Set off to conquer the gigantic Vatnajökull on a challenging full-day glacier hike from Skaftafell!
This trip departs from Skaftafell, a stunning nature reserve located within Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. During the glacier hike from Skaftafell, you'll traverse Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland and one of the largest in Europe!
The glacier hiking trip to Vatnajökull begins at the starting point in Skaftafell. You will meet your guide at the Gas Station and drive to the car park of Vatnajökull Glacier. Each group has a maximum of 4 participants, to ensure personalised attention from the guide. Upon arrival at Vatnajökull, you'll prepare for your adventure and receive the safety equipment, including a helmet, crampons, an ice axe and a harness.
After a quick safety and itinerary briefing from the guide, your hike on Vatnajökull Glacier begins! The exact route of the trip is ever-changing and unique as the glacier melts and evolves. With the instructions from the guide, you'll hike up to 15 km (9 mi) across the icy surface of the glacier. The guide will share insights about this majestic icecap, its formation and geology. Vatnajökull sits atop several volcanoes, including Grímsvötn, one of Iceland’s most active.
Throughout the glacier hike on Vatnajökull, you'll experience its mesmerising landscapes, including stunning ice caves, deep crevasses, and volcanic ash. You'll stop for breaks to rest and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime views. The guide will provide hot drinks and sweet snacks, and you can also enjoy your own packed lunch. At the end of your full-day excursion, you'll return to the car park.
Immerse yourself on Iceland's most famous glacier on this thrilling Vatnajökull glacier hike from Skaftafell!
Book your activity
Practical information
For this excursion, you'll depart from Skaftafell and embark on a full-day glacier hike on Vatnajökull.
- Arrive at the starting point in Skaftafell
- Meet the guide
- Drive to the glacier car park following the guide in your own vehicle
- Receive glacier equipment (helmet, crampons, ice axe, harness)
- Safety briefing and instructions
- Approach walk to the glacier
- The glacier hiking adventure begins!
- Hike across Vatnajökull (approximately 5 hours in total)
- Stop for breaks
- Walk back to the car park, return the equipment and end of the activity
You need to be able to walk with ease for up to 15 km (9 mi) over hilly and uneven terrain, and be in sufficiently good physical condition to recover quickly.
On the day of the excursion, you must wear waterproof hiking boots that support the ankle, have a rigid sole and have been used before, wearing unsuitable footwear may result in the cancellation of the activity without a refund.
Pregnant people and those with back or heart problems are not advised to participate in this activity.
A form about your medical and physical condition will be filled on site.
- Guide
- Glacier equipment (crampons, harness, ice axe)
- Helmet
- Hot drinks
- Snacks
- Warm layers of clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Good fitting hiking socks
- Wind/rainproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Bottle of water (500 ml minimum)
- Lunch
- Backpack