Lofthellir Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour

Lofthellir is not a polished show cave with paths and electric lights. It is a permafrost ice cave inside a lava tube, reached by super jeep and a rough walk across the Búrfellshraun lava fields. Inside, your headlamp picks out blue-white ice on a floor estimated to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old.

I like the small-group setup, with no more than 10 people and only one group allowed into the cave each day. I also like the guide-led, hands-on feel, from the bumpy ride past Mount Hverfjall to the short crawl through the entrance. Guide Pirkir has been praised for giving the visit a personal touch.

The main drawback is physical: you must crawl about one meter through the entrance, then bend, slide, and possibly sit on wet ice. At $401 per person, this is a costly four-hour outing, so it makes the most sense if you want a rare, carefully protected cave visit rather than a standard sightseeing stop.

Key things to know before you book

• Lofthellir is a frozen lava tube: Its ice floor and ice formations sit inside North Iceland’s largest lava cave.
• Only one group enters each day: The cave’s frozen conditions depend on a delicate balance of cold air movement and limited human presence.
• The ride is part of the adventure: A modified super jeep carries you about 30 kilometers from Mývatn, across rough lava fields.
• You must crawl at the entrance: The opening requires a short crawl, followed by some bending and sliding inside.
• The cave is dark by design: You explore by headlamp, with no permanent lights to change the cave’s natural feel.
• The price supports protection: Part of the ticket helps fund research and care for Lofthellir with the landowners.

Why Lofthellir is different from a standard ice cave

Many Iceland cave visits take place in large, developed spaces where you follow a clear route and admire lighting installed for easy viewing. Lofthellir asks more from you, but gives you a much less managed setting in return.

The cave began as a lava tube, formed when molten rock moved through the area and later cooled. Inside that old volcanic passage, ice has remained year after year. The result is unusual: ancient ice in a lava cave, not the temporary glacier caves that change with the seasons.

The floor contains ice believed to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Some formations may be as much as 500 years old, while others are younger and more fragile. You are not simply looking at a wall of ice. You are seeing a frozen record shaped by airflow, temperature, moisture, and time.

There are no preset lights inside Lofthellir. Your headlamp reveals only what is directly in front of you, so the cave appears gradually as you move. That darkness is part of the appeal, though it also means you should not expect the bright blue glow often seen in photographs of glacier caves.

The lack of built-in lighting also helps protect the cave’s natural conditions. Breathing, body heat, and repeated visits can affect the temperature balance, which is why time inside is limited to about one to one and a half hours.

The super jeep ride from Mývatn

You meet in front of Berjaya Iceland Hotels at Mývatn. Parking is available, and the guide may wait beside the super jeep or in the hotel lobby. From there, the drive heads toward the lava fields around Búrfellshraun.

The modified vehicle matters here. Lofthellir lies about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn, beyond the point where an ordinary car can take you comfortably. The ride usually lasts around 45 to 50 minutes in total, with the route split into sections and stops depending on weather and ground conditions.

You pass Mount Hverfjall, the broad volcanic crater that helps define the Mývatn area. The drive then moves into rougher country, with views over the lava fields and open volcanic terrain. It is not a quick transfer. The route is one of the main parts of the outing, and your guide may stop to point out views along the way.

Conditions can affect the timing. The published route allows about 30 minutes in the vehicle, a 15-minute scenic stop near Ludentshaedhir, and another 20-minute drive before reaching the cave area. The return drive takes about 40 minutes. Think of the schedule as a flexible half-day plan rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The ride can be bumpy. If you prefer smooth roads and frequent comforts, this may feel like work before the cave begins. If you enjoy reaching places that ordinary tour buses cannot, the rough drive helps explain why Lofthellir has remained relatively protected.

The walk across Búrfellshraun

The super jeep cannot take you all the way to the entrance. Once the road ends, you walk about 800 meters across the lava field.

That distance is not long, but the surface matters. Lava fields can be uneven, and the walk adds another physical element before you even reach the cave. Wear sturdy outdoor clothing and shoes that can handle rough ground. The tour provides special rubber boots for the cave, but you still need suitable clothing for the approach.

This short walk also gives the visit a sense of place. Lofthellir is not a roadside attraction. You leave the vehicle, cross open volcanic ground, and approach a small entrance that does not reveal much about the large space below.

You may stop at Ludentshaedhir during the drive for views. The schedule allows about 15 minutes there, enough for a brief look and photographs if weather conditions cooperate. The focus remains Lofthellir, so do not expect a long sightseeing stop or a separate attraction visit.

Getting equipped for the ice

At the cave, each participant receives studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp. The boot studs are designed to provide grip without damaging the ice.

The boots are important because the cave floor can be wet and slippery. You may bend down, crawl, slide, or sit on the ice, so waterproof or water-resistant trousers are strongly recommended. Ordinary jeans are a poor choice for this outing.

The helmet protects your head in a low, uneven space, while the headlamp gives you control over what you see. Since there is no permanent lighting, keep your lamp pointed where you are moving and watch the ground in front of you.

The guide gives a safety briefing before you enter. Listen closely, especially if you are unsure how to move across the ice. This is not a technical climbing trip, but it is also not a simple flat walk.

Crawling through the entrance

The entrance is the clearest dividing line between people who will enjoy this tour and people who should choose another activity. Everyone must crawl about one meter through a small opening.

The crawl is short, but the confined space can feel intense. The operator notes that people who are comfortable in an elevator will often manage it, but anyone with claustrophobia should skip this outing. That comparison is useful, though personal reactions vary.

Inside, you may need to crouch and crawl again in places. The route includes ice, low sections, and wet ground. You do not need to be an experienced hiker or climber, but you do need to move confidently on uneven surfaces.

This is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people over 70, according to the tour’s restrictions. Those limits are not just legal fine print. The cave demands bending, balance, and the ability to get up from low positions.

What you see during the 60 to 90 minutes inside

The guide leads you through the cave by headlamp, stopping to explain the ice and the volcanic passage. You may see small and large ice formations, some young and some possibly centuries old.

Because the cave has no installed lights, you will not see everything at once. A wall may appear when your lamp turns toward it. An ice ridge may catch the light only after you change position. The effect is more personal than a lit display, but you need patience and attention.

The cave’s size gives the experience weight. Lofthellir is described as the largest lava tube in North Iceland, yet the entrance is small enough to require a crawl. That contrast is one of the memorable parts of the visit: a narrow opening leads to a larger underground world of dark rock and frozen shapes.

The guide’s role is especially important here. Pirkir has been singled out for giving a personal and well-paced visit, and a small group gives the guide room to help people through the tight sections. With no more than 10 participants, you are not moving through in a long line.

Some departures may have only two people, which can give you more time to examine the ice and ask questions. Group size is not guaranteed at that level, but the daily limit keeps the outing far smaller than a typical bus excursion.

Time inside is limited to about one to one and a half hours. That may seem short for a $401 tour, but the restriction protects the cave. Too many people, too much body heat, and too much breathing could change the conditions that keep the ice frozen.

Why the limited access matters

Only one group is allowed into Lofthellir each day. This is not simply a marketing trick to make the cave feel exclusive. The ice depends on a delicate airflow and temperature balance.

Your visit is part of a protection effort, not just a sightseeing product. Geo Travel works with the landowners, and a portion of each ticket supports research and protection. That gives the high price a clearer purpose, although it does not make the cost insignificant.

You are paying for several things at once: a specialized vehicle, a local guide, cave equipment, a tightly controlled visit, and access to a place that is closed to general public access. The value depends on your priorities.

If you want a low-cost way to see ice, this is not good value. If you want a small, carefully managed visit to a rare natural feature and you appreciate the effort needed to protect it, the price is easier to justify.

Practical clothing and comfort advice

Bring outdoor clothing, and take the wet conditions seriously. Waterproof or water-resistant trousers are one of the best choices you can make because you may sit or slide on damp ice.

Dress for the drive, the walk, and the cave rather than for one temperature. The ride crosses open volcanic country, while the cave requires physical movement and contact with wet surfaces. The provided rubber boots, helmet, and headlamp cover the main cave equipment, but your clothing still needs to do the rest.

Leave extra room in your plans if weather is unsettled. The route and stops can change with conditions, and the total outing is advertised as four hours even though the individual travel and cave segments may vary.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Personal insurance is not included, so arrange your own cover if you want protection for the activity.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose Lofthellir if you enjoy unusual geology, small-group outings, and places that still feel lightly managed. It suits people who see a rough ride and a short crawl as part of the story rather than as an inconvenience.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying around Lake Mývatn and want something beyond the region’s more accessible sights. The super jeep route adds a wilderness element, while the cave offers a very different view of Iceland’s volcanic past.

I would not choose it for a relaxed family outing, a casual photo stop, or a day when you need easy access and dry floors. The cave is dark, wet, cramped at the entrance, and physically demanding in small but important ways.

People with claustrophobia, back problems, mobility impairments, or limited ability to crawl should not book. The stated age restriction also excludes people over 70.

Should you book Lofthellir?

Book this tour if you want a rare cave visit with a real sense of exploration and you are comfortable paying for limited access and conservation. The best parts are the small group, the super jeep ride into Búrfellshraun, the ancient ice, and the absence of artificial lights.

Skip it if the $401 price feels too high for four hours, or if crawling through a tight entrance sounds stressful. Lofthellir is not easy sightseeing, but for the right person, the effort is exactly what makes the frozen cave memorable.

FAQ

Where does the Lofthellir tour start?

The meeting point is in front of Berjaya Iceland Hotels at Mývatn. The guide may be beside the super jeep or in the hotel lobby, and parking is provided.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is four hours. Travel time, scenic stops, weather, and conditions can affect the exact schedule.

How far is Lofthellir from Lake Mývatn?

The cave is about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn, deep in the lava fields of Búrfellshraun.

Do I need to crawl into the cave?

Yes. Everyone must crawl about one meter through the entrance. There may also be more bending, crawling, and sliding on ice inside.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp. You should bring suitable outdoor clothing.

Is Lofthellir suitable for people with claustrophobia?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with claustrophobia because of the small entrance and confined cave sections.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to 10 participants, and only one group is allowed into the cave each day.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.