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An ice miracle in the Icelandic summer!
Enjoy Iceland's midnight sun and still visit an ice cave. Impossible? Not in Vic. There is a glacier cave here that is open to tourists all year round. Based on the well-known TV series "Game of Thrones", which had one of its filming locations nearby, the cave is also called Dragon Glass Ice Cave. It is located in the Kötlujökull glacier, a spur of Myrdalsjökull, the fourth largest glacier in Iceland. Beneath this glacial shield lies the active volcano Katla, which last erupted in 1918. The glacier cave bears his ash drawing and his name. Iceland's forces of nature come together in one place. It is not for nothing that the Katla Geopark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience glacier cave in Vik
A vault of pure gleaming ice rises above me. Below me, a wooden plank connects two sections of the cave and bridges a gap in the icy underground. I put one foot in front of the other in concentration. The way over the abyss costs a little effort, although the board is actually wide enough. For this I am rewarded with even more wonderful impressions on the other side. I am fascinated by the high ice walls, following their vibrations and feeling like I am in a natural ice palace. The unusual mix of black ash and white glacial ice never fails to draw my eyes. The black lines are finally lost in the high ceiling and merge into the delicate shine of reflective sheets of ice. I pause in amazement and feel the feeling of being completely surrounded by glacial ice.”
A vault of pure gleaming ice rises above me. Below me, a wooden plank connects two sections of the cave and bridges a gap in the icy underground. I put one foot in front of the other in concentration. The way over the abyss costs a little effort, although the board is actually wide enough. For this I am rewarded with even more wonderful impressions on the other side. I am fascinated by the high ice walls, following their vibrations and feeling like I am in a natural ice palace. The unusual mix of black ash and white glacial ice never fails to draw my eyes. The black lines are finally lost in the high ceiling and merge into the delicate shine of reflective sheets of ice. I pause in amazement and feel the feeling of being completely surrounded by glacial ice.”
AGE™ toured the Katla Dragon Glass Ice Cave with Troll Expeditions. It lies on the edge of the glacier and is surprisingly easy to access. A bizarre world of ice and ash welcomes us. Black debris covers the layer of ice at the entrance. The active volcano Katla has left its footprints. Equipped with helmets and crampons, we feel our way over the hard ice floor for the first few meters. Meltwater drips down on us at the entrance, then we dive in and let the glacier embrace us.
A little world opens up before us. An ice palace with high ceilings and winding walls. Deep black layers of ash run through the otherwise immaculately shining glacial ice at different heights. Witnesses of the volcanic eruptions of the active volcano Katla. The ice cover above our heads is much higher than expected from the outside and small gorges repeatedly run through the cave floor, making the structure of nature look even more powerful, even more plastic. For some, the way with the crampons and over the auxiliary boards as a bridge replacement is a small adventure in itself. An adventure in a place of impressive natural forces, of untouched beauty and in constant change.
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Visiting the Katla Ice Cave in Iceland
Visiting this glacier cave is only possible as part of a guided tour. There are several providers who have a tour to the Katla Ice Cave in their program. The cheapest tours start with a meeting point in Vik. Alternatively, a full day trip with transfer from Reykjavik is also possible. This is a wonderful option for tourists without a rental car. In this case, an additional stop is often planned along the way, for example at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
AGE™ visited Katla Ice Cave with Tröll Expeditions:
The Adventure Company Tröll seemed pleasantly familiar and convinced with well-trained and motivated guides. The organization went smoothly, the group size was extremely comfortable with only 8 people. According to the provider, however, it can accommodate up to 12 people. Our guide "Siggi" was happy to share his knowledge from more than 25 years of glacier experience, supported us in narrow passages and gave us time to take pictures.
In August 2020, the glacier cave was an estimated 20 meters high and could be entered at a depth of around 150 meters. The characteristic marbling is caused by black bands of ash that penetrate the ice walls due to volcanic eruptions. The popular deep blue glacial ice was not found in this cave, but there were numerous beautiful photo opportunities and ice formations ranging from pale blue to crystal clear. An ultimate plus is the possibility to visit in summer and the good accessibility. Please consider that the glacier cave is constantly changing.
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Tips & Experiences for the Katla Ice Cave
A special experience!
A special experience!At Katla Geopark, volcanic ash and ice mix to create an unusual natural beauty. Discover a glacier cave and experience your personal ice wonder even in the Icelandic summer.
Where is the Katla Ice Cave located?
Where is the Katla Ice Cave located?The glacier cave is located in the southeast of Iceland near Vik. Her glacier lies within the Katla Geopark and covers the Katla Volcano. The meeting point for Tröll Expeditions to visit the Katla Ice Cave is the building of the Icelandic Lava Show in vik. The town of Vik is about 200 km or about 2,5 hours drive from Reykjavik.
When is it possible to visit the Katla Ice Cave?
The glacier cave in Katla Geopark can be visited all year round. In winter as well as in midsummer. A rarity, as most of Iceland's ice caves are only accessible in winter.
Who can take part in the ice cave tour?
The minimum age given by Tröll Expeditions is 8 years. No prior knowledge required. How to use ice claws is explained. Surefootedness is an advantage. People who are afraid of heights can find it difficult to walk on the wooden boards that serve as a bridge replacement.
How much does a tour to Katla Ice Cave cost?
At Tröll Expeditions, the ice cave tour costs around 22.900 ISK per person including VAT. Helmet and ice claws are included. Entry to Katla Geopark and parking at the meeting point in Vik are free.
• 22.900 ISK per person for group tours
• 200.000 ISK per group (1-12 people) private tour
• Status from 2023. You can find current prices here.
How much time should you plan?
You should plan a total of about 3 hours for the ice cave tour. This time also includes round-trip transportation between the Vik meeting point and the ice cave, as well as instruction and putting on the crampons. The pure viewing time in front of and in the cave is about 1 hour.
Is there food and toilets?
Before the tour to the Ice Cave, there was coffee on the house for early arrivals in the restaurant next to the Icelandic Lava Show. Toilets are available free of charge at the meeting point. You can then stop by the Soup Company at the meeting point. However, food is not included in the tour price.
Which sights are nearby?
The meeting point is also the location of the Icelandic Lava Show. If you really want to experience fire and ice, you should definitely experience the flow of real lava after visiting the ice cave! The beautiful one is only 15 minutes away by car black beach Reynisfjara and also the cute ones Puffin can be seen at Vik.
The Katla ice cave in your tour looked different?
The photographs in this article were taken in August 2020. Three months earlier, the ice cave at Katla collapsed. The thickness of the ice is closely monitored, so the cave was previously closed for security reasons. At the same time, the glacier created a new ice cave that became accessible to tourists. How long will this ice cave that we photographed be visible? "One year, maximum two" estimates our guide.
"But we have already found a new cave behind it," he adds eagerly. It is still narrow and dark and only a few meters deep, but if nature's master builder continues to grind and work, then hopefully it will be completed in time and will soon invite you to the next adventure in the eternal ice. If you book a tour to the Ice Cave in Katla Geopark today, you will probably explore this new cave. And somewhere in the vicinity, the next miracle of nature is already being created.
So, the appearance of the glacier cave in Katla Geopark is dynamic. Exactly the same ice cave can only be visited for a few months or a few years. Then you switch to a newly created cave in the immediate vicinity.
Why is the ice cave changing?
The ice is changing every day. Melt water, temperature differences, the movement of the glacier - all of these affect the appearance of a glacier cave. The weather, time of day and the incidence of light associated with this also change the effect of ice and colours.
How does the ice cave tour work?
After arriving in a jeep and a short walk over ice and ashes, you are in front of the entrance to the Katla Ice Cave. Here the crampons are tightened. After a short briefing you will enter the cave. It may be necessary to overcome individual passages over boards as a bridge replacement. The walls, floor and vaulted ceiling are made of ice. Some areas shimmer crystal clear when exposed to light. But there are also black areas with ash deposits from volcanic eruptions. If you're lucky, you can see a small waterfall made of meltwater or a skylight allows special light effects.
In the AGE™ field report On the trail of fire and icemore photos and stories about the Katla Ice Cave are waiting for you. Follow us into the glacier ice.
Exciting background information
Ice cave or glacier cave?
Ice caves are caves where ice can be found all year round. In a narrower sense, ice caves are caves made of rock that are covered with ice or, for example, decorated with icicles all year round. In a broader sense and especially colloquially, caves in glacial ice are also included in the term ice cave.
The Katla Ice Cave in Iceland is a glacial cave. It is a naturally formed cavity in the glacier. The walls, the vaulted ceiling and the ground consist of pure ice. There is no rock anywhere. When you enter the Katla Ice Cave, you are standing in the middle of a glacier.
Attractions in Iceland for glacier fans
- Katla Dragon Glass ice cave - Imposing world under the ice
- Glacier hike in Skaftafell - The glacier and its wonders
- Jökulsarlon glacier lake - iceberg magic in the glacier lake
- artificial ice cave in Reykjavik - A natural history museum in a class of its own
glacier caves and ice caves around the world
- Katla Dragon Glass ice cave – Glacier cave in Iceland
- Nature Ice Palace – Glacier cave in Austria
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This editorial contribution received external support
Disclosure: AGE™ received discounted or free services as part of the report – by: Troll Expeditions; The press code applies: Research and reporting must not be influenced, hindered or even prevented by accepting gifts, invitations or discounts. Publishers and journalists insist that information be given regardless of accepting a gift or invitation. When journalists report on press trips to which they have been invited, they indicate this funding.
Liability
The content of the article has been carefully researched and is based on personal experience. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. If our experience does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. Since nature is unpredictable, a similar experience cannot be guaranteed on a subsequent trip. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE™ does not guarantee topicality or completeness.
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Source reference for text research
Information on site, as well as personal experiences when visiting the Katla Ice Cave in August 2020.