Skaftafell Glacier Hike
Walk on the ice of the Skaftafell Glacier with certified guide and equipment included
Briefing
The glacier area of Skaftafell Nature Reserve is located 4:30 hours drive from the city of Reykjavik and is part of the Vatnajokull National Park named after the largest glacier in Europe: the Vatnajökull glacier. If your trip to Iceland passes through the South Coast, the Skaftafell Glacier will be a mandatory stop on your itinerary.
With the Skaftafell Glacier Hike tour, you will walk for 1 or 3 hours on top of the ice with a certified glacier guide.
The tour includes all the equipment you need for safe glacier trekking: crampons, ice axe, helmet, and climbing harness. If you need it, you can also add it to your reservation as extra mountain shoes, jacket and/or waterproof pants. And what's more, a little bonus! At the end of the tour, hot coffee and Icelandic chocolates will be waiting for you.
This guided ice hiking tour on the Skaftafell Glacier departs all year round and has daily departures. You just have to decide which option best suits your needs:
- The 3-hour Tour: easy to moderate difficulty with which you will walk for one hour on the ice.
- The 5-hour Tour: from moderate to demanding difficulty with which you will walk for three hours on the ice.
Tour details
Included
- Crampons
- Piolet
- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- Coffee and chocolates
- Certified glacier guide (English speaking)
Not included
- Mountain footwear (available as an extra)
- Waterproof jacket (available as an extra)
- Waterproof pants (available as an extra)
- Other meals
- Water
Important information
Skaftafell Glacier Trekking 3 hours Tour
- If you book the "OPTION 1 Skaftafell Glacier Trek 3 hours" the total duration of the tour will be 3 hours and you will walk for about an hour on the glacier ice.
- The minimum age to participate in this excursion is 8 years old, and the minimum shoe size to participate is EU 34.
Skaftafell Glacier Trekking 5 hours Tour
- If you book the "OPTION 2 Skaftafell Glacier Trek 5 hours" the total duration of the tour will be 5 hours and you will walk for approximately three hours on the glacier ice.
- The minimum age to participate in this tour is 12 years old, and the minimum shoe size is EU 34.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be made.
Tour itinerary
OPTION 1 Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3 hours Tour
Difficulty level: easy to moderate 🟢
Total tour duration: 3 hours
Time on the glacier: 1 hour
Minimum age: 8 years old
Group size: 12 travelers
Skaftafell Terminal
You will go to the meeting point located at the Skaftafell terminal, where the group will gather and meet your guide. The 3-hour Skaftafell Glacier Trekking has several starting times, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs, according to availability and season, in the booking form.
Here the guide will give you all the necessary equipment for the glacier hike: ice axe, crampons, harness, and helmet.
Skaftafell Glacier Parking
Once the group is assembled, you will board a minibus that will take you to the glacier parking lot in just 20 minutes. From there, you will walk for 20 minutes until you reach the edge of the ice. The guide will teach you how to put on your crampons and give you a safety talk on how to use all the equipment.
The level of this hike is easy to moderate (suitable for anyone in good physical condition) and you will spend about an hour walking on top of the glacier ice. Be sure to wear sturdy, waterproof boots so that you can attach your crampons to them properly.
Skaftafell Glacier Hike
You will start the hike on the Falljökull glacier, one of the most magical and mysterious outcrops of the Vatnajökull glacier known as "the falling glacier".
You will walk for about an hour on the glacier ice and discover the natural wonders it hides: deep crevasses on the surface, vertical shafts in the ice formed by melting water, or impressive ice tunnels. The guide will tell you in detail the history of the glacier and how the ice is formed on top of the mountains.
Back to the Skaftafell Terminal
The deeper you go into the ice, the more you will be amazed. After about an hour you will return following the steps of your guide to the Skaftafell Glacier parking lot where the minibus will be waiting for you with hot coffee and chocolates. After 20 minutes you will arrive back at the Skaftafell terminal, putting an end to this glacier adventure in Iceland.
OPTION 2 Skaftafell Glacier Hike 5 hours Tour
Difficulty level: moderate to demanding 🟠
Total tour duration: 5 hours
Time on glacier: 3 hours
Minimum age: 12 years old
Group size: 10 travelers
Skaftafell Terminal
You will go to the meeting point located at the Skaftafell terminal, where the group will gather and meet your guide. The 5-Hour Skaftafell Glacier Trekking also has several starting times, and you can choose the one that best suits you on the booking form.
The guide will give you all the necessary equipment for the glacier hike: ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet.
Skaftafell Glacier Parking
You will board the minibus that will take you to the glacier parking lot in 20 minutes. From there, you will walk for 20 minutes to the ice edge of the Falljökull glacier, an overhang of the Skaftafell glacier translated as "the falling glacier". The guide will teach you how to put on your crampons and give you a safety talk on how to use all the equipment.
The level of this hike is moderate to demanding and you will spend approximately three hours walking on top of the glacier ice. Be sure to wear sturdy, waterproof boots so that you can attach your crampons to them properly. If you do not have them, you can add them as an extra to your reservation.
Hiking on the Skaftafell glacier
Start the route on ice. The formations you will see as you cross this area will leave you speechless. Cracks, vertical shafts and fissures. If you travel in winter (December to March), you will be able to poke your head into the ice tunnels that will show you the bluish interior of the ice.
Your glacier adventure will continue until you reach an icefall. As you will be climbing quite high, you will be able to see incredible views of Skaftafell National Park.
You will only be able to reach this point if you select OPTION 2 Skaftafell Glacier Trek 5 hours in your reservation. If you want to know all the differences between the 3 and 5-hour tours, we tell you here!
Return to the Skaftafell Terminal.
After spending about 3 hours discovering this immense glacier with your guide, your adventure will come to an end. You will return to the vehicle where a good hot coffee and Icelandic chocolates will be waiting for you, and after recharging your batteries and warming up, you will be taken back to the Skaftafell Terminal where you will say goodbye to the guide and this incredible glacier experience in Iceland.
What to bring to Skaftafell Glacier Hike
It is very important to be dressed and equipped according to the weather conditions. The temperature on the glacier will always be a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell terminus, and much windier due to the higher altitude. It is not recommended to do a glacier trekking with jeans, as once wet, they take a long time to dry. From Howlanders, we recommend you to bring
- Warm clothes according to the temperature.
- Inner layer: wool or synthetic T-shirt.
- Insulating layer: polyester sweatshirt/fleece sweatshirt / down jacket
- Outer layer: waterproof jacket and pants (available as extra)
- Hiking pants / fleece-lined pants
- Socks (wool/hiking)
- Waterproof and hard-soled hiking boots (available as extra)
- Small hiking backpack that fits well on your back
- Hat
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Snacks
Where does the tour Skaftafell Glacier Hike start
The Skaftafell Glacier Trek starts and ends at the Skaftafell Terminal and does not include the transfer to Skaftafell. Driving from Reykjavik to Skaftafell will take you approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Skaftafell National Reserve, you can leave your vehicle parked at the Skaftafell Terminal (the meeting point), which offers free parking and has public toilets.
Questions & Answers
What is the group size for the Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
The Skaftafell Glacier Trekking is done only in small groups. OPTION 1 - 3 hours tour is done in groups of 12 travelers and a guide. And OPTION 2 - 5 hours tour is done in groups of 10 travelers and a guide.
What is the exact meeting point to start the Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
The meeting point is at the Skaftafell terminal. In the booking confirmation, you will be provided with all the exact details to find the meeting point easily.
How difficult is the glacier ascent of the 3-hour Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
This glacier hike is considered easy to moderate and is suitable for anyone in good physical condition. If you are able to walk for approximately 1 hour up and 1 hour down on uneven surfaces, there should be no problem. In addition, you will hike with safety equipment and a certified professional glacier guide who will assist you at all times. If you still have specific questions about this glacier tour, please contact us.
How difficult is the 5-hour glacier ascent on the Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
This is a moderate to difficult level hike, and it is essential to be in good shape and have previous hiking experience to be able to do it.
How should I dress during the Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
The temperature on the glacier will always be a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell terminus, and much windier due to the higher altitude. You should bring warm clothing appropriate to the temperature, waterproof outer layer (pants and jacket) and waterproof hiking boots with hard soles so you can attach crampons to them. If you do not have a waterproof jacket, pants and/or hiking boots you can add them as an extra to your reservation. It is not possible to trek on the glacier wearing jeans or denim.
Can I cancel my Skaftafell Glacier Trekking tour reservation due to weather conditions?
Wind, rain and snow are characteristic of Iceland's extreme weather, so the tour is not usually cancelled due to this as the guides are prepared to work in these conditions. However, in the event of extreme weather conditions that prevent the tour from being conducted under the necessary safety measures, an alternative date or a full refund will be offered.
How long does the Skaftafell Glacier Hike last?
The Skaftafell Glacier Trekking has two durations available. OPTION 1 - 3 hour tour is easy to moderate difficulty and you will walk one hour on the ice. OPTION 2 - 5 hour tour is of moderate to demanding difficulty and you will walk three hours on the ice.
Do I have to carry food and drink in my backpack?
Yes, we definitely recommend you to bring snacks and water in your backpack, especially if you book the 5 hour tour. Also, as you can see in the pictures, some travelers like to bring their own liquor or other small alcoholic beverage to drink on ice at the top of the glacier while enjoying the views.
What is a glacier or glacial formation?
Glaciers form when too much snow accumulates in the mountains over many years and not enough melts. The snow becomes incredibly heavy over time, and begins to compress under its own weight, eventually turning into glacial ice. Approximately 50 meters of snow is compressed into 1 meter of ice.
How fast does a glacier melt in Iceland?
Some glaciers have already lost 15 to 50% of their ice since 2000.
Do glaciers in Iceland grow during the winter?
Icelandic winters are no longer cold enough for the glaciers to grow. During the winter months, the glaciers tend to remain the same size as it is not warm enough for them to grow, while during the summer months the glaciers melt at high speed.
Can I do a glacier trekking in Reykjavík?
The Skaftafell Glacier Trek starts and ends at the Skaftafell Terminal, about 4 hours and 30 minutes drive from Reykjavík. The closest glacier hike we offer from Reykjavík is on the glacier, Sólheimajökull, a 2 hour drive from Reykjavík. Its location will allow you to make the round trip from Reykjavík in the same day. Book the tour here.
What is the minimum age for the Skaftafell Glacier Hike?
The minimum age for the 3 hours Skaftafell Glacier Trekking is 8 years old, while the minimum age for the 5 hours Skaftafell Glacier Trekking is 12 years old. If you are traveling with children under 8 or 12 years old, please contact us and we will inform you about the activities available in Iceland to do with children.
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