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If you’re visiting the Land of Fire and Ice, Gjabakkahellir Cave is a must on any trip itinerary. This cave reflects the battle between the extreme opposing natural forces here on the island and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We tell you everything you need to know about this incredible natural wonder of thousands of years and why it’s well worth a visit. So, read on to discover what awaits you when you take on this exhilarating journey to the depths of the earth!
What is Gjabakkahellir Cave? A Quick Overview
Gjabakkahellir translates to “Little Girl Cave”, but no one on the island actually knows why. The cave was discovered by accident in 1907 during the construction of a road between Geysir and Thingvellir National Park.
Researchers estimate that the cave is about 9000 years old. Gjabakkahellir is 360 meters long and has a very distinct feature as far as lava caves go: it’s open on both ends, making it possible to walk through the cave. Gjabakkahellir is also one of the few caves here in Iceland where you’re allowed to explore the cave without booking a spot on a guided tour.
The History of Gjabakkahellir Cave: How this Natural Wonder was Formed
Gjabakkahellir is what we call a lava cave, and its creation is marked with a bang (literally). After a major eruption, lava came cascading over the landscape. But for some reason, the lava didn’t disperse into its surroundings and came rushing down in what resembled a river.
The outer layer of the lava that got directly disposed to the cold air, snow, and ice, cooled down much more rapidly than the lava “river’s” inner core. This causes the outer layer to harden and form a pipe-like crust that the remaining lava flows through till it eventually all flows through “the pipe” and into the surrounding landscape. What you’re left with is referred to as a lava tube hidden beneath the ground (and usually surrounded by a lava field).
These tubes or tunnels are normally only discovered once a part of the “roof” collapses and the inner cavern is exposed. This collapsed roof usually then also serves as the entrance and exit of the cave. But in the case of Gjabakkahellir Lava Cave, you’re lucky enough to have openings at both ends.
What to See Inside Gjabakkahellir Cave
It’s not just Gjabakkahellir itself that’s the natural wonder here. The cave holds all sorts of natural marvels, such as interesting lava and rock formations, stalactites towering overhead, and stalagmites reaching up towards them. You’ll also notice that the cave walls have a wide array of colors. This is caused by all the minerals transported from the earth’s depths by the lava (definitely not something most get to see)
When exploring Gjabakkahellir Cave, be cautious of loose rocks and icy patches, especially during the winter months. Wearing sturdy footwear and watching your step is essential for ensuring a safe visit.
Gjabakkahellir Cave’s Location
You will find Gjabakkahellir in Thingvellir National Park in southern Iceland. Thingvellir is one of the first famous Icelandic attractions found along the popular Golden Circle road trip route, so many will explore Thingvellir (and Gjabakkahellir) on the first day of their road trip when they depart from the capital city.
Gjabakkahellir is also not far from the capital city, so a day outing is possible for those who prefer to do so. It will take you just over an hour to reach Gjabakkahellir from Reykjavik.
Getting to Gjabakkahellir Cave
Most will visit Gjabakkahellir in one of two ways:
Via a Guided Tour
With so many local guides and tour operators here on the island, you’re bound to find a tour that suits you. Gjabakkahellir will usually form part of a Thingvellir tour, which can take the form of a day tour, a combo tour (where other attractions in the area are also included), or a multi-day holiday tour where many of Iceland’s famous attractions are explored over the span of a couple of days.
If you’re traveling with your family, do know Gjabakkahellir Cave is suitable for children, provided they are closely supervised and equipped with proper safety gear. With the right precautions in place, families can enjoy exploring this natural wonder together safely.
Tours through Gjabakkahellir typically start at €80 per person and often run year-round, though winter tours can be subject to weather conditions. And if none of these options take your fancy, you can even organize your very own private customized tour.
If you’re only planning a day tour, you’ll probably be booking with one of Iceland’s largest caving companies in the area, The Cave People. If so, you’re more than likely going to be departing from either Reykjavik or Laugarvatn. Alternatively, you can arrange to meet each other at the cave. Tours through the cave usually take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
The following are a few popular tours to consider:
- Gjabakkahellir Cave Tour (meet-up at The Cave People, Laugarvatnshellar)
- Customized Tour by Travel Local
- Golden Circle & Lava Cave Tour (pick-up at your accommodation in Reykjavik)
Via a Self-drive
We’re massive fans of exploring the island via road trip, so this will always be our go-to. Driving to Gjabakkahellir is easy from the direction of Reykjavik:
- Get on the Ring Road and start driving north.
- Roughly 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) into the drive, you’ll need to turn onto Road 36 to Mosfellsbær.
- Drive through the town and continue on Road 36 by taking the first exit at the traffic circle.
- Follow the signs to Thingvellir National Park.
- Once there, follow the signs to Gjabakkahellir, which will lead you to the parking lot.
- From there, it’s just a quick 10-minute walk to the cave entrance.
When is the Best Time to Visit Gjabakkahellir Lava Cave?
While the cave is open throughout the year, there are a few things to take into consideration when deciding when the best time for you to explore Gjabakkahellir will be:
- Summer in Iceland (June to August) is characterized by great weather and plenty of daylight hours, so most prefer going on outdoor adventures during this time.
- But this also makes summertime our peak season here on the island, and many wish to avoid any peak season crows and prices. In that case, we recommend visiting during one of the shoulder months (April, May, September, and October) when you’ll still get many of the perks of summer but without the excessive prices and increased foot traffic.
- Believe it or not, there are some who purposefully save a visit to Gjabakkahellir for the winter season. This is because of the interesting ice formations that can be found inside during this time.
- At the same time, you’ll need to keep an eagle eye on the weather if you’re planning on visiting during our colder months because ice and snow can make accessibility an issue. Not just due to road conditions but the actual entrance to the cave that can be blocked.
Packing for Gjabakkahellir
Since you can explore Gjabakkahellir by yourself, there are a few things you’ll need to remember that would normally be provided by a tour operator. There are also a few other things you might not have thought about when it comes to spelunking. The following are caving essentials when visiting Gjabakkahellir:
Warm Clothes, Irrespective of the Season.
Ironically, lava caves tend to be quite chilly, irrespective of what the weather looks like outside. That being said, we also don’t recommend just bringing warmer clothes along. Rather wear layers you can take on and off as the situation calls for it.
Waterproof Hiking Boots (with Good Grip!)
Things can get quite wet and slippery inside the cave, so you need to make sure you’re feet stay warm and dry, and you don’t have a little tumble.
A Helmet
Yes, you heard right. The top priority when it comes to spelunking is to ensure you don’t get a nasty bump on your noggin. This can happen after a trip, simply not ducking when you should, and even things like pieces of stalactites breaking off and falling on top of you. So, a helmet is an absolute must!
Warm Hat, Gloves, and Woolen Socks.
Once again, this is to counter the chill. We recommend wearing a woolen beanie hat since it’s nice and warm and also sits comfortably underneath a helmet.
Elbow and Knee Pads.
These are for those who want extra protection and are planning on taking their spelunking to the extreme crawling level. Just keep your safety in mind, and don’t venture into places you can get lost or stuck. These pads are also ideal for the photographers among us who usually wish to capture this other-worldly realm from all sorts of interesting angles.
A Light (Flashlight or Headlamp)
This is another of the absolute essentials for spelunking. If you want to keep your hands free, we recommend opting for the headlamp.
Emergency Kit
The name says it all. You just need to have something to assist in the case of an emergency since those first few moments are critical.
Other Things to See and Do Near Gjabakkahellir
If you wish to expand your trip itinerary in the area, you can consider the following:
- Almannagjá Gorge
- Silfra Fissure
- Öxarárfoss Waterfall
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Thingvallakirkja Church
- Geysir
Grabbing the Golden Opportunity of Visiting Gjabakkahellir
If you’d like to include Gjabakkahellir as a stop along a Golden Circle road trip, we highly recommend you rent a campervan in Iceland. This will see you tick off both your transport and accommodation and will allow you to take advantage of our affordable campsites, including the campsites in Thingvellir National Park with Gjabakkahellir almost on your camper doorstep. So, grab the golden opportunity and road trip your way along one of Iceland’s most popular routes, where you can explore Gjabakkahellir as a stop along the way.
