Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavík

A full-day Katla ice cave tour from Reykjavík by super jeep. You stop at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the black beach at Vík, then drive off-road to the Kötlujökull glacier and walk inside a natural ice cave with your guide.

• A natural ice cave in Kötlujökull, below the Katla volcano
• Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind
• Skógafoss and the black sand beach at Vík
• Off-road drive by super jeep to the glacier edge
• Crampons, helmets and ice cave gear included

Your day, stop by stop

2SeljalandsfossA 60-metre waterfall with a path that runs behind it.

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, before sea levels fell after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water, so expect to get wet and bring a waterproof jacket. The path loops behind the falling water, so you see the waterfall from inside the cliff. You will get wet from the spray.

Time here · about 25 minutesWalking · path behind the falls is wet and can be slipperyWinter · the path behind can close because of iceFacilities · toilets at the car park

Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →

3SkógafossA wide, powerful waterfall with steps up to a viewing platform.

Skógafoss falls in one broad curtain about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, right beside the village of Skógar. On sunny days the spray usually throws a rainbow, sometimes a double one, across the pool at its base. A staircase of 527 steps leads to a viewpoint at the top, where you can see the river before it drops.

Time here · about 25 minutesWalking · flat to the base; over 500 steps to the top platformFacilities · toilets and cafés nearby

Read our Skógafoss guide →

4Vík black sand beachThe black beach at Vík with views to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

Víkurfjara is the long black sand beach in front of the village of Vík, the southernmost village in Iceland, with views to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. You spend about 25 minutes here, and the lunch stop is in the Vík area, not included. Keep well back from the waves.

Time here · about 25 minutesSafety · keep well back from the wavesFood · lunch stop in the Vík area, not included

Read our Vík í Mýrdal guide →

5Katla ice caveOff-road to Kötlujökull and a guided walk inside the ice cave.

The super jeep drives about 45 minutes from Vík across black sands to the glacier. You put on crampons and a helmet, walk about 10 minutes to the ice and go inside the cave with your guide.

Time here · about 1 hour at the ice caveWalking · about 2 km on uneven ground, steep stairs with a ropeGear · crampons and helmet providedTip · wear sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes

Read our Katla guide →

About the Katla ice cave tour from Reykjavík

The Katla ice cave sits in Kötlujökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, above the Katla volcano. Unlike the crystal-blue caves of Vatnajökull, it is open all year, and its walls are striped with black layers of volcanic ash from past eruptions. This tour combines the cave with the classic South Coast stops, so it works well if you only have one day.

From Reykjavík you drive east along the South Coast to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, then on to the black sand beach at Vík. From Vík the super jeep takes about 45 minutes each way on rough tracks to the end of the road, then you walk about 10 minutes to the ice. You spend about an hour at the ice cave.

You need to be able to walk about 2 km on uneven ground and climb a steep set of stairs with a rope for support. Ice caves change all the time, so the cave you see may look different from the photos. It is a long day, and in winter much of the drive is in the dark, so bring snacks and warm, waterproof clothes.

Questions people ask