Category Glacier Hikes & Ice Climbing

Iceland · GLACIER HIKES & ICE CLIMBING

The 15 Best Glacier Hikes in Iceland, Compared

33 reviewed

Crampons, a helmet and a guide get you onto ice you could not otherwise walk on. This page weighs the glacier hikes on Solheimajokull, Vatnajokull and Skaftafell: hours spent on ice rather than in the bus, which demand previous experience, which throw in ice climbing, and how much the loaned gear is worth.

Reykjavík: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier Tour

Reykjavík: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier Tour - 10 Hours on the Road, and How to Make It Feel Easier

1.Reykjavík: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11,030 reviews · 10 hours · from $126Our pick

A full-day south coast tour from Reykjavik with Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, black sand at Reynisfjara, Vík, and Sólheimajökull glacier ice.

“We rebooked this tour because the first time it was cancelled due to weather and a tour to the west coast was offered instead. You can check out that review bellow. This is about the south coast. Truly beautiful! The waterfalls are really impressive. I liked that I could get close to them. Bring waterproof clothes, you will get wet. The glacier was by far my favourite from this tour. Seeing it so close and seeing the newly formed lagoon and icebergs was unique. Our guide, Petra, was really kind and helpful. Loved it!”

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Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike - Meeting at Tröll Expeditions Skaftafell in Hof, and getting ready fast

2.Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,746 reviews · 4 hours · from $165

A small-group glacier hike near Skaftafell with gear, hot drinks, and a real blue ice cave inside Vatnajökull National Park.

“It was an astonishing experience to walk in and climb the ice. Anna, our guide, made it easy and seamless. She helped us navigate through the route very carefully and smoothly”

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Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach

Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach - Sólheimajökull glacier hike: what beginner-friendly really means

Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike

Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike - Meeting Point Timing: The 25-Minute Drive From Vik

4.Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,123 reviews · from $116

Hike Sólheimajökull Glacier with a certified guide. Crampons and helmets included, see crevasses, moulins, and ice cave tunnels.

“Tomas was an absolutely excellent guide and a very upstanding guy. Very friendly and happy to chat/ answer any questions all while sharing his extensive knowledge not only of this glacier but others also. We chatted about different seasons and places in iceland like the highlands and on a whole, this was an experience i won’t forget in my lifetime. 100/100 from me.”

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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull - Getting Crampons On and Actually Using Them

5.Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,045 reviews · 4 hours · from $116

Walk Falljökull’s blue ice with crampons and a certified guide from Skaftafell, a beginner-friendly 4-hour Vatnajökull experience.

“this was our first experience on a glacier and it was extraordinary!! many thanks to our super guide, Lucy! she was fantastic! she is very kind, professional and really enganged on her job showing us the best parts of the glacier.”

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From Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip

From Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip - Skógafoss, where the 60 m drop and the stairs set the tone

Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik - Minibus Size, Pickup Timing, and Why It Matters

7.Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 827 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $205

Small-group South Coast day from Reykjavik with a guided Sólheimajökull glacier hike, waterfalls, black sand beach, and included gear.

“Glad we picked this tour - lots of driving (as it is in Iceland), but they made bathroom and food stops and still packed a lot in. Waterfalls, black sand beach, glacier hike - gorgeous views, just enough time at each stop, well organized. It kept our teen/tween boys interested…along with the internet on the bus! ;~} Our guide, Hafi (unsure of spelling) was very helpful. Thank you!”

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Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group

Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group - On the glacier: blue ice, crevasses, cauldrons, and those stop-and-stare moments

8.Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $115Best value

Small-group Sólheimajökull glacier hike from Vik with crampons, helmet, blue ice, crevasses, glacier water, and an English guide in 3 hours.

“The hike was difficult for me, as I have a desk job and not much physical activity. But my husband was having no issues. Nonetheless it was amazing and totally worth the hike. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Helped take pictures. Showed us cool stuff. Would recommend. No regrets.”

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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull - From Skaftafell Base Camp to the glacier by 4x4 bus

Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls

Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls - Reykjavík pickup to Hellisheiði geothermal stop, the pace gets going early

10.Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 605 reviews · from $195

Small group South Coast waterfalls and black sand, finished with a guided Sólheimajökull glacier hike with safety gear and crampons.

“Had an amazing day! Our guide, Chris, was fantastic—informative and very helpful. The glacier hike offered breathtaking views, and the waterfalls were stunning. Everything was well-organized. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Iceland!”

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Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour

Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour - Gear, safety, and how crevasses change the way you walk

Blue Ice Discovery – Guided Glacier Hike from Skaftafell

Blue Ice Discovery – Guided Glacier Hike from Skaftafell - Safety Briefing, Crampons, and the Glacier Walking Practice

12.Blue Ice Discovery – Guided Glacier Hike from Skaftafell

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 532 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $116

Guided Falljökull glacier hike from Skaftafell with crampons and axes, small group size, and time to explore crevasses and ice sculptures.

“Amazing Glacier Tour – Highly Recommended! Our glacier tour was an absolutely fantastic and super fun experience! I highly recommend taking the first tour in the morning, as it’s much quieter and you can avoid the larger groups that often come in the afternoon. Our guide, FI, was incredible – very knowledgeable, interesting, and entertaining. The tour was a wonderful experience from start to finish. We would have loved to do a longer route, but since we went in August, this tour was perfect and we were very happy with it. Absolutely recommended – a must-do for anyone visiting the area!”

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From Geysir: Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier

From Geysir: Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier - Getting to Skjól and the super truck ride up

Solheimajokull Glacier 3-Hour Small-Group Hike

Solheimajokull Glacier 3-Hour Small-Group Hike - Gear, Crampons, and the Cold-Weather Setup

14.Solheimajokull Glacier 3-Hour Small-Group Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Hike Sólheimajökull glacier in a small group with certified guides. Crampons and safety gear included, plus stunning Eyjafjallajökull views.

“We had a fantastic time with Kamilla! She was so helpful and knowledgeable about the terrain. It was super interactive and she showed us a bunch of great photo spots. Overall such an amazing experience!”

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Skaftafell: Extra-Small Group Glacier Hike

Skaftafell: Extra-Small Group Glacier Hike - Price and Time: What $162 Really Buys You

15.Skaftafell: Extra-Small Group Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 501 reviews · 3 hours · from $162

Extra-small glacier hike from Skaftafell, 4x4 to Falljökull on Vatnajökull, up to 2 hours on ice with crampons and guide included.

“Great tour with Jose! We were a group of 5 and were the first to arrive to the glacier in the morning, which was great for the pictures! Jose was very friendly and his explanations were clear. He also took some photos for us! We really enjoyed it!”

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