Raufarhólshellir, Lava tube near Þorlákshöfn, Iceland.
Raufarhólshellir is a lava tube near Þorlákshöfn that extends roughly 1,360 meters and averages 10 to 30 meters in width throughout. The system forms a continuous tunnel that has been made accessible via stairs and walkways for foot traffic.
The tunnel formed during the Leitahraun eruption about 5,200 years ago when lava cooled on the surface while hot material continued flowing underneath. This process created the hollow spaces that can be walked through today.
The place offers a direct encounter with Iceland's volcanic past, where visitors experience the raw nature of lava formations firsthand. Local guides share knowledge about how these underground worlds formed and what they reveal about the island's geology.
Visitors should bring sturdy shoes and warm clothing because the tunnel stays cool year-round and the ground remains uneven underfoot. Tours are designed for people of varying fitness levels, with most visits lasting about one hour.
Natural openings in the ceiling let daylight penetrate several sections of the tunnel, creating surprising bright spots in the darkness. These skylights formed through collapses in the rock and turn each visit into an interplay of light and shadow.
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