ASKUR ICE CAVE ON MÝRDALSJÖKULL GLACIER

The Askur Ice Cave is renowned for its unique features, including layers of volcanic ash from historic eruptions of the nearby Katla volcano. These ash layers, combined with intricate natural ice patterns and bubbles trapped in ancient ice, create a mesmerizing visual spectacle. The serene sound of trickling meltwater streams adds to the otherworldly experience, making it a truly unique destination.

The Askur Ice Cave was formed through the action of meltwater during warmer months. Surface ice and snow melt, and the resulting water flows through cracks and crevices in the glacier. Over time, this meltwater erodes the ice, expanding pathways into larger tunnels and chambers. The freeze-thaw cycles and the presence of ash layers from Katla's eruptions further enhance the cave's stunning internal landscape.

The Askur Ice Cave is situated on private land, and access is controlled by the tour providers within our Icelandia family. Tours are organised by the Icelandic Mountain Guides and depart from a base camp near the glacier. Depending on the season, visitors can reach the cave by buggy, mountain truck, or snowmobile. Scheduled tours ensure safety and provide an enriching experience while maintaining the cave’s pristine condition.

Tours to the Askur Ice Cave offer an adventurous and immersive experience. Inside the cave, guides carve out a central path, ensuring visitors can explore safely. The cave features a main entrance and a moulin (a vertical shaft) that allows natural light to illuminate the ice tunnel. Depending on conditions, visitors can walk up to 100 meters into the cave, marveling at its intricate ice patterns and volcanic ash layers.

The tour is much more than just an ice cave visit—it's a compact wilderness and adventure experience. Tour options vary by season, including thrilling buggy rides in summer and autumn, and exhilarating snowmobile rides in winter. For a more family-friendly option, mountain truck tours provide a comfortable yet adventurous way to reach the cave.

Tours from Reykjavík include stops at iconic waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, making it a full day of exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. Expect breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventures, and a deep connection with Iceland's raw beauty.

In Norse mythology, Ask (or Askur) and Embla were the first two humans created by the gods. According to the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, three gods, including Odin, found Ask and Embla and bestowed upon them various gifts. The name "Askur" is deeply rooted in this mythological heritage, adding a layer of cultural significance to the cave's natural wonders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.