Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/glaciers/myrdalsjokull Content updated: 2026-09-10 This is the Markdown representation of the page. Interactive tools and forms are available on the [HTML page](). Source-check and review dates retain the meanings stated in the article. --- # Mýrdalsjökull: the Ice Cap over Katla Iceland's fourth-largest glacier at 596 km², covering the active Katla volcano on the south coast. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() Region South Iceland On Route 1, easily accessed on a south coast day trip. ## Quick Answer Mýrdalsjökull is the ice cap that covers Katla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, whose eruptions can produce catastrophic glacial floods. Despite this, its outlet glaciers are among the most popular places in Iceland for guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours. Sources and page update Updated: 2026-09-10 Katla is actively monitored. Follow evacuation signs in the area and never walk on glaciers without a certified guide. Jökulhlaup warning systems are in place. For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy. Official sources to check - [Weather (IMO)]() - [Road status (road.is)]() - [SafeTravel alerts]() - [Environment Agency of Iceland]() Best for Glacier hikes + ice caves Sólheimajökull for hiking; Kötlujökull for ice caves. Access Easy from Route 1 About 2.5 hours from Reykjavik on the south coast. Pro tip Combine with Vík The village of Vík is just south; add Reynisfjara beach. ## What to Expect - A massive ice cap covering an active volcano - Outlet glaciers accessible for guided hikes - Black ash layers visible in the ice from past eruptions - Winter ice caves with blue and black ice formations - Jökulhlaup flood paths visible on the southern outwash plains - Panoramic views of the south coast from the glacier's edge ## Nearby Attractions - Vík village and Reynisfjara black sand beach - [Sólheimajökull outlet glacier]() (most popular glacier hike) - Dyrhólaey promontory and puffin colonies in summer - Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls to the west - Katla ice cave tours departing from Vík - Þakgil canyon campsite below the ice cap ## How to Get There - About 160 km from Reykjavik via Route 1 - Sólheimajökull parking lot is a short detour off Route 1 - Tours depart from Vík and Reykjavik daily - No special vehicle needed for main access points - Winter driving on Route 1 can be difficult; check conditions ## Best Time to Visit - Year-round for glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull - November–March for Katla ice cave tours - Summer offers longer days and easier driving - Shoulder seasons have fewer crowds - Always check volcanic monitoring updates before visiting ## The ice cap, the outlet and the volcano are different parts of the visit [The Icelandic Met Office describes Katla]() as a volcanic system within Mýrdalsjökull, with an ice-filled caldera. A glacier tour does not take you into the volcano’s magma system. Read the itinerary to establish whether you are booking a walk on an outlet, an ice-cave trip or another activity, and where it actually begins. If you want a South Coast glacier walk, start by comparing [Sólheimajökull options](). If you are researching volcanic activity, use the Met Office’s monitoring and news rather than a tour calendar. Its Katla page identifies 1918 as the last eruption to break through the ice; that historical fact does not predict the date of the next eruption or settle today’s access conditions. Planning help ## Myrdalsjokull (Mýrdalsjökull) Glacier FAQs Quick answers with safety notes where it matters. **Is Katla volcano dangerous?** Katla is monitored by the Icelandic Met Office. Its eruptions can be associated with glacial outburst floods, but elapsed time since an earlier eruption is not a visitor forecast. Follow current official notices and local instructions. **How big is Mýrdalsjökull?** Mýrdalsjökull covers approximately 596 km² and is Iceland's fourth-largest glacier. It sits atop the Katla volcanic system and reaches elevations of about 1,493 meters. **Can you hike on Mýrdalsjökull?** Yes, glacier hiking tours are available on Mýrdalsjökull's outlet glaciers, particularly Sólheimajökull. You must go with a certified guide; the glacier has dangerous hidden crevasses. **Are there ice caves in Mýrdalsjökull?** Katla ice-cave products are sold for the Mýrdalsjökull area. Check the exact departure, meeting point, equipment requirements and assessed conditions; do not infer a cave’s availability from a general glacier season. **How do you get to Mýrdalsjökull?** Mýrdalsjökull is on Iceland's south coast, about 160 km east of Reykjavik along Route 1. The main access points are through Sólheimajökull (most popular) and Kötlujökull for ice cave tours. [All glaciers]() Country reference: [Iceland statistics]().