Lava cave Vidgelmir

The cave Vidgelmir: the power of fire

Víðgelmir Lava Cave is about 15 minutes from the “Into the Glacier” ice tunnel on the western slope of Langjökull Glacier. Here, lava that flowed more than 1000 years ago has created a unique tunnel that is up to 52 kilometres long. Due to its uniqueness, it has even caught the attention of NASA scientists, who have studied it in detail. During your visit, you can visit the cave, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres long. You can admire the minerals left by the lava and plunge into the depths of the earth.

The tour is only possible with a guide

Tours of the cave are organized by local guides who provide interesting information about its history, geology and biological diversity. In high season, tickets must be purchased in advance on the cave’s official website. In the off-season, just come and buy your ticket on the spot.

Since we didn’t know when our hike on the glacier would end, we decided to come here without prior reservation. However, we called the cave in advance to find out how many tickets were left for the next few hours. It’s best to come here after the glacier hike, as there are fewer visitors flowing into the cave then.

In the visitor centre, they will give you helmets and headlamps so that you can move freely around the cave and not miss the light. You will appreciate it very much, especially if you want to shine a light on the more remote corners of the cave or just get a better view of the formations that the lava has created here.

Journey through the cave

After buying our tickets, we made our way through the snowy landscape to the entrance of the cave. Only a few wooden steps separated us from the majestic entrance to the first room. Snowfall all around us only added to the fairytale atmosphere.

In the first room the guide told us a little about the history of the cave. Evidence of human presence has been found in the cave, dating back to around 1000 AD. Archaeological excavations have uncovered various objects such as bone fragments, glass beads and stone tools, suggesting that the cave served as a shelter or temporary dwelling for the ancient inhabitants of Iceland, only about 100 years after the eruption of the volcano that gave birth to the cave.

However, if you look above you, you will see an opening through which sunlight is streaming in. Already there you can see the colourful palette of colours created by the lava itself.

Hallway to the depths

As you venture deeper into the cave, pay close attention to the walls and the ground. On the ground awaits you a lava stalagmite, which is small but unique. It looks more like a flower and is easy to miss unless you listen to the interpretation.

On the walls, the lava has left a thick layer that resembles melted chocolate. You won’t get such a view anywhere else but in a lava cave. It completely covers the entire wall of the first passage and is a clear reminder of the tunnel’s origin and volcanic power.

Beneath the volcanic layer, you can observe colours resulting from minerals and iron oxidation.

Corridors between the chambers are very narrow, full of pitfalls, and the helmet will be much appreciated.

In each chamber, the ceilings are the most beautiful. They are the best places to see the oxidation of the iron, and the cave will show you its full colour spectrum. Such colours give the cave an almost surreal look and are sure to captivate you too.

Winter adds charm to Víðgelmir Cave

An important feature of Víðgelmir is also its ice formations, which appear during the winter. As water seeps into the cave, it freezes and creates beautiful ice columns and stalagmites. This contrast between fire and ice clearly belongs to Iceland and the cave is full of it.

Below you, you see ice, around you the solidified lava, and above you you see the mineral composition left by the lava. All of this can be seen from one place. This makes the cave a real unique experience for anyone interested in volcanic activity.

At the end of the tunnel you will find a suitcase with various pieces of lava. Each one is unique, has a different colouring and contains different minerals.

NASA’s interest

During the tour, the guide will also show you the bacteria, which with their uniqueness have attracted the attention of NASA. Because of their ability to survive in extreme conditions, the bacteria from Víðgelmir can provide valuable insights for research into life on other planets such as Mars. Scientists believe that similar microorganisms could also exist in lava tunnels on other planetary bodies. But you’ll learn more details on your own tour. Martin was absolutely fascinated.

How to get to Víðgelmir Cave?

Víðgelmir Cave is located near the village of Húsafell, in western Iceland, approximately 65 kilometres from Reykjavík. You can either take an organised tour or go on your own. As I mentioned before, it is best to combine a visit with the Into the Glacier ice tunnel