Lofthellir Lava Cave

Lofthellir

Northeast

Lofthellir is a 370-metre lava tube formed roughly 3,500 years ago in the Laxárdalshraun lava field, a few kilometres east of Lake Mývatn. What sets it apart from other Icelandic lava caves is a permanent accumulation of ice: groundwater seeps through the porous basalt ceiling, freezes on contact with the sub-zero air inside, and has built up over centuries into towers and columns of clear ice that grow incrementally each winter. The cave holds the largest known natural ice formations inside an Icelandic lava cave. Access is by guided tour only — the cave sits on private farmland and entry without a licensed guide is not permitted. Tours depart from the Mývatn area in a modified super jeep, crossing rough volcanic tracks past the Hverfjall tephra crater and Lúdentarborgir crater row before parking near Mount Hvannfell. From there, a 20–30 minute walk across uneven lava leads to the cave entrance, which requires crawling on hands and knees through a narrow passage before opening into larger chambers. Guides provide helmets, headlamps, and studded boots. The total outing runs approximately 4–5 hours. Interior temperatures stay at or below 0°C year-round, so warm layered clothing is essential regardless of season. The tour is not suitable for people with acute claustrophobia, significant mobility limitations, or children under 8. Prices start around 42,900 ISK per adult with local operators based in the Mývatn area. Photo: Jon Stefansson / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Book & Explore

The links below are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep this guide free. See our about page for how we keep recommendations independent.