An Epic Glacier Hike to The Katla Ice Cave in Iceland

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to hike to an ice cave on top of an active volcano in the middle of a blizzard?

Yes, this was an actual experience I had with my husband on our winter trip to Iceland, and it was one of the coolest things we’ve ever done!!

Exploring the Katla Ice Cave is a must do when visiting Iceland, and the only way to experience it is by booking a tour!

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting the Katla Ice Cave, including how to visit, what to expect, what to wear, and tips to make the most of your adventure.

So keep reading to find out all the details about this epic adventure on Iceland’s South Coast!

What and Where is the Katla Ice Cave?

The Katla Ice Cave is one of Iceland’s most unique and jaw-dropping natural wonders, and it’s actually formed inside a glacier that sits on top of an active volcano.

You’re literally hiking inside a glacier that’s covering Mount Katla, one of the most powerful and closely monitored volcanoes in the country!

The ice cave itself is located within the Kötlujökull glacier, which is an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull — Iceland’s fourth largest glacier — on the South Coast of Iceland.

If you’re looking at a map, the cave is closest to the small town of Vik, which is about a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik.

Because it’s constantly melting, shifting, and reforming, the Katla Ice Cave looks different every year (and sometimes even every season).

For example, when we visited, there was a massive, layered ice arch outside of the cave that was constantly widening due to wind. However, that arch has since collapsed, but new ones are always forming!

While visiting an ice cave is one of the best things to do in Iceland in winter, Katla is one of the only natural ice caves in Iceland that you can visit year-round, which is pretty rare since most are only accessible in winter!

We personally visited Katla during a February trip to Iceland, but I would definitely return in the summer too.

How to Visit the Katla Ice Cave

To visit the Katla Ice Cave, you have to visit via an organized tour!

I repeat, it is not safe to visit the ice cave by yourself. For one, it would be extremely difficult to find and you need a special vehicle to get close to it.

Second, the ice is constantly melting and changing, so you have to visit with an experienced guide who knows the landscape.

Luckily, Arctic Adventures, my favorite tour company in Iceland, offers an incredible and professional Katla Ice Cave tour! I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Iceland!!

Below, I’ll detail exactly what to expect on this Katla Ice Cave tour!

book now!!!

Katla Ice Cave Tour with Arctic Adventures

• Price: Starting at $218 per person
• Duration: 3 hours
• Rating: 4.7/5 stars ⭐
• Includes: Transportation to cave, crampons, & helmet

book it here!

The Katla Ice Cave tour with Arctic Adventures begins in Vik, a charming village on Iceland’s South Coast known for its black sand beaches and dramatic landscapes. Vik is a popular base for exploring other nearby attractions (which I’ll cover at the end of this post!).

While the tour technically starts in Vik, you have the option to choose “from Reykjavik” or “from Vik” when booking. If you don’t plan on renting a car while in Iceland, you can book “from Reykjavik” option, which includes hotel pickup in Reykjavik!

This option typically starts around 8 or 9am and lasts about 11 hours due to the roundtrip transfer between Vik and Reykjavik. Due to the extra travel costs, this tour is a bit more expensive than the “from Vik” option – $280 vs $236.

Since we decided to rent a car during our trip to Iceland, we booked the cheaper option and made the drive to Vik ourselves the morning of the tour.

Then, after the tour ended, we stayed at an igloo hotel in Hella, just an hour away from Vik, instead of driving all the way back to Reykjavik! Vik is also a great option to stay if you want to explore more of the South Coast (more on this later).

P.S. Wondering if renting a car in winter is right for you? Check out my complete guide on Renting a Car in Iceland in Winter! 🚘

The Tour Experience: What to Expect

Getting to The Glacier from Vik

The adventure to the Katla Ice Cave begins with boarding a massive Super Jeep at the Ice Cave Bistro meeting point in Vik. This meeting point has coffee, food, and a full grocery store inside if you need to grab a bite before the tour!

Wondering what the heck a “Super Jeep” is? Well, it’s not actually a Jeep. Super Jeep is a common phrase in Iceland to describe a rugged vehicle with oversized snow tires to handle icy roads and deep snow. They are common for off-roading adventures (including some Northern Lights tours!)

Once you find your group, you’ll get into your Super Jeep and start making your way towards the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. On our journey, the Icelandic weather was doing its thing… It was actively snowing with near-whiteout conditions. I was so glad I wasn’t driving!!

The journey to Mýrdalsjökull Glacier took about 40 minutes on paved roads before the real fun began: off-roading through thick snow. We almost got stuck a few times, but the Super Jeep powered through, taking us closer to the glacier.

Hiking to the Ice Cave

Once we parked, it was time to gear up and start the hike across the snow to the ice cave! Arctic Adventures provides you with safety helmets, as well as crampons, which come later!

With safety helmets on, we began walking through the snow-covered landscape. This is where the guides really come in handy, since the whiteout conditions made it impossible to tell what we were walking towards.

Despite the weather, the hike was moderate, with a few uphill climbs that warmed us up in the brisk air.

After about 15 minutes, we reached some metal storage boxes that contained our crampons! Up to this point, there were some slippery spots, but crampons weren’t totally necessary (just snow boots).

However, once we reached the icy part of the glacier, the crampon’s metal spikes were 100% needed! The crampons made a noticeable difference as we continued hiking toward the Katla Ice Cave.

The last part of the hike before arriving at the Ice Cave was an uphill climb along the edge of the glacier. At this point, we truly felt like we were in an episode of Game of Thrones north of the Wall!

❄️ The hike to the ice cave is one kind of adventure — getting to Iceland is another. Make sure flights, travel insurance for active trips, and money abroad are sorted long before you put on those crampons. My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 step-by-step planning roadmap covering every decision. Download it instantly!

Inside the Katla Ice Cave

Reaching the Katla Ice Cave felt like stepping into another world. Before even arriving at the cave itself, a snow-covered valley spread before us. We learned the glacier itself, part of Mýrdalsjökull, sits atop Mount Katla, an active volcano!!!

Turning left, we entered the cave itself and were completely blown away. Towering walls of deep blue ice reflected the light in mesmerizing ways, and natural arches showcased the ever-changing beauty of the glacier.

For those who don’t enjoy enclosed spaces, the cave might feel a little daunting, but the guides are experienced and ensure everyone feels safe. Walking inside, we learned about the cave’s formation and the interplay between the glacier and the volcano beneath it.

One of the highlights was tasting pure glacier water straight from the source!!

Book your trip to the Katla Ice Cave here! 🧊

Exiting the cave, we made our way down into the snow-covered valley. When we visited, there was a massive circular ice arch outside the cave, hundreds of feet tall, formed by wind erosion. Although this particular formation has since collapsed, new shapes are constantly being created thanks to Mother Nature!

Getting to stand in front of the arch with the snow blowing sideways was one of the most incredible experiences we’ve ever had. We also got to carve some glacier ice with a pick axe like Kristoff in Frozen!

And yet the highlight of our Katla Ice Cave tour was the journey back. Instead of walking along the pathway down to ground level, our guide let us slide down the side of the mountain. It was absolutely unbelievable!!!

What to Wear On a Katla Ice Cave Tour

Iceland’s winter weather is famously unpredictable, but looking up the weather and wearing layers on your tour will help you tremendously!

For winter weather, you’ll want to start with a thermal base layer, followed by a warm insulating fleece layer, and finish with a waterproof outer layer like snow pants and a ski jacket to protect against snow and wind.

In addition to your main clothing, you’ll want a warm beanie, waterproof gloves, and a scarf or neck gaiter to protect your extremities and provide extra warmth!

For footwear, you’ll want waterproof snow boots with sturdy soles that can handle winter conditions! I also recommend thick wool socks to keep your feet extra warm and dry.

In order to walk on the glacier safely, you’ll also need crampons, which are metal spikes that attach to your boots. If you book with Arctic Adventures, crampons will be provided, along with a helmet for safety!

I also recommend packing sunglasses to reduce glare from the ice and snow if it’s sunny, as well as a small backpack for carrying water, snacks, and extra layers.

For more tips on packing for Iceland’s icy weather, check out my detailed Iceland Winter Packing List or grab the downloadable version below!

Other Things to Do in Vik and Nearby

If you’re planning to spend more time in Vik or exploring the surrounding area, there are plenty of incredible sights and activities to add to your itinerary. Here are a few highlights near Vik!

And if you need a lunch recommendation, make sure to check out Suður-Vík, which is right across the street from the tour drop off!

1. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Famous for its dramatic basalt columns and striking black sands, Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most iconic beaches. Be sure to admire the Reynisdrangar sea stacks just offshore, and make sure to keep an eye out for sneaker waves!!

2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Located about 2.5 hours east of Vik, Jökulsárlón is a breathtaking glacier lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Many visitors pair it with a stop at Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice wash up on the black sand, creating a surreal scene.

3. Skógafoss Waterfall
Located about 30 minutes west of Vik, Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, with a 60-meter drop. It’s particularly stunning in winter when the surrounding area is often coated in frost. If you’re up for a climb, there’s a staircase leading to a viewing platform at the top (crampons needed in winter!).

4. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Another must-see waterfall near Vik is Seljalandsfoss, about an hour away from Vik. What makes this one unique is the walking path that allows you to go behind the waterfall. However, this was closed when we visited due to the snow! Both of these waterfalls are on the way back to Reykjavik from Vik, so we did them together on our last day!

5. Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
For something a little different, hike out to the famous US Navy plane wreck on the Solheimasandur beach. The hike is 4.5 miles round trip, but seeing the abandoned plane against the stark black sands is worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

This Katla Ice Cave tour is one of those experiences I will be talking about for years. My husband and I both agreed it was one of the coolest activities we’ve ever done in our life, right up there with scuba diving with manta rays in Hawaii!

While this tour is available year round, it was extra special for us in the winter with the heavy snowfall! It seriously felt like we were looking for wildlings in Game of Thrones!

So, take my advice and book your Katla Ice Cave Tour with Arctic Adventures now!!!

And then make sure to check out my Ultimate Iceland Packing List to make sure you are prepared for the tour and all of your other frosty Iceland adventures🥶

Read More Iceland Blog Posts Below! ⬇️🇮🇸❄️
Visiting Iceland In February: Everything To Know!
13 Incredible Things to Do in Iceland in the Winter!
Ultimate 5 Day Iceland Winter Itinerary
Renting A Car In Iceland In Winter: Is It Worth It?
The Only Iceland Winter Packing List You Need!
How To Spend One Epic Day In Reykjavik
A Guide To Exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle In Winter
Is an Iceland Northern Lights Tour Worth It? Things to Know!
The Most Magical Stay at an Iceland Igloo Hotel!
An Epic Glacier Hike To The Katla Ice Cave In Iceland

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