Langjökull ice-cave
Construction of a five hundred metre (1640 feet) long tunnel into Langjökull Glacier, Iceland’s second largest ice cap, is well on its way. The idea is the brainchild of the various travel companies operating on Langjökull Glacier.
Ice-tunnels such as this have been constructed in a number of places around the world, but none into an ice cap the size of Langjökull. The construction means visitors will have a new and totally different view of the glacier and the impact global warming has on the environment. The tunnel will consist of numerous nooks and dens which will house exhibitions, information, restaurants and even a small chapel for those who would like to marry deep within an ice cap.
The project is owned by the investment company Landsbréf Icelandic Tourism Fund but preparations are in the hands of Efla Engineer’s Office in cooperation with Borgarbyggð Community and land owners on the west coast of Iceland, glaciologists from the National University, the Icelandic Meteorological Office as well as numerous other government institutes.
The tunnel, which is located on the west side of Langjökull, 1260 metres (4134 feet) above sea level, is expected to attract around thirty thousand visitors annually.
The tunnel will open for business in 2015 and is open for eight months each year.
Below is a virtual tour of the ice tunnel.