Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Renovated 1908 farmhouse with shared or private bathrooms; just east up the valley from
Húsafell, on Rte 518.
Hallmundarhraun
East of Húsafell, along Rte 518, the vast, barren lava flows of Hallmundarhraun make up a
wonderful eerie landscape dotted with gigantic lava tubes. These long, tunnel-like caves
are formed by flows of molten lava beneath a solid lava crust, and it's possible to visit sev-
eral of them.
If you've got a 4WD, it's also possible to continue into the interior along Rte F578 bey-
ond Surtshellir, through the lakes at
Arnarvatnsheiði
, and on to
Hvammstangi
. Note that
Rte F578 is usually only open seven weeks a year; see
www.vegagerdin.is
.
Sights
Viðgelmir
LAVA TUBE
( 435 1198;
www.fljotstunga.is
;
tours Ikr3000; May-Sep)
The easiest lava tube to visit, and the largest in Iceland, 1100-year-old, 1.5km-long Við-
gelmir is located on private property near the farmstead Fljótstunga. It sparkles with ever-
changing ice formations. You can't visit on your own, but the friendly family at
Fljótstunga
offers 90-minute tours at 10am, noon, 3pm and 5pm May to August, and by reservation in
September to April. Helmet and torch included.
Surtshellir
LAVA TUBE
Just a bit to the southeast of Fljótstunga on Rte 518, a bright yellow sign marks the turn-
off to
Arnarvatnsheiði
along Rte F578 (rental cars not allowed). Follow the bumpy track
for 7km to reach Surtshellir, a dramatic, 2km-long lava tube connected to
Stefánshellir
, a
second tunnel about half the size. You can explore Surtshellir on your own, if you have
caving gear.
Sleeping
