Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull (Long Glacier) is Iceland's second-largest ice cap at 953 square kilometers, located in the western highlands.
About
About Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull (Long Glacier) is Iceland's second-largest ice cap at 953 square kilometers, located in the western highlands.
Stand before the ancient ice of Langjökull Glacier and witness Iceland's frozen landscapes
Background
History & Background
Langjökull Glacier in the Highlands is part of Iceland's glacial landscape that has shaped the island for millennia. During the last Ice Age (ending around 10,000 years ago), Iceland was almost entirely covered by glaciers. As the climate warmed, glaciers retreated but never fully disappeared — today they still cover about 11% of Iceland's surface. Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, and other ice caps have profoundly influenced Iceland's geography, carving fjords, valleys, and depositing moraines. Historical records document significant glacial advances during the Little Ice Age (1300-1900), when glaciers destroyed farmland and forced communities to relocate. Climate change has accelerated glacial retreat in recent decades, making these frozen landscapes particularly precious.
Langjökull (Long Glacier) is Iceland's second-largest ice cap at 953 square kilometers, located in the western highlands. The glacier feeds several rivers including Iceland's second-longest, Þjórsá. A man-made ice tunnel allows visitors to walk inside the glacier and see ice formations, blue ice chambers, and learn about glaciology. The glacier can be accessed via super jeep tours or snowmobile expeditions.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
A man-made ice tunnel allows visitors to walk inside the glacier and see ice formations, blue ice chambers, and learn about glaciology. The glacier can be accessed via super jeep tours or snowmobile expeditions.
💡 Did You Know?
Iceland's glaciers cover about 11% of the country's surface, and Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe by volume
Local Legend
The Outlaw's Refuge
Iceland's vast, uninhabited highlands have been associated with outlaws since the saga age. The most famous highland outlaw was Fjalla-Eyvindur (Mountain Eyvindur), who lived as a fugitive in the highlands for over 20 years in the 18th century with his wife Halla. They survived the extreme conditions by living in caves, hunting, and occasionally raiding lowland farms. Their story has become legendary, representing the human capacity to endure against impossible odds. Ruins attributed to their shelters can still be found in the highlands, and their tale has inspired countless Icelandic books, poems, and songs about freedom, love, and survival in the wild heart of Iceland.
Experiences
Tours Near Langjökull Glacier
Best-rated Iceland experiences — book with free cancellation
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Explore
Hidden Gems Nearby
✦ Glacier Sounds
Stop and listen — glaciers make haunting sounds as ice shifts and meltwater flows beneath the surface.
The creaking, groaning, and rushing sounds remind you that glaciers are living, moving rivers of ice.
✦ Ice Colors
Look carefully at the ice — you'll see shades of white, blue, and even black from volcanic ash layers.
The blue color comes from compressed ice that absorbs red light, and ash layers mark historical eruptions.
✦ Glacier Edge Ecology
The area where the glacier meets rock supports a unique micro-ecosystem of hardy organisms.
Pioneer plants and insects colonizing newly exposed land offer a real-time view of ecological succession.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Location
📍 Location
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