Lofthellir Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour

Lofthellir is not a standard Iceland cave tour. It is a permafrost ice cave inside a lava tube, reached by super jeep across the wild lava fields east of Lake Mývatn. The cave’s ice floor may be 2,000 to 3,000 years old, while some ice formations could be 500 years old. You enter through a short crawl, then move through darkness with only your headlamp.

I like two things here. First, the small group, limited to 10 people and often much smaller, gives the cave a quiet, careful feel. Second, the trip treats access as a privilege, not a quick photo stop. Only one group enters each day to protect the cave’s fragile air balance, and part of your ticket supports research and preservation.

The main drawback is physical: you must walk 800 meters over rough lava and crawl, bend, slide, and perhaps sit on wet ice. At $401 per person, this is a costly four-hour outing, so you should book it for the unusual cave experience, not simply for a scenic jeep ride.

Key points about the Lofthellir adventure

• Ancient ice inside a lava tube: The frozen floor formed over roughly 2,000 to 3,000 years.
• A true wilderness approach: A modified super jeep takes you about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn into Búrfellshraun.
• One group per day: Limited access helps protect the cave’s delicate temperature and airflow.
• Hands-on cave travel: Expect a short crawl at the entrance, then bending, sliding, and walking on ice.
• Personal guiding: Guide Pirkir has led the experience with a calm, personal approach.
• Small-group value: The group is capped at 10, and a very small party may have extra time to look around.

Why Lofthellir is different from an ordinary ice cave

Iceland has plenty of lava caves and ice caves, but Lofthellir combines both in one place. The cave began as a lava tube, then kept a permanent ice floor because of a delicate balance in air movement and temperature. That combination is unusual, and it explains why access is tightly controlled.

The cave is also the largest lava tube cave in North Iceland. Inside, the attraction is not a row of installed lights or a polished walkway. You use a headlamp, and the darkness changes as you move. One person’s beam catches a wall, another finds a frozen shape on the floor, and the cave reveals itself in pieces.

That lack of fixed lighting is part of the charm, but it also means the experience feels more like exploration than sightseeing. You will not get a brightly lit chamber with an easy route for taking photographs. You will get a protected natural space where the guide manages the pace and helps you notice what the headlamps pick out.

The ice itself is the reason to make the effort. Some formations are young, some may be centuries old, and the floor contains ice that has survived for thousands of years. The exact shapes change with the cave’s conditions, so the view is not a permanent display. This is nature in a slow, cold state of change.

The super jeep ride from Lake Mývatn

Meet in front of Berjaya Hotel Mývatn, where the guide will be near the super jeep or waiting in the hotel lobby. Parking is provided, which makes this a simple starting point if you are staying in the Mývatn area.

The drive begins on the road and then heads toward the lava fields. The full approach usually takes about 45 to 50 minutes, split between roughly 30 minutes to Ludentshaedhir and another 20 minutes toward Lofthellir. Weather and ground conditions can change the timing.

The modified super jeep is not just transport. It is necessary because the cave sits about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn, well inside the Búrfellshraun lava fields. The ride gives you access to a place that is not suited to ordinary cars, and the vehicle can stop along the way for views when conditions allow.

Ludentshaedhir is a scenic point on the route. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, giving you time to look across the volcanic surroundings and stretch before the walking section. It is a useful pause, but you should not confuse it with a separate sightseeing tour. The cave remains the main event.

The ride can be a highlight if you enjoy rough-country transport and open views. It can also feel long if you are mainly interested in the cave and want to get underground quickly. I would treat the drive as part of the price: it is the route into the wilderness, not filler between two attractions.

The 800-meter walk across Búrfellshraun

Where the vehicle stops, the final approach continues on foot for about 800 meters. The walk crosses lava fields, so this is not a smooth pavement stroll. You need outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for uneven ground, although the special cave boots are provided later.

The distance is modest, but the surface matters more than the number. Loose and rough lava can make the walk tiring, particularly in poor weather or if you are already carrying too much clothing and equipment. Pack light and keep your hands free where possible.

This walk helps preserve the feeling of reaching somewhere remote. You are not stepping from a parking area into a visitor center. You are crossing volcanic ground before reaching a small entrance in the rock. For me, that physical approach adds meaning to the cave, because the setting explains why access is limited.

The tour schedule allows time for the walk, safety briefing, cave visit, and return. The total outing lasts about four hours, with approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes allocated to the Lofthellir portion, including the approach and preparation.

Getting through the small cave entrance

At the cave, each person receives studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp. The boot studs are designed to grip the ice without damaging it, which is an important detail in a cave being protected for future generations.

Before entering, the guide gives a safety briefing. Everyone must crawl about one meter through the entrance. It is short, but it is still a real crawl, not a figure of speech. You may need to get low, place your hands carefully, and move through a narrow opening.

The operator’s guidance is that people who are comfortable in an elevator will generally manage the entrance, but anyone with claustrophobia should consider another activity. The cave is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems, and it is not recommended for people over 70.

Once inside, the route involves more than walking. You may bend down, crawl on ice, slide, or sit briefly on a wet surface. Waterproof or water-resistant trousers are strongly recommended. Ordinary outdoor clothing is required, but regular jeans or light hiking trousers may leave you uncomfortable if they become damp.

Inside the ice cave with only a headlamp

Lofthellir is intentionally dark. There are no permanent lights inside, so the headlamp is your main source of illumination. That choice protects the natural feel of the cave and makes the route more personal, but it also means you should listen closely to the guide and watch your footing.

The cave visit lasts about one to one and a half hours. The time limit is not a sign that the operator wants to rush you. Human breath adds warmth and moisture, and too much time with too many people could affect the cave’s delicate frozen conditions.

Your guide points out ice formations and helps you understand how lava and ice occupy the same space. The cave is not simply a tunnel filled with blue ice. Its shapes can be large or small, smooth or rough, and the headlamp reveals them at close range rather than presenting a wide, fully lit view.

The lack of fixed lights also makes each group’s experience slightly different. Your position, the guide’s explanations, and the angle of your lamp affect what you notice. It is worth slowing down and looking carefully instead of trying to photograph every surface.

Guide Pirkir has been especially effective at making the visit personal and well paced. That matters in a small cave, where a rushed or overly loud group could quickly spoil the atmosphere. The strongest part of this tour is not only the ice itself, but the careful way the group is brought through it.

Group size and the value of limited access

The tour accepts no more than 10 people, and the cave allows only one group per day. Those numbers have practical and environmental value.

A small party makes the narrow entrance and tight spaces easier to manage. It also gives you a better chance to hear the guide, ask questions, and stop for a proper look. If your group happens to be very small, you may have more room and time to appreciate the formations without waiting for a line to move.

The one-group-per-day rule is even more important. Lofthellir stays frozen because of a fine airflow balance. More traffic, more body heat, and more time underground could harm the ice. The restriction makes the booking harder to fit into a busy schedule, but it is also what helps keep the cave intact.

You are paying for a rare access arrangement, not for a high-volume attraction. Part of the ticket supports research and protection work carried out with the landowners. That does not make the $401 price small, but it gives the cost a clearer purpose than a typical sightseeing admission.

Is $401 a fair price?

At $401 per person, this is one of the more expensive short activities around Lake Mývatn. The four-hour duration may look brief beside a full-day excursion, and the cave visit itself occupies only 60 to 90 minutes.

The price includes the super jeep transport, local English-speaking guide, cave entry, studded rubber boots, helmet, and headlamp. You are also paying for a very limited operation in a remote setting, with a vehicle capable of reaching the lava fields and a strict visitor limit inside the cave.

I would consider it good value if you care about geology, unusual natural places, small groups, and active exploration. It is less convincing value if you want a low-cost activity, a simple walk, or a comfortable cave tour with stairs and lighting.

The price is easier to justify for someone who has already seen Iceland’s more accessible sights and wants something more specific. Lofthellir is not a general introduction to Iceland. It is a specialist outing built around one rare cave.

What to wear and carry

The operator provides the key cave equipment, but you still need to dress for Icelandic outdoor conditions and wet, cold surfaces.

Bring:

• Warm outdoor clothing
• Waterproof or water-resistant trousers
• Layers that allow you to bend and crawl
• Clothing you do not mind getting damp
• Practical outdoor footwear for the walk to the cave

You do not need to bring your own helmet, headlamp, or studded rubber boots. The provided boots are made for traction while avoiding damage to the ice.

Avoid dressing as if this were a roadside photo stop. The walk is outdoors, the lava is rough, and the cave floor can be wet. Clothing that works for standing upright may not work well when you are crawling or sitting on ice.

Who should book this cave tour?

I would recommend Lofthellir to fit adults who enjoy unusual geology and do not mind getting close to the ground. It suits people who prefer a small, guided experience to a large attraction with marked paths and bright lights.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying around Lake Mývatn and want an activity tied closely to the area’s volcanic setting. The super jeep route, lava fields, and cave all belong to the same story.

You should think twice if you have back problems, limited mobility, or discomfort in confined spaces. The short entrance crawl is required, and the cave route includes bending, crawling, sliding, and wet ice. The activity is not suitable for people over 70 according to the operator’s restrictions.

You should also skip it if your main goal is easy photography. The cave has no preset lighting, and the dark conditions make photographs less predictable. The value is in being there and moving through the cave, not in getting a guaranteed postcard image.

Booking, timing, and cancellations

The meeting point is Berjaya Hotel Mývatn. The tour lasts four hours, but starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

English is the tour language, and the group is limited to 10 people. Personal insurance is not included, so you should arrange your own cover before booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Iceland schedule may change, though the one-group-per-day limit means you should not assume another date will be available at short notice.

Should you book Lofthellir?

Book this tour if you want a rare, carefully protected cave experience and are comfortable crawling over ice. The ancient frozen floor, super jeep approach, small group, and natural darkness make it far more distinctive than a standard cave walk.

Skip it if you want comfort, easy access, or a lower price. The cost is high, the cave entrance is tight, and the physical demands are real.

For the right person, Lofthellir is worth the money because the access is limited for a good reason. You are not simply visiting a cave. You are taking part in a controlled visit to a fragile frozen environment, with a local guide such as Pirkir showing you how to look without wearing the place away.

FAQ

Where does the Lofthellir tour begin?

The tour begins in front of Berjaya Hotel Mývatn in the Mývatn area. The guide will be by the super jeep or in the hotel lobby, and parking is provided.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about four hours, including the super jeep drive, scenic stop, walk to the cave, safety briefing, cave visit, and return drive.

How far is Lofthellir from Lake Mývatn?

The cave is about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn, inside the Búrfellshraun lava fields.

How large is the tour group?

The group is limited to 10 participants. Only one group is allowed inside the cave per day to help protect its frozen conditions.

How long do you spend inside Lofthellir?

Time inside the cave is limited to about one to one and a half hours because body heat, breathing, and moisture can affect the cave’s delicate temperature balance.

Do I need to bring cave equipment?

No. The tour provides studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp. You should bring suitable outdoor clothing, including water-resistant trousers.

Do you have to crawl into the cave?

Yes. Everyone must crawl about one meter through the entrance. The route inside may also include bending, crawling, sliding, and sitting on wet ice.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues or claustrophobia?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or claustrophobia. It is also not recommended for people over 70.

What is included in the price?

The price includes entrance to Lofthellir Cave, the super jeep transportation, an English-speaking guide, and cave equipment consisting of boots, a helmet, and a headlamp. Personal insurance is not included.