A guided glacier hike is one of the best ways to feel the scale of Iceland's ice. With crampons and an ice axe, you walk among ridges, crevasses and meltwater channels on a living glacier.
Skaftafell's glacier tongues and Sólheimajökull on the south coast are the most popular places to go.
Getting there
Tours meet at Skaftafell visitor centre or at the Sólheimajökull car park, both just off Route 1. Some also offer pick-ups from Reykjavík for Sólheimajökull.
When to go
Glacier hikes run all year. Summer brings longer days; in winter the ice is often bluer and the crowds smaller.
Good to know
- Wear waterproof hiking boots that take crampons.
- Choose a longer tour if you want to see deeper ice formations.
- Never walk onto a glacier without a guide.
Read more in the journal
- Iceland's Glaciers: Where to See, Walk and Explore
- Things to Do in Iceland: 29 Top Sights on One Map
- The Ring Road in 10 Days: The Slower Route
- Glacier Hiking in Iceland: Which Glacier to Choose
- South Coast Iceland: Every Stop from Selfoss to Höfn
Drive times are approximate and depend on weather and road conditions. Check road.is and vedur.is before you set off.
