Lava Tube Raufarholshellar, 4th longest in Iceland (1.36 km / 0.84 miles) from 5.200 yrs ago. Drone.

Raufarhólshellir (https://thelavatunnel.is/) is the fourth-largest and the most visually enjoyable lava cave in Iceland. See the interiors - https://youtu.be/j88Wq8uNZnw
 Join a guided tour where an expert guide will lead you through the 1360-m (4,461-ft) long lava tunnel. Explore rainbow-colored walls and stunning rock formations. A thrilling adventure below the earth, Raufarhólshellir is just a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik.

Raufarhólshellir is a fairytale-like lava tunnelound in the South West of Iceland, only 30 minutes driving from the capital on the road to Þorlákshöfn.  Surrounded by moss-covered lava, mountains, and craters, it lures visitors all year round. 

The cave is heavenly info form and color, and walking through it is a truly magical experience.

Raufarholshellir Cave is the fourth largest lava tube in Iceland, measuring 1360 m (4,461 ft) at length and 10-30 m (33-98 ft) wide depending on where you are standing

The ceiling is high (up to 10 m/33 ft), making the cave one of the best caves to visit if you have ever experienced claustrophobia. The average thickness of the lava ceiling is about 12 m (39 ft).

This geological wonder shouldn’t be visited without a guide or a lava cave expert. Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Small Group Tour is one of the most budget-friendly experiences you can have in Iceland and our expert guides make sure to keep you safe and informed at all times.

The tour takes place only about an hour from Reykjavik so you can easily join the tour on a half-day mission out from the city. 

FUN FACTS ABOUT RAUFARHOLSHELLIR

Raufarhólshellir is the 4th largest lava cave in Iceland.

Some parts of the tunnel actually go under the road to Thorlakshofn so when you are driving there you'll actually be driving over parts of the cave you will walk through later!  

The cave once housed a framed epitaph document and a cinerary urn with the remains of the last member of an Indian tribe from the Fire Island. Sadly, the urn was taken from the cave, and its location remains unknown. Your guide will tell you the full story.

THE HISTORY OF RAUFARHOLSHELLIR

The history of Raufarholshellir Cave starts with a volcanic eruption in the Bláfjöll Mountain Range about 5,200 years ago. The eruption, which is often referred to as the Leitarhraun eruption, created the scene you see today and with it an 11 km (7 mi) long crater row.

Lava tunnels are natural canals that form when active flowing magma starts to harden creating a thin lava crust on top. This lava crust then thickens as more lava flows and results in the formation of the lava tunnel roof. The hot running lava continues to flow through, but the roof stays solid.

When visiting the cave you'll be following the path of the lava, which flowed through the site a few thousand years ago.

Joining a tour to Raufarholshellir is a truly unique experience!

WHAT IS THERE TO SEE INSIDE RAUFARHÓLSHELLIR?

A beautiful variety of moss-covered lava.

An incredible natural array of colors created in the volcanic formation of the tunnel. Each color beam tells you a little bit about the history of the cave. Join one of our tours to the cave, and you'll hear all about it!

The tunnel was filled with stalactites, but around the 1950s, when the cave started getting more and more popular they began to disappear. Today you can see only a few of them in the cave, but they are well worth the search. 

Incredible rock formations and naturally sculpted lava falls.

In winter see glistening icicles and ice formations all around the cave.

WHERE IS RAUFARHOLSHELLIR LOCATED?

GPS Coordinates: 63.959753° N 21.312831° W

Raufarholshellir is located right off Route 39 which runs off the Ring Road. It's only about 41 km (25 mi) away from Reykjavik.

Tunnel's website https://thelavatunnel.is/

#Lavatube #Lavatunnel #Volcano #iceland

Видео Lava Tube Raufarholshellar, 4th longest in Iceland (1.36 km / 0.84 miles) from 5.200 yrs ago. Drone. канала ⚡Iceland Explorer