{"id":9582,"date":"2020-07-25T14:56:46","date_gmt":"2020-07-25T12:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=9582"},"modified":"2025-05-24T16:48:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T14:48:50","slug":"katla-eishoehle-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/katla-eishoehle-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Katla Ice Cave in Iceland - Entrance to a Fairytale World"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iceland - the island of fire and ice. Besides volcanoes there are glaciers and there are not only lava tunnels but also ice caves. I have seen photos of ice caves and was immediately fascinated by their beauty - the shiny ice, sometimes transparent, white, blue or black. A transient beauty that only lasts in the here and now. And how much this is true, I was soon able to experience for myself. Here I tell you about my tour to the Katla Ice Cave in Iceland, the entrance to a magical fairy tale world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How are Ice Caves formed?<\/a>
Transient Beauties of Ice<\/a>
The Katla Volcano and the Katla Eruptions<\/a>
Visit of the Katla Ice Cave at the Glacier K\u00f6tluj\u00f6kull<\/a>
Inside the Katla Ice Cave - Entrance to a Fairytale World<\/a>
Conclusion about my Tour to the Katla Ice Cave in the South of Iceland<\/a>
What Equipment do I need to bring for the Katla Ice Cave?<\/a>
Season for Ice Caves in Iceland and Safety<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katla-Eish\u00f6hle
Volcanic ash from earlier eruptions lies on the ice walls of the glacier cave.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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How are Ice Caves formed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ice caves - or more precisely, glacial caves - are formed by meltwater. Summer temperatures or geothermal heat cause the glacier's ice to melt. The meltwater then makes its way through crevasses inside the glacier, melting more ice. Trickles, streams, puddles or even lakes are formed. As the glaciers move, the streams and lakes within a glacier change constantly. This can suddenly result in a run-off and all the water disappears. What remains is an empty glacial cave. Each of them is unique and looks different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katla-Eish\u00f6hle
From the ceiling of the ice cave small waterfalls fall down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Transient Beauties of Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ice formations of the cave are in constant change, their beauty is ephemeral. Thus an ice cave can thaw, become unstable and even collapse in spring and summer. At other places new ice caves develop. The frost of winter makes them harden again. Most ice caves are therefore only accessible in winter. At Katla Volcano there is the only ice cave that is accessible all year round. So I was very surprised when I learned in the morning of the tour that Iceland's famous Katla ice cave collapsed a few days ago. For six years it has fascinated many visitors with its beauty. But the unusually warm weather in July 2020 has also melted her ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But our tour operator already had plan B ready. Not far from the collapsed Katla ice cave there is another cave. It was explored and secured in the days before, ropes were attached, steps were made and boards were laid over the glacial stream inside the cave. It was a bit smaller and narrower, but for me it was the most beautiful ice cave in the world - the first one I visited and therefore especially impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katla-Eish\u00f6hle
The surfaces of the ice walls look like waves on a lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Katla Volcano and the Katla Eruptions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Katla volcano is located in the south of Iceland, hidden under the fourth largest glacier on the island - M\u00fdrdalsj\u00f6kull. Katla has erupted about twenty times in the last 1,000 years and is one of the most active volcanoes in the country. The last major eruption was in 1918. The magma chamber of the Katla is located at a depth of 2 to 3 kilometres and is said to have a capacity of 10 to 12 cubic kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a volcano lies under a glacier, then so-called glacier runs are formed during an eruption. Hot magma melts the glacier ice and steam explosions occur. The glacier runs transport gravel and ash towards the sea, the beach becomes wider. At the time of the settlement, the beach is said to have been about 5 kilometres further inland. Wow, what forces of nature!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sand and stones are trapped in the ice chunks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Katla eruptions are among the most explosive in Iceland. For this reason the volcano is monitored especially intensively. Not only earth movements are measured, but rivers are also examined for changes in mineral content, gas content and electrical conductivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit of the Katla Ice Cave at the Glacier K\u00f6tluj\u00f6kull<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The starting point for the tour to the Katla Ice Cave in the south of Iceland is the parking lot behind the outdoor shop in V\u00edk. The super jeep waiting for me here is hard to miss. It is a former airport bus, which was rebuilt for the tours. The 36inch tyres leave no doubt that the vehicle could take us to any destination. By the way, it is also used in winter, but then with even bigger tyres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our super jeep rocked us safely and comfortably over the slopes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As soon as we have left the ring road in the direction of Katla, we pass through a rugged moonscape of pitch-black sand, stones and green moss. Far in the distance I can already see the ice cap of Myrdalsjokull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The glacier K\u00f6tluj\u00f6kull is covered from top to bottom with black volcanic ash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our driver adjusts the air pressure in the tyres again and again, so the tyres have a better grip: less air when it gets sandy and more air when the road is rocky. With such a super jeep, the ride on the track becomes a pleasant swing. After about 40 minutes of driving we reach a small parking lot. Around us a spectacular scenery opens up: black sand, behind it the glacier and a glacier river whose arms dig through the sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Through a surreal landscape we will go to the entrance of the \"new\" Katla ice cave.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Everyone gets crampons and a helmet. Then we continue on foot to the black glacier K\u00f6tluj\u00f6kull, a part of the Myrdalsjokull. We walk through sand, cross several creeks on previously laid out boards and stepping stones. As soon as we hit the ice, we put our crampons over our shoes. I would not have recognized the ice at all, because it is hidden under a black layer of sand. After about ten minutes we are already at the entrance to the glacier cave and put on our helmets. A safety briefing follows and we are divided into three smaller groups - the new cave is simply a bit tighter than the old one. After our guide has checked the cave once more for safety, we start. And we dive into a world for which it is difficult to find words. I have never seen anything comparable. It looks like the entrance to a fairy tale world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katla-Eish\u00f6hle
Ash and sand from the Katla eruptions have coloured the ice in shades of black and blue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Guided Tours in Iceland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don't feel like wandering around on your own and would rather join a guided tour in Iceland? Nothing could be easier. If you book an excursion via the following affiliate links, you will support Wanderlust Motifs with a small commission. The tour will not be more expensive for you. Merci!<\/p>\n\n\n

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