| Location: |
In the volcanic area Hallmundarhraun.
2km southeast of the farm Fljótstunga, Hvitarsida County. From Reykjavík take road No. 1, 20km, after Borgarnes turn right to No. 50, then take No. 580. After you passed the Hraunfossar waterfalls (near Húsafell) and road F35 (Kaldidalur) turn right again at the farm Kalmanstunga. Follow rough track up to the lavafield Hallmundahraun to the farm Fljótstunga. |
| Open: | By appointment. |
| Fee: | Short tour: per person EUR 14. [2004] |
| Classification: |
 Lava tube,
primary cave,
ice cave.
|
| Light: | none, helmets and lamps provided. |
| Dimension: | L=1,585m, HD=39m. |
| Guided tours: |
Short tours: D=60min, 4 to 15 persons, min. 8 years Long tours: L=3-4 h, 3 to 8 persons, min. 13 years |
| Bibliography: |
Michael Laumanns (1987):
Die Höhlen Islands,
Mitt. Verb. dt. Höhlen- u. Karstforscher, 33 (1), pp 4-15. Shepton Mallet Caving Club Journal Series 10 (10) pp 411-412. |
| Address: |
Kristín and Bjarni Johansen, Fljótstunga, Hvitarsidu, 320 Reykholt, Tel: +354-435-1198, Mobile: +354-898-7512, Fax: +354-435-1498.
E-mail: |
| Last update: | $Date: 2007/08/09 07:58:21 $ |
| 1994 | cave closed by an iron gate. |
Víðgelmir is a lava tube in the Hallmundarhraun area where several lava tubes are known. The other famous caves in this area are the Surtshellir and the Stafanshellir.
Vidgelmir contains numerous lava stalagmites and stalactites. The main reason for gating the cave was the protection of those rare speleothems. Unfortunately they are located in the rear part and are not part of the short tour.
Although the cave is a show cave, which means it has a gated door and cave tours, the cave is not developed. The cave's entrance sometime contains ice, and the guide has to provide ladders to allow visitors to get into the cave. Sometimes the cave is not accessible because of the ice, it was closed for several years because of the ice.
After this obstacle, there is a second one: the entrance of the cave is rather narrow. But then the cave gets much wider and fairly level. Some parts, especially in the entrance region may contain ice.
Access to the cave is controlled from the farmhouse at Tungasfljot. Visitors are provided with a helmet and a light but are expected to wear waterproof clothes and good boots.
The caves was kown to the people of the Viking Age. Several remains, found by archaeologists in the cave, proof this. They are exhibited it the National Museum in Icelands capital Reykjavik.
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