Silver Circle & Viðgelmir Lava Cave

by Arctic Adventures · Lava caves · Volcanoes & lava · West Iceland

4.60· 5,195 Google reviews of the operator
  • Fine on your own
  • Self-guided

from €190.79 per person

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €190.79Other dates
Silver Circle & Viðgelmir Lava Cave — Arctic Adventures
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1 / 10

  • Duration

    10 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Pickup

    Hotel pickup included

  • Departs

    08:00, 08:30

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

This itinerary combines the best of western Iceland, including Deildartunguhver hot springs, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Langjökull ice tunnel, Viðgelmir lava cave, and Húsafell canyon baths. Along with these geological wonders, you'll have the chance to meet adorable Icelandic horses at Reykholt Farm.

Deildartunguhver - Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring

Our first stop will be at the hot springs of Deildartunguhver. This viciously boiling geothermal pool is so powerful that it is used to heat Icelandic homes in the area. It is Europe's most powerful hot spring, with a flow rate of 180 liters (47.6 gallons) per second. We'll walk through the geothermal field, past steaming, bubbling pools that consistently reach temperatures of 97°C (207°F).

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Lava Waterfalls

Next are two of the most breathtaking waterfalls in western Iceland. First up is Hraunfossar - a series of tiny cascades that together create a magical orchestra of rushing streams. Barnafoss is only a short walk away from its neighbor, but its appearance is in stark contrast. Flowing in the middle of a narrow canyon, the rapid stream twists and turns, creating white foam. The water itself is a pastel blue. All together, it almost looks like a blue milkshake.

Both falls emerge from an ancient lava field formed thousands of years ago. Your guide will tell you about the myths and legends surrounding the area and explain the nature of Iceland's mighty waterfalls.

Into the Glacier / Viðgelmir Lava Cave / Húsafell Canyon Baths

For your next stop, choose the attraction that speaks to your heart. Perhaps you've always wanted to walk through the majestic ice tunnel or enter the natural lava cave. Or maybe your dream is to soak in the warm, relaxing geothermal pool? Choose one of the three options, and we'll take you right there.

The unique Langjökull Ice Tunnel is the largest of its kind in the world. You'll spend an hour exploring its frozen corridors, stopping off at the built-in chapel.

If you fancy something less icy, Viðgelmir is the biggest lava cave in Iceland. It is easily accessible thanks to special paths and walkways and is suitable for the whole family. Amazement is guaranteed when you see the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling.

If you're looking for a calmer experience, Husafell Canyon Baths are the place to go. Here, you can soak in a warm geothermal pool in the middle of a canyon and recharge before the next stop.

Reykholt Horse Farm & Return to Reykjavik

Next, we're off to the horse farm in Reykholt to meet the adorable Icelandic horses and ponies. You'll have the chance to pet and feed the friendly animals. The staff will tell you more about these gentle companions, and you will be able to take some cute photos.

Then, we'll get back on the minibus for the last scenic ride to Reykjavik. We'll be there in the early evening and drop you off at the initial location.

Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Borgarnes
  2. Deildartunguhver - Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring
  3. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Lava Waterfalls
  4. Húsafell
  5. Viðgelmir Lava Cave
  6. Reykholt Horse Farm
  7. Reykjavík

Included

  1. Entry & tour of Viðgelmir lava cave
  2. Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
  3. Minibus Transport
  4. English Speaking Tour Guide
  5. Certified Guide
  6. Free WiFi on Board Your Bus

Good to know

  1. Warm Outdoor Clothing
  2. Water & Windproof Jacket and Pants
  3. Hiking Shoes
  4. Warm Head-wear & Gloves
  5. Camera & photography equipment
  6. Lunch & Snacks

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is wind on the ridge or a change in eruption activity — civil protection decides, not the operator. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why we list it

Arctic Adventures is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Arctic Adventures

Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Kai Gilchrist

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.

  • Tatjana Kultaniemi

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.

  • Chloe Lamm

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!

  • Nicole Y.

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Lava caves — questions people ask

Which lava cave near Reykjavík is the easiest to visit?

Raufarhólshellir, sold as The Lava Tunnel, thirty minutes east of the city. It has a lit walkway and a one-hour guided walk (/experience/32545/ meet on location, or /experience/222055/ with pickup), so no crawling and no head torches. It runs all year. Viðgelmir in West Iceland is longer and quieter, an hour and a half away, and Leiðarendi is a proper caving trip with helmets and scrambling.

What is the difference between a lava cave and an ice cave?

A lava cave is a tunnel left when a lava flow drained out thousands of years ago; it is rock, permanent and open all year. An ice cave is a meltwater tunnel in a glacier, usually only safe November to March, and rebuilt by nature every year. Lava caves show colours in the rock, ice stalactites in winter and total darkness. Ice caves show blue light. If you are here in summer and someone offers a natural ice cave, ask which one.

Is lava caving suitable for children and older people?

The Lava Tunnel, yes. The main walk is on a flat walkway with lights and handrails, and children of most ages manage it. Viðgelmir has a good path too. Leiðarendi and the caving combos (/experience/268/) involve crouching, uneven floors and some scrambling, so the operator sets a minimum age; check the tour page. Anyone with a bad back or knees should stick to the walkway caves.

What do I wear in a lava cave?

It is around zero to four degrees inside, whatever the weather outside, and floors drip. Wear a warm jacket, closed shoes with grip and long trousers. The operator provides a helmet with a head torch where needed. For caving trips, wear clothes you do not mind scraping on rock; gloves help. The Lava Tunnel is easier on clothing, but it is still a cold, wet cave, not a museum.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

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Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €21 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

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Private Silver Circle Day Tour

from €1,573 per vehicle4.90· 1,779 Google reviews of the operator

pickup included

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  • Family friendly
  • Free cancellation 24 h
  • Private
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from

€190.79 per person

Book Thu 22 Oct · €190.79