Best for
Ice tunnel + snowmobiling
Into the Glacier is open year-round; snowmobiling weather-dependent.
Langjökull: Iceland's Second-Largest Glacier
Iceland's second-largest glacier covering about 950 km², with a man-made ice tunnel and popular snowmobiling tours. Its meltwater feeds the river that drops over Gullfoss.
Region
West Iceland Highlands
Close to the Golden Circle. Day trips from Reykjavik available.
Quick Answer
Langjökull ("Long Glacier") stretches across about 950 km² of Iceland's western highlands. It is best known for Into the Glacier, a man-made tunnel that lets visitors walk deep inside the ice cap. The glacier also feeds the Hvítá river, which drops over Gullfoss on the Golden Circle.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Follow the booked operator’s meeting-point directions and check road and weather alerts before travel. A year-round tour listing does not guarantee access on every departure date.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Access
Organized tours
Super jeep or snowcat from Húsafell or Reykjavik.
Planning choice
Choose the departure first
Check whether your booked trip starts near Gullfoss or on the Húsafell side.
What to Expect at Langjökull
- A vast white ice cap in the western highlands
- Man-made ice tunnel with blue ice chambers and a chapel
- Snowmobiling across the glacier surface
- Super jeep ride up to the glacier base camp
- Year-round accessibility for the Into the Glacier experience
- Views across the highland plateau from the ice cap summit
Nearby Attractions
- Gullfoss waterfall (fed by Langjökull meltwater)
- Húsafell highland village and Hraunfossar lava waterfalls
- Víðgelmir lava cave (one of Iceland's largest)
- Þingvellir National Park and the Golden Circle route
- Barnafoss (Children's Waterfall) next to Hraunfossar
- Deildartunguhver (Europe's most powerful hot spring)
How to Get to Langjökull
- About 140 km northeast of Reykjavik via highland roads
- Accessible by super jeep or snowcat from Húsafell base camp
- Day tours available from Reykjavik (8–12 hours)
- Do not use a glacier map pin as a substitute for the operator’s meeting point
- Check whether the ticket starts at Húsafell, Klaki or Reykjavík
Best Time to Visit Langjökull
- Ice tunnel open year-round (weather permitting)
- Summer for snowmobiling in midnight sun
- Winter transfers depend on the booked operator and conditions
- Check which meeting point is offered for your date
- Confirm availability and the cancellation policy before arranging the rest of your day
Húsafell or Klaki: book the meeting point that fits your drive
The useful question is where your ticket starts. On its ice-tunnel tour page, Arctic Adventures lists Húsafell Center year-round and Klaki Basecamp from June 1 through October 15. It also sells a Reykjavík departure. Those are different meeting arrangements, so use the instructions attached to your reservation when planning the drive and arrival time.
The same product lists a minimum age of six from Reykjavík and no minimum age from Húsafell or Klaki. For a family, the departure choice can therefore determine whether that particular product is available. Check the current terms before booking; other glacier trips may have different requirements.
An engineered tunnel and a natural cave are different trips
Into the Glacier is the engineered tunnel experience inside Langjökull. A listing for a natural ice cave or a snowmobile excursion describes a different activity, even when it names the same glacier. Compare the actual itinerary, transfer and equipment inclusions rather than treating all Langjökull tickets as interchangeable.
Operator information checked September 10, 2026. Meeting arrangements and age limits above apply to the linked product.
Planning help
Langjokull (Langjökull) Glacier FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the Langjökull ice tunnel?
The Into the Glacier ice tunnel is a man-made tunnel carved into Langjökull, allowing a guided walk inside the ice cap. It is open year-round and allows visitors to walk inside the glacier and see blue ice formations up close.
Can you go snowmobiling on Langjökull?
Snowmobile tours are sold separately from the engineered ice-tunnel visit, although some operators offer combinations. Check the named departure point, equipment requirements and weather policy for the specific trip.
How is Langjökull connected to Gullfoss waterfall?
Langjökull feeds the Hvítá river, which flows down to create Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls on the Golden Circle route. The glacier's meltwater is the source of the river's powerful flow.
How do you get to Langjökull?
Choose the meeting point on your booking first. Arctic Adventures lists Húsafell Center year-round and Klaki Basecamp from June 1 to October 15 for its ice-tunnel trip. A Reykjavík transfer is a separate departure option. Check the operator’s directions before driving.
Does every ice-tunnel departure have the same minimum age?
No. Arctic Adventures lists a minimum age of six for its Reykjavík departure and no minimum age for the Húsafell or Klaki meeting options. These are that operator’s published terms; check the exact departure before booking for a child.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.