31-07-2024
Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull Glacier in West Iceland is an expansive ice cap stretching over fiery volcanoes and housing epic ice caves. Perfect for an adventurous, snowy day out, at Langjökull Glacier you can hike, snowmobile, ski and even walk through an ice tunnel!
Discover all you need to know about Langjökull Glacier, including where exactly it is, how to get there, the best activities to enjoy at the glacier and our travel top tips for your Langjökull adventure.
Measuring 935 square kilometers with a length of around 50 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers, it’s no wonder that the name Langjökull translates to the ‘Long Glacier’. The second-largest glacier in Iceland after Vatnajökull, the mighty Langjökull reaches around 1,400 kilometers high at its peak in the northernmost part, which is called Baldjökull.
The ice of Langjökull reaches up to 580 meters in thickness, covering at least two active volcanic systems and is home to many ice caves. Meltwater from Langjökull feeds several important natural wonders, including the Geysir Hot Springs, Silfra Fissure and both Gullfoss and Hraunfossar Waterfalls.
Located in the wild, rugged and beautiful Icelandic Highlands, Langjökull is the closest glacier to the capital city of Reykajvik. Sitting in the west of Iceland, Langjökull Glacier lies northeast of the famous Thingvellir National Park.
Langjökull can be accessed via two main highland roads, one from the north and one from the south. These highland roads, known as Icelandic F-roads, are unpaved, gravel roads with uneven surfaces, requiring 4x4 vehicles to traverse.
From the south, Kaldidalur Road (Road 550) takes you from Thingvellir National Park to Langjökull. From the north, Kjalvegur Road (Road F35) stretches all the way through the country past the Hveravellir geothermal area and Langjökull Glacier to Gullfoss Waterfall, which lies just south of Langjökull.
Only around 100 kilometers from Reykjavik, Langjökull Glacier can be reached via a roughly 1.5 hour drive from the capital.
With so many waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and mountains to choose from, you might be wondering ‘is Langjökull Glacier worth visiting?’ when trying to decide which natural attractions to visit during your time in Iceland. Well, we definitely think the impressive Langjökull Glacier is worth a visit during your Iceland vacation!
Its location makes Langjökull Glacier convenient to get to and everyone will find something they enjoy to do from the wide range of activities you can enjoy here. Plus, the incredible icy vistas at Langjökull are truly unforgettable.
Yes, it’s possible to visit Langjökull Glacier on your own, but it’s advised to take a guided tour if you want to venture onto the glacier itself and/or walk in Langjökull’s ice caves. Especially when visiting Langjökull in the winter when weather conditions are harsher, it’s best to have an expert guide.
Hidden crevasses, unpredictable environmental conditions and, of course, the icy nature of Langjökull make a guided tour the safest option for exploring this epic glacier.
Here are a couple of our favorite Langjökull Glacier tours to check out:
So, what exactly can you do while at Langjökull? Here are some of the best activities to do during your visit to Langjökull Glacier:
Inspired to visit Langjökull Glacier and discover the rest of Iceland for yourself? Well, let’s get the ball rolling by finding you an affordable and reliable car rental in Iceland to take you from the north to south and east to west, exploring all the breathtaking scenery, history and beauty that the incredible island of Iceland has to offer.