- Langjökull is Iceland's nearest large glacier to Reykjavík and covers 870 km²
- Mýrdalsjökull sits on top of Katla volcano with ice reaching 1,493 m in height
- Highland tracks to Langjökull open only in summer and require four-wheel drive
- Check safetravel.is before you go for weather and road closures
Where Snowmobile Tours Operate
Most glacier snowmobile tours run on Langjökull or Mýrdalsjökull. Langjökull is situated in the west of the Icelandic interior. The glacier is about 50 km long and 15 to 20 km wide. The highest point of Langjökull is about 1,450 m above sea level.
Mýrdalsjökull is an ice cap on the top of the Katla volcano in the south of Iceland. It is to the north of the town of Vík í Mýrdal. In 2019 the covered area of Mýrdalsjökull was 520 km². The volume of ice at Mýrdalsjökull is about 140 km³. Mýrdalsjökull's glacier peak ice cover has reached 1,493 m in height.
Langjökull is the nearest large glacier to Reykjavík, making it the most accessible option for day trips from Reykjavík. Mýrdalsjökull sits further east, near the south coast route to Vík and Jökulsárlón.
Snowmobile Tours on Langjökull and Mýrdalsjökull
More on GetYourGuide
Top ratedDay trip · 10 hoursFrom Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobiling★ 4.7 1 516 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable tomorrowfrom €295 per personSee availability →
BestsellerGuided tour · 4 hoursFrom Geysir: Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier★ 4.7 593 reviews✓ Free cancellationfrom €238 per personSee availability →
Guided tour · 4.5 - 5 hoursFrom Geysir: Snowmobiling & Ice Cave on Langjökull Glacier★ 4.4 136 reviews✓ Free cancellationfrom €243 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 10 hoursFrom Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Snowmobiling Tour★ 4.8 216 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availablefrom €315 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 4 hoursFrom Gullfoss: Langjökull Glacier Snowmobile Tour★ 4.7 336 reviews✓ Free cancellationAvailable today and tomorrowfrom €240 per personSee availability →
Day trip · 6 hoursReykjavik: Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling with transfer★ 4.9 169 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availablefrom €246 per personSee availability →Langjökull Access and Routes
Two highland tracks, open in the summer months, lead alongside Langjökull: the Kaldidalur and Kjölur tracks. Kaldidalur (road 550) runs along the west of Langjökull. Road F35 runs along the east side of Langjökull, between it and Hofsjökull. Rental car companies forbid their clients to drive on Kaldidalur with other cars than four-wheel drives.
Check road.is before you travel, as highland tracks close outside summer months. Check tour details for transport options.
Langjökull is located near popular tourist routes like the Golden Circle. You can visit Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss before or after snowmobiling.
- Langjökull's location near the Golden Circle allows combination day trips
- Two main glaciers offer different landscapes: western highlands or volcanic south coast
- Ice thickness up to 580 m on Langjökull provides stable riding terrain
- Summer highland tracks give access to remote glacier areas
- Highland roads to Langjökull close outside summer months
- Rental car companies forbid non-4WD vehicles on Kaldidalur route
- Mýrdalsjökull sits on an active volcano that erupts every 40 to 80 years
- Weather changes quickly at high elevation
Mýrdalsjökull and Katla Volcano
Mýrdalsjökull is an ice cap on the top of the Katla volcano in the south of Iceland. The glacier at Mýrdalsjökull contributes to the most serious natural hazard area of Iceland. The caldera of Katla under Mýrdalsjökull has a diameter of 10 km. Katla volcano usually erupts every 40 to 80 years. The last eruption at Katla took place in 1918.
Mýrdalsjökull is to the east of the smaller Eyjafjallajökull ice cap. Between Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull is the Fimmvörðuháls pass. Mýrdalsjökull is an exceedingly high precipitation location. Models suggest parts of it receive more than 10 metres of rainfall equivalent annually.
Check tour details for combination options with visits to Reynisfjara beach or Vík. Check safetravel.is for volcanic activity warnings before booking.
Combination Tours with Other Activities
Many snowmobile tours pair with Golden Circle sightseeing. You visit Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, then continue to Langjökull for glacier riding. Some itineraries add stops at Kerið Crater or Secret Lagoon.
Other combinations include ice cave exploration. The Katla ice cave sits near Mýrdalsjökull. The man-made Into the Glacier tunnel sits at Langjökull. Glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull pairs well with Mýrdalsjökull snowmobiling.
| Combination | Main Glacier | Additional Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Circle + Snowmobile | Langjökull | Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss |
| South Coast + Snowmobile | Mýrdalsjökull | Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík |
| Ice Cave + Snowmobile | Either glacier | Katla or Into the Glacier tunnel |
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →Single and Double Snowmobile Rides
Check tour descriptions for whether you ride solo or share a snowmobile with a passenger. Tour details specify requirements, which vary by operator and glacier location.
Confirm what gear the tour includes and what you should bring. Dress in layers and bring waterproof clothing.
The booking platform shows terms for each tour. Read cancellation policies carefully, as weather can close glacier access with little notice.
Glacier Safety and Road Conditions
Weather changes quickly at high elevation. Check safetravel.is and road.is before departure for closures and warnings. Highland roads close outside summer months, and summer storms can shut access temporarily.
The icecap of Mýrdalsjökull covers an active volcano. Katla volcano usually erupts every 40 to 80 years. Tours may cancel if volcanic risk increases.
Check tour details for timing on combination tours that include the Golden Circle or south coast stops. Small group tours and private tours offer different pacing options.
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →Other Glacier Activities
Langjökull offers activities such as glacier hiking, snowmobiling, monster truck ride, and exploring natural ice caves and man-made tunnels. Langjökull's ice is up to 580 m thick.
Natural ice caves and man-made tunnels provide different experiences. Natural caves form seasonally and require safety checks. Always verify current conditions before booking any glacier activity.
Other adventure options include super jeep tours across highland terrain. Helicopter tours fly over the ice caps. ATV tours run on lower elevation routes. Each activity suits different weather windows and skill levels.
Langjökull delivers glacier snowmobiling closest to Reykjavík with easy Golden Circle combinations. Mýrdalsjökull offers dramatic volcanic landscapes on the south coast. Book early in summer when highland roads open and weather windows prove most reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Which glacier is closer to Reykjavík for snowmobile tours?
Langjökull is the nearest large glacier to Reykjavík. It is situated in the west of the Icelandic interior, making it the most accessible option for day trips.
Can I drive my rental car to Langjökull?
Rental car companies forbid their clients to drive on Kaldidalur with other cars than four-wheel drives. Highland tracks also close outside summer months, so check road.is before you travel.
Is Mýrdalsjökull safe for snowmobile tours?
The icecap of Mýrdalsjökull covers an active volcano. Katla volcano usually erupts every 40 to 80 years. The last eruption at Katla took place in 1918. Check safetravel.is before you go for current volcanic activity warnings.
What other activities are available on Langjökull?
Langjökull offers activities such as glacier hiking, snowmobiling, monster truck ride, and exploring natural ice caves and man-made tunnels. Langjökull's ice is up to 580 m thick.
Can I combine snowmobiling with Golden Circle sightseeing?
Yes, Langjökull is located near popular tourist routes like the Golden Circle. Many tours combine visits to Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss with glacier snowmobiling.
