Skaftafell: Blue Ice Maze Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
Recommended by 90% of travelers
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Skaftafell, Iceland
- 4 hours 10 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Leave the standard tourist trails behind and step into a surreal world of deep blue canyons and frozen corridors. This small-group glacier hike takes you along the Crevasse Labyrinth, an exclusive route through the ice of Falljökull, where Europe’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull) spills down the mountainside. Navigate a maze of shimmering blue ice walls and jagged formations that most visitors only see from a distance.
- Soak in unique views of Vatnajökull you won’t get anywhere else
- Enjoy the relaxed pace and intimate atmosphere of a small-group tour
- Forget about packing kit: All safety gear is provided for ease
- Learn about this unique landscape from your guide
What's Included
- Safety Equipment: Glacier Crampons, Walking Axe, Helmet, Harness
- Government FeesVatnajökull National Park Fee
- Certified Glacier Guide
- 4x4 bus transport from Skaftafell to the foot of the glacier
- Beginner-friendly guided glacier hike
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are required (available to rent for a fee)
- Glacier crampons fit sizes 35-50EU. For safety reasons, those with smaller shoe size cannot join
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Arctic Adventures (Skaftafell Base Camp)228J+FP5, 785 Skaftafell, Iceland
The meeting point for this tour is at the Arctic Adventures Booking Hut in Skaftafell National Park. Parking is available at the Skaftafell Parking Lot (please note: parking fees apply). Please arrive at the meeting point 10-15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Skaftafell
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Vatnajokull Glacier (Pass By)
2
Falljökull
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- Travelers should be prepared to walk approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) with an elevation gain of 200-250 meters (650–820 ft). While the tour is rated as easy and suitable for most fitness levels, there is a moderate amount of walking over uneven glacier terrain.
- We provide all safety gear. Please note that our specialized glacier crampons are only available for shoe sizes 35-50 EU. Those with a shoe size beyond these are unfortunately unable to participate.
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for this adventure. Rentals are available for a fee if required.
- Please note: No two glacier hikes are ever the same. Vatnajökull is a living, changing landscape where ice formations, crevasses, and colours evolve throughout the year. Depending on the season, conditions, and weather the ice may be a vibrant blue, or appear lighter. Every tour offers a unique opportunity to explore this glacial environment, and the formations you encounter may differ from those shown in promotional photos.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Rachael_Z
Fantastic experience! We had a fantastic guide, and really got to see some unique parts of the glacier. The crevasses weren’t as deep as they were in 2019 when we did a similar tour, but the guides did a great job of letting us see the coolest parts of this massive glacier that were open to the public! Our kids (ages 10-17) said this was the coolest excursion we did on the whole trip!
Reviews
4.6
based on 29 reviews
Dave_K, Aug 2026
Awesome adventure. This is NOT an easy tour. It’s not difficult but it certainly is not easy. Beautiful views and a really interesting experience. Arctic Adventures had great equipment and was very well organized. Our tour guide, Alex from the Czech, was great. Safety was #1 and teaching us how to properly execute this tricky tour was paramount to her. Just a great experience from start to finish.
Thomas_D, Jun 2026
Absolutely brilliant experience getting to hike a glacier and actually use the gear (even if at a beginner level). Will definitely do the next level if I come back.
Rachael_Z, Dec 2025
Fantastic experience! We had a fantastic guide, and really got to see some unique parts of the glacier. The crevasses weren’t as deep as they were in 2019 when we did a similar tour, but the guides did a great job of letting us see the coolest parts of this massive glacier that were open to the public! Our kids (ages 10-17) said this was the coolest excursion we did on the whole trip!
Stuart_D, Sep 2025
Awesome hike atop the glacier, fascinating changing landscape and excellent guide. Good amount of time, not too short or long.
CRISTINA_G, Aug 2026
Unique, unforgettable, and unrepeatable experience. Totally recommended. Mind you, you have to take the one that lasts at least 4h (ours was 4h and a half). The guide was exceptional. There are no words, photos, or videos to describe what we experienced. Thanks for everything!!!
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Irina_T, Jul 2026
Very nice hike. Our guide was very nice and told us some information about the glacier.
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Alessandra_G, Jun 2026
We were in a small group of 12 people, including two teenagers. There were 3 guides present. The hike was beautiful, but a lot of time was lost for individual photos. Due to the repeated standing and waiting, it also became cold and almost boring. Some participants - including the teenagers - did not follow the guides' instructions, which created a bit of tension. The guides should show more authority.
We had booked the labyrinth tour, but we only saw about two ice caves, and only from the outside. According to the guide, it looks less spectacular in summer than in winter. However, for me, there was a significant discrepancy between the described tour and the actual offering. It was great to see such a glacier up close and learn something about it. However, I would have expected a bit more for the price: Smaller groups, announcing rules and enforcing adherence to them, providing more information about the glacier, and delivering what was promised at the time of booking.
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From $141.58
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Maze Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
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4 hours 10 minutes
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