A Golden Circle tour is a great combo with lava caving at Leiorendi. This means it’s a quintessential day in Southern Iceland. Caving in the Golden Circle is an experience not to be missed when visiting Iceland. Visit Geysir hot springs, Thingvellir national park, and Gulfoss waterfall combined with a lava tube caving in the Golden Circle. Anyone age above ten can take a caving trip.
Caving in the Golden Circle
Caving in the Golden Circle has all the components of interesting history, natural beauty, and awesome geological wonders. This is a great adventure in the Golden circle. Leiðarendi, meaning „The End of the Road,“ has cave networks and lava tubes. There are hidden corners, dazzling rock forms, and a subterranean space in these caves. They have the geological history and makeup of the country. It is conveniently accessible. A little climbing and crawling will be needed here. The cave stretches to 900m in length.
About Leiðarendi Caving in the Golden Circle
Leiðarendi is located around 25 mins from the capital, Reykjavik. It is a lava tube that is situated close to the blue mountains, Blafjoll of southwestern Iceland. It has plenty of data about Icelandic history, folklore, and geology.
Leiðarendi Geology
Leiðarendi has two caves. They are created by two different eruptions on the Reykjanes explosive Peninsula. One was formed 2000 years and the other 1000 years ago. Lava rivers gradually cooled outside when they traveled off the erupting volcanic craters. A hard rock shell has covered the molten liquid. When the molten liquid was flushed, lava tubes were left. The two caves are left with a circular path when they collapsed with each other. There are a couple of hidden chambers. Another collapse made Leiðarendi accessible.
Leiðarendi is renowned for its extremely varied and vivid landscape and is considered a prime example of Iceland’s lava tube. The color kaleidoscope comes from the minerals that were brought up in an eruption, with iron red, sulfur yellow, and copper grey.
Different lava flakes fell off its walls and roof due to frost and erosion, distinctive characteristics of Leidarendi. These flakes demonstrate the many distinct lava streams that have subsequently flowed over the ages there.
In the cave, along with stalagmites, stalactites, and other impressive structures, you can also see cave walls polished by lava streams. It would be best to refrain from taking these, as they never grow back, unlike in limestone caves.
You’re likely to see gleaming natural ice sculptures in the cave in winter, adding extra elegance to the already otherworldly scene.
Visiting Leiðarendi
Owing to lava tube hazards, it should be visited only on a licensed tour with a guide. The guides know the lava caves in and out and trained to assist in an emergency. They supply all the right equipment.
A helmet and light are the key components of this trip, without which nobody should be underground under any circumstance. You will be fitted with crampons in winter as well.
It would help if you had sturdy boots, gloves for protection, and warm clothes during the year to prepare for a tour of Leiðarendi that you don’t mind getting injured. As lava rock is porous, keep yourself waterproofed as a lot of water tends to trickle through the ceiling.
Anyone quick on their feet and fearless in small spaces should experience a safe, beautiful, and informative discovery here with all of these.
Conclusion
Caving in the Golden Circle is not to be missed when touring the trio. It is an amazing combo tour for a visitor to Iceland. You will find geological stories and natural formations that will amaze you for sure. Do not miss the combo tour this visit to Iceland.
