Iceland's Natural Wonders

This collection highlights geological formations and water features within Iceland's Capital Region. It includes lava tubes like Maríuhellar in Heiðmörk, the rhyolite peaks of Helgafell, and the Búrfellsgjá lava channel. Water features range from the Game of Thrones filming site at Þórufoss to the urban waterfalls of the Elliðaár river. The list also features recreational lakes such as Hafravatn and Reynisvatn, alongside historical sites like the Gálgaklettar cliffs on the Álftanes peninsula.

Iceland's Natural Wonders — Map

Anna Jonna Ármannsdó… / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Þórufoss

Waterfall on the Laxá í Kjós river, known as a filming location for the Game of Thrones television series.

Axel Kristinsson / CC BY 2.0

B

Búrfell

Búrfell and the connected lava channel Búrfellsgjá are famous landmarks of the Reykjanes peninsula, Southwest Iceland.

C

Maríuhellar

Group of three lava tube caves located within the Heiðmörk nature reserve, accessible via established walking paths.

D

Ullarfoss

Small waterfall situated on the Elliðaár river within the Reykjavík city limits.

E

Sjávarfoss

The final waterfall of the Elliðaár river before it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Elliðavogur.

F

Staur

Waterfall located in the Kjósarhreppur district, north of Reykjavík.

Philipp Weigell / CC BY 3.0

G

Lake Hafravatn

Lake situated east of Reykjavík, used for trout fishing and non-motorized water sports like kayaking.

H

Bjarnarvatn

Small freshwater lake located in the hills east of the capital.

I

Reynisvatn

Lake in the Grafarholt district, regularly stocked with Arctic char and brown trout for recreational fishing.

J

Borgarvatn

Small lake located near Hafravatn in the capital's outskirts.

K

Gálgaklettar

Coastal lava rock formations on the Álftanes peninsula, historically used as a site for judicial executions.

L

Helgafell

340-meter-high rhyolite mountain in Hafnarfjörður featuring a hiking trail to the summit.

M

Valahnúkar

Tuff rock formations and peaks located adjacent to the Helgafell mountain in the Reykjanes volcanic belt.

N

Hundraðmetrarhellir

Lava tube cave in the Búrfellsgjá area, measuring approximately 100 meters in length.

O

Músarhellir

Small lava cave located within the Selgjá area near Hafnarfjörður.

P

Rauðhólshellir

Cave found within the Rauðhólar pseudocrater field, characterized by distinct red volcanic scoria.

Q

Selgjárhellir

Lava cave situated in the Selgjá lava channel, part of the Búrfell volcanic system.