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Professional Guide

Everything you need to know about Ice Caves in Iceland

Troll team

June 26, 2024

When most people think of Iceland, they think of a beautiful island void of trees, yet full of volcanoes, geysers, snow and ice as far as the eye can see. But below the surface, and hidden away in ice pockets around the country, lies one of Iceland’s greatest hidden gems.

Today we are talking about ice caves, pristine and magical wonders of the natural world. In this cold paradise with gorgeous crystal blue colors, enormous tunnels have formed naturally, and tall frozen waterfalls seem to have stopped in time. If you are looking for a great photo opportunity and a mystical place to explore, perhaps you should consider the ice caves of Iceland for your next trip.

What are Ice Caves

These wonderful attractions are mountains of ice, known as glaciers, that have tunnels that lead deep into the packed ice, underground and above ground, giving tourists and visitors great opportunities for stunning photography and a wonderfully frozen world to explore. Sometimes the caves are located so deep inside the packed ice, that very little light reaches the open area, yet light reflects beautifully on the crystal-like walls.

How are Ice Caves Formed

Melting water from glacier ice slowly erodes the large packs of ice during the summer months. This water runs inside the glacier, sometimes underground, and forms channels, pathways and tunnels. When the fall and winter seasons arrive, the melting water freezes over once more, allowing visitors to explore and experience the crystal clear wonderland.

These caves are naturally formed, sometimes only existing for a few weeks, while others can last several years, changing slightly from year to year once the melting and freezing occurs. Uniquely, there are no air bubbles in the water that freezes, meaning that the ice walls and caves become clear like glass or crystal, and carry a beautiful hue of blue.

Where are Ice Caves in Iceland

When planning your trip you could choose a guided tour, but if you want to discover an ice cave on your own, you will need to find a suitable area to explore. More than 10% of Iceland is covered by glaciers, so exactly where should you go if you wish to explore an ice cave yourself?

The most famous area has many different caves, and is called Vatnajökull. This is actually Europe’s largest glacier, and many of the ice caves here are hard to reach, often requiring special vehicles, while other caves change or collapse without warning. Your best chance is asking locals in the area you are visiting, and researching more in terms of safety and necessary equipment. If you want to explore some of the more well known caves, read below for our favorite ice caves in Iceland.

Best Ice Caves in Iceland

We have offered expeditions and guided tours to some of Iceland’s most pristine and beautiful ice caves. We even discover new ones from time to time, and have visited many different ice caves over the years. Below we have listed the very best that Iceland has to offer, so read on if you are interested in learning more about the best ice caves

Katla Ice Cave

Katla Ice Cave is one of the most visited Ice Caves in Iceland. This ice cave is very special all around the world because it’s the only place where the ice cave is actually covered with volcanic ash. And not only that, the ash dates back more than 800 years. This new three Katla Volcano Ice Caves were found in the beginning of December 2021 by Tröll guides, so very few people know about this place. It is inaccessible with a normal car because of the rugged terrain, meaning that only 4 wheel drive cars have a chance of getting to this secret and magical location.

The Katla Volcano Ice Caves are found in Solheimajökull Glacier, nearby a small village of Vik in the south of Iceland.

How to get there –

You need a 4X4 car to get to the ice caves, and a very good GPS. It is however not recommended to go there even if you have a 4X4, due to large areas of quicksand close to the glacier.
Mainly due to safety reasons, it is highly recommended for everyone to go with an expert of the area. Safest and easiest way would be driving to Vik, and joining a 4 hour Katla Volcano Ice Cave tour .

Solheimajökull Glacier

The largest glacier near Reykjavik. It is very easy to access it (around 2 hours of driving time from Reykjavik). The glacier offers a diverse types of activities – such as glacier hiking and ice climbing.

Skaftafell Ice Cave

Located next to the Diamond Beach, in the Vatnajökull National Park in the south coast of Iceland, this stunning ice cave offers plenty of headroom as well as ample space, beautiful blue ice walls and is guaranteed to make lasting memories for the entire family. This cave is relatively easy to access, meaning it is well suited for first-time explorers.

How to get there –

It is not recommended to go there by yourself without glacier equipment (such as crampons, helmets, harnesses, etc).
You can join the Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike activity, where you will go exploring one of the world’s largest glaciers. During your hike, you will stop by the Skaftafell Ice Cave, where you will go, explore and learn everything you need to know about Ice Caves on the Vatnajökull Glacier.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Also located inside Vatnajökull National Park, Crystal Blue Ice Cave is one of the most popular destinations during wintertime. This is a great place to visit if you want to explore an Ice Cave without having too many tourists around you, as it is a bit more difficult to reach. Therefore to get there, you will need to go on an adventurous ride with a 4X4 car.

How to get there –

You cannot access the Crystal Blue Ice Cave without a Super Jeep. If you do have one, be careful not to get lost, sometimes signal is very poor in this area.
Do not have a 4X4 car? Join an unforgettable Crystal Blue Ice Cave adventure – with a Super Jeep from Jökulsarlon.

Vatnajökull Glacier

Most of the ice caves can be found on the Vatnajökull Glacier – Europe’s largest glacier. Most of these ice caves form in winter, and depending on the weather, sometimes may also last the whole summer. There are a lot of other things to do on this glacier- such as ice climbing and glacier hiking.

The ice caves change all the time (especially in summer), therefore we recommend you to email us on info@troll.is and request the latest updates on the ice caves.

Troll.is Original

Join an unforgettable adventure on Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, located in the beautiful Skaftafell area. The highlight of this tour is the chance to step inside a naturally formed blue ice cave, an experience very few people ever get to have.

Your journey takes place on Falljökull, an accessible and stunning outlet glacier in Vatnajökull National Park. The tour starts at our Troll base in Hof, just minutes from the glacier and offers free parking. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to check in and meet your certified English-speaking glacier guide. After a short introduction, your guide will help you gear up with all the essential safety equipment: helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.

Once everyone is ready, we take a 15-minute ride to the glacier car park. From there, it’s an easy 15-minute walk toward the glacier, where your guide will point out signs of the glacier’s retreat, like exposed bedrock and the nearby meltwater lagoon. When you reach the ice, your guide will show you how to move safely with your equipment.

You’ll spend around 2 hours exploring Falljökull, where you’ll get the rare chance to walk through deep crevasses and discover unique ice formations that change from season to season. You’ll also get to enter a naturally formed blue ice cave, the main highlight and a must-see for anyone visiting the glacier. Throughout the tour, your guide will explain how the glacier forms, moves, and changes from year to year.

Back at the meeting point, you can warm up with a complimentary hot drink and a candy bar.

Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike

Prepare for an epic journey through Iceland's breathtaking landscapes! You will ride in a powerful 4x4 Super Jeep, conquering pristine wilderness, venture into the heart of a glacier, and explore the stunning Blue Ice Cave, renowned as the "Crystal Palace." Before your eyes, shimmering shades of blue ice, millennia-old crystalline domes, and ever-changing glacial crevasses and tunnels will create a once-in-a-lifetime moment frozen in time.

Our adventure begins at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot, where our expert guides will join you on this expedition. Aboard a specialized Super Jeep designed for Iceland's extreme terrain, you'll journey toward the glacier summit while listening to tales of this land's ancient icy legends.

The moment you step into the heart of the glacier, you'll be immersed in a dreamlike world: sapphire-blue ice walls envelop you gently, crystalline light refracts in mesmerizing patterns, and winding ice tunnels lead you deep into the earth—this naturally sculpted crystal palace reshapes its beauty each year, and the art of ice you encounter will be a unique masterpiece presented just for you.

Please equip yourself with warm clothing and a waterproof jacket, as this expedition into the very soul of Iceland's winter deserves your full preparation. This is more than a tour—it's an Icelandic tribute blending ultimate adventure, natural wonders, and lifelong memories. Book now, and let us write your exclusive legend with the glacier!

Crystal Blue Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour

5.0

Jökulsárlón

Super jeep from Meeting Point

Join an extraordinary journey to the majestic Katla Ice Cave under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. This remote adventure takes you through a unique landscape of volcanic black sand and towering, mossy mountains. The highlight is the chance to walk inside the natural blue ice cave, where you'll witness the stunning colors and shapes created by volcanic ash and ice. As you travel, you'll be treated to a scenic drive with a view of Mt. Hafursey, a famous filming location from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The tour includes a thrilling Super-Jeep ride and a discovery of "Dragon-Glass" while exploring a remote, off-the-beaten-path location that is one of Iceland's best-kept secrets.

This unique expedition takes you to the Katla Ice Cave, a stunning, year-round feature in the volcanic outlets of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, beneath the powerful Katla volcano.

The adventure starts in Vík at our meeting point, "Troll Expeditions Katla Ice Cave" (lobby of The Vik Inn). Our facility offers free parking. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure. Your highly qualified English-speaking guide will check you in and provide any pre-booked rental gear (waterproof clothing or boots).

Next, you will board our specialized 4x4 Super-Jeep for a thrilling 40-minute ride into the wilderness. The scenic drive includes a view of Mt. Hafursey, a mountain famously used as a film location. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating facts about the Katla volcano, its eruptions, and the unique geology of South Iceland.

The Super-Jeep ride ends at a black ash desert, where you will start an easy, 20-minute walk toward the cave. The hike is on an uneven, sandy path, offering breathtaking views of ash-covered glaciers and moss-covered mountains—a truly otherworldly scene.

At the cave entrance, your guide will provide all safety gear, including helmets, headlamps, and crampons, along with a safety briefing. You will then ascend a small slope to step onto the glacier ice for the first time. Inside the cave, you will explore its mesmerizing colors and formations, crossing small bridges and witnessing the striking combination of ash layers and blue ice. Your guide will ensure you have time for photos and to simply enjoy the magnificent environment.

The entire experience lasts approximately 3 hours (including the 40-minute drive each way). You will then enjoy a relaxing Super-Jeep ride back to our meeting point in Vík.

Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour

Ice Caves in the Summer

Last year, Katla and Crystal Ice caves were the only caves we could enter during summer time, because of the melting glacier water creating barriers and dangers for explorers. Each year brings different tunnels and channels formed by the melting water, and some caves are not safe during the summer because of the temperature meaning the cave can be unstable. If you are visiting Iceland in the summer and wish to explore an ice cave, please do your research before entering one.