Glacier Hike: Explore Vatnajokull's Wonders

Embark on a 5-hour glacier trekking expedition with a licensed glacier guide. The hike takes place on an outlet glacier linked to the enormous Vatnajokull glacier. Your official guide will share captivating details about the glacier’s creation and past. This tour is conducted in small groups, ensuring an intimate experience.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Skaftafell - Our Glacier Explorer tour takes you to Falljökull, one of the outlets glaciers of the Vatnajökull ice cap. You will hike through a path surrounded by the ever changing landscape carved out by the glacier. Once you arrive at the tongue of the glacier your guide will assist you to gear up on crampons and you will be exploring the…
What's Included
  • Certified Glacier Guide
  • Small Group Guarantee
  • Glacier Gear Included
  • Guided Glacier Hike
What's Not Included
  • No Food included
  • Sturdy hiking boots are required for this tour (available to rent for a fee if needed)
Additional Information
  • Age limit is 14 years old
  • Food is not included so we recommend that you bring packed lunch with you
  • Hiking boots with ankle support are required
  • Warm clothes, head-wear and gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Note that waterproof pants, waterproof jacket and hiking boots can be rented at the meeting point for a small fee.
Location
Arctic Adventures (Skaftafell Base Camp)
The tour departs from the Arctic Adventures Booking Hut, located on the parking lot of Skaftafell National Park. Skaftafell National Park is located just off of the main ring road, on road #998. Skaftafell is approximately 4.5-5 hours east of Reykjavik and 1.5 hours west of Höfn.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(127 Ratings)
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Klausbi5841av
Jun 7, 2025
Genial - The tour is definitely recommended. Our guide Michal has guided us great and given the appropriate step recommendations for the corresponding difficulties. Because of the small group he always has time to take the photos. So you don't have to take selfies. He also showed us the beautiful spots in the glacier and gave a lot of information about the area. The 3h were almost over too fast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
870karlg
Jun 6, 2025
Glacier Explorer - Moderate Glacier Hike in Skaftafell - Fantastic adventure. So glad we went for the longer hike (Glacier Explorer). Our guide was knowledgable, friendly and supportive. Despite the rain had a wonderful time on the glacier seeing crevasses, deep moulins and even drinking glacial water. The colours of the glacier were amazing. Felt very safe with Arctic Adventures as all the safety equipment was porvided.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brittany_m
May 30, 2025
I’m on a glacier!! - Absolutely loved this experience!! Daniel our guide was very knowledgeable and very helpful! We got lucky and it was abnormal warm when we were on the glacier so we got to hike it optimal conditions! The initial ascent and final descent was a little slick but once we got properly on the glacier the spikes and boots really allowed for a firm grip on the ice! Felt very safe and secure in the gear provided. Daniel was diligent in insuring the gear was on and fit properly with every member of the group! He was also very good about explaining how and why we had to do things a certain way while on the glacier! He also had great photo skills. He got some amazing shots of me and my friends on the glacier, we appreciate it so much! Start to finish a great experience! I may of missed it on the info about the hike but would recommend bringing hiking boots with ankle support. Two of us had low to no ankle support hiking shoes so we had to rent boots ( which were cheap to rent and good quality) but just not being your own can lead to some hot spots and blisters afterwards!
Review provided by Viator
K7378ekwalterg
Apr 27, 2025
Overall an amazing experience! - My girlfriend and I went on a 5-hour glacier tour to Jökulsárlón Glacier with Arctic Adventures on April 25, 2025. The weather that day was quite messy, with heavy rain throughout, but we immediately noticed how professional the Arctic Adventures team was. They were constantly tracking the weather to ensure our safety, which was very reassuring. We were provided with all the necessary equipment, including ice axes, crampons, and helmets. Another clear sign of their strong risk management was that everyone received harnesses, to be used in case of emergency (fortunately, we never needed them!). Our guide, Lucie, was absolutely fantastic. She took the time to explain not only how to navigate the glacier safely but also taught us about the glacier itself and its different features. She had a wonderfully positive energy and was always evaluating the weather conditions, skillfully adapting the tour to make it both fun and safe for everyone. Lucie led the group with a big ice axe, using it to break the ice when needed, making it easier for us to continue our adventure. She even brought extra gloves for anyone whose own got too wet — just another example of her experience and thoughtful preparation. Lucie was clearly a highly qualified guide with an uplifting and enthusiastic attitude. We highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience a glimpse of what navigating a glacier environment feels like!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Manonc895
Apr 23, 2025
Amazing - Excellent tour, super nice vibes. You can see when someone is passionate about his/her work which was the case of Sara our guide! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wu_s
Mar 8, 2025
Highly recommended if you come to iceland - Highly recommend. Our guide Darren is so nice and he tells us lots about the glacier. You can borrow the shoes which more safe for the hiking. He take care all of the group mate and try to satisfy all of our requirements. He also give many patient on it. It is the most memorable experience I ever have.
Review provided by Viator
Cfconnor
Mar 7, 2025
Highlight of the trip - The glacier hike was one of the things I was looking forward to the most in Iceland and it surpassed my expectations. Our guide Sarah was incredible. She was fun and informative and had safety at the forefront at all times. She paced the activity and experience to the skill level of the group. We did the moderate hike which was about 4.5-5 hrs actually on the glacier. I was nervous about the physicality of the tour as a 35 y/o female with a prior knee injury who is not completely out of shape but also not a regular gym goer (albeit with prior winter hiking experience), but I found it very doable overall. This tour allowed us to get to areas that felt more secluded and got to experience more variety in the features of the glacier than the basic tours allow. If you're on the fence at all, definitely worth it in my opinion to do the longer hike. Truly one of the coolest things I have ever done and highlight of the trip for me!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colleen_c
Mar 7, 2025
Truly one of the coolest... - Truly one of the coolest experiences of my life. Our guide Sarah was informative, professional, and fun and felt extremely safe the entire hike. We did the moderate hike which was about 6.5 hours in total with about 4.5-5 hrs of that on Falljokul glacier. In comparison to the easy tour, in addition to the longer tour, you travel further up the glacier and are more secluded from other groups which was cool and get closer to the ice falls and see more of the geography of the glacier. We were able to explore a newly opened crevice which was is located on the lower half of the glacier and accessible on the "easy" tours. Definitely felt like I got a work out in, but overall such an amazing experience and can't recommend enough!
Review provided by Viator
Anjali
Feb 10, 2025
Glacier Hike - We did the Glacier Explorer Hike. Def would consider this a moderate hike. Some more challenging elements, but plenty of time to really enjoy your surroundings and catch your breath if needed. We were truly lucky to have fantastic weather and a great guide - Darragh. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X1663jblisaa
Feb 8, 2025
Awesome - Thank you Jay, awesome day on the glacier, very professional, knowledgeable and caring. A truly unforgettable experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $164
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).