Víðgelmir, Lava tube cave in Hallmundarhraun, Iceland
Viðgelmir is a lava tube cave in Hallmundarhraun with passages extending about 1.600 meters and rooms reaching 16 meters wide. The interior features towering ceilings and spacious chambers that create a sense of vast underground space.
The cave formed around 1.000 years ago when lava flowed through this region during volcanic activity. Later, people from the Viking Age used it as a shelter, leaving behind artifacts that date back about 1.000 years.
The name Viðgelmir means Wide Chasm, referring to the spacious entrance opening visitors see when arriving. People have used this place for shelter and refuge over many centuries, leaving traces of their presence inside.
Visits happen only through guided tours lasting about 1.5 hours with installed lighting and walkways making safe exploration possible. The temperature inside stays cool year-round, so warm layers and grippy shoes work best.
The inner walls display beautiful formations created when lava took different shapes as it cooled over time. These natural patterns tell the story of the volcanic forces that shaped this place centuries ago.
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