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CaveWest Iceland

Surtshellir

West Iceland, IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

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CaveWest Iceland

Surtshellir

West Iceland, IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

About

A cave in West Iceland. Formed by volcanic activity over centuries.

Bring a light and watch the shadows play on ancient rock walls. Iceland from the inside.

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

Some caves require booking tours in advance. Check before driving out to remote locations.

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Map of Surtshellir

Surtshellir is in West Iceland at 64.7787°N, 20.7261°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

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Plan your visit

Getting there: Road 578 (Arnvh:Kalm-Surtshellir)
Off the main road: 23.8 km from Route 1
Nearest town: Reykholt — 30 km away
Distance from Reykjavík: 91 km in a straight line
What else is close: 94 mapped places within 20 km

Surtshellir weather and conditions

At Surtshellir in West Iceland, conditions as of 1 September 2026, 07:15 (Iceland time): 1°C (feels like -2°C), overcast, wind 2 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 46 m (sunrise 06:00, 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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West Reykjavík South Coast 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 Surtshellir

Free cancellation

Small groups

Hiking

Day Trek to Akrafjall: The Troll's Mountain

IF THIS ONE SHOWS UNAVAILABLE, CHECK OUR OTHER DAY TOURS as we run one tour per day.

Duration6 hours 30 minutes

HighlightsWest Iceland

From Grundarfjörður Port: Private Snaefellsness Tour

Step away from busy destinations like the Golden Circle and the South Coast with the tour.

Duration8 hours

HighlightsWest Iceland

Grundarfjordur Port: Small Group Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Cruise Terminal

Join a small group shore excursion from Grundarfjordur Port and explore the landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula often call

Duration5 hours

HighlightsWest Iceland

From

25.340 ISK

View tour →

Photos & videos

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Frequently
asked
questions

Can I visit Surtshellir without a guide?

Surtshellir 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 Surtshellir?

Surtshellir is in West 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 Surtshellir?

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 Surtshellir cost anything to visit?

Surtshellir 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.Bröttuhlíðarfoss

5.6 km·~7 min drive

A waterfall in West Iceland.

#2.Veitufoss

5.6 km·~7 min drive

A waterfall in West Iceland.

#3.Háaleitisfoss

5.7 km·~7 min drive

A waterfall in West Iceland.

#4.Lambárfoss

9.7 km·~12 min drive

A waterfall in Iceland.

4 waterfalls near West Iceland

Hot Springs

#1.Selgil

11 km·~13 min drive

Natural hot spring

#2.Geothermal hot spring near Borgarbyggð

11 km·~13 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#3.Englandshverir

24 km·~28 min drive

Geothermal spot

#4.Natural hot pot near Borgarbyggð

26 km·~31 min drive

Swimming_pool hot spring

4 hot springs near West Iceland

Campsites

#1.Fljótstunga

6.6 km·~8 min drive

West Iceland camping. Access to Snæfellsnes peninsula and western attractions. Good…

#2.Húsafell

11 km·~13 min drive

The camping site at Husafell is a top site with lots of features. Close to the site you…

#3.Reyðarfellsskógur

14 km·~17 min drive

West Iceland camping. Access to Snæfellsnes peninsula and western attractions. Good…

#4.Hverinn, Kleppjárnsreykjum

35 km·~42 min drive

The camp site has 80-100 spots for tents, trailers and RV’s. In 60 spots you’ll find…

4 campsites near West Iceland

F-Roads

#1.F570 Jökulshálsvegur

15 km·~18 min drive

Mountain road near Snæfellsjökull glacier

1 f-roads near West Iceland

Supermarkets

#1.Krambúð

61 km·~73 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#2.Hyrnan

62 km·~75 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#3.Ljómalind

62 km·~75 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Bónus

62 km·~75 min drive

Bónus supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near West Iceland

Gas stations

#1.Húsafell

11 km·~13 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#2.Reykholt

29 km·~35 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Hreðavatnsskáli

39 km·~46 min drive

Orkan · 303.6 kr/L petrol

#4.Staðarskáli

44 km·~53 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near West Iceland

Tours

#1.Day Trek to Akrafjall: The Troll's Mountain

6 hours 30 minutes

IF THIS ONE SHOWS UNAVAILABLE, CHECK OUR OTHER DAY TOURS as we run one tour per day.

from 18.101 ISKView tour →

#2.From Grundarfjörður Port: Private Snaefellsness Tour

8 hours

Step away from busy destinations like the Golden Circle and the South Coast with the tour.

from 269.900 ISKView tour →

#3.Grundarfjordur Port: Small Group Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Cruise Terminal

5 hours

Join a small group shore excursion from Grundarfjordur Port and explore the landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula often call

from 25.340 ISKView tour →

3 tours near West Iceland

Data & sources

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

VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
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