Raufarholshellir caves were fun but safe to walk through. We were required to wear our lighted helmets at all times, and our guide even had to stop everything and tell one woman to put hers back on or she would have to leave the tunnel. They have rock stairs, and walkways and strategic lighting to help. The openings let light in, but only so far. When we were deep in, our guide turned out lights so we could experience total darkness.

This tunnel was a short drive from Porlakshofn, where we had stopped for lunch. We made reservations before leaving home, but walk-in tickets were available. Vatnshellir Cave is out on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and has similar tours. These are bigger and longer than the caves Tony and I hiked through in Craters of the Moon, Idaho.

Our guide said there were no bats here because the volcanic rock is a challenge to their echo-location. Some of the tubes at Craters of the Moon were closed to protect bats though, so maybe smaller caves echo enough for the bats. In general, bats are not native to Iceland.

NASA came to these caves to practice using a mars rover on the sharp volcanic rock piles.

Grjotagja lava cave is near Myvatn Lake and is on private land. It is very steep and dark, so we did not climb down far. One of the cave openings was closed due to unstable rocks. We walked along the rim of the narrow canyon.

Grjotagja’s claim to fame is that it was used in filming Game of Thrones. Our pictures don’t show the cavern below with the hot springs in it. This used to be a site for bathing, but eruptions in the Krafla Volcanic System during the 70s and 80s made the water temperature too unpredictable and hot, so everyone must now stay out of the water.