How to get to Katla: The ice cave that gives its name to the Netflix series

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If you haven’t been living under a rock in the last few months you’ve probably heard about Katla, the new Netflix series. If you’ve already seen it and would like to visit the Katla ice cave that gives the series its name, here’s how you can do it.

Where is Katla Cave?

Located in the south of Iceland, in the region of Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, the Katla volcano is one of the most impressive locations that have appeared lately in Netflix series. And is that the spectacular caldera of 10 kilometers in diameter will leave you breathless. The nearest town is Vik, which in turn, is located more than 185 km from the capital Reykjavik and is the southernmost town in the country.

How to get to Katla?

If you want to visit Katla Cave, we recommend you to do it through one of these three options:

Shared tour

One of the best and most popular options is to visit the mýrdalsjökull glacier (where the cave is located) with a shared tour. These tours usually depart from the nearby town of Vik and are characterized by taking a group of people, which can be more or less reduced depending on the chosen tour.

The trip is done in specialized vehicles and with experienced drivers, which makes the transfer to the volcano and the natural ice cave much safer. The most interesting sites are usually visited, and in addition, having a guide will explain everything we have to see and the most important aspects of the place.

There are also very interesting options that may be more comfortable with departure from the capital, Reykjavik.

Private tour

The second option to visit this incredible place is through a private tour. Unlike the shared tours, in the private tour only you and your group travel together with a guide, so you can adapt certain things to your tastes or needs.

Most private tours offer the transfer in super Jeep, SUVs with much more power. In addition, there are options that depart from both the country’s capital and the town of Vik, 30 minutes from Katla. Depending on the tour you choose, you can also find some that take you to Reynisfjara, the spectacular black sand beach of volcanic origin that is located near Vik.

Going to Katla Ice Cave by car

Although this option is not so common, there are those who decide to go to the volcano and the ice caves on their own with a rental car. It is an option that is not usually highly recommended since the trails and access roads to the volcano, as well as the visit to the ice cave, may have some danger if you do not take the necessary precautions and do not know the terrain. After all, we are in a wilderness terrain.

The most common option for those who have rented a car in Iceland, is to travel to Vik and once there, hire one of the tours to visit the volcano and the ice caves.

The key: Getting to the town of Vik

Whichever option you choose, the key to getting to know these ice caves is to get to Vik first. There are different options for getting to Vik from Reykjavik: you can arrive by bus, by rental car or, as is most common, as part of the tour route departing from Reykjavik.

To get to Vik you have to use one of the most important roads in the country, the Ring Road or Hringvegur, Iceland’s ring road. The journey takes about two hours.

Can I get to Katla by public transport?

No, at the moment there are no public transport routes that go from any town in Iceland to Katla volcano. The only recommended way to get there is by tour, as these are safe and their operators know the terrain very well. The only public transport routes are those that connect Vik with other nearby towns by bus.

What you should know when you arrive in Katla

• It’s cold: The weather in Iceland is mild but cold, and you will be visiting an ice cave, so it is necessary to bring warm clothes.
• You need the right gear: Along with winter clothing, you need to bring the right gear with you. Hiking boots are essential to avoid slipping on the ice, it is also advisable to bring waterproof pants because having wet legs or body in the cold glacier is dangerous.
• Minimum age: The tour is usually a bit challenging at some points, so the minimum recommended age to visit the caves is 12 years old.
• You’re going to walk: If you want to see all the colors and scenery where both Game of Thrones and the Netflix series Katla were filmed, you’re going to have to walk. Although an athlete’s condition is not necessary, you should be prepared to walk throughout the visit.