Quick summary
- From US$432 per person for the Reykjavik Thrihnukagigur Volcano Guided Hiking Day Trip booked from this site.[1]
- The full day trip runs 4 to 6 hours from pickup to drop-off, with about a 45-minute hike each way to the crater.[1][2]
- A lift lowers you 120 meters (400 feet) in about 6 minutes into a hollow magma chamber. You spend roughly 35 to 45 minutes inside.[3][4]
- The Inside the Volcano tour operates every year from May 5th to October 30th.[2]
- Children must be at least 8 years old to join the tour.[4]
| Inside the Volcano | Lava Tunnel by Bus | Reykjanes Hike | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | from US$432[1] | from US$153[5] | from US$132[6] |
| Duration | 4 - 6 hours[1] | 3 hours[5] | 9 hours[6] |
| Highlights | Hike, lift, magma chamber | Lava tunnel cave | Volcano hike, Reykjanes sites |
| Rating | 4.85[1] | 4.59[5] | 4.65[6] |
The 120-meter (400 feet) journey to the center of the earth takes about 6 minutes.
Worth Every Krona for a Truly Unique Day
Before setting off
What is Thrihnukagigur?
Thrihnukagigur, also called Three Peak Crater, sits in the Blafjoll mountains, about a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik on paved road. Its last eruption happened about 4,500 years ago, and the result was a rare gift: an empty magma chamber that visitors can now walk inside.[8][9] A deep underground rift drained the molten rock away after the eruption, leaving a hollow cavity instead of a sealed plug of basalt.[10]
Most volcano tours in Iceland stay on the surface or enter lava tunnels. Thrihnukagigur is different. You cannot visit it independently, and the only ways to reach the volcano base are the guided tour hike or a helicopter tour.[2] The guided day trip from Reykjavik is the classic route, with pickup available, a live guide, and 4 to 6 hours from start to finish.[1]
The story of the crater is relatively recent in human terms. It was discovered in 1974 by cave explorer Árni B. Stefánsson, and it opened for tourism in 2012.[11] That short public history means the trail, the lift, and the visitor facilities have been planned carefully with safety and access in mind, even though the geology itself is ancient.
What the Thrihnukagigur tour price includes
The Thrihnukagigur Volcano Guided Hiking Day Trip costs from US$432 per person.[1] That includes a live English-speaking guide and pickup options from Reykjavik.[1] The journey takes you first by bus to the meeting point in Blafjoll, then on foot across the lava field to the crater rim, and finally down a lift into the chamber. The whole experience is carefully paced, so you always know what comes next and how long each part will take.
Once you stand at the crater rim, a lift lowers you 120 meters (400 feet) in about 6 minutes.[3] Inside, you spend roughly 35 to 45 minutes including the descent and ascent.[4] The chamber floor is about 50 by 70 meters, and the walls glow with red, yellow, green, and black colours left by mineral deposits from the last eruption.[3][9] It is a long way from a normal museum exhibit, and the scale becomes obvious only when you stand on the floor and look up.
Walkers cross a lava field on the approach to the Thrihnukagigur crater.
The hike to the crater
The hike to the crater is about 3 km (2 miles) each way and usually takes about 45 minutes with your guide.[2] The path crosses ancient lava fields, so the surface underfoot is rough and uneven. You will walk over mossy rock, past old craters and ridges, with the Blue Mountains around you. On clear days the views stretch far across the interior, and you may spot other groups ahead on the trail, small figures moving over the dark ground.
Because the tour operates from May 5th to October 30th each year, you will usually avoid deep snow.[2] However, weather in the mountains changes quickly. Sturdy walking shoes are essential, and a waterproof jacket plus warm layers will serve you better than any single heavy coat. The pace is gentle and led by the guide, but you should still be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for almost an hour in each direction.
Pack water and a small snack, keep your phone charged for photos, and remember that the lift ride and the chamber floor are the reward at the end of the trail. There is no need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness makes the day far more enjoyable. If you prefer to skip the walking, a helicopter tour option exists that flies you to the volcano base instead of hiking.[7] It is a different kind of day, but it still gives you the same descent into the chamber.
Inside the magma chamber
The entrance to the chamber is a funnel-shaped opening at the top of the cone.[9] The lift descends through it, and you emerge onto the vast floor of the vault. It is like standing inside a giant coloured cathedral of rock. The air is cool and still, and the scale is hard to absorb: a bottle-shaped space that drops about 120 meters (400 feet) from the rim to the floor.[3][9]
The chamber is about 120 meters deep, and the bottom floor measures 50 by 70 meters.[9] The colours on the walls are caused by mineral deposits from the last eruption.[3] You have around 30 minutes on the floor to explore and take photos before the lift takes you back up.[4] It is one of those rare places where photos barely capture the feeling of being underground inside a volcano, so take a moment to simply stand and listen.
Look closely at the rock surfaces and you will see how the once-molten material flowed and cooled. The minerals left streaks of colour that change as you move around the chamber, and the far walls disappear into shadow until the guide points them out. It is quiet, vast, and strangely peaceful after the wind and noise of the trail.
from US$432
Thrihnukagigur Volcano Guided Hiking Day Trip from Reykjavik, with pickup options, live guide, and descent into the magma chamber.
How to book and what to expect
Booking is straightforward. The tour offers reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1] Pickup is available from Reykjavik, so you do not need to rent a car or navigate mountain roads on your own.[1] The meeting point is about a 30-minute drive from the city on paved road, and the bus handles the rest.[8]
The day trip lasts 4 to 6 hours, depending on pickup and drop-off times.[1] The tour is guided in English and Icelandic.[1] Children must be at least 8 years old.[4] If you are travelling with kids in that age range, it is a memorable experience, but keep in mind that the hike and the lift descent require a calm, confident child.
Because the tour is small and seasonal, dates in the middle of summer can fill quickly. The reserve now and pay later option lets you lock in a place without paying immediately, and the free cancellation window gives you flexibility if your plans shift.[1] It is a sensible way to build a volcano day into a larger Iceland itinerary.
How Thrihnukagigur compares to other volcano tours
If you are comparing the Thrihnukagigur price with other volcano experiences near Reykjavik, the main difference is the descent into the chamber. Raufarhólshellir is a lava tunnel, not a magma chamber, and tours there cost from US$153 with transport.[5] The Reykjanes hike to the Geldingadalir eruption site costs from US$132 and is a surface trip.[6] Both are fine days out, but neither lets you stand inside the plumbing of a volcano.
For travellers who want the full underground Icelandic volcano story, Thrihnukagigur sits in its own category. It is more expensive, but you are paying for unique access, the lift, the guides, and the careful organisation of the whole day. If the price feels high, consider pairing a cheaper surface tour with a visit to Reykjavik's LAVA SHOW, which costs from US$53, to build a volcano-themed trip that fits a tighter budget.[12]
There are also longer days that combine volcanoes with other highlights if you want more value for a full day out. A volcano hike with geologist guide in Fagradalsfjall runs 4 to 6 hours from US$160, and a Volcanic Eruption Site and Reykjanes Hiking Tour costs from US$132 over 9 hours.[6][13] Each offers a different version of Iceland's volcanic landscape, so match the length and price to your schedule.
Final tips for your visit
Arrive at the meeting point in Blafjoll with time to spare. The meeting point is about a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik on paved road, and the bus pickup handles the transfer on the day.[8] The hike and the chamber are the highlights, so keep your camera ready but also take a moment to just stand still and listen. The combination of the rough lava trail, the sudden silence of the chamber, and the colours on the walls is genuinely unusual.
Book early if your travel dates fall in the summer months, as the operating season is short. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, you can secure your spot without risk.[1][2] And if you prefer to skip the hike altogether, a helicopter option exists, although the guided hike is the more grounded way to experience the volcano.[7]
Tour prices compared (from US$)
Prices are from GetYourGuide listings: Thrihnukagigur from US$432[1], Raufarhólshellir by bus from US$153[5], Reykjanes volcano hike from US$132[6].
Compare your options
US dollar from-prices from GetYourGuide listings:[1],[5],[6].
Best time to book
How to plan your trip
Choose your date
Pick a date between May 5 and October 30, when the tour operates.[2]
Book online
Reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
Meet your pickup
Choose a pickup option from Reykjavik and board the bus to Blafjoll.[1][8]
Hike to the crater
Walk about 3 km each way over lava fields, around 45 minutes with your guide.[2]
Descend and explore
Take the 6-minute lift down 120 meters and enjoy around 30 minutes on the chamber floor.[3][4]
Return to Reykjavik
Ride the lift back up, hike out, and take the bus back to the city.[1]
Ready to step inside a volcano? Book your Thrihnukagigur day trip today.
from US$432Reserve now & pay later
