Lofthellir: Inside North Iceland’s Hidden Ice Cave

Lofthellir: Inside North Iceland’s Hidden Ice Cave

A practical guide to Iceland’s frozen lava tube beneath the Mývatn lava fields.

Why Lofthellir?

If you want a tourist conveyor belt, go elsewhere. Lofthellir is raw, quiet, and demanding—in the best way. This is a 3,500-year-old lava tube where winter lives year-round. Crystal ice forms on black basalt; headlamps cut through still air; and access is limited for good reason. It’s on private land and requires a licensed guide to enter. That keeps the cave protected and your experience uncrowded.

Considering the guided experience? Book the Lofthellir Ice Cave Tour (small groups, local expert guides based at Mývatn).

Ice Cave Iceland Cave tour North Iceland Lofthellir

Inside Lofthellir Cave. The Ice formations attract cavers from all around the world.

Where is Lofthellir?

Lofthellir sits in the lava fields east of Lake Mývatn in North Iceland. The area is a geological playground—crater rows, pseudocraters, and endless lava. The cave entrance is remote and reached by high-clearance 4×4 (Super Jeep) and a short hike (about 30 minutes) over uneven lava.

  • Region: Mývatn/Laxárdalur, North Iceland

  • Nearest hub: Lake Mývatn Info Centre (meeting point)

  • Drive time from Akureyri: ~1 hr 15 min to Mývatn (conditions dependent)

What Makes This Ice Cave Different?

Inside the Lofthellir lava tube with ancient ice formations

Pederico Pardo Photo of Lofthellir

Most “ice caves” in Iceland form within or under glaciers and shift every year. Lofthellir is not a glacier cave—it’s a lava tube where cold air and moisture build stable ice formations. The result is a rare, photogenic mix: jet-black basalt + clear and milky ice. Because the cave is delicate and access is controlled, it hasn’t been stomped into oblivion.

In short: if you’re chasing authenticity and isolation rather than crowds, you’ll feel right at home.

Can I Visit Without a Guide?

No. Lofthellir is on private property with controlled access. A licensed guide is mandatory to protect the cave and ensure safety. That’s not red tape—it’s conservation. Group sizes are capped and departures are limited.

Start here: Lofthellir Ice Cave Tour

When is the Best Time to Go?

Year-round, weather and track conditions permitting. Inside the cave, temps hover around 0 °C (can dip to –2 °C). Spring shoulder season can be trickier for access; winter offers silence and drama; summer delivers longer daylight for the drive and hike. If your dates are tight, pre-book and keep a plan B—nature runs the schedule.

What the Experience Actually Feels Like

  • Approach: Super Jeep across rough tracks. Zero fluff, all scenery.

  • Hike: ~30 minutes over lava. Uneven, but spectacular.

  • Entry: A short crawl/slide through a low section. You won’t love this if you’re claustrophobic.

  • Inside: Headlamps on. Crunchy footing. Chambers studded with columns, curtains, and glassy ice. Photos look unreal because the place is unreal.

  • Pace: Slow and deliberate. It’s about presence, not distance.

Difficulty: Moderate. If you can hike uneven ground and tolerate a brief crawl, you’re fine. Not suitable for young kids, anyone with severe knee/hip issues, or claustrophobia.

What to Wear & Bring (No-nonsense list)

  • Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots. We provide studded overshoes when needed.

  • Clothing: Warm base layer + insulating mid-layer + waterproof shell.

  • Accessories: Gloves, hat, and a buff/beanie that fits under a helmet.

  • Camera: Low-light capable if you want more than phone snaps.

  • Backpack: Small daypack for layers and water.

We provide helmet and headlamp (and a safety briefing that’s actually worth listening to).

Safety & Conservation

  • Stay on the guide’s line—the ice here is fragile.

  • No touching formations. Oils from hands accelerate melt/decay.

  • Lights down when asked—less heat, better visibility.

  • No drones inside (and outside only where permitted).

  • Pack out everything you bring. No exceptions.

This cave survives because guests treat it like a privilege, not a prop. That includes us.

How Lofthellir Formed (The short geologist’s version)

  1. Eruption builds a lava flow ~3,500 years ago.

  2. Outer crust cools while molten lava drains out, leaving a tube.

  3. Over centuries, cold air pools in the tube; moisture from the porous lava and air freezes into hoar, stalactites, columns, and floor ice.

  4. Stable microclimate + limited access = formations that last.

Photography Tips (without wrecking the scene)

  • Tripod: A compact one helps for long exposures.

  • ISO: Keep it low when possible; let the exposure run.

  • Headlamp position: Angle down and away from ice to avoid hot spots.

  • Shoot after others pass. Minimal vibration = sharper images.

  • Respect time limits. We share the cave; no diva shoots.

Who Should Skip It?

  • Anyone severely claustrophobic.

  • Travelers needing a fully upright walk-in cave.

  • Guests with acute knee/hip/back issues.

  • Families with kids under 8.

We’re honest about fit because mismatched expectations ruin trips. If you want dramatic volcanic terrain without crawling, ask us about Krafla, Hverfjall rim hikes, or Dimmuborgir alternatives.

Booking, Weather, and Plan B

Iceland can slam doors fast—wind, snow, thaw, or simply track conditions. If the route is unsafe, we don’t force it. You’ll be rebooked or refunded per terms. Keep an alternate activity in mind (Nature Baths, lava field photo drives, Mývatn birding in season). We’ll help you pivot.

Reserve your spot: Lofthellir Ice Cave Tour
Questions? Contact us or call the Mývatn desk.

Sample Day Itinerary (Typical Timing)

  • 09:00 – Meet at Lake Mývatn

  • 09:15–10:00 – Super Jeep to trailhead

  • 10:00–10:30 – Hike over lava

  • 10:30–12:00 – Cave exploration

  • 12:00–12:45 – Hike + drive back

  • ~12:45–13:15 – Return to Mývatn

Times flex with conditions and group pace. We keep it safe and unhurried.

Quick FAQ

Is Lofthellir open year-round?
Generally yes, but access depends on conditions. Your guide makes the final call.

How cold is it inside?
Around 0 °C (down to –2 °C). Dress for a winter day, even in summer.

Can I bring a big camera bag?
Bring a small pack only. Space is tight and we move in a single file.

Toilet?
None at the cave. Use facilities before departure.

Is it scary?
It’s a tight entry and a dark cave—that’s the point. If you’re comfortable with that, you’ll love it.

Ready for the real North Iceland?

Lofthellir isn’t staged. It rewards curiosity, patience, and a bit of grit. If that’s your kind of adventure, we’d love to guide you there.

→ Book the Lofthellir Ice Cave Tour

Our goal is to give travellers a memorable, enjoyable and educational tour, while ensuring that our groups minimise their impact on the delicate Icelandic natural environment.

Find out about our organisation, policies and our methods,

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