Katla FastTrack Ice Cave Tour
Katla ice cave by Super Jeep from Vík (2.5–3 hours)
2.5 hours
Visit the natural Katla ice cave beneath Kötlujökull glacier on a 2.5–3 hour Super Jeep tour from Vík. The tour runs all year and welcomes children from the age of six.
The Katla ice cave lies inside Kötlujökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, above the Katla volcano. Its walls are blue glacial ice banded with black ash from past eruptions, so you can see the volcano's history written into the ice. This is the short version of the trip: around 2.5 to 3 hours from Vík and back, with 45 to 60 minutes in the ice cave area.
Across the black sands by Super Jeep
You meet your guide at the Katlatrack base in Vík and set off in a modified Super Jeep. The drive to the glacier takes 45 to 60 minutes, leaving the paved road behind to cross black sand plains, glacial riverbeds and moss-covered hills shaped by Katla's floods.
A short walk into the ice
At the edge of the glacier you are fitted with a helmet, headlamp and crampons, and your guide gives a safety briefing. From there it is a walk of roughly a kilometre to the cave entrance. Inside, there is time for photographs while your guide explains how the cave formed and how the glacier and the volcano beneath it have shaped the land around Vík.
Who this tour suits
With a short walk and a minimum age of six, this is one of the easier ways to see a natural ice cave in Iceland. It suits families, travellers with limited time, and anyone combining it with other stops along the South Coast on the same day.
Please note: ice caves are natural and change constantly, so the cave will not look exactly like the photographs. Tours can be cancelled at short notice if weather or ice conditions make them unsafe.
TourID: KAT01
Activity provider: Katlatrack
Requirements
Wear warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots
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- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Included
Local Guide, Super Jeep, 45-60 minutes in the glacier Ice Cave area, and needed Gear (helmet, headlamp, and crampons)
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
The Katla ice cave is one of the very few ice caves in Iceland that is open to the public all year round. Like other caves, Katla’s will change shape throughout the season, but the cave itself remains.
That said, the ice cave is best seen in winter. This is the season when you’ll be most in the mood to visit this frozen sight!
You should never enter an ice cave without a guide. Ice caves are delicate and volatile spaces that are very sensitive to changes in temperature and weather conditions. They’re simply not safe if you are not familiar with the local environment.
That’s what tour guides are for. Equipped with local knowledge of the changing conditions, they’ll ensure the caves are safe to enter.
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.
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.
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.
The Katla ice cave is a natural and ancient ice cave beneath the Kötlujökull glacier, an offshoot of the larger Mýrdalsjökull. It’s an incredible opportunity to see the otherworldly patterns of ice beneath the surface. If you want unforgettable insights into glaciers and stunning natural wonders, it is absolutely worth it.
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