Silver Circle – Waterfalls, Hot Springs and Víðgelmir Lava Cave

The Silver Circle is yet another cluster of breathtaking sites that are worth visiting during your stay in Iceland all year round. Get ready to explore unique waterfalls, powerful hot springs, and a wondrous lava cave – Víðgelmir!

The tour starts with a comfortable pick up from the closest bus stop to your accommodation in Reykjavík. During the drive, you will pass by the famous and majestic Mt. Esja and then you will be driven through an underwater tunnel up to Borgarnes, where you will have a short pit stop to get some refreshments. Afterward, you will venture outside the most popular route, get ready for a real adventure.

The first stop on your itinerary is Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe with a rapid flow rate of 180 liters of boiling water per second. Take a walk on the safe wooden path and admire the constantly bubbling energy. The spring provides hot water to the nearby towns of Akranes and previously visited Borgarnes, which is a great example that shows how Icelanders utilize green resources.

Next on the list is Hraunfossar, a cascade of stunning waterfalls that flow from underneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field. It is a truly extraordinary sight! Within few steps from this impressive location, you will get to admire Barnafoss, which carries a tragic tale about two boys from a nearby farm. The boys were supposed to stay at home, but as they grew bored, they decided to follow their parents to the nearby church. They made a shortcut and crossed a natural stone bridge that was above the waterfall. But on their way, they felt dizzy, fell into the water, and drowned. When their mother found out what had happened, she put a spell on the bridge saying that nobody would ever cross it without drowning himself.

The main highlight of the tour is visiting the nearly 1600 meters long Víðgelmir, the mightiest of all lava tubes in Iceland, with its stunning colors and lava formations that originate deep in the earth. You will be able to get as close as possible to the power and scale of volcanic eruptions, and you will be led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide through the amazing lava stalactites, which come from the ceiling, and stalagmites, from the ground.

After spending nearly two hours underneath the ground, it is time to explore the lush oasis of Húsafell. It has been both a refuge to the weary travelers in the past and home to talented, Icelandic artists, with modern-day stone sculptor Páll Guðmundsson. What’s more, Húsafell is known for its dense and relatively tall birch forests. It happens to be reasonably sheltered, so the trees protected from the severe Arctic winds can grow up to 4 meters tall.

Last but not least, you will get to stop at the village of Reykholt, where a small and charming hot spring Snorralaug can be found. It is supposedly the oldest hot spring to have been used by locals since the 12th century. This hobbity little pool was first mentioned by Snorri Sturluson, a famous medieval Icelandic poet, who used to live and bathe here too. Snorralaug is now a protected archaeological site. Don’t skip taking a peek at the nearby 19th-century timber church. After exploring the wonderful sites that West Iceland has to offer, it is time to head back to Reykjavík.

Meeting point: The closest bus stop to your accommodation in Reykajvík

Please contact us at booking@icelandunlimited.is  or by clicking the envelope on the bottom corner of your screen if you want to know more about this tour.