Are you ready to dive headfirst into the enchanting world of glacier ice? Prepare for an icy escapade filled with wonders, adrenaline-pumping climbs, and unforgettable vistas. This trip will leave you feeling exhilarated and craving more!
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We kick off your glacier extravaganza at the Skaftafell Booking Center, where our certified guides eagerly await to introduce you to this frosty wonderland.
Brace yourself for a short briefing on the tour and safety rules – we make sure our adventurers are both informed and well-prepared. We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, from crampons and ice climbing boots that turn you into an ice-crushing superhero to harnesses, helmets, and ice axes. You'll be kitted out like a true ice explorer!
Once you're suited up and ready to conquer the frozen frontier, buckle up for a thrilling 20-minute drive (12 km) to the car park of the legendary Falljökull glacier. It's here that the real fun begins! Prepare to embark on a scenic hike, ascending about 350 meters in elevation.
Along the way, you'll be greeted by vibrant ice giants and mysterious moulins that plunge deep into the glacier. Get your cameras poised because you want to capture these icy marvels!
Throughout your expedition, our knowledgeable guides will tell the tales of glacier life, sharing their wisdom on the glaciers' rich history and the challenges in today's world. And keep that water bottle handy because let us tell you a little secret – the meltwater from the glacier ice is an absolute treat for your taste buds. Quench your thirst with nature's own refreshment!
But hold onto your crampons because the adventure is far from over.
As our expert guide spots the perfect ice climbing spot, test your mettle by scaling towering ice walls or descending into a crevasse (depending on the conditions). This is your chance to learn some epic climbing techniques while conquering Europe's largest glacier. Talk about reaching new heights!
The entire glacier experience is expected to last around 4.5 to 5 hours, covering 8 kilometers (5 miles) - that leaves ample time to soak in the surrounding beauty and create memories that will chill you to the core.
Once you've conquered the icy kingdom, we'll whisk you back to Skaftafell, where you can return your equipment and begin reflecting on the sheer awesomeness of your glacier adventure.
Meeting point
Departure from Skaftafell booking center (wooden hut with Arctic Adventures logo). Skaftafell is located 327km (203 miles) from Reykjavík. The nearest towns to Skaftafell are Kirkjubæjarklaustur (69km to the west) and Höfn (130km to the east).
Disclaimer
All day trips are undertaken on the responsibility of their participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
Please bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof pants, and a waterproof jacket. Ice-climbing boots are included in the tour so you don't need special hiking boots. You can rent waterproof pants and jackets from us. Simply add these items when booking the tour.
Shoe Size: For safety reasons, crampons are not available for shoe sizes below 35 EU, as they cannot be securely attached to smaller footwear.
Yes, the parking fee depends on your car category.
Category A - Passenger car, 5 seats or less: ISK 750
Category B - Passenger car, 6-9 seats: ISK 1,000
Motorcycles: ISK 300
You can always check the newest fees here.
Skaftafell is located about 330 kilometers from Reykjavík. See map for directions.
Meet on location means traveling to the location of the tour yourself and then meeting our tour guides rather than being picked up and taken to the location.
Iceland is known for its colorful weather. It can sometimes show you all 4 seasons in one day.
Dressing for this sort of weather can be a challenge so we always recommend dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended such as a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment, topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.
Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.
Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are best and then wind/waterproof pants over. We also recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy due to the high UV and sunlight reflecting off of the glacier. If you do not own a waterproof raincoat or trousers you can rent one during the booking process.
Sturdy ice-climbing boots are provided for this tour so you don't need to have or rent any shoes.
We recommend bringing your own backpack on our full day or 1/2 day tours. It’s great to carry a small lunch and some extra clothing.
You can bring your camera along, and you should definitely bring one since the setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.
This is, of course, a personal choice, we have often had pregnant women on our trips. We recommend you take a close look at our trip description and difficulty rating, they will hopefully give you a better idea. It is also good to contact your physician, pregnant women’s health can be quite different. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.
We do not provide lunch on any of our trips, so we recommend you bring your own lunch (for the longer trips), snacks and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip).
Crampons are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes, these enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping. Get to know how to put crampons.
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified glacier guide on every glacier tour that we offer.
When glacier hiking you will be provided with an ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet and ice climbing boots. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.
When snow stays long enough in one place it turns to ice. Over long periods of time, the ice layers up becoming huge blocks called glaciers. As there is a lot of snow in Iceland, it forms to create ginormous glaciers that sweep across huge masses of land. Iceland is home to Europe’s largest glacier named Vatnajökull. This Glacier Guide will also tell you everything you may want to know about Glaciers.
Rain is not uncommon in Iceland. However, we do not let the rain stop our tours. This is why having appropriate clothing is very important to keep you warm and dry. Nature is not something that we can control and therefore we need to adapt to the weather. If your safety is compromised by going on the tour, we will cancel and you will be fully refunded.
This guide to Glacier Hiking includes all the information you might need when preparing for a glacier hike.
