Skaftafell 3 hours Glacier Hike- Private Group
Tour Description
This tour offers a chance to explore Falljökull, a dramatically carved outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Highlights include a guided 3-hour hike on the ice, witnessing spectacular features like deep crevasses, vertical moulins (ice tunnels), and massive ice falls. Guests will see evidence of the glacier's recession and deformation of the bedrock, along with a glimpse of ancient blue ice. All necessary safety gear, including crampons and ice axe, is provided by a qualified glacier guide.
Join this guided glacier hike to explore the magnificent Falljökull (the "Falling Glacier"), an impressive outlet of the vast Vatnajökull ice cap in Southeast Iceland. You will meet your guide at the base in Höf (near Skaftafell) 20 minutes before departure.
After receiving all necessary equipment—crampons, helmet, and ice axe—you will take a shared 15-minute shuttle bus ride, followed by a 20-minute walk to reach the ice. This initial walk highlights the rapid retreat of the glacier, showing the newly exposed land and the surrounding moss line where the ice once stood.
Once on the ice, your guide will provide a safety briefing and teach you how to walk correctly with crampons. The hike is rated as not technically hard, but can be steep and rocky, requiring some physical strength. Over the 3-hour hike, you will navigate the dramatically carved ice landscape, viewing features such as deep crevasses (cracks caused by ice movement), smooth moulins (vertical shafts), and areas containing glacier mice (unique moss balls). The high elevation often provides beautiful, windy views over the surrounding mountains. Your guide will also explain the immense scale of Vatnajökull, which covers 9% of Iceland, and the serious impact of global warming on the world's glaciers.
Feel free to contact Tröll customer service for any questions on info@troll.is or call +354 519 5544 if you wish to book a Private Tour
Skaftafell
All Year
3 Hours
Meet on location
Easy to moderate
Highlight Of The Tour
What’s Included
Available Add-ons
Rent a jacket to keep you dry
Rent pants to keep you dry
Rent shoes for keeping your ankles safe to prevent injuries
Buy our Troll Beanie and Gloves to feel part of our winter Trolls and keep you warm in the Icelandic cold
Buy our Troll Neck-warmer to feel part of our winter Trolls and and protect your face from cold wind
Buy our Troll Summer-Cap to feel part of our summer Trolls and protect yourself from the sun
Frequently Asked Questions
Warm clothes
- Inner layer – Shirt / T-shirt (wool or synthetic)
- Insulating layer – Polyester Sweater / Fleece Sweater / Insulated Down Jacket
- Outer layer – Waterproof jacket and pants (can be rented from Tröll)
- Hiking pants / fleece pants
- Socks (wool / hiking)
- Hiking / Climbing boots (can be rented from Tröll)
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small water bottle
Easy to Moderate Clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in. They must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions
- Up to 6 months pregnant: Yes, you may join at your own discretion. This is an easy-level glacier hike, but you'll still need to walk with crampons on ice for an extended period. Please assess your own physical condition and balance. Our certified glacier guides will walk you through the terrain, duration, and physical demands so you can decide on-site if you're fit to participate.
- 7 months pregnant or more: For safety reasons, we do not allow participation in glacier hikes once you are 7 months pregnant or further along.
Look up Troll Expeditions Skaftafell on Google Maps - be there 20 minutes before the departure time
The minimum age for this tour is 8 years, and the minimum shoe size to be able to participate in the tour is EU 34
• All private tours can be cancelled up to 72 hours from the departure time by sending a written email to info@troll.is. You will receive a full refund except the 3% card fee. All cancellations requested less than 72 hours from the departure time are non refundable. • In the case of cancellation of the tour by the operator because of extreme weather, road conditions, or other factors, we will assist you with rebooking to another date or booking other activities when possible or provide a full refund.
The temperature on the glacier is just a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell Terminal, however much more windy due to a higher elevation.
Find the weather information here
Feel free to contact Tröll customer service for any questions on info@troll.is or call +354 519 5544
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Sólheimajökull
Meet on location
Medium
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