Langjokull Glacier: Not An Average Glacier

• Exploring the Glacier

Deep within Langjokull is a manmade ice tunnel that burrows down 30 meters into the glacier and is around 500 meters long. Five separate rooms within the tunnel are waiting to be explored, including a wedding chapel where smitten adventurers can get married! If you go for a glacier tour then most tours will depart from both Reykjavik and Husafell and include a 40-minute ride up the glacier to the mouth of the tunnel on a monster truck. Crampons are provided to make walking easier, though the surface of the tunnel is flat. Participants are encouraged to wear warm clothing and adequate walking boots as, unsurprisingly, it gets quite chilly within the glacier! The tunnel is open year-round.

• Snowmobiling

Jumping on a snowmobile is a great way to get to know Langjokull, as it allows you to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Many tours are available and they depart from either a provided ‘basecamp’ on the glacier or Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Reykjavik. Tours can last from 2-4 hours, though 1 hour will be spent on the snowmobile. A certified guide will accompany you and all drivers will need to provide a valid driving license, though snowmobiles can accommodate 2 people. Snowmobiling tours are available during June - October. Other activities include skiing and snowboarding when weather permits and glacier hiking tours.

Driving in adverse conditions can often lengthen journeys so always allow adequate time. It is also imperative that you only head onto a glacier with a professional guide and always wear adequate clothing for the conditions.

Langjokull, like all glaciers, is a force of nature that inspires awe in all who explore it. However, there are other glaciers in Iceland that are just waiting to be explored. For the more adventurous, Iceland has some of the best locations for volcano tours, and ice cave tours.