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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.
Map of Surtshellir
Map
64.7787°N, 20.7261°W · West Iceland
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
Tours near Surtshellir
Krauma nature baths - Admission feefrom 7.900 ISK · 1 h
Cave Explorerfrom 9.000 ISK · 1 h 30 min
Snowmobile on Langjökull Glacier - Meet us in Husafellfrom 33.490 ISK · 2 h
Into The Glacier - With Snowmobiling From Húsafellfrom 36.900 ISK · 4 h 30 min
ATV Quad Adventure in Húsafell: Rivers & Mountain Viewsfrom 17.990 ISK · 1 h
Into The Glacier - From Húsafellfrom 27.900 ISK · 4 h
Husafell Canyon Bathsfrom 10.900 ISK · 1 h 45 min
Into The Glacier - With Snowmobiling From Klaki Base Campfrom 36.900 ISK · 2 h 30 min
Red Glacier Monster Truck Tour - Unique Langjökull Glacier Tour from Gullfossfrom 22.900 ISK · 4 hInto The Glacier - From Húsafellfrom 27.900 ISK · 4 hSnowmobile on Langjökull Glacier - Meet us in Husafellfrom 33.490 ISK · 2 h
Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Lerki Admissionfrom 23.039 ISK · 9 h 30 minAll 1,648 toursBy activity and regionSurtshellir weather and conditions
Last updated
4°Clight drizzle · feels -1°C8 m/sgusts 139 h 47 mdaylight · 08:15 – 18:02
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region
In season now · Winter in IcelandInto The Glacier - From Húsafellfrom 27.900 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 tours
Cars & campers
−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Transmission
Fuel
Seats
Drive
SleepsPhotos & videos
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km column = your drive
- 1Surtshellir< 1 km
- 2Stefánshellir1 km
- 3
Víðgelmir5 km - 4
Þvottahellir51 km - 5
Tintron63 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
- 1Selgil11 km
- 2Geothermal hot spring near Borgarbyggð11 km
- 3Englandshverir24 km
Fuel
- 1Húsafell11 km · 308.6 kr/L
- 2
Reykholt29 km · 310.9 kr/L - 3Hreðavatnsskáli39 km · 303.6 kr/L
Supermarkets
Tours
Day Trek to Akrafjall: The Troll's Mountainfrom 17.656 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
From Grundarfjörður Port: Private Snaefellsness Tourfrom 269.900 ISK · 8 hours 
Grundarfjörður Cruise Tour: Snæfellsnes Peninsula from the portfrom 24.500 ISK · 5 hours 30 minutes
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.
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
Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10