Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
Tour Description
Come on this comprehensive ice climbing and glacier hiking tour, perfect for those seeking that extra bit of thrill. The only thing you need to bring is patience and endurance to climb to the top of a glacial ice wall on Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Your glacier guide will introduce you to the basics of ice climbing and much more!
We will take you to an outlet glacier part of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull glacier, where you will be able to experience the breathtaking views to the ice covered highest peaks of Iceland rising more than 2,000 metres (6,500 ft) over your helmet. These glaciers and their spectacular landscape has been scenery for dozens of movies like James Bond, Interstellar and Game of Thrones.
Your highly qualified glacier guide will provide you with all the equipment you need: hiking boots, crampons, ice axes, harnesses and helmets. Then you will enter the troll bus and drive for about 10 minutes to the parking of the glacier. From there it’s only a 15 minutes walk to the edge of the ice where your guide will show you how to put on the crampons.
Since the glacier is impermanent and ever changing your guide often has to scout out each time a new crevasse or moulin for your climbing session, avoiding the potential crowds on the glacier as well. Your guide will install massive ice screw and attach a safety rope before you climb up the ice wall or rappel into a crevasse and climb up again. This will be an adventure of a lifetime.
You will also spend some time hiking on the glacier to see the ice formations in the area such as crevasses, deep cracks in the surface of the glacier, and so called moulins, often vertical shafts in the ice which are formed by melting water finding it’s way into fissures and cracks. In the wintertime, it is often possible to peek into small ice tunnels and capture the beautiful blue heart of the ice.
You will stay about 3 hours on the glacier itself.
Skaftafell
All Year
4 Hours
Meet on location
Medium
Highlight Of The Tour
What’s Included
Available Add-ons
Rent a jacket to keep you dry
Rent pants to keep you dry
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 (first layer) • Waterproof outdoor clothing (second layer) • Gloves and hat • Joy and happiness!
Medium Clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in. They must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions
No — participation is not recommended at any stage of pregnancy. This tour includes technical ice climbing and glacier hiking with crampons, which involve physical strain, vertical climbing, and safety equipment that may not be suitable or safe during pregnancy. Due to the risk of falls, harness pressure, and remote conditions, we do not allow or advise participation for pregnant individuals at any stage.
We highly recommend that you arrive at our meeting point 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. Please note that if you arrive after departure time, your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed or refunded.
The meeting point is in Google Maps as Troll Expeditions Skaftafell. There you can find the exact location and driving directions.
Driving time to Skaftafell from Reykjavík is around 5 hours in good road conditions.
Click on the map for the exact location and directions.
At least 12 years old
• All day tours can be cancelled up to 24 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 24 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.
Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities. Once it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, leaving you cold.
The temperature on the glacier is just a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell Terminal; however, it is 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
Wish you a magical hike!