Have you ever visited an ice tunnel?
Winter and summer alike, we’ve found this tour to be original and completely different from other natural ice cave tours!
The one we’re talking about is none other than the Langjökull Ice Tunnel in Iceland, Europe’s 2nd largest glacier.
Access is open all year round.
Here are our useful tips for planning your visit to Iceland’s “Into The Glacier” ice tunnel.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Is a visit to the Langjökull Glacier Tunnel worthwhile?
Yes, the Langjökull Glacier Tunnel is well worth a visit in our eyes. If you’re visiting natural ice caves in Iceland, the comparison with this experience will be interesting because it’s really quite different! The Langjökull glacier is the 2nd largest in Europe, after the Vatnajökull, also in Iceland. Did you know that this tunnel was dug into the glacier with human intervention over a period of 14 months? One of our most emotional moments on site was undoubtedly the sight of a crevasse in the glacier right beneath our feet! The moment seemed surreal. The Vidgelmir lava cave is only a 20-minute drive from the tunnel, if you wish to combine this activity with the tour. Once again, a unique experience!
It’s also one of the best attractions in Iceland’s Silver Circle!
Book your place for the Langjökull Ice Tunnel tour from Husafell in winter!
What you can see
The Langjökull glacier: snow, ice and lunar landscapes
As we mentioned earlier, the Langjökull glacier is the 2nd largest in Europe after the Vatnajökull, both located in Iceland. They offer us unique options for visiting caves, but above all this famous tunnel carved out of the ice! The Langjökull glacier alone covers an impressive 950 km2. On the way, we were overwhelmed by the magnificent glacial panoramas, giving us the impression of twirling between snow, ice and lunar landscapes. The views of the glacier were truly breathtaking!
The all-terrain vehicle, an experience in itself
To reach the ice tunnel, you’ll climb aboard an 8-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, as we did. Note that in winter, you’ll need to take this shuttle from Husafell. In summer, you can take mountain road 550 between Husafell and Thingvellir National Park to reach the Klaki base. This “super truck” can tackle the slopes in ice and snow. Don’t worry, the drivers are locals who are used to driving in extremely cold conditions!
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
Discover the best offers on Discovercars, our preferred platform!
On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
The entrance to the ice tunnel
Once we arrived at the tunnel entrance, it didn’t seem so big to us, but we still had no idea what it hid inside. The mystery was still unsolved at that point!
We put on the ice crampons provided by the tour organizers. They’ll be essential for making your way serenely through the ice tunnel, limiting your efforts and conserving your energy as you make your way across the ice.
Be careful, with snow and ice on the ground, it can be slippery. We recommend you always carry cleats with you to add to your shoes. See our article on winter packing (coming soon)
Inside Europe’s 2nd largest glacier
We’re off to discover what the inside of Europe’s largest glacier is made of. In our opinion, this attraction is an excellent way to see inside a glacier and marvel at the walls of ice. If you compare it with a visit to a natural ice cave, you’ll find that here the tunnels are smooth and the ice different. The part of the Langjökull glacier that can be visited through the tunnel is between 30 and 35 years old.
White ice with intense blue inside
As you enter the 1st part of the tunnel, you’ll notice that the ice is very white and so polished that it looks almost satiny! It’s very different from natural ice caves in that the ice here has not been sculpted by water. The melting of glaciers in summer and their crystallization in winter are not at all responsible for this man-made ice tunnel.
As we made our way through the various corridors and vast cavities, we observed deep shades of blue. Because ice is thicker and denser in a glacier, it is compressed and absorbs all the colors of light (visible spectrum) except blue. And that’s what your eyes will pick up as color.
The secrets of the tunnel: the chapel
We also entered the tunnel to learn more about its secrets. Did you know that it houses a chapel carved out of the ice? In fact, it’s even possible to get married 25m below the surface of the glacier! This immense blue cavity, where we could stop along the way, took us by surprise.
A surreal moment: the glacier crevasse beneath our feet
Admittedly, a visit to the Langjökull ice tunnel can’t be compared to a visit to a natural cave, but we did experience one surreal moment. We saw a 40m-deep crevasse in the glacier right beneath our feet! It was definitely an emotional moment that we could never have experienced in a natural ice cave!
1st man-made ice cave
Some people have crazy ideas… and sometimes they work!
For a long time, visitors were taken to the top of the Langjökull glacier to discover it.
But some people thought it would be intriguing to accompany them to explore the inside of a glacier!
Did you know that this tunnel was dug into the glacier with human intervention over a period of 14 months, excavating 5500m3 of ice?
In fact, it’s the 1st and largest glacier ice cave built by human intervention.
It may not be as beautiful as the natural ice caves you can see in winter, but it’s a great way to see inside a glacier and be impressed by the ice walls.
And you can visit it all year round!
Unique colored lights
Along the way, take time to contemplate the many ice formations and their shades of color, each more beautiful than the last! We found the experience magical.
Teaching the importance of glaciers
You’ll notice a number of educational panels along the way. These informed us about glaciers and the impact of climate change. Indeed, we learned that glaciers and post-glacial ecosystems play a major role in countering global warming.
Several panels also explain the life cycle of glaciers in Iceland, from their formation (some 7500 years ago!) to projections in a few decades’ time of their complete disappearance. In 2018, for example, climate change caused the Okjökull, the volcanic island’s 1st glacier, to disappear.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Into The Glacier” ice tunnel in Iceland: how to get there
Where to find the tunnel
- In the Langjökull glacier, West Iceland
- Near Husafell in the Silver Circle region
- From Reykjavik = approx. 2h30min drive
- From Husafell to the Klaki base of the Langjökull near the tunnel entrance = approx. 35min drive
Here’s a map to help you locate the glaciers, including the famous Langjökull, where the ice tunnel mentioned in this article is located:
Access by car and parking
Note that in winter, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus from Husafell. In summer, you can take mountain road 550 between Husafell and Thingvellir National Park. You’ll need to park your vehicle in the parking lot before boarding the all-terrain vehicle. Please note that for safety reasons, you must book a tour with a certified guide. Tours are planned from meeting points accessible by car, so that you can easily join the team. Professional organizers then use specialized off-road vehicles (super jeeps with special tires) to get to the tunnel.
Public transport access
There is no access by public transport, so you’ll have to come directly on a guided tour or to the meeting point to take the shuttle to the Klaki base near the entrance to the Langjökull tunnel. For safety reasons, it is not possible to get there by public transport.
Access on organized tours
As mentioned above, you will need to book a tour with a certified guide for safety reasons. Tours are planned from meeting points accessible by car, so that you can easily join the team. Professional organizers then use specialized off-road vehicles (super jeeps with special tires) to drive to the tunnel:
- From Husafell in winter here
- From Reykjavik, book your guided tour inside the tunnel with an expert in geology and glacier history – more
We highly recommend combining your visit with the Vidgelmir lava cave, just a 20-minute drive from the tunnel!
Also note that access to Langjökull is sometimes combined with guided tours to the Golden Circle (see here).
Visiting difficulties
The official website states that access is easy.
We think it’s a more accessible visit than the natural ice caves.
People with mobility difficulties won’t have to bend over inside, and the ground is flat for getting around.
The all-terrain vehicle that takes you to the tunnel entrance is also suitable.
Temperatures can also be very low.
Make sure you bring warm clothing and good walking or hiking shoes to keep you comfortable.
Ice crampons will be given to you by the organizers just before entering the tunnel.
Please note that depending on weather conditions, the tour may be cancelled or postponed for safety reasons and to facilitate access to the glacier.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
Visit to the Ice Tunnel (Cercle d’Argent): useful tips
Schedules and prices
Schedules:
- The ice tunnel is accessible all year round, summer and winter alike, with 3 possible entrances every day at 10am, 12:30pm or 3pm.
Price:
- Full price: ISK 24990
- Children aged 13 to 18: ISK 12495
- Free for children under 12
Book your place for the Langjökull Ice Tunnel tour from Husafell in winter!
Note that between October 16 and May 31 only, transport between Husafell and the glacier is included in the ticket. See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
If you take the excursion from the base camp on the Langjökull glacier, allow 2h30 for the whole activity.
Note that in winter, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus from Husafell.
In summer, you can take the 550 mountain road between Husafell and Thingvellir National Park.
If you choose the tour that departs from Reykjavik, plan for a full day with pick-up at your hotel.
Best moment
There’s really no better time to visit the Langjökull Ice Tunnel, as it’s open all year round! This is also an advantage over the natural ice caves, which are only accessible from November to March. As the tour is systematically guided, the maximum number of people per group is more or less always the same. However, we recommend that you book your ticket as early as possible to ensure a place, as this activity is very popular in both summer and winter.
Direction of visit
There is a set direction for the tour, and you must follow the guide’s recommendations for your own safety.
Visiting with children
It’s a unique place to visit with the whole family! As the tour is guided and the direction of the visit imposed, the visit is truly family-friendly. Your children will be thrilled to discover a glacier from the inside. As the tour also has an educational dimension, you’ll be able to acculturate them to the importance of glaciers in the natural ecosystem and the impact of global warming. It’s an unforgettable way to learn while having fun and getting closer to nature! If you’re visiting the tunnel with your children, make sure they dress warmly like you, with several layers. Don’t forget to fit them with shoes that won’t slip on snow or ice, and there are crampons for children. The organizer will also supply them on site if necessary.
Eating out
On-site catering is not available. However, at Hotel Husafell, you can discover:
- Scandinavian gourmet cuisine based on local produce at one of Husafell’s finest restaurants (open from 6pm to 9pm daily).
- bistronomic cuisine (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily)
Hotels
The closest hotels to the Langjökull Ice Tunnel are located in Husafell and Reykholt. Here’s our selection for this area:
- Hotel Husafell (4 stars) – see prices, availability and bookings
- Hotel Fosshotel Reykholt (3 stars) – see prices, availability and bookings
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
