Into the Glacier

Into the Glacier opened in 2015 on Langjokull, Iceland's second largest ice cap, and it is man-made: a tunnel and chamber system cut into the ice at around 1,260 metres altitude, reaching some thirty metres below the surface, with lighting installed and a small chapel among the rooms. The reason to do it is that natural ice caves form at the snout and only in winter, whereas this goes into the body of the ice cap and is open all year. Inside, the walls show the annual layering of snowfall and the ash bands from eruptions. Access is by modified vehicle across the ice from Husafell or the base at Klaki.

What to look for

• A tunnel cut into an ice cap - about thirty metres below the surface.
• Open all year - unlike natural caves, which are winter only.
• Layering and ash bands - annual snow and eruption records in the walls.
• Modified vehicles across the ice - the only way up.

When to go

Year round on scheduled trips. Half a day.

Good to know

It is a constructed attraction, not a natural cave, and it is priced high. The tunnel is cold and slippery and requires the crampons issued. Trips are cancelled for weather on the ice cap. The drive up is long.

Nearby

Husafell is the usual departure point; Hraunfossar is below.