Skaftafell 5-Hour Adventure Glacier Hike
Frozen Bonus included: Book now and receive a promo code with a 23% discount on your second glacier hike or ice cave booking (go to FAQ for more info).Tour Description
Embark on a five-hour in-depth exploration of Falljökull, the most dynamic outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap. This meticulously designed extended route will take you to higher elevations of the glacier, where you'll discover secluded icy realms and behold breathtaking panoramic views of Skaftafell National Park from atop this magnificent landscape.
Why choose this immersive expedition? If you seek more than a cursory glance—if you desire an intimate encounter with the glacier, wish to witness a greater variety of glacial wonders, and yearn to reach depths shorter tours cannot access—this journey is your perfect choice.
Your adventure begins at our Troll base, located just a stone's throw from the glacier with dedicated free parking facilities. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your experienced, certified English-speaking glacier guide. We provide a complete set of professional safety equipment: glacier hiking helmets, anti-slip crampons, safety harnesses, and ice axes.
Once fully equipped, we'll board our exclusive shuttle for a 15-minute ride to the glacier parking lot. Following your guide, you'll then embark on a 15-minute walk gradually approaching the glacier's edge. During this introductory journey, your guide will carefully demonstrate equipment techniques and share essential safety protocols for glacier exploration.
Over the next 3.5 to 4 hours, you'll become fully immersed in the magical world of Falljökull. Each season brings its own marvels: you may traverse cerulean-blue crevasses, peer into bottomless glacier moulins, or admire artistic masterpieces carved by millennia of ice formation. Upon reaching the highest points, a stunning panoramic view of Skaftafell National Park unfolds beneath your feet, revealing magnificent landscapes shaped by glacial movement. Throughout the journey, your guide will decode the secrets of this glacier's formation, movement patterns, and evolutionary changes.
Upon completing your expedition, we welcome you back to our base with specially prepared hot beverages to ward off the chill and glacier-themed chocolates to replenish your energy—a perfect conclusion to this grand icy adventure.
Skaftafell
All Year
5 Hours
Meet on location
Medium
Highlight Of The Tour
What’s Included
Available Add-ons
Rent shoes for keeping your ankles safe to prevent injuries
Rent a jacket to keep you dry
Rent pants to keep you dry
Buy our Troll Beanie and Gloves to feel part of our winter Trolls and keep you warm in the Icelandic cold
Buy our Troll Neck-warmer to feel part of our winter Trolls and and protect your face from cold wind
Buy our Troll Summer-Cap to feel part of our summer Trolls and protect yourself from the sun
Frequently Asked Questions
- Warm clothes
- Inner layer – Shirt / T-shirt (wool or synthetic)
- Insulating layer – Polyester Sweater / Fleece Sweater / Insulated Down Jacket
- Outer layer – Waterproof jacket and pants (can be rented from Tröll)
- Hiking pants / fleece pants
- Socks (wool / hiking)
- Hiking / Climbing boots (boots need to have an ankle support to protect your ankle from potential sprains while hiking; Tröll has boots rental at location if needed)
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small water bottle
- Joy & happiness!
This is a moderate level hike, it is important to be in good shape and like to hike. Clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in. They must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions
- Up to 6 months pregnant: Yes, you may join at your own discretion. This is a moderate level glacier hike, but you'll still need to walk with crampons on ice for an extended period. Please assess your own physical condition and balance. Our certified glacier guides will walk you through the terrain, duration, and physical demands so you can decide on-site if you're fit to participate.
- 7 months pregnant or more: For safety reasons, we do not allow participation in glacier hikes once you are 7 months pregnant or further along.
Please note: This is a personal choice. We have had pregnant women on our glacier hikes and we always recommend you read the description of the activity to get a better idea. In any case, feel free to contact our Service Team for further questions and concerns.
12 years old, with a minimum shoe size to be able to participate in the tour is EU 34
📍Meeting Point – Google Maps Search:Troll Expeditions Skaftafell
Hof (next to Route 1, approx. 5 hours from Reykjavík in good road conditions)
Meeting point is a short distance from the Skaftafell Visitor Centre in Southeast Iceland.
We highly recommend that you arrive at our meeting point 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. Please note that if you arrive after departure time, your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed or refunded.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. You have to be able to walk for about an hour up and down on slopes and uneven surface. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance for some areas of the glacier. We also recommend you remember that we offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be hiking with a professional and certified glacier guide. If you have specific questions regarding one of our glacier tours, feel free to email us
.How does weather affect my tour?
Wind and rain are common in Iceland, in addition to snow in the winter, but we do not let challenging weather stop us from going out and enjoy nature. All we need to do is choose our clothing wisely, which is why we recommend wearing waterproof jacket and pants as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority, in case of extreme weather or road conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule your booking at a further date or provide a full refund.
Do I need to pay for parking? No, you don’t! The meeting point is warm, cozy, and conveniently located close to Falljökull. Parking here is free, unlike Skaftafell, where parking fees apply.
I want to rent gear from you, how do I do that?
Select extras (shoes, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants) during checkout, or rent them out at the meeting point directly with our guides.
• All day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours from the departure time by sending a written email to info@iceguide.is. You will receive a full refund except the 3% card fee. All cancellations requested less than 24 hours from the departure time are non refundable. • In the case of cancellation of the tour by the operator because of extreme weather, road conditions or other factors, we will assist you with re-booking to another date or booking other activities when possible, or provide a full refund.
When you book this product, you will receive a follow up email with a promo code. The promo code will give you a discount on you second glacier activity that you book with Iceguide.is.
The following products are included in the Frozen Bonus rewards:
- Crystal Blue Ice Cave Tour
- Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell 3 hours Easy Level Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell 5 hours Adventure Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
- Katla Volcano Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour
- Katla Ice Cave Extended 4-hour Super Jeep Tour
- Solheimajokull 3h Easy Level Glacier Hike
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing
- Solheimajokull Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike (temporarily closed)
The offer is valid for all travel dates until the 15th of December, 2025.
You Might also like
This private, extended 5-hour tour offers an in-depth hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Highlights include spending 3.5 to 4 hours on the ice to explore deeper into the glacier, witnessing a wider variety of features like deep crevasses and moulins (vertical shafts), and gaining wide panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park. This tour is perfect for guests seeking more time and immersion on the ice, with all essential safety gear (crampons, harness, ice axe) provided by your certified guide.
Skaftafell
Meet on location
Medium
5 HoursTake on our most adventurous glacier tour, a full-day journey that takes you deeper onto the ice than any of our other hikes. This experience gives you access to remote terrain and the dramatic landscapes surrounding Europe’s largest glacier.
Skaftafell Meet on location Challenging 6 hoursCome on this comprehensive ice climbing and glacier hiking tour, perfect for those seeking that extra bit of thrill. The only thing you need to bring is patience and endurance to climb to the top of a glacial ice wall on Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Your glacier guide will introduce you to the basics of ice climbing and much more!
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 4 HoursThis tour offers a thrilling combination of glacier hiking and ice climbing on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Highlights include using specialized gear (crampons, harness, and twin ice axes) to climb a secure ice wall or crevasse face, spending approximately 3 hours on the ice, and exploring dramatic ice features like moulins and crevasses in the stunning mountain landscape of the Skaftafell area. No previous climbing experience is required, as expert guides teach you the necessary techniques.
Skaftafell Meet on location Medium 4 Hours