Skaftafell 3-Hours Glacier Hike | Private Tour
Experience one of Iceland's most popular outdoor activities. Join us on this glacier walk tour, into the magnificent ice-world of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you stunning scenery and astonishing ice formations
Duration
3 hours
Highlights
✓ Views of Ice Formations ✓ Small group experience ✓ Hike on Vatnajökull glacier ✓ A taste of pure glacier water
Included
✓ All necessary glacier equipment ✓ Certified Glacier Guide ✓ A taste of pure glacier water ✓ Small group experience
Tour Description
Grab your hiking boots and get ready, because you’re going on an expedition onto Falljökull glacier in Skaftafell, Iceland. On this comprehensive glacier tour, you’ll learn the basics of glacier hiking and rope work, and your guide will teach you all you want to know about the massive natural phenomena on which you’ll be hiking. You will be provided with all the necessary equipment and get to exercise beforehand in a comfortable and safe environment. This tour is for anyone seeking to experience one of the natural wonders of the world. You’ll meet your guide in the Skaftafell information centre parking lot, and a short 15-minute drive takes you to the tip of the glacier tongue. Falljökull is part of Skaftafell, the highest mountain range in Iceland. The country’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, marks the very top of this glacial giant which in recent times leapt into fame after starring in movies and TV shows, such as Game of Thrones and Oblivion. Once you reach the icecap, you’ll have plenty of time to marvel at the glacier and take in the lonesome howl of the frosty wilderness that gives you and your fellow hikers the feeling of being alone in a vast, empty world of ice and snow; you’ll view massive blocks of millennia-old ice, created when oxygen bubbles are trapped in the snow and compressed by the enormous weight of the glacier; you’ll be able to gaze deep into a glacier moulin, a vertical shaft that can go all the way to the bottom of the glacier, and on a clear day, you’ll see Hvannadalshnjúkur and the vast glacier sand expanses that are said to be the largest in the world. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the lunar ice formations and crevasses of Falljökull glacier.
General Information
All year
About 3 hours
Easy
12
8 years old
✓ All necessary glacier equipment
✓ Certified Glacier Guide
✓ A taste of pure glacier water
✓ Small group experience
✓ Pick up from Reykjavík
• Warm clothing (first layer)
• Waterproof clothing (second layer)
• Good hiking shoes (hard on the sole and tight around the ankle) (available to rent when booking)
• Gloves and a hat
• Minimum age is 8 years old
• Please note that since May 1st, 2019, the meeting point is be at Skaftafell Terminal Tour Center by the main road. You can look up “Skaftafell Terminal” on Google Maps to find the exact location and driving directions or click here: https://goo.gl/maps/rogvdrahzKx
• Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities. Once it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, leaving you cold.
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 48 hours or less before the event.
Photos
Meeting Point
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 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 5 hours in good road conditions. 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 outdoor jacket and pants, hiking boots with high ankle protection, a hat and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket and pants 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 outdoor trips as they become very heavy and cold when they get wet.
Do I need hiking boots?
We encourage bringing hiking boots for glacier tours. They have to have hard on the sole and be tight around the ankle. If you don’t have them, we have them available for rent in all sizes while booking or at the glacier hike location for ISK 1,500 per pair with cash or card.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. You have to be able to walk for about an hour up and down on slopes and uneven surface. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance for 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.
How does weather affect my tour?
Wind and rain are common in Iceland, in addition to snow in the winter, but we do not let challenging weather 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 jacket and pants as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority, in case of extreme weather or road conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule your booking at a further date or provide a full refund.
Skaftafell
5 hours
10 
All Year
