Lofthellir Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour

Lofthellir is not a polished show cave with bright lights and paved paths. It is a permafrost ice cave inside a lava tube, reached by Super Jeep across the rough lava fields near Lake Mývatn. Inside, you use your own headlamp to find ice formations in the dark, with a short crawl and some slippery movement along the way.

I like two things right away: access is tightly limited, which helps protect the cave’s fragile cold-air balance, and the ride into the wilderness is part of the fun rather than a mere transfer. The small group, capped at 10, also gives the guide room to help people through the tricky sections. The main drawback is clear: at $401 per person, this is a costly four-hour outing, and it is not suitable for anyone with mobility limits, back problems, claustrophobia, or a dislike of crawling on wet ice.

Key points to know before you book

• A rare frozen cave: Lofthellir is a permafrost cave formed inside a lava tube, an unusual combination rarely found on Earth.
• Ancient ice underfoot: Parts of the cave floor are estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 years old, while some ice formations may be as much as 500 years old.
• A real Super Jeep approach: The route from Lake Mývatn passes Mount Hverfjall and heads into the Búrfellshraun lava fields.
• A small, carefully managed visit: Only one group is allowed into the cave each day to limit the effect of body heat and breathing.
• Expect physical movement: Everyone must crawl about one meter through the entrance, then bend, slide, and possibly sit on wet ice.
• Equipment is supplied: Studded rubber boots, a helmet, and headlamp are included, but you should bring outdoor clothing and waterproof or water-resistant trousers.

Why Lofthellir is different from an ordinary ice cave

Iceland has several caves with ice, but Lofthellir’s appeal comes from the way two worlds meet. The cave began as a lava tube, then developed a lasting frozen interior because of a delicate pattern of cold-air movement. It is not simply a warm cave with a little winter ice inside.

The floor contains ice said to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Some formations may be much younger, while others could be around 500 years old. That range gives the cave a changing, uneven character. You might find small ice shapes close to the floor and larger formations farther inside, though the exact appearance depends on conditions and the route used that day.

There are no permanent lights inside. That matters. You see the cave only where your headlamp points, so the room does not arrive as one brightly lit display. Your guide helps you move safely, but the darkness remains part of the experience.

I enjoy that sense of discovery, though it also means this is not the right choice if you want an easy, highly staged attraction. The cave is protected precisely because it is delicate. One group per day is allowed inside, and time underground is limited to about one to one and a half hours so the visitors’ breathing and body heat do not upset the temperature balance.

The Super Jeep ride from Lake Mývatn

Meet in front of Berjaya Hotel Mývatn, where the guide will be by the Super Jeep or waiting in the hotel lobby. Parking is provided, which is useful if you are driving around the Mývatn area.

The cave lies about 30 kilometers from Lake Mývatn, far into the Búrfellshraun lava fields. A regular rental car cannot take you all the way there, so the modified Super Jeep is not just a comfortable extra. It is the practical way to reach the cave.

The drive usually takes about 45 to 50 minutes, depending on weather and ground conditions. The route passes Mount Hverfjall, the broad volcanic crater that forms one of the most recognizable features near Mývatn, then continues toward the rough lava country.

This is where the trip earns part of its adventure feel. The vehicle carries you through an area that feels remote, with stops often made for views along the route. The scenery is a useful part of the outing, but keep your expectations sensible: the central attraction is Lofthellir, not a long series of formal sightseeing stops.

The schedule includes a scenic stop at Ludentshaedhir before the vehicle continues toward the cave. Weather can affect both the pace and the number of stops. In Iceland, that flexibility is sensible, especially when the destination depends on safe access across uneven lava terrain.

The 800-meter walk across the lava field

When the vehicle can go no farther, you walk about 800 meters to the cave entrance. This is not a long hike by normal standards, but it is important because the surface is lava field rather than a smooth path.

Wear proper outdoor clothing and shoes that work with the supplied boots and changing ground conditions. You do not need to carry technical cave gear, since the operator provides studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp.

The studs are designed to help you grip the ice without damaging it. That detail reflects the tone of the whole outing: the aim is not only to show Lofthellir but also to keep it intact for future visits and future research.

The walk gives you a gradual change of setting. You leave the road and vehicle behind, cross the lava, and arrive at a cave that has no public access apart from carefully managed visits. If you prefer an attraction with a door beside a parking lot, this will feel like extra effort. If you value a place that has not been turned into a standard tourist stop, the approach adds meaning.

Getting through Lofthellir’s narrow entrance

The first challenge comes at the entrance. Everyone must crawl about one meter through a small opening. It is a short distance, but the confined space can feel much more important than the number suggests.

The operator’s guidance is that people who are comfortable in an elevator will probably manage the entrance, but anyone with claustrophobia should think twice. That comparison is only a rough guide. An elevator is upright and predictable, while this requires you to lower yourself and move through a tight opening.

Once inside, the physical demands continue in a mild but real way. You may need to crawl on ice, bend down, slide, or sit on wet ice. The exploration is described as manageable, but manageable does not mean effortless.

I would not book this if you have back problems or mobility impairments. People over 70 are also listed as unsuitable for the activity. Those restrictions are not decorative fine print. The cave entrance and slippery interior make them relevant to your safety and comfort.

Waterproof or water-resistant trousers are especially useful. The supplied boots protect your feet, but they do not keep every part of you away from damp ice. Outdoor clothing is required, and you should plan to get close to the ground.

One to one and a half hours in a natural freezer

Inside Lofthellir, the guide provides a safety briefing and leads the group through the cave. Each person has a helmet and headlamp, so you can look at the ice without fixed electric lighting changing the mood.

The darkness is one of the cave’s best features. Your view appears in pieces as your headlamp moves. A nearby wall may show a rough lava surface, while the beam catches a smooth ice shape a moment later. The experience depends on looking carefully rather than standing in front of a large illuminated display.

There is no set lighting scheme, so each visit can feel a little different. The guide’s role is important here. Pirkir, one of the guides named by the operator, has led especially personal visits, and the small group allows time for questions and careful movement.

The group limit is 10 people, but access is even more restricted than that number suggests. Only one group is allowed inside each day. This keeps the cave from receiving a steady stream of warm bodies and moist breath, both of which could affect the frozen environment.

The time underground is held to around 60 to 90 minutes. That may sound brief for such an expensive activity, but it is part of responsible cave management. A longer visit would not automatically be better if it harmed the ice that makes Lofthellir special.

What the itinerary feels like in practice

The advertised tour duration is four hours, beginning and ending at Berjaya Hotel Mývatn. The time includes the Super Jeep journey, the scenic route, the walk, the safety briefing, the cave visit, and the return drive.

The outbound ride is generally the more scenic part of the transport. It takes you past Mount Hverfjall and toward the lava fields, with possible stops for views. At the end of the road, the 800-meter walk gives you a short transition before the cave.

The cave portion is the heart of the outing. Allow about one to one and a half hours underground, with the remainder of the cave stop covering equipment, instructions, entry, movement between sections, and the return walk to the vehicle.

The drive back gives you time to warm up and think through what you have seen. Timing can change with weather and conditions, so avoid scheduling something that requires you to arrive at an exact minute immediately after the tour.

Is $401 a fair price?

At $401 per person, Lofthellir is one of the more expensive short activities you can add near Mývatn. You are paying for more than a cave entrance. The price includes the modified Super Jeep, a local English-speaking guide, access to a cave closed to ordinary public entry, the equipment, and a carefully limited visit.

It also supports protection and research carried out with the landowners. That does not make the cost small, but it explains why this cannot operate like a normal high-volume attraction with many groups each day.

The value depends on what you want from Iceland. If you are mainly looking for a low-cost nature walk, the price is hard to defend. If you want a rare geological experience, a remote ride, and access to a protected place that few people can enter, it may be worth making room in your budget.

The small group improves the value. You are not being moved through a crowded cave with dozens of people. There is more space for the guide to explain the conditions and help you through the entrance or over slippery sections.

Still, price alone cannot remove the physical limitations. You should not pay for this tour hoping that a guide will make the crawling and tight entrance disappear. The activity is valuable because it remains close to the natural cave, not because it has been made universally easy.

Who will enjoy this cave most?

I would recommend Lofthellir to an active visitor staying around Lake Mývatn who wants something unusual and does not mind getting dirty or damp. It suits people who enjoy geology, volcanic scenery, dark spaces, and small-group outings more than those who prefer comfortable viewing platforms.

You are a good match if you can:

• Walk 800 meters across an uneven lava field
• Crawl through a short, narrow entrance
• Bend, slide, and possibly sit on wet ice
• Wear outdoor clothing for changing conditions
• Stay comfortable underground for one to one and a half hours

You should skip it if you have mobility impairments, back problems, claustrophobia, or difficulty with slippery ground. The operator also lists the tour as unsuitable for people over 70.

The cave is not a good pick simply because you have already seen another Icelandic ice cave. Lofthellir offers a different setting, since its ice sits inside a lava tube and the visit is deliberately dark and lightly managed. The unusual combination is the reason to choose it.

Practical tips for a better visit

Bring outdoor clothing, with special attention to your trousers. Waterproof or water-resistant pants will make crawling and sitting on damp ice far more comfortable.

Arrive at Berjaya Hotel Mývatn and look for the Super Jeep or check the lobby for the guide. English is the tour language, and parking is available at the meeting point.

Keep your plans flexible around the tour. The activity lasts four hours, but the Super Jeep drive and scenic stops depend on weather and conditions. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve while paying later, which can help when Iceland’s weather affects your schedule.

Remember that the headlamp is your main view inside. The cave has no pre-set lights, so you will get more from it if you slow down and look carefully rather than expecting a quick series of lit photo stops.

The experience has received a perfect 5 rating from 10 recorded reviews, including praise for the small group, the guide, and the Super Jeep ride. One visit had only two participants, giving them extra time to examine the ice. That kind of quiet access is possible here, but you should not assume every departure will be that small.

Should you book Lofthellir Ice Cave?

Book it if you want a rare, protected cave experience and are willing to pay for limited access, specialized transport, and a real physical adventure. The ancient ice, dark interior, lava-tube setting, and small group make it far more distinctive than a simple stop at a roadside cave.

Skip it if the $401 price strains your budget, or if crawling through a tight opening and moving on wet ice sounds unpleasant. Lofthellir rewards curiosity and flexibility, but it does not soften its natural conditions for comfort.

For the right person, this is a memorable use of half a day near Lake Mývatn. Just make the decision with your knees, back, and comfort in confined spaces in mind, not only with the photographs in mind.

FAQ

Where does the Lofthellir Ice Cave tour start?

The meeting point is in front of Berjaya Hotel Mývatn. The guide will be by the Super Jeep or in the hotel lobby, and parking is provided.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is four hours. This includes the Super Jeep journey, the walk to the cave, the cave visit, and the return to Lake Mývatn.

How far is Lofthellir from Lake Mývatn?

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

How long do you spend inside the cave?

Time inside Lofthellir is limited to about one to one and a half hours to help protect its delicate frozen conditions.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes studded rubber boots, a helmet, and a headlamp, as well as entrance to Lofthellir Cave.

Do I need to crawl to enter the cave?

Yes. Everyone must crawl about one meter through the cave entrance. Inside, you may also need to bend, crawl, slide, or sit on wet ice.

Is the tour suitable for people with claustrophobia?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with claustrophobia. The entrance is small, although the crawl is short.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or back problems?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or back problems. People over 70 are also listed as unsuitable.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.