
Inside the Volcano – Our Þríhnúkagígur Experience
Our first-hand journey inside Þríhnúkagígur: a hike across the lava fields, a six-minute open lift descent into the dormant volcano, and an extraordinary world of colour deep beneath the surface.
Quick take
One of the most extraordinary experiences we have had in Iceland. The hike across the lava field builds the anticipation, but descending into the vast, colourful chamber of Þríhnúkagígur is the moment that makes this genuinely unforgettable.
Experience details
- Operator
- Inside the Volcano
- Departure point
- Inside the Volcano meeting point, Bláfjöll
- Location
- Þríhnúkagígur, Bláfjöll, Capital Region
- Duration
- 4 hour
- Date experienced
- September 2026
- Experience type
- Unique Iceland Experiences
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best season
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Inside the Volcano
Tour operator
Going Inside a Volcano
We drove from Reykjavík towards the Bláfjöll mountains knowing we were about to do something that still sounded slightly unreal: go inside a volcano. Not simply walk around a crater, but descend roughly 40 storeys into the earth.
Just think about that for a moment. We were actually going down into a volcano.


Arriving at the Inside the Volcano Meeting Point
At the Inside the Volcano meeting point, a friendly young member of staff welcomed us and invited us into the waiting area, where coffee was available while we waited for the tour to begin.
Soon our guide, Pálmi, came in. He was upbeat from the start and talked us through how the day would work, along with the important rules we needed to know before setting off.
Then there was nothing left to wait for — the adventure was starting. Raincoats were offered before we headed outside, although the weather was good enough that we did not need them.

Photos & videos from our experience
Frequently asked questions
What is the Inside the Volcano tour at Þríhnúkagígur?
Þríhnúkagígur is a dormant volcano near Reykjavík whose magma chamber emptied naturally, leaving an accessible cave the size of the Statue of Liberty. The tour involves a 3 km hike across lava fields, then a 6-minute open cable-car descent about 120 metres down into the volcanic chamber.
How physically demanding is the Inside the Volcano hike?
The hike to the volcano entrance is about 3 km each way across uneven lava terrain, taking 45–60 minutes each way. It is rated as moderate — comfortable hiking shoes are required and reasonable fitness helps, but no technical climbing is involved. The tour is not suitable for those with serious mobility limitations.
What does the inside of the volcano look like?
The interior walls display layers of red, orange, purple and black volcanic rock created by different mineral deposits over thousands of years. The chamber is roughly 200 metres wide and 120 metres deep, with natural light filtering in through the opening above.
When does the Inside the Volcano tour run?
The tour operates from May through October, when the lava-field trail is accessible. It does not run in winter due to snow and ice on the hiking route. Book in advance — departures run twice daily from the Þríhnúkagígur base camp near Bláfjöll.
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Inside the Volcano
Tour operator
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Visit this place
Þríhnúkagígur
Descend into Þríhnúkagígur’s volcanic chamber on a seasonal guided tour involving a 3 km hike each way.
Explore more — waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs and more.















