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GLACIER WONDERS - Glacier Hike in Skaftafell

Explore Iceland's Biggest Glacier by Foot - Easy Glacier Walk!

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Glacier spikes on Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland

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About Tour

This adventure takes you onto Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. With a certified glacier guide leading the way, you’ll explore the crevasses and ice sculptures of Falljökull, a stunning glacier tongue in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Surrounded by towering peaks and shifting ice, you’ll get a real feel for the raw power of a living glacier. It’s an easy-to-moderate walk across the ice, using real crampons strapped to your hiking boots.

Highlights

Skaftafell National Park
Vatnajökull (‘’Water Glacier’’)
Falljökull (‘’Falling Glacier’’)
Glacier hiking

Included

Guided glacier hike
Specialized glacier gear (crampons, ice axe)
Certified expert glacier guide (English-speaking)

What to Bring

Warm outdoor clothing
Waterproof jacket & pants (available to rent)
Warm gloves & hat
Sunglasses
Food & drinks
Good hiking boots with ankle support (available to rent)

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year

Duration 4 hours

Departs From Skaftafell

Difficulty Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Meet on Location Yes

Pick Up No

Ratio 1:15

Minimum age 8 years

Shoe Size Min. 35 EU (No crampons for shoes smaller than 35 EU.)

From

Per

Adult

Use Promo Code: HALLOWEEN15 Expires: 11:59 PM GMT, November 2, 2026

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Expert Guides
Small Group Experience
Free Cancellation
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From 117 USD

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Itinerary

Your glacier hike adventure starts at the Skaftafell Booking Center, right next to the Visitor Center parking lot in Vatnajökull National Park. After meeting your certified guide, you’ll gear up with crampons, helmets, and ice axes to get ready for the ice.

We’ll take a scenic 25-minute drive (11 km / 7 mi) toward Falljökull, a glacier tongue flowing from Vatnajökull—the largest ice cap in Europe. Along the way, watch the lush lowlands of Skaftafell fade into rugged peaks and icy landscapes, with Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest mountain, towering nearby.

Once we arrive, it’s a short hike of about 30 minutes to the glacier itself. Then the real adventure begins: crampons on, you’ll step onto the ever-changing surface of Falljökull. Expect to walk past deep crevasses, towering ice formations, and vivid blue ice walls shaped over centuries.

Your guide will share stories about how glaciers like Falljökull and nearby Virkisjökull form, move, and leave their mark on the land. You’ll also see up close how climate change is reshaping these icy giants.

We’ll spend about 1.5 hours exploring on the ice, covering around 3 km (1.8 mi) with 200–250 meters (650–820 feet) of elevation gain—depending on conditions.

After an unforgettable hike through Iceland’s frozen wilderness, we’ll return to Skaftafell, full of fresh glacier memories!

Practical information

This tour begins at Skaftafell Booking Center, located about 327 km (203 mi) east of Reykjavík. The closest towns are Kirkjubæjarklaustur (69 km / 43 mi west) and Höfn (130 km / 81 mi east). Guests can park at the Skaftafell Parking Lot, just a short walk from the meeting point.

Meeting point

Skaftafell Booking Center - Wooden hut with the Arctic Adventures logo

Address: 785 Skaftafell, Iceland

Clothing and gear

Please bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof pants, and a waterproof jacket. You can rent waterproof pants and jackets if needed when booking the tour.

Shoe size

For safety reasons, crampons are not available for shoe sizes below 35 EU, as they cannot be securely attached to smaller footwear.

Please note

If the tour is booked for a child, an adult must accompany them during both the transfer and the tour. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.

Reviews

Based on 2 reviews

GLACIER WONDERS - Glacier Hike in Skaftafell

FAQ

What is best to wear on our Iceland glacier trips?

Iceland is known for unforeseeable weather. It is likely that you can see all 4 seasons in one day.

Dressing for that kind of weather can always be demanding, so we suggest dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended, for example, a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.

Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they are not suitable for the weather conditions, they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.

Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are convenient and wear wind/waterproof pants over them. There is high UV and sunlight reflecting off on the glacier so we highly recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy.

You will need sturdy hiking boots that fit crampons for the glacier hiking tours. If you do not own a pair then we rent out suitable hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers.

Is a backpack necessary on a glacier trip in Iceland?

It is good to bring your own backpack on our full-day or half-day tours. It’s the best carry-on for a small lunch, extra clothes, and other necessary items.

Is a camera allowed on a glacier trip?

The scenery on the tour is full of stunning, breathtaking views that you’ll almost definitely want to capture forever, so you should definitely bring your camera along. Your tour guide will also be happy to take your photo.

Are you allowed to join a glacier hike if you are pregnant?

This is surely a personal choice, we do not deny pregnant women on our glacier trips but we highly recommend you to take a closer look at our trip description and difficulty ratings, they will hopefully give you a better idea. We also recommend you to contact your physician, as pregnant women’s health can be quite different. If you have any further questions or concerns then feel free to contact us.

Is lunch provided on the glacier tours?

Lunch is not provided on any of our trips, therefore we recommend you bring your own lunch, snacks, and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip). It is especially important to make sure you bring lunch on our longer trips.

What are crampons?

Crampons enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping. They are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes.

Does Adventures.com have a guide on all of their tours?

Yes, we have specially trained and certified glacier guides on every glacier tour that we offer. And for our 3rd party tours we only partner with operators that meet our quality and safety standards.

Do you provide equipment when taking part in your glacier tours?

Yes, we provide you with all the necessary glacier gear for our glacier hiking tours. Ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and helmets are provided. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.

Why do we have glaciers in Iceland?

Iceland is known to have a lot of snow and when the snow stays long enough in one place than it turns to ice. Over long periods of time, the ice layers up becoming huge blocks called glaciers. It forms to create ginormous glaciers that sweep across huge masses of land. Iceland is home of the largest glacier in Europe that is called Vatnajökull. The Glacier Guides can tell you more about and everything you need to know about the Glaciers.

What happens if it is raining?

Rain is common in Iceland but we never let the rain be in our way to go forward with our tours.
That’s why we highly recommend appropriate clothing so you can stay warm and dry.
Nature is out of our control and therefore we need to adapt to the weather. Your safety is our priority so if your safety is compromised by going on the tour then we will cancel it and you will get full reimbursement.

Can I find more information about how to prepare for my Glacier Hiking tour?

The guide on your glacier hiking tour will provide you with all the information you might need when preparing for a glacier hike.

Is any parking fee in Skaftafell?

Yes, the parking fee depends on your car category.

Category A - Passenger car, 5 seats or less: ISK 750

Category B - Passenger car, 6-9 seats: ISK 1,000

Motorcycles: ISK 300

You can always check the newest fees here.

Will I need crampons for this tour?

Crampons are metal spikes that fasten to the soles of your hiking boots to provide a reliable grip on icy surfaces and help prevent slipping. For our glacier tours involving walking on ice, specialized glacier crampons are provided. These are stronger and more durable than standard ice spikes, designed specifically for challenging glacier conditions. Your guide will assist you in putting them on before you step onto the glacier, and they will be collected at the end of the tour.