Question 1

How do I get to Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

Langjökull sits north-east of the city of Reykjavík. It can be accessed from the city by two main routes.

One option is to take route 1 north from the city centre towards Borgarnes. You can then join route 50 towards Kleppjárnsreykir. From there, take route 518 east. This way, you’ll find the Langjökull glacier ice cave and, a little further on, the Langjökull Klaki base camp.

Alternatively, take route 36 through Þingvellir National Park, before joining route 37 northeast. You’ll join the unpaved road F35 to reach the base of the glacier.

If that sounds complicated, why not let a guide take you there instead? With a guided group tour you won’t have to worry about driving—you’ll simply enjoy the view.

Question 2

Can you walk on Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

You can walk on Langjökull glacier with a local guide. They’ll provide you with the gear you need, show you how to use it, and ensure that you navigate the ice safely.

We do not recommend that you take a Langjökull glacier walk without a guide. Glaciers are ever-changing and potentially treacherous environments, which you should treat with the utmost respect! If you have never walked or navigated across a glacier before, go with a guide.

Question 3

Can I drive to Langjökull?

Accepted Answer

You can drive to Langjökull, but it’s not always the easiest way to get there. For example, you will need to drive on unpaved roads. These are quite common in the Icelandic highlands, and you’ll need a vehicle that can handle them. Not all of them can.

Instead, a more convenient way to visit Langjökull is with a guided tour. They’ll provide transport from Reykjavík, so you don’t have to worry about the road.

Question 4

Can you go to Langjökull glacier by yourself?

Accepted Answer

You can visit the Langjökull base camps by yourself, no problem. However, we wouldn’t recommend you visit the glacier itself without a guide.

That’s because glaciers are complex, challenging, and potentially treacherous landscapes. If you don’t have any experience walking or navigating on glaciers, you definitely shouldn’t visit by yourself.

Instead, organise a guide in Reykjavík. It’ll make getting to Langjökull a lot easier too.

Question 5

Is a Langjökull tour safe?

Accepted Answer

A Langjökull tour is perfectly safe if you’re led by a local guide. They’ll provide all of the gear you need—such as an icepick, a harness, and crampons—and show you how to use them correctly. They’ll also lead you through the safest areas of the ice cap.

That said, if you’re going alone, we can’t guarantee your safety. Glaciers are complex and hazardous environments for the inexperienced.

Question 6

What to wear on Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

Glaciers are challenging environments. You’ll be walking on ice at potentially quite a high altitude. That means it’s likely to be cold, even in summer. So, when hiking, it’s best to be prepared for all conditions.

We recommend dressing in layers, so that you can add or take one off if you get too warm or cold. Bring along a hat, gloves, and a waterproof jacket too. And, while your tour will provide the crampons, you need to wear sturdy boots that are adequate for the outdoors.

Question 7

Is Langjökull part of the Golden Circle?

Accepted Answer

Langjökull is not typically included in the Golden Circle.

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s best-known visitor itinerary, taking in three of the country’s most spectacular sights: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir. However, many Golden Circle packages add extra destinations, including the Blue Lagoon and Langjökull.

For example, you can add a monster truck tour of Langjökull, or a glacier hike, to your Golden Circle experience.

Question 8

How do I pronounce Langjökull?

Accepted Answer

Like many other Icelandic place names, Langjökull can seem a little difficult to pronounce. But the truth is that Icelanders will understand you even if you don’t get it exactly right. You can pronounce it how it’s written in English: lang-jo-kull.

But if you want to get it right, Langjökull can be broken down into three parts:

“Lang” is pronounced a little more like the English “lung”

“Jö” is a soft “j” sound, more like a “y”, followed by a long vowel similar to that in the French word “coeur”

“Kull” is pronounced like the English, but watch out for that double L. In Icelandic, it’s more like a “tl” sound, with a very soft T.

Question 9

Can you hike Langjökull glacier on your own in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

We do not recommend that you hike on Langjökull glacier—or indeed any glacier—without a guide. Glaciers are volatile environments that come with multiple hazards. It takes real experience and local knowledge to navigate these places safely.

Question 10

How old is Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

Much of the ice of Langjökull is thousands of years old. When snow accumulates, it gets compacted into the ice of the glacier, which then flows downhill due to gravity. The very oldest ice will be that at the deepest points of the glacier, which was fresh snow many thousands of years ago.

Question 11

What time of year is best to visit Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

The Langjökull glacier is an incredible destination at any time of year. In summer, you can enjoy higher temperatures and more stable conditions. But in winter you’ll see the glacier at its snow-covered best. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Question 12

How big is Langjökull?

Accepted Answer

Langjökull is the second-largest glacier in Iceland, after Vatnajökull. The glacier is 64 kilometres (40 miles) long and 24 kilometres (15 miles) wide and it covers an area of roughly 1,025 square km (395 square miles).

So, it’s pretty big. In fact, in Icelandic, Langjökull means “long glacier”, thanks to its impressive length.

Question 13

How long does it take to drive from Reykjavík to Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

The quickest route to Langjökull from Reykjavík takes you to the west side of the glacier. You can expect the drive to take about two hours. This is the closest major glacier to Reykjavík.

Question 14

Is Langjökull Ice Cave worth it?

Accepted Answer

The Langjökull Ice Cave is the largest ice cave in Iceland. It’s a breathtaking sight, deep beneath the surface of the glacier. And it’s also an impressive feat of engineering, as the whole thing is man-made.

If you want to explore the magical blue world beneath the ice—in any season—the Langjökull glacier ice cave is one of the best places to do it.

Question 15

Are there volcanoes hidden under Langjökull glacier?

Accepted Answer

There are two volcano systems beneath the Langjökull glacier. East of Langjökull you’ll find Hveravellir, which has hot springs you can visit. To the northwest, there’s Arnarvatnsheiði.

While this is not a particularly volcanically active area of the country, you’re never too far from a volcano in Iceland.

Question 16

Which month can you see ice caves in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

As ice caves are a natural phenomenon, they’re very dependent on weather conditions. In the summer, when higher temperatures mean that glaciers retreat, ice caves aren’t always safe to enter. That’s why most ice caves are only available to visit during the winter, typically between mid-November and March.

That said, the man-made ice cave in Langjökull is open to visitors all year round.

Question 17

Which ice cave is best in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Every ice cave has its particular character, quality, and magic. Perhaps the most impressive ice caves are those you’ll find in Vatnajökull, one of Europe’s largest glaciers. Thanks to their breathtaking forms and ever-changing shape, they promise an unforgettable experience.

That said, the man-made ice cave beneath the Langjökull glacier is an astonishing piece of engineering—and it’s open all year round.

Question 18

Can you visit ice caves in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

There are many ice caves that you can visit in Iceland. But it’s always best to do it with a guide. As ice caves and glaciers more generally are always changing, you can only be sure that you’ll be safe if you’re led by a local expert.

The glaciers of Langjökull and Vatnajökull are where you’ll find most of Iceland’s best ice caves to visit.

Question 19

Can you see ice caves in Iceland without a tour?

Accepted Answer

Venturing into Iceland's ice caves without an expert guide is strongly discouraged. These awe-inspiring formations, nestled within the dynamic landscapes of glaciers, are not only hard to locate amidst the vast open ice and rugged terrain but are also subject to changing conditions that only local experts can accurately assess. It's crucial to understand that glaciers, in their majestic beauty, pose significant risks to those unfamiliar with their intricacies. With a knowledgeable guide, you can safely experience the mesmerising beauty of ice caves while ensuring your safety amid the glacier's ever-shifting environment.

Question 20

How long is an ice cave tour in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Ice cave tours range in length, from quick visits to longer full-day experiences. The shortest tours last for an action-packed three hours including transport time, in which you can glimpse these icy caverns.

On a longer tour you can combine your ice cave visit with other experiences, such as a glacier walk, waterfalls, or a ride aboard state-of-the-art modified vehicles.

Question 21

Which ice cave tour is best in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

There’s a wide range of ice cave tours available in Iceland, each offering a different kind of experience.

One of the most popular options is to visit the Langjökull Ice Cave, beneath one of the deepest glaciers in Iceland. This is one of the world’s largest man-made ice caves, in an incredible remote location.

Alternatively, you can visit one of the natural ice caves formed when glaciers melt, twist, or change shape. Some of the most spectacular can be found in the Vatnajökull National Park.

Question 22

What do you wear to ice caves in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

As you might expect, Iceland’s ice caves are incredibly cold. They are formed of glacial ice after all!

That means that dressing warmly will be your top priority when taking an ice cave tour. Lots of layers, a warm jacket, and waterproofs are all highly recommended.

The other thing you shouldn’t forget are sturdy shoes. You’ll be walking on rugged, rocky terrain.

Question 23

What is the bluest ice cave in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Ice caves are blue due to the way that light passes through the compressed ice of the walls. As the ice is very tightly packed, only blue light passes through it.

There are many ice caves in Iceland that claim to be the bluest ice cave in the country. However, you’ll see the blue effect no matter which ice cave you visit!

Question 24

Is an ice cave tour in Iceland worth it?

Accepted Answer

An ice cave tour in Iceland is truly a unique experience. How often do you walk beneath ice sheets or get up close to the mesmerising blue patterns in a wall of ice? On a visit to Iceland, a visit to an ice cave is definitely worth your time and money.

Why not combine your ice cave experience with a complete glacier tour? These landforms are one of Iceland’s most spectacular features.

Question 25

What is the best time of day to do the ice cave tour in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Tours to the ice caves run throughout the day, and no matter what time of day you visit, they are always a beautiful experience. Choose a time that best suits your schedule.

Question 26

What is the easiest ice cave in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Many of Iceland’s ice caves can be visited easily.

For example, you can visit the Langjökull Ice Cave onboard a specialised glacier vehicle that takes you right up to the entrance to the tunnel. Similarly, transport is available to take you to the Secret ice cave and the Aurora ice cave too.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, combine a visit to an ice cave with a glacier walk. This way, you’ll get the full experience of Iceland’s icy landscapes.

Question 27

What is the closest ice cave to Reykjavík?

Accepted Answer

The closest natural ice cave to Reykjavík is the Askur ice cave at Myrdalsjökull, about two hours' drive from the city. Langjökull glacier, roughly two hours away, also has an ice cave, but it's man-made.

Into the Glacier | Langjökull Ice Cave & West Iceland

Venture into the heart of a glacier

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