That ice cave feels like another planet. Lofthellir is a permafrost ice cave tucked inside a lava tube, with ice on the floor that can be thousands of years old. What I like most is the limited access approach and the way the trip feels built around the cave, not around a show.

I also like the practical setup: you get studded rubber boots, plus a helmet with a headlamp for navigating the ice. The one real drawback to weigh is the entry: you must crawl through a very small opening, and there’s some crawling and sliding once inside. If you have claustrophobia, mobility limits, or back problems, this is not the tour for you.

Key things that make Lofthellir worth the money

• Permafrost inside a lava tube in North Iceland, kept frozen by a delicate airflow balance
• Very small groups (max 10) with limited daily access to protect the cave
• No preset lighting inside the cave so you experience real darkness with just your headlamp
• Sturded ice traction gear: spiked boots designed to avoid damaging the ice
• A long, scenic super jeep drive through the lava fields near Mývatn
• Conservation-minded visit with a portion of your ticket supporting research and cave protection

First stop: getting to Lofthellir from Mývatn

The day starts at Berjaya Iceland Hotels in Mývatn. Meet your guide at the front, either in the lobby area or with the super jeep waiting nearby, and you’ll be set up for a full 4-hour outing.

You’re not just traveling to a cave. You’re heading into the Búrfellshraun lava fields, about 30 km from Lake Mývatn, in northeastern Iceland’s quiet, rugged terrain. That time in transit matters because it builds context: Lofthellir isn’t in a tidy roadside attraction zone. It sits in a real lava landscape, and the route gets you there.

A quick heads-up: the tour is in English with a live guide. If you’re traveling solo or in a couple, the small group size helps you get questions answered without feeling rushed.

Super jeep drive through lava fields (and why it’s part of the experience)

Once you’re loaded into the modified super jeeps, the ride is usually about 45–50 minutes depending on weather and road conditions. Along the way, you’ll pass Mt. Hverfjall and you may stop for sightseeing.

There’s also a shorter sightseeing stop called Ludentshaedhir. Expect scenic looks, time to orient, and the chance to appreciate how the terrain shapes the route. It’s also the kind of moment when you can mentally shift gears from Iceland’s daylight world into the underground one you’re about to enter.

Why this part is valuable: a lava tube cave isn’t something you reach on a quick walk from a parking lot. Getting there by super jeep is practical, and it also sets the tone. You’ll feel like you’re going somewhere specific, not just ticking a box.

The 800 m walk to the cave entrance

Where the road ends, you’ll leave the jeep for about an 800 m walk to Lofthellir. This isn’t a long trek, but it’s enough to get your legs moving and to prepare for the ice section ahead.

Your guide will handle the pacing, and this is the moment to make sure your clothing and gear are in order—especially anything that could slip or get soaked. The walk is also a good time to mentally accept the main theme of the tour: ice handling and careful movement.

Inside Lofthellir: permafrost ice in a lava tube

Now for the headliner: Lofthellir is a rare permafrost ice cave found inside a lava tube. That combination is what makes it special. The ice is not just “cold.” The cave’s frozen state depends on a delicate balance of airflow.

The ice on the floor is described as 2000–3000 years old, and some formations may be as old as around 500 years. That means you’re not only looking at cool shapes. You’re seeing natural structures that have endured far longer than human history around them.

Lofthellir also has an unusual access story: it’s closed for public entry, and the Geo Travel team works with landowners to protect the cave. Your group size and timing aren’t arbitrary. They’re part of the protection plan because breathing and heat can disrupt the cave’s temperature balance. That’s why time inside is limited to about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Equipment check: boots and headlamps

Before you go in, each guest gets:

• Studded rubber boots with spikes designed not to damage the ice
• A helmet and headlamp for navigating in low light

One subtle benefit: because the tour doesn’t rely on fixed cave lighting, your headlamp becomes part of the experience. You get to see ice textures the way the cave presents them, not the way a lighting rig does.

The crawl-in part: what to expect from the entrance and walking on ice

Entering Lofthellir involves a short crawl through a small passage (about 1 meter). If you can handle tight spaces, you’ll likely be okay. If you’re claustrophobic, this is where you’ll feel it most. One review described the entrance as well manageable even though it’s small, but still highlighted that it’s not a typical walking tour.

Once inside, you’ll do careful movement on ice. It’s not described as technically extreme, but it does involve:

• Crawling on ice
• Bending down
• Possibly sitting or sliding briefly on wet ice

That doesn’t mean it’s dangerous if you follow instructions. It means you need the right mindset: move slowly, keep your balance, and trust your boots and guide.

Who should reconsider

This is explicitly not suitable for:

• Mobility impairments
• Back problems
• Claustrophobia
• People over 70

I’d also add a practical filter: if you struggle with kneeling, getting up from low positions, or wearing cold wet clothing for short periods, you might feel uncomfortable. The cave walk is short, but the ice choreography is real.

Exploring with real darkness (and why there are no preset lights)

One of the best parts of Lofthellir is the choice to keep the cave lighting minimal. The tour goal is that each group experiences the thrill of exploration, so there are no preset lights inside the cave.

That’s a big deal because it changes your perception. Without artificial lighting, your headlamp becomes your tool, and shadows stay honest. The ice formations then look more sculptural and less like something staged for photos.

You also get to slow down and look carefully. In one set of feedback, people especially enjoyed having enough time to really examine the ice sculptures, and that matches the limited but un-rushed pace built into the tour design.

Guided help that makes a technical cave feel manageable

Even though the cave can be navigated with care, you’ll still benefit from a good guide. One review specifically mentioned a guide named Pirkir, calling out personal, competent guidance and a smooth visit despite the cramped entrance.

That matters for you because a cave like this isn’t only about seeing ice. It’s about doing it safely while still enjoying the moment. A skilled guide keeps the group moving at the right speed, gives clear safety cues, and helps you avoid panic on the tricky spots.

The timing inside: why your time is limited

You’ll spend about 1 to 1.5 hours inside Lofthellir. This is not about efficiency. It’s tied to the physics of the cave.

The cave stays frozen because of a delicate airflow balance. Your presence affects that system, including the heat and moisture from breathing. So your visit time is capped to keep the cave stable for future days.

If you’re the type who hates being rushed, you’ll probably like the setup more than you’d expect. You do get meaningful time, but you don’t get unlimited roaming. It’s a trade-off for sustainability, and it’s the kind of constraint that protects the ice instead of just controlling crowds.

Back outside: the ride to Mývatn and how to wrap the day

After the cave visit, the return is by super jeep again, with about 40 minutes back to Mývatn. You’ll land at your starting area around the same meeting point near Berjaya Iceland Hotels.

By the time you’re back, you’ll be tired in a good way. You’ll also likely be pleasantly cold, since the cave experience is about ice and air flow. Plan to warm up afterward with a hot drink and an easy dinner—this tour works best when you don’t stack another big activity immediately after.

Price and value: is $401 per person a lot?

At $401 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. The honest way to judge value is to compare what you’re paying for: not just a cave ticket, but protected access to something rare and closed to the public, plus the equipment and the logistics of reaching the site safely.

Here’s what supports the price:

• Limited daily access designed to protect the cave
• A small group size capped at 10 participants
• Specialized modified super jeep transportation and a guided walk-in
• Boots, helmet, and headlamp included
• A stated portion of each ticket supports research and protection with landowners

So yes, it costs real money. But you’re paying for a controlled, conservation-minded experience that you can’t replicate on your own. If you’re visiting Mývatn anyway, this tour targets a very specific kind of Iceland moment: underground ice formed and preserved under conditions few people ever see.

What to bring (so you enjoy it, not just survive it)

The tour asks for outdoor clothing. I’d treat that as a minimum standard, not a suggestion. You’ll want warm layers and clothing that can handle cold and possibly damp conditions.

Also plan for:

• Cave entry crawling and time spent low or kneeling
• Occasional wet ice contact, since you may sit or slide briefly
• Helmet and headlamp from the tour, so you can focus on clothing comfort

Waterproof or water-resistant pants are recommended. If you show up in anything that soaks quickly, the “fun” part can turn into distraction.

Weather reality: how conditions change your ride

Iceland cave trips are always weather-dependent. This one also depends on road and conditions across the lava fields, which is why the super jeep time can vary. The tour mentions stops along the way often happen based on weather and conditions.

If it’s windy or rough, keep your expectations flexible on scenic stops. The cave itself is the main event, and your guide will adapt to keep the group safe.

Should you book Lofthellir?

Book it if you want a small-group, conservation-minded ice cave experience and you’re comfortable with a cave visit that includes crawling and moving carefully on ice. The permafrost lava-tube setting is genuinely rare, and the no-preset-lights approach makes it feel more like exploration than sightseeing.

Skip or choose something else if you can’t handle tight spaces, low-body movement, or claustrophobic situations. Also reconsider if you have back problems or mobility limits. Even with good gear, Lofthellir demands a body-friendly willingness to get low, crawl, and move slowly.

If you fit the physical profile, the value may feel high—but the access rules, specialized transport, and protected nature of the cave explain why.

FAQ

Where is the Lofthellir Ice Cave tour based?

The tour meets in front of Berjaya Iceland Hotels in Mývatn and the cave is about 30 km from Lake Mývatn in the lava fields of Búrfellshraun.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is 4 hours.

What’s included with the ticket?

Your ticket includes entrance to Lofthellir Cave and cave equipment: studded boots, a helmet, and a headlamp.

Do you need your own lighting inside the cave?

The tour provides a helmet with a headlamp, and the cave experience is designed with no preset lights inside.

What do I need to bring?

You should bring outdoor clothing. Waterproof or water-resistant pants are recommended due to crawling and wet ice contact.

Is Lofthellir suitable for claustrophobia or mobility issues?

No. It is not suitable for people with claustrophobia, mobility impairments, or back problems. People over 70 are also not recommended for this tour.

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