Cave Age
~3,500 years
Formed during a volcanic eruption in the Laxardalur lava field near Myvatn.
Lofthellir Ice Cave
A lava cave near Lake Myvatn in North Iceland with natural ice sculptures that last year-round, visited by guided tour only.
Location
North Iceland, Myvatn
Guided tours only. About 3,500 years old.
Lofthellir is a lava tube cave formed roughly 3,500 years ago during a volcanic eruption in the Laxardalur area near Lake Myvatn. Inside, water has seeped through the porous lava rock and frozen into natural ice sculptures that persist year-round: frozen stalagmites and ice formations, lit only by headlamp.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
Lofthellir requires crawling through narrow passages. Visitors with claustrophobia or limited mobility should consider this carefully. Always visit with an authorized guide.
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Access
Guided tours only
Tours include transport, helmets, and headlamps. Crawling is required to enter.
Temperature
Below 0°C year-round
The cave acts as a natural freezer; ice formations stay intact even in summer.
What to Expect
Ice Sculptures
Massive natural ice stalagmites and frozen formations that have been growing for centuries inside the lava tube.
Crawling Entrance
The cave entrance requires crawling on hands and knees through a narrow lava passage for several meters before reaching the main chamber.
Lava Field Hike
A 20-minute walk across the rough Laxardalur lava field to reach the cave, with views of the Myvatn landscape.
Subzero Temperatures
The cave interior stays below freezing year-round, so the ice remains even during Iceland's warmest months.
Headlamp Exploration
The cave is completely dark inside. Tours provide helmets and headlamps to light the ice formations.
Small Group Tours
Tours are kept small for safety and to preserve the delicate cave environment. Advance booking is essential.
Getting There
Lofthellir is located about 15 km east of Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, roughly 470 km from Reykjavík via Route 1 (the Ring Road). The nearest village is Reykjahlíð at the northeast corner of Mývatn, which has a supermarket, fuel station, and several accommodation options. Tours depart from the Mývatn area (typically meeting at a designated point near Reykjahlíð) and include a short off-road drive on a rough track followed by a 20-minute hike across the Laxárdalur lava field to the cave entrance. A 4x4 vehicle is needed to reach the trailhead, which is provided as part of the guided tour; you cannot drive there independently. From Akureyri (North Iceland's largest town, 100 km west on Route 1), the drive to Mývatn takes about 1 hour. Akureyri has a domestic airport with daily flights from Reykjavík. The Mývatn area also offers the Mývatn Nature Baths, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Námaskarð geothermal area, so it is easy to plan a full day or multi-day stay.
Best Time to Visit
Lofthellir can be visited year-round since the ice formations persist in every season, even during July and August. Summer (June to August) has the easiest access, with long daylight hours (up to 21 hours), mild weather (10-15°C) for the lava field hike, and the most frequent tour departures. July is the busiest month, so book at least 2-3 days in advance. May and September have comfortable conditions with smaller tour groups. In winter (November through March) the lava fields are snow-covered, northern lights are possible on the drive back, and the ice formations are at their most elaborate, but the approach hike can be difficult in snow and darkness. December and January tours operate in complete darkness outside the cave, and headlamps are needed for the hike. Tours run year-round but schedules are reduced from October through April, typically to 1-2 departures per day.
Planning help
Lofthellir Ice Cave FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.