Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Skaftafell, Iceland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Vatnajökull glacier ranks among Iceland’s top natural attractions, but exploring the icy terrain without a guide is dangerous. On this half-day tour, delve into the Skaftafell National Park with a certified guide and discover a world of ice formations and deep crevasses. With all the necessary safety equipment included, enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 people.
- Hike the Vatnajökull glacier with your guide: The glacier’s crevasses make the landscape potentially dangerous
- Sweeping views over the icy formations and rugged terrain
- All safety equipment included
- Small-group tour limited to 12 people ensures personalised attention from your guide
What's Included
- Certified Glacier Guide
- Short Drive to the Glacier Outlet
- All the Necessary Glacier Equipment: Helmets, Harness, and Ice Axe
- Small Group (14 Participants Max)
- Coffee and Chocolates
- Hiking Boots Rental (1,750 ISK)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Reykjavík or other areas
- Food and drinks
- Waterproof Jacket Rental (1,750 ISK)
- Waterproof Pants Rental (1,750 ISK)
- Hat and Gloves Combo with Logo (3,000 ISK)
- Neck Warmer with Logo (500 ISK)
- Summer Cap with Logo (1,500 ISK)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Tröll Expeditions SkaftafellWest of Hofgardur, 785 Hof, Iceland
Be at our meeting point 20 minutes before departure time. If you arrive after departure time your place on the tour can't be guaranteed or refunded. Meeting point is at Troll Expeditions Skaftafell on Maps. Driving time from Reykjavik is around 4 hours and a half in good weather conditions.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Skaftafell National Park
2
Vatnajokull Glacier
3
Vatnajokull
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 8 years
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Our guide Maria was fantastic - she was extremely patient with the people struggling with equipment, and with one member of our party who was in a bad mood and less than polite. She was a saint! The glacier hike was stunning, with gorgeous ice formations and beautiful views back down to the coast.
Reviews
4.7
based on 610 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The glacier hike was amazing! Nico, our guide was knowledgeable and shared great skills in helping us learn to use the equipment. The glacier is like another world. The ice is so clear and the water running across it was fascinating to see. The transformations with stone and water were amazing. Highly recommended to anyone willing to hike for an awesome adventure!
Our guide Irene from Ireland was spectacular. She knew the mountain, answered all our questions and was so patient with all the guests and their different abilities to climb. I was disappointed that there were more people participating than actually the small group advertised. Also read the small print, if you don’t have high top boots the force you to rent their shoes.
Lorenzo was AWESOME. Such a fun and cool experience and he made it funny as well, safety was his number 1 priority!
Our family, with two teens, loved the hike. There is an appropriately 20 minute walk from the parking, around the glacier lagoon, to the start of the glacier climb. The hike can get to a moderate level when climbing up. And watch out for the slippery winter ice on the way down. Our guide Elie (?spelling) was great - very knowlegable and enthusiastic. Overall, would recommend!
Magical experience on the glacier! We took the 3 hour tour. They have all the rental gear you need at the meeting spot (boots, jackets, pants etc). Our guide Nico was amazing! He took great care of the group, especially our two kids, and we all enjoyed our time on the ice. Definite "must do" experience in Iceland.
First, everyone had to put on a harness that was not needed or used. There is about a 20 minute bus ride to the glacier parking lot. This bus was not able to drive to the glacier as were many others, so there was about a 20 minute downhill walk (uphill on the way back) to the glacier access. After you exit the bus, there is a short but very steep uphill walk on a narrow path to the top of the glacier. Once there you spend 15-20 getting everyone's crampons on. We spent extra time while the guide introduced himself and told about his life, and made sure we knew everyone else's name. And he explained all about glaciers and everyone took pictures. This all took about 1 1/2 hrs. Though there was not a lot of time on the glacier, that part was fun; and we went in some interesting crevasses. Then, removing the crampons, walking down the very steep hill, walking back up the hill to the bus, and driving to the meeting place was repeated. I'm giving 3 stars because the guide was nice and helpful and made an effort. Wish I had checked out the Solheimajokull tour instead.
If you want to "tick a box" that you hiked on a glacier, this is the way to go. Having said that, there will be people on this tour who aren't in shape to hike far as they just want a picture that they did it. Personally I would have liked more hiking, more challenge, but that's on me for not asking more questions thus it's still a 5 star review. Staff is extremely helpful, even when a lady who just couldn't stop recording herself walking (versus just enjoying the moment) drops her phone into a deep pool of cold water (and as far as I know didn't get her phone back). I felt bad for her, but at the same time, enjoy the moment versus recording everything and you probably won't ever watch it.
DO NOT BOOK this activity unless maybe you’re a senior or you have kids with you. 3 hour glacier hike = 1 hour getting to the glacier base and getting on equipment and 1 hour getting back. The remaining hour on the glacier is mostly spent standing around and the guide stalling for time. We were back at the glacier base walking towards the bus two hours and 15 minutes in. I wrote this review within the 3 hours because that’s how much time we had not doing the glacier hike. Probably the worst activity and money I spent on a trip. Maybe the 5 hour hike is better but the glacier is melted anyways. I suggest not doing this activity as your money is better spent doing and seeing other things in Iceland.
It was a great hike for the whole family.
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and safe and took lots of photos.
Our guide, Maria, was helpful and knowledgeable and made this such a great experience for us! It was such a unique experience getting to hike up onto the glacier, see the little water flows, and ice caves on this quickly changing landscape. We nearly decided not to take the time to drive out to Vatnajökull, but I’m so glad we did!
We thoroughly enjoyed the glacier hike. Our guide, Lorenzo, was amazing! He was full of knowledge and guided us through the glacier very safely. We came on a coach bus and then divided into smaller groups of 10-14 people. Since our group was on the younger side, Lorenzo took us up a little further on the glacier, which we all really appreciated.
We rented hiking boots, but all the other necessary equipment was provided. I would highly recommend this tour.
Erin was a great tour guide, she told us lots of info about the glacier and its ecology, and kept us safe as we hiked up. It wasn’t too strenuous of a hike, mostly up to a 10% grade in some parts and others more gradual. They supplied everything we needed including crampons and one of us needed hiking shoes which they had available. Coffee and chocolate at the end was a nice touch, we were cold after our hike! I would recommend this as a good introductory hike for someone who hasn’t hiked a glacier before or used crampons, and if you are looking for a unique experience. People of a variety of fitness levels including children were able to do this hike in our group without much difficulty.
Amazing experience. Our guide was friendly and safe and took some nice photos of us. A lifetime experience!
We were lucky enough to be led by Erin who was very helpful and friendly. She made sure everyone was having a good time and was safe throughout the experience. We thought it was a great time but you should be aware that there is a lengthy walk to get to the glacier and then back to the tour bus so roughly half of your time or maybe more is not actually spent on the glacier. There was an area closer to the glacier that some groups parked at but it appeared our bus was too large to park there so we had to do a much longer walk. The equipment provided was great and instructions on how to use it were clear. Would recommend.
Great experience, very well organised, looking forward to doing this again. Easy to book, pay and reach meeting point
So much fun! Amazing views, great ice hiking and awesome guide. The hike was somewhat challenging but not difficult. Everyone on the tour had a fantastic experience!
Hike of a glacier with a guide. We were
Lucky enough to have Eric. He was a great guy who kept us entertained. We arrived to the Troll travel area, were fitted with a harness, cramp one for our boots and a helment and pick. We had a beautiful day so no need to rent water proof pants or a jacket (though they were available). Short drive to the hiking area then a 30 minute hike to the bottom of the glacier. Great exploration of the glacier then a hike back.
Seeing and being on the glacier was wonderful. I highly suggest it. Our guide was just meh. She was very downbeat and blah. There was no enthusiasm or excitement or encouragement about what we were doing or what we were seeing. There was also limited information about Iceland or the glacier or the region. We asked a bunch of questions and it felt like she was irritated answering them. The guides work 14 days on, 2-3 hikes per day. We felt her monotony which wasn't great given how much we paid!
Separately, there wasn't anything challenging about the hike--it could have been for young kids or elderly. It would be better if they separated into fit and unfit hikers.
What an amazing experience to actually be on a glacier! The beauty is almost indescribable. Our tour guide was fantastic. Highly recommend.
Perfect for beginners.
Nothing to be scared of, very nice guide is near and group is small, we had 10 person group.
Amazing to have Glacier Hiking. Such experience are always life time memory. Physically fit people should not miss this when traveling to Iceland.
We had an amazing experience with Maria! This hike turned into so much more than we expected! I did more than I ever thought I would!!
Beautiful experience. Sun was a great guide. If your physical ability is not great ask a lot of questions prior.
Our guide was Anna and she was amazing! This is probably the coolest and most adventurous tour we have ever been on as a couple. Highly recommend this tour to anyone! The views up on the glacier are absolutely breathtaking.
Our guide Maria was fantastic - she was extremely patient with the people struggling with equipment, and with one member of our party who was in a bad mood and less than polite. She was a saint! The glacier hike was stunning, with gorgeous ice formations and beautiful views back down to the coast.
Lovely hike and guide! Got to learn alot about the glacier! The team was very nice and friendly! Had a blast!
Love our guide Maria! She's experienced and super caring. Took extremely good care of my 10yo daughter throughout the hike by holding her hand and keeping her company.
Wonderful guide and staff at trolls expedition are experienced and warm too. 5 stars!
We do not like the tour. It was a mockery. To much money and saw almost nothing.
It took an hour to come on the glacier and we scribbled on the ice for a small hour and see no caves or anything.Than go back, another hour. Terrible
My experience with the Skaftafell hike was absolutely fantastic! Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sharing fascinating stories about the landscape, glaciers, and wildlife. It was clear that they were passionate about the area, which made the hike even more enjoyable.
The pickup was seamless – right on time, with a comfortable ride to and from the hiking site. There was minimal waiting time, and everything was well-organized, so we could maximize our time exploring the stunning natural beauty of Glacier. For the price, I felt this tour was excellent value for money, considering the breathtaking views and the professional guide service.
What I loved most was the variety of landscapes we encountered on the hike, from glacier views to lush greenery, all set against Iceland’s dramatic backdrop. The hike was challenging but rewarding, with plenty of opportunities for great photos.
Honestly, there’s not much I would change, though I think a brief stop for snacks or refreshments along the way could have been nice. For travelers, I’d recommend bringing a small backpack with water, snacks, and good hiking boots – you’ll definitely need them! All in all, this hike is an unforgettable adventure and a must-do for anyone visiting Iceland.
Excellent 3 - hour tour. Total experience including hike, prep, gear and transfer to glacier was around 3-hours, NOT the hike itself. Easy to moderate climbing. Well equipped with safety gear, and tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend Troll. We used them twice on our trip and both great experiences.
From $114.68
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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