Surtshellir

Surtshellir (Surt's Cave) is in the Hallmundarhraun lava field, approximately 14 km from Húsafell. The cave is among the best known and deepest in Iceland. Surtshellir is mentioned in the sagas. The Icelandic Book of Settlements (Landnáma) says that the cave is named after the giant Surtur and that poets composed verses in his honour and recited them at the mouth of the cave. The books Landnáma and Harðarsaga tell the story of a band of outlaws who had their stronghold in the cave and stole livestock off the heaths and from the farms. It was impossible to attack them in the cave, because of their strong defensive position, but at long last they were surprised as they lay sleeping in a hollow (Vopnalág or "Weapon Hollow") after rounding up sheep on the heath. Hellismannasaga (the Cave Dwellers Saga) probably originated in these events. Place names all over the area bear witness to Hellismannasaga.