Day Hike to Helgafell: Lava Caves and Elves

by Hikers of Iceland · Lava caves · Hiking & trekking · Volcanoes & lava · Reykjavík

5.00(50) · operator on Google
Day Hike to Helgafell: Lava Caves and Elves — Hikers of Iceland

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Hikers of Iceland's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.

More photos of Day Hike to Helgafell: Lava Caves and Elves

Hidden people

6 photos from Hikers of Iceland. Tap any one for the full-size original.

  • Duration

    5 hours

  • Difficulty

    Moderate

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Hafnarfjörður

  • Languages

    EN, IT, ES

  • Departs

    10:30

  • Minimum age

    16

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

IF THIS ONE SHOWS UNAVAILABLE, CHECK OUR OTHER DAY TOURS as we run one tour per day.Hike Iceland for a short day.
  • 30 MINUTES DRIVE from Reykjavik city center
  • LENGTH: 8 km – 5 miles
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 290 m – 951 ft
  • DIFFICULTY: moderate
  • DURATION: 5hrs (plus driving time)
  • STARTING TIME: 10.30 (plus pick-up time)
  • ENDING TIME: 15.30 (plus drop-off time)
  • GROUP: up to 15 participants
  • AGE LIMIT: 16+
Embark on an Unforgettable Hike to Helgafell

Embark on an unforgettable day hike to Helgafell, an ancient volcanic mountain renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich history. Formed under a massive ice sheet, this flat-topped tuya offers spectacular panoramic views of Reykjavik and the stunning Reykjanes Peninsula, providing the perfect setting for a memorable adventure.

Known as the “holy mountain,” Helgafell holds deep cultural significance, steeped in captivating folklore of elves and the “hidden people” who are said to inhabit its rocks. This mystical atmosphere adds a layer of magic to your hike, offering a glimpse into Icelandic mythology and its ancient connections to nature. As you hike, feel the magic of the landscape unfold, where every rock and ridge holds a story.

Venture Beyond the Tourist Trails

Our guided hike takes you off the beaten path, exploring secluded routes that immerse you in the untouched wilderness. Discover hidden corners of Iceland’s rugged landscape, from windswept ridges to serene valleys, while experiencing the pure thrill of walking where few others tread. The sense of discovery and connection with nature is unparalleled on this journey. Along the way, you’ll encounter Iceland’s diverse wildlife, including birds, flowers, and possibly even a shy Arctic fox. These quiet moments with nature provide a deep sense of peace and awe. The untouched beauty and serenity of this place will leave you feeling completely connected to the land.

Explore Iceland’s Volcanic Underworld

An exciting part of this adventure is the opportunity to explore nearby lava caves, where you can enter Iceland’s fascinating volcanic underworld. These awe-inspiring formations offer a glimpse into the immense power of nature, as you witness firsthand the raw forces that have shaped this incredible land over millennia. The experience of standing within these natural wonders will leave you speechless, with the eerie silence inside the caves enhancing the sense of wonder. Exploring these mysterious depths is like stepping back in time to a place where the earth itself is still alive and shifting.

Expert Guidance for an Enriching Experience

With an expert mountain leader guiding you, you’ll gain deep insights into Iceland’s geology, history, and folklore. Our guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge, making each step of your journey even more enriching and informative. Their expertise ensures a safe and enjoyable experience, while their stories make the landscapes come alive. Whether you’re curious about the volcanic forces that shaped Helgafell or eager to learn more about the elves and hidden people of Icelandic legend, our guides will bring every aspect of your hike to life. The wisdom they share will deepen your understanding of Iceland’s rich natural and cultural history.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Day Hike.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or an eager adventurer, this day hike to Helgafell offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and thrilling discovery. Book your spot now, and get ready to embark on a day filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, fascinating stories, and the untouched magic of Iceland. This is a hike that will stay with you long after the journey ends. The memories you make here will be as timeless as the mountain itself.


REMEMBER TO TAKE WITH YOU:

  1. Hiking shoes
  2. Waterproof jacket and pants
  3. 1 L of water
  4. Packed lunch
  5. Cap and (waterproof) gloves
  6. Spare t-shirt

Description from the operator, Hikers of Iceland. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Included

Lava caves

Headlamp

Licenced and certified local guides

International Mountain Leader

Good to know

  1. Hiking shoes
  2. Waterproof jacket and pants
  3. Packed lunch
  4. 1 L of water
  5. Cap and (waterproof) gloves
  6. Spare t-shirt

Weather can change rapidly, be prepared for all conditions

Meet at the designated starting point 15 minutes before departure

Group sizes are kept small for a personalized experience

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 above the treeline and river levels after rain — the guide decides on the day. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Hikers of Iceland 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 this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour from Summit Adventure Guides is €42 — €67 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

Hikers of Iceland · €109Summit Adventure Guides · €42
How long it runs5 hours0.8333333333333334 hours
Changing your mindFree until 24 h beforeFree until 4 h before
How hard it isModerateEasy

The €67 buys you 4.2 more hours out and free cancellation up to 24 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Sold out on your date?

Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.

Who this is not for

  • Not for families with children under 16 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Hikers of Iceland is one of 154 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 Hikers of Iceland

Read all 50 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 5.0/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Candace Marbury

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    Must see and do! I am not an avid hiker or adventurer and this kickstarted a whole new exploration for me. This was my first 4 day trek and I can’t wait to do it again! Roberto was an amazing guide that offered the perfect blend of adventure with security, freedom with direction and fun with agenda. I saw amazing waterfalls, glaciers, natural hot springs, wildlife, and of course, mountains. Iceland offers an incredibly diverse landscape and Roberto orchestrated the perfect blend. Even if you’ve already visited Iceland 100 times, I am confident you will uncover more gems. I will remember this trip forever. Highly recommend taking a hike or trek with Hikers of Iceland.

  • Luigi Fornaro

    ★★★★★ · a year ago

    Where can i even start from? The tour with the best guide Roberto has been just amazing. As soon as we arrived at the airport Roberto welcomed us kindly and reassuringly and made us start this awesome experience in his van!! I was a bit anxious on the tracking parts, but Roberto made them be comfortable, exciting and really funny. Every little problem encountered was solved with positivity and lots of laughter. Roberto took us to the most suggestive and marvellous places of Iceland, also the even the lesser known ones, accompanying us to the complete discovery of a culture rich in traditions and nature. At the end of the 10 days, we were all satisfied and so happy (a little sad to be leaving 😂). He made us love Iceland one waterfall at time! We saw almost the whole country, starting from Reykjavik, going into lagoons, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, caves, beaches, volcanos, mountains, farms, canyons, forests, ocean, admiring starry skies and a lot of cute animals! A must for the ones who love travelling and exploring new countries, where you can see the 4 natural elements (water earth fire air)in their maximum expression, in a place where the man didn’t change or ruin them. Hikers of Iceland is the TOP, and Roberto is of course the best!

  • Matt Snyders

    ★★★★★ · a year ago

    Roberto led a group of 16 on a trek along the Laugavegur Trail and Fimmvörðuháls Pass in early July, 2025. His knowledge of the trail allowed us to not only traverse it with ease, but also allowed for some deviations that only a seasoned guide could provide; hidden gems just slightly off the beaten path. He was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to communicate his knowledge in English, Italian, Spanish, and Icelandic, providing small details whenever we were. This was paid in spades with the phenomenal locations we had each day to stop for lunch. Vistas overlooking expansive valleys, creekside meadows where time seemed to stop, or mountain tops with rocks buffering the battering wind to create a sense of serenity, Roberto knew them all. He handled any challenges with expertise and was always prepared to make any transition from trail to hut or vice versa a smooth and seamless one. If there was one area where Roberto outshone his trail expertise, it was in his humanity. A group of 16 from Canada, Quebec, England, Germany, The Netherlands, and the USA, with ages ranging from 23 to 60+, understandably has a wide variety of personalities and hiking abilities. Roberto made time for each person, getting to know them and walking with them at various times to create a sense of cohesion. He was up early making breakfast, got right on dinner after a long day of hiking, and was ready to patch anyone up who developed bumps or strains along the way, and he did it with humour, humility, and expertise. If you’re looking for a guide to show you Iceland, look no further than Roberto. He checks off all the boxes and will lighten your load with his love of the landscape and shining personality.

  • Jasmine Garside

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    We had a fantastic trip in Iceland — Roberto took us off the beaten track to give us an authentic adventure while keeping us safe and entertained. A professional guide who gives great guidance to suit hikers of all levels. Highly recommend! Thank you, Roberto for a memorable trip trekking, glacier hiking, ice climbing, waterfall hunting, hot pool dunking and all your tips, jokes and stories.

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 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.

No reviews yet from our travellers on 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.

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from

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