Adventure Glacier Hike in Skaftafell

Explore above and beyond what most people see on a glacier in Skaftafell! This is a real glacier expedition where you will get to know the glacier inside out. Stay away from the crowd as you dive deep into challenging terrain, navigate sharp ridges and deep crevasses and even try a bit of ice climbing. Look into and under the ice when you find moulins, smaller ice caves or ice tunnels.

Our guides are all skilled and trained professionals, certified by the Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides. They have vast knowledge of geology and glaciology which they share with you in an entertaining way. Our goal is to educate and have fun on our tours at the same time, so that your experience will be both memorable and rewarding. Of course the safety of our guests is always our highest priority.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We require a very good level of fitness from participants on this tour. You will have to cover a distance between 5 and 8 kilometers, hike a few steeper uphill sections and usually use your arms a little bit on the scrambling parts. There might be some ice climbing involved, but this is always optional and possible to avoid for those who don’t want to try.

Highlights of the tour

No trip to Iceland is complete without seeing a glacier. It is after all a land of ice, isn’t it? And for those willing to experience it first hand we have prepared this tour which takes you onto the most scenic and longest visited outlet glacier in the whole country!

Falljökull is one of Iceland’s most dramatic and visually striking glaciers, an outlet of the vast Vatnajökull ice cap. Its name means “falling glacier,” inspired by the way its ice cascades down steep slopes in a chaotic maze of ridges, cracks, and towering ice formations, which is called an Icefall. It is is constantly shifting, with deep crevasses, sharp seracs, and glowing blue ice revealing the immense pressure within. Up close, the glacier feels alive—creaking, cracking, and slowly flowing downhill—offering a powerful glimpse into the raw power of ice in motion.

Nestled in a deep valley bordering Falljökull lies another hidden gem – the Virkisjökull glacier. Formerly even bigger and taller outlet glacier, now it has grown quite thin due to climate changes, however it is still a marvelous terrain to explore and much less visited than its neighbour. It can give a real feeling of remoteness as you can hardly meet another group there. Located at its far end Virkisjökull’s icefall experiences regular ice avalanches thundering through the whole valley. They can be observed from a safe distance while on the glacier. In a hidden corner of the glacier you can sometimes find a blue ice cave where a subglacial river disappears under the glacier. Please note: visiting the inside of the ice cave is usually not possible in summer due to safety reasons, but we can often take a look through the entrance.

Towering above both glaciers is the majestic peak of Hvannadalshnúkur – Iceland’s highest mountain. Its snow-covered summit often pierces through shifting clouds, creating a dramatic contrast against the vast white expanse below. Most visitors don’t realize that it’s a part of one of Iceland’s largest volcanic systems, sleeping for centuries, yet still active.

Itinerary

Your trip will begin at the meeting point located at Skaftafell Airport terminal. Look for a minivan marked with Ice Walkers logo or ask for us at the airport’s reception. Your guide will be waiting for you there and before the tour starts he will hand you over the gear which you will use on the glacier – a pair of crampons, ice axe, helmet and a safety harness are a must on this tour. After making sure that everyone is well equipped the tour will start with a 15 minutes drive to the glacier terminus. The last section is a rough 4×4-only mountain road. On the way the guide will introduce you to this otherworldly landscape, by explaining the formation of glaciers and answering any questions you might have.

Before stepping on the ice you will be thoroughly instructed on using the gear and the safety rules on the glacier. This can take up to 15 minutes, because the guide needs to make sure everyone will be safe and comfortable throughout the whole tour. Then your real adventure will begin – you will set off to cross the entire glacier, climb up its imposing icefall, navigate sharp ice ridges and deep cravesses, possibly with a use of ropes and peek down into deep moulins. Your goal will be to feel the remoteness of the place, therefore you will hike further than regular paths go. There are no designated routes higher up on the glacier, so your guide will make sure to find a safe way into the unknown where you can truly explore in peace and quiet. The terrain should be challenging, but you will take your time to learn how to tackle it under the guide’s watchful eye. At one of the high points of the hike you will make a lunch break and enjoy the views while resting and eating. Please note: lunch is not included, you should bring your own.

The way back will take you down the glacier, but this time you will already find it easy, because you’ve mastered the glacier hiking techniques. After around 6 hours from the departure you will be back at the departure point saying goodbye to your guide and sharing photos you took with your fellow travelers.

We provide all necessary safety gear, including crampons, ice axe, harness and a helmet.

As it comes to weather-related clothing our motto on the glacier is “hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”. The conditions in Iceland can change really quickly especially on the glacier and the temperature there tends to be lower than on the coast. You should dress in warm and comfortable hiking layers. In the winter expect negative temperatures can be expected with possibility of snow and rain (sometimes both). Therefore rain gear, hat and gloves, are always a must, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen at the same time in case of unexpected, but beloved sunny weather.

You will be wearing crampons, so please make sure you bring  stiff and ankle-covering hiking boots. This tour includes some scrambling and sometimes basic ice climbing therefore stiff boots are absolutely mandatory. As much as we try to avoid it, inappropriate footwear may exclude you from participating in the tour if the crampons won’t work well with it. You can rent hiking boots from us for an extra fee.

We’re always happy to advise you, so please contact us if you need assistance with any of the recommended gear.

Food and drinks are not included on the tour, so you should bring your own to survive the day. As it is a long tour there will be time for a lunch break at one of the scenic points on the glacier. Water on the glacier is drinkable and usually plentiful, so it’s enough to bring a small bottle to fill it up.