The opening to the Raufarhólshellir lava cave on the Reykjanes peninsula has been closed. The cave will remain closed to the public until next summer, when walking paths inside the cave have been improved and the parking lot by the cave entrance has been expanded. When the cave re-opens to the public a entrance fee of 6,400 ISK (56 USD/54 EUR) per person will be charged for entry.
Read more: Raufarhólshellir cave under stress. Landowners take action
The 1,360 meter (0.84 mile) long cave is one of the largest in Iceland, and the fourth longest. It is up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, and 10-30 m (36-90 ft) wide, stretching beneath the lava field. Parts of the ceiling have collapsed, making the cave difficult to navigate. Beautiful lava formations in the cave add to its magic.
The cave has been open to the public, but growing traffic has made it crucial to improve the walking paths inside the cave and improve the parking lot, as well as to spend more on maintenance and clean-up inside the cave. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that at least 20,000 people visited the cave in 2015. The cave entrance extremely easily accessible, standing right next to road 39, which connects the Ring Road to the south coast of Reykjanes peninsula.
Read more: Recently rediscovered Eastfjords cave part of mythical tunnel system, accessible only to cats, dogs
After the cave has been re-opened to the public visitors will be let into the cave in small groups, once each hour between 10 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Currently a private tour company, Extreme Iceland, offers expeditions to the cave. These will continue while the cave remains closed to the general public.
The opening to the Raufarhólshellir lava cave on the Reykjanes peninsula has been closed. The cave will remain closed to the public until next summer, when walking paths inside the cave have been improved and the parking lot by the cave entrance has been expanded. When the cave re-opens to the public a entrance fee of 6,400 ISK (56 USD/54 EUR) per person will be charged for entry.
Read more: Raufarhólshellir cave under stress. Landowners take action
The 1,360 meter (0.84 mile) long cave is one of the largest in Iceland, and the fourth longest. It is up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, and 10-30 m (36-90 ft) wide, stretching beneath the lava field. Parts of the ceiling have collapsed, making the cave difficult to navigate. Beautiful lava formations in the cave add to its magic.
The cave has been open to the public, but growing traffic has made it crucial to improve the walking paths inside the cave and improve the parking lot, as well as to spend more on maintenance and clean-up inside the cave. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that at least 20,000 people visited the cave in 2015. The cave entrance extremely easily accessible, standing right next to road 39, which connects the Ring Road to the south coast of Reykjanes peninsula.
Read more: Recently rediscovered Eastfjords cave part of mythical tunnel system, accessible only to cats, dogs
After the cave has been re-opened to the public visitors will be let into the cave in small groups, once each hour between 10 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Currently a private tour company, Extreme Iceland, offers expeditions to the cave. These will continue while the cave remains closed to the general public.
