Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
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!
Duration
~ 4 Hours
Highlights
✓ Hike on Vatnajokull, Europe’s Largest Glacier, ✓ Climb an Ice Wall, ✓ Views of Ice Formations, ✓ Small Group Experience, … and more
Included
✓ Free parking ✓ Guided Glacier Tour, ✓ All Necessary Equipment, ✓ Hiking boots, ✓ English Speaking Certified Glacier Guide, … and more
Tour Description
Are you ready for the ultimate Icelandic ice-cold icy ice climbing adventure? This comprehensive tour is a combination of a glacier hike and ice climbing. It is perfect for everyone as our experienced guides can adapt it to all needs and expectations. Challenge yourself while traveling to Iceland and climb an ice wall with an experienced glacier guide and create memories and photos you can always remember.
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. Follow the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan, Matt Damon, and Jon Snow.
Your highly qualified glacier guide will welcome you at our meeting point in Skaftafell Terminal and he will provide you with all the equipment you need: 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, steel frames which are tied to your hiking boots.
You will stay 150 to 180 minutes on the ice itself and see lots of beautiful features. Since the glacier is impermanent and ever changing your guide often has to scout out a new crevasse or moulin for climbing each time. With this strategy we will be flexible and avoid the crowds on the glacier as well. Your guide will install massive ice screw and attach a rope to them before you climb up the ice wall or even rappelling into a crevasse and climb down again. This will be the adventure of your lifetime.
Never been in an ice cave before? No worries! Our certified guides will teach you all you need to know and have you walking safely in this environment. Safety equipment and briefings are provided before each tour.
Don’t over think it! Book this tour by selecting a date.
General Information
✓ 12:00
✓ 13:00
✓ Moderate
~ 4 Hours
✓ All year
✓ Certified glacier guide
✓ Small group: 6 persons max
✓ Mountaineering boots and crampons
✓ Glacier equipment: ropes, helmet, harness, and ice axe
• Warm clothes (first layer)
• Waterproof clothing (second layer)
• Gloves and hat
• 12 years
• This tour is suitable for both single travelers and families
• Bring a bottle to your tour and collect some pure glacial water.
Photos
Meeting Point
We will see you 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 can’t be guaranteed or refunded.
The meeting point is Skaftafell Terminal by the main road. You can look up “Skaftafell Terminal” on Google Maps to find the exact location and driving directions.
Driving time to Skaftafell from Reykjavík is around 4 hours and 30 minutes. If you arrive early, you can visit Skaftafell Terminal which offers free parking and has restrooms.
Click on the map for the exact location and directions.
FAQ
What should I wear for glacier tours?
Weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. For tours during winter: warm clothing as first layer, waterproof jacket with a hoodie, hiking boots with ankle protection and hard sole, a hat and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket or a soft shell with a hoodie is in most cases enough protection. Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”. Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.
Do I need hiking boots?
For ice climbing tours, boots are included in the price.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
We offer glacier hiking tours in Skaftafell and one in Sólheimajökull. Both locations either easy or moderate in difficulty. Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. If you are fit to walk for about an hour on an uneven surface a glacier hike is for you. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance and some areas of the glacier. We also recommend you remember that we offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be hiking with a professional and certified glacier guide. If you have specific questions regarding one of our glacier tours, feel free to email us.
If I am pregnant, can I join a glacier hike?
This is a personal choice. We have had pregnant women on our glacier hikes and we always recommend you read the description of the activity to get a better idea. In any case, feel free to contact our Service Team for further questions and concerns.
What if it’s raining or snowing?
It rains a lot in Iceland, but we do not let rain stop us from going out and enjoy nature. All we need to do is choose our clothing wisely, which is why we recommend wearing waterproof clothing as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority. In case of extreme weather conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule. In these cases, you’ll receive a full refund.
Skaftafell
~ 3 Hours
12 
All Year
