital Area.

#3.Litli-Foss

26 km·~31 min drive

A waterfall in the Capital Area.

#4.Helgufoss

27 km·~32 min drive

A waterfall in the Capital Area.

4 waterfalls near Reykjavík Area

Hot Springs

#1.Hverahild

7.8 km·~9 min drive

Natural hot spring

#2.Geothermal hot spring near Ölfus

8.9 km·~11 min drive

Natural hot spring

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Þorlákshöfn

9.8 km·~12 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#4.Geothermal hot spring near Hveragerðisbær

12 km·~14 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

4 hot springs near Reykjavík Area

Campsites

#1.Þorlákshöfn

9.7 km·~12 min drive

The camp site in the town Þorlákshöfn is located center of town, close to the sports area…

#2.Tjaldsvæði Þorlákshafnar

9.8 km·~12 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Check…

#3.Hveragerði - Reykjamörk

12 km·~15 min drive

The camp site in the village Hveragerði is located close to the center of the village.…

#4.Tjaldsvæðið Í Hveragerði

12 km·~15 min drive

Greater Reykjavík area campsite. Urban convenience with easier booking than central city…

4 campsites near Reykjavík Area

Supermarkets

#1.Krónan

9.2 km·~11 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

#2.Bónus

12 km·~14 min drive

Bónus supermarket — supplies

#3.Nettó

19 km·~22 min drive

Nettó supermarket — supplies

#4.Hagkaup Sérvara

21 km·~25 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near Reykjavík Area

Gas stations

#1.Þorlákshöfn

9.1 km·~11 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#2.Hveragerði

12 km·~14 min drive

N1 · 306.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Eyrarbakki

15 km·~18 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#4.Selfoss

19 km·~23 min drive

Atlantsolía · 279.8 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near Reykjavík Area

Tours

#1.A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!

8 hours

Embark on a private adventure through the Golden Circle with Northern Adventurer.

from 159.000 ISKView tour →

#2.A Magical Day in Iceland - a private custom made tour - Up to 9 passengers

8 hours

So often our customers ask for something different.

from 195.000 ISKView tour →

#3.A Premium Private Tour of Ancient Legends and Natural Marvels of Snæfellsnes!

11 hours

Come with us on an journey to the land of Snæfellsnes, an ancient realm steeped in legends and wonder.

from 323.999 ISKView tour →

3 tours near Reykjavík Area

Data & sources

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

Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Markus Trienke · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
WikipediaEncyclopedic description · CC BY-SA 4.0
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community