One of my favorite experiences in Iceland was hiking through the Katla Ice Cave. Located in Southern Iceland, Katla Ice Cave is a stunning natural wonder that should be on your bucket list. Exploring the cave is a unique experience that offers breathtaking views of the ice sculptures and crystal-clear ice.
The cave is formed by the melting of the glacier that covers the volcano Katla. As a result, the cave is constantly changing. The blue and white colors create a stunning contrast that is simply mesmerizing.
Visitors should note that the trek to the cave involves a bit of hiking on slippery terrain. It is important to have a guide and proper gear to ensure safety during the trip. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the environment and respect the fragile nature of the site.
Overall, a visit to Katla Ice Cave is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a chance to see nature’s beauty in its purest form. Don’t miss out on this magnificent wonder!
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Our Experience
It was a quick drive from our hotel at Black Beach Suites to the meeting point for Troll Expeditions, the company we booked our tour with. We met up with our guide and chatted a bit before heading to the ice cave. Our drive took us along the Ring Road before we headed offroad to the lava field.
Once we arrived, we bundled up (we were heading into an ice cave, after all) and got fitted for crampons. After a short safety briefing, we began our walk towards the ice cave. Even with crampons, walking on the ice was weird. There was an elderly man on our tour who turned around and decided not to risk it once he saw he’d have to walk up a hill of black sand to access the entrance point.
Since the cave is formed out of ice, they are constantly changing due to the freezing and melting. Each time you enter the cave, it looks a little different- even the access points/entrances change!
When we reached the mouth of the cave, we had to traverse a sketchy-looking wooden board to get into the “canyon”. The board was well-worn but presumably safe. There was a series of ropes for us to hold on to, and we were advised to not use our cameras at this point- since we weren’t used to walking on the crampons quite yet.
Walking on the ice was a little trickier than I thought it might be. But, perhaps that’s because I’m a Florida girl. Once I got used to the crampons, I felt a bit more comfortable on the ice.
Inside the canyon was incredible. It looked just like being in a black-and-white movie- the only color around us was from the clothing people were wearing. It was very Pleasantville-esque.
The Icelandic people have a story for EVERYTHING, and the stories usually involve a troll. The story behind the black mounds of black sand (pictured above), is no different.
These hills are known as “Troll skítur.” According to local legend, a gigantic troll (they are always gigantic, by the way), comes into the canyon each evening, hangs out for a bit, and before he leaves he pops a squat. Skítur is Icelandic for “shit”.
It is one of the few words I remember from when my family lived in Iceland during my childhood, so as soon as I heard the phrase, it brought a smile to my face!
FAQ About Katla Ice Caves
Is Katla Ice Cave worth it?
A visit to Katla is for sure worth it if you’re looking for a unique experience to add to your Iceland itinerary.
Can I visit Katla Ice Cave without a tour?
Nope, you MUST visit with a guided tour. Trust me, once you’re inside you’ll understand why you can’t just walk around the cave all nimbly-nimbly without a guide.
How long is the walk to Katla Ice Cave?
Once you reach the glacier area, you’ll take a leisurely 5 to 10-minute walk over to the ice cave.
How far is it from Reykjavik to Katla Ice Cave?
The drive to Katla from Reykjavik is about 2 1/2 hours. It’s easier to use Vik as your home base when visiting Katla.
Other Unique Icelandic Experiences
We did some pretty incredible things during our week in Iceland. We ensured we filled our itinerary with things that were unique to the land of fire and ice. These experiences MADE our trip!
Here are some things that are unique to Iceland:
- Snorkeling between the tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park
- Visiting a geothermal lagoon (Blue Lagoon) or pool (Hofsos)
- Whale watching
- Riding Icelandic Horses
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save our post “Don’t Sleep on the Katla Ice Cave”! Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
While we were in the area, we also visited Diamond Beach, Skogafoss, Svartifoss, and more!
