Skaftafell National Park: Glacier Hikes, Waterfalls & Wild Trails
Skaftafell is a scenic wilderness area located about 330 kilometers (205 miles) east of Reykjavík, roughly a 4.5 to 5-hour drive along Iceland’s stunning South Coast. Now part of Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell is known for its dramatic landscapes shaped by glaciers, volcanic activity, and centuries of erosion — a place where black sand plains meet lush birch forests and towering glacial tongues spill down from Europe’s largest ice cap. Despite its remote setting, Skaftafell is a well-developed base for outdoor activities like hiking, glacier tours, and nature photography, making it a must-visit stop on any South Iceland itinerary.
Glacier Hikes Near Skaftafell
Glacier hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Skaftafell region, with most tours taking place on the striking outlet glaciers Falljökull and Virkisjökull—both part of the mighty Vatnajökull ice cap. Skaftafell, Hof and Freysnes are the most common meeting points for guided glacier tours near Skaftafell. These tours will range from easy two- to three-hour excursions to longer, more adventurous treks.
Falljökull, known as the “Falling Glacier,” is especially popular for its dramatic icefalls and ever-changing formations, while Virkisjökull offers sweeping views and a more peaceful setting with fewer crowds. Tours are led by certified glacier guides and include all necessary equipment, making it easy and safe for visitors of all experience levels to explore this stunning frozen landscape.
Popular Skaftafell Glacier Tours
Skaftafell Nature Reserve is one of the best places in Iceland for glacier hiking thanks to its accessibility, safety, and stunning surroundings. Located within Vatnajökull National Park, it sits right next to several outlet glaciers, especially Falljökull and Virkisjökull, which are ideal for guided hikes. These glaciers are relatively stable and easy to reach without long or difficult approaches, making them suitable for both first-timers and experienced hikers.
Guided hikes on Falljökull and Virkisjökull are run in all seasons, with special ice cave hikes being available from October to April (depending on conditions).
Explore the ever-changing ice formations of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, on a guided walk. This tour gives you a close look at a landscape shaped by ice, where conditions shift from season to season. Depending on the time of year, you may walk into crevasses,or see ice features from above as the surface changes in summer. Your guide may also point out interesting details like glacier-shaped formations or patches of “glacier mice,” small moss balls found on the ice.
Skaftafell
Meet on location
Easy to moderate
3 HoursEmbark on a longer and more in-depth glacier hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. This extended tour takes you higher onto the ice, where you can explore more remote terrain and enjoy wide panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 5 HoursTake on our most adventurous glacier tour, a full-day journey that takes you deeper onto the ice than any of our other hikes. This experience gives you access to remote terrain and the dramatic landscapes surrounding Europe’s largest glacier.
Skaftafell Meet on location Challenging 6 hoursJoin an unforgettable adventure on Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, located in the beautiful Skaftafell area. The highlight of this tour is the chance to step inside a naturally formed blue ice cave, an experience very few people ever get to have.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 4 HoursSkaftafell Combo Tours
Glacier hikes are ideal to combine with tours that run from Jökulsárlón. The driving time from Skaftafell to Jökulsárlón is about 45 minutes, making those two attractions ideal for same day stops. From Hof, where the Troll meeting point for Skaftafell tours is located, the driving time to Jökulsárlón is even shorter, only 30 minutes.
During summer, a Skaftafell glacier hike and glacier kayaking is an ideal combination for those seeking activities. Glacier hikes on Falljökull also come with a Ice Climbing combo in one tour. Highly recommended for the adventurous.
This tour offers a thrilling combination of glacier hiking and ice climbing on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Highlights include using specialized gear (crampons, harness, and twin ice axes) to climb a secure ice wall or crevasse face, spending approximately 3 hours on the ice, and exploring dramatic ice features like moulins and crevasses in the stunning mountain landscape of the Skaftafell area. No previous climbing experience is required, as expert guides teach you the necessary techniques.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 4 HoursThis full-day combo package offers two essential glacier experiences in Southeast Iceland for maximum adventure. Highlights include a guided kayaking adventure among the icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and an exhilarating glacier hike on a Vatnajökull outlet glacier in Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This tour efficiently pairs two distinct, guided activities—on water and on ice—in one day. All necessary safety gear and instructions for both the kayaking and glacier trekking are provided by certified guides.
Skaftafell & Jökulsárlón 3 Hours + 1.5 Hours Not Included
SummerSkaftafell Private Tours
A private glacier tour on Falljökull offers a more personal, immersive, and flexible experience on one of Iceland’s most scenic outlet glaciers. Unlike large group tours, a private tour allows you to move at your own pace, ask all the questions you want, and explore quieter areas of the glacier with your own expert guide.
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.
Skaftafell Meet on location Easy to moderate 3 HoursThis private, extended 5-hour tour offers an in-depth hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Highlights include spending 3.5 to 4 hours on the ice to explore deeper into the glacier, witnessing a wider variety of features like deep crevasses and moulins (vertical shafts), and gaining wide panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park. This tour is perfect for guests seeking more time and immersion on the ice, with all essential safety gear (crampons, harness, ice axe) provided by your certified guide.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 5 HoursThis private, comprehensive tour offers an intensive 3-hour experience on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Highlights include a dedicated ice climbing session, where you use twin ice axes to scale an ice wall or crevasse face after a guide sets up a safety rope. You will also hike to explore major glacial features like deep crevasses and vertical moulins (ice tunnels). The tour provides all required technical gear (climbing boots, crampons, axes, harness) and offers views of the highest, ice-covered peaks in Iceland.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 4 HoursGlaciers Near Skaftafell
Skaftafell isn’t just next door to glaciers — it’s basically roommates with some of the most dramatic ice formations in the country. These frozen heavyweights may have unpronounceable names, but they more than make up for it by being outrageously photogenic, adventure-ready, and mildly intimidating in the best way.
Falljökull – The Feisty One
Nicknamed the “Falling Glacier” (because it literally tumbles down the mountain), Falljökull is a dynamic beauty—think towering ice walls, deep crevasses, and the kind of scenery that makes your phone storage weep. It’s a top pick for glacier hikes, and you’ll feel like you’re trekking across frozen thunder.
Virkisjökull – The Hidden Gem
Slightly more shy, but no less majestic. Virkisjökull shares its ice cap with Falljökull but is often less crowded, giving you that "I discovered this" explorer buzz. Its dramatic icefall and pristine ridges make it a quiet favorite for guided hikes and glacier photography. Basically, it’s Iceland’s frosty introvert—and we love that.
Svínafellsjökull – The Cinematic One
The Skaftafell area is surrounded by some of the most accessible and impressive outlet glaciers in Iceland, making it a prime destination for glacier exploration. These glaciers—most notably Falljökull, Virkisjökull, and Svínafellsjökull—flow down from the massive Vatnajökull ice cap, Europe’s largest glacier, and are all within easy reach of the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Shaped by centuries of ice movement and volcanic activity, they offer a dramatic landscape of crevasses, icefalls, and striking blue ice formations. Svínafellsjökull, in particular, has gained fame as a filming location for blockbuster movies like Interstellar, Batman Begins, and Game of Thrones, thanks to its otherworldly, frozen terrain. While Svínafellsjökull is currently closed to hikers due to safety concerns, Falljökull and Virkisjökull remain popular for guided glacier tours. Whether you’re joining a hike or simply soaking in the views, the glaciers near Skaftafell provide a breathtaking window into Iceland’s cinematic and geological wonders.
Skaftafell FAQs: You Ask, We Glacially Answer
Planning a trip to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park? Smart move. But before you lace up your waterproof boots and charge your camera, here are some answers to the most common (and occasionally odd) questions travelers ask about this icy playground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Skaftafell is a chunk of southeast Iceland where nature went full overachiever. We're talking glacier tongues, trails that flirt with mountain edges, and waterfalls like Svartifoss that look hand-carved by some moody Norse sculptor. If you're into hiking, ice, or epic photo ops that make your friends jealous, this is your spot.
Roughly 4.5 hours (327 km) from Reykjavík if you’re driving the Ring Road like a responsible adult. It’s wedged between Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Vík — basically halfway between “woah” and “wait, is that a glacier goat?”
So glad you asked. Try this lineup:
- Trekking Falljökull — because walking on ancient moving ice is a normal vacation activity.
- Visiting Svartifoss, the waterfall that looks like it belongs in a gothic cathedral.
- Hiking trails that range from scenic to “I need a breather but it’s worth it.”
- Dropping by the visitor center, where maps, advice, and indoor heating live in harmony.
Totally safe—as long as you’re with a legit guide (like the pros from Troll.is) and not wandering out solo with a selfie stick and poor life choices. Crampons, helmets, and certified guides are part of the deal.
Layer like you’re prepping for a hike on the moon:
- Waterproof hiking boots (not sneakers, not flip-flops, not dreams)
- Thermal layers (base, fleece, and a waterproof outer shell)
- Gloves + warm hat = good life choices
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (because glaciers bounce back sunlight like disco balls)
Gear like crampons, helmets, and axes-that-make-you-feel-cool are provided on the tour.
Skaftafell doesn’t have an off-season — it just has moods. April to October is prime time for glacier hikes and mellow weather. Winter? It’s magic… but also cold, dark, and moody. Like Iceland itself. Plan ahead and pack smart.
Absolutely—if they’re 8+ and have an adventurous streak. Some hikes are family-friendly and perfect for making “Remember when we walked on a glacier?” memories. Just check the difficulty level before you book.
Got More Questions?
Our team of Iceland experts is just a message away. Whether you’re curious about tour details, weather prep, or which adventure suits you best, we’re here to help. Chat with us or Contact our support team and let’s plan your perfect Iceland experience.
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