Glacier Hiking in Iceland: What You Need to Know

Iceland’s glaciers cover approximately 11% of the country’s surface area. Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier by volume, alone covers 8,100km². Several of these glaciers have outlet tongues accessible by road, making Iceland one of the easiest places in the world to walk on a glacier without specialist experience.

One non-negotiable rule: Never walk on a glacier without a qualified guide. Crevasse danger is real and glaciers change constantly.

Best Glaciers for Hiking

Sólheimajökull (South Coast)

The most accessible glacier for visitors based in Reykjavík. An outlet of Mýrdalsjökull, approximately 165km east of Reykjavík near Vík. The glacier terminus is a 15-minute walk from the car park.

Operators: Arcanum Glacier Tours (arcanum.is) and Arctic Adventures (adventures.is) both run guided walks from the car park.

• 3-hour glacier walk: approximately ISK 9,900–12,500 adult
• Ice climbing: approximately ISK 14,900–18,000 adult
• Year-round tours

The glacier surface has been significantly affected by melt in recent years — blue ice sections and moulins (vertical shafts in the ice) are dramatic to see.

Skaftafellsjökull (Vatnajökull National Park)

In the Skaftafell area near Höfn. A broad, relatively accessible glacier outlet from Vatnajökull. Multiple operators based at the Skaftafell visitor centre.

Guide to Iceland / Local Guide: 3-hour walks approximately ISK 10,500–13,500 adult. Longer 5–6 hour hikes available.

The Skaftafell area also includes the famous Svartifoss waterfall (surrounded by basalt columns), a short hike from the car park.

Falljökull (Vatnajökull)

Adjacent to Skaftafellsjökull. Less visited but dramatic ice formations.

Langjökull (West Iceland)

Iceland’s second-largest glacier, accessible from the Golden Circle area (approximately 2.5 hours from Reykjavík). Into the Glacier (intotheglacier.is) has built a man-made tunnel into the ice, accessible by snowmobile tour.

• Into the Glacier Ice Cave: Approximately ISK 10,900–16,900 adult depending on package. Year-round.
• Snowmobile tours: Approximately ISK 19,900–24,900 adult. Year-round.

Vatnajökull Multi-Day Expeditions

For experienced hikers, multi-day traverses of Vatnajökull are possible. Icelandic Mountain Guides (mountainguides.is) runs guided expeditions from 2 days to a full crossing. Prices from approximately ISK 45,000–80,000 per person depending on length and group size. Requires reasonable fitness and cold-weather camping experience.

Equipment Provided vs Bring Yourself

Most operators provide:

• Crampons (attached to your boots)
• Ice axes
• Helmets
• Harnesses (for ice climbing tours)

You provide:

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support (essential — the guides will tell you if your footwear is unsuitable)
• Warm, waterproof outer layers (jacket and trousers)
• Warm mid-layers (fleece, insulated jacket)
• Gloves and hat

Footwear note: Crampons are strapped to your existing boots. Soft-sole shoes, trainers, and low-cut shoes are not suitable. If you only have unsuitable footwear, some operators rent boots.

What to Expect

Introductory glacier walks are physically accessible to most adults in reasonable health. You’ll spend 2–3 hours walking on the glacier surface, guided to sections with dramatic formations — blue ice, crevasses (viewed from safe distances), moulins, and seracs. The guide explains glacial geology and current retreat rates throughout.

Weather permitting: wear sunglasses (glacier glare is strong), apply sunscreen even on overcast days.

Glacier Retreat

Iceland’s glaciers are retreating. Sólheimajökull has retreated approximately 1km since the 1930s, losing hundreds of metres per decade in recent years. The tours themselves won’t change in the short term, but what you see on the glacier surface — melt ponds, exposed rock, crevasse patterns — is a live record of climate change in an accessible form.

Browse glacier hiking tours in Iceland — guided hikes on Skaftafell, Sólheimajökull, and Vatnajökull with all equipment included.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

Compare car hire in Iceland — a 4WD or campervan gives the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Related Guides

• Ice caves in Iceland — Natural glacier ice caves accessible in winter with guided tours
• Skaftafell guide — The national park area in southeast Iceland with multiple glacier access points
• Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — The famous calving glacier lagoon near Höfn