Skaftafell 6-Hour Adventure Hike
Tour overview
Welcome to our ultimate glacier adventure—a full-day expedition that will take you deep into the heart of Europe's largest glacier, reaching frozen realms inaccessible on standard hikes. This is not merely an extended tour, but an in-depth exploration of pristine glacial landscapes, where you’ll witness some of the most dramatic ice formations and breathtaking vistas on Earth.
Why choose this six-hour premium experience? If you seek more than a superficial sightseeing trip—if you aspire to acquire professional glacier navigation skills and venture where ordinary tours cannot reach—this journey is your definitive choice. With rope systems expertly set up by your guide, you’ll conquer ice walls and technical sections that deter conventional groups, gaining the confidence and experience of a true explorer.
Your expedition begins at the Troll Expedition Base in Höfn—a specialized hub for polar adventures located just moments from the glacier, complete with dedicated free parking. Arrive 20 minutes early to meet your certified English-speaking glacier expert and receive your full set of professional gear: EU-certified helmet, professional-grade crampons, climbing harness, and ice axe.
Once fully equipped, the team will board a specialized off-road vehicle for a 15-minute ride to the restricted glacier access point. A 15-minute adaptive hike led by your guide will bring you gradually to the edge of the ice. During this warm-up phase, your guide will demonstrate proper equipment use and share essential safety protocols for glacier travel.
Over the next 4.5 to 5 hours, you’ll immerse yourself in the untamed world of the upper glacier. Depending on daily ice conditions, you may: traverse deep cerulean crevasses, observe massive moulins swallowing meltwater, navigate through forests of ancient ice towers, or explore crystalline ice tunnels in winter. On technical climbing sections, your guide will set up multi-layer rope protection systems to safely lead you up intimidating ice walls and steep slopes.
Throughout the journey, your accompanying glaciologist will interpret the glacier’s geological evolution, movement patterns, and transformations in the context of climate change. As the sunset paints the ice cap in golden light, we’ll welcome you back to base with traditional Icelandic hot drinks and high-energy chocolate—a perfect conclusion to this profound journey through time and ice.
(We recommend waterproof thermal clothing and anti-slip hiking boots. A limited selection of rental equipment is available.)
Skaftafell
June - October
6 hours
Meet on location
Challenging
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!
Challenging designed for adventurous travelers with a solid level of physical fitness and a passion for active exploration. Participants must be comfortable hiking over uneven terrain for extended periods and be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the experience.
No — this tour is not recommended at any stage of pregnancy. The Skaftafell Adventure Hike is a challenging 6-hour trek across glacier terrain, uneven surfaces, and steep trails. It demands strong physical endurance, excellent balance, and full mobility. For safety reasons — including prolonged exposure to the elements, remote terrain, and physical exertion — we do not allow or advise participation for anyone pregnant at any stage.
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, and the 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
If I am pregnant, can I join a glacier hike?
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.
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.
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