Glacier Hiking Tours
Find your way on Iceland’s glaciers—with us.
What’s so alluring about glacier hiking? These shimmering and surreal ice fields offer adventure and challenge to anyone curious enough to make the leap. With 11% of its total land area covered by ice, Iceland is nothing short of a glacial paradise. Here you can find the largest ice cap in Europe, along with some amazingly picturesque outlet glaciers. Many of these glacier tongues are easily accessible, allowing a fantastic selection of hiking tours no matter your skill level. With Adventures.com, you can experience year-round hiking opportunities and defy gravity with panoramic views - all in the safe hands of knowledgeable guides. Endless possibilities await, so grab your hiking shoes.
Make new memories with your unforgettable glacier adventure today!
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Discover the thrill of glacier hiking and prepare for your next adventure!
Why Choose Glacier Hiking?
Few adventures let you step onto a glacier and witness its towering ice formations, deep crevasses, and shimmering ice caves as easily as glacier hiking in Iceland. Beyond making new memories on your own or with loved ones, glacier hiking offers a rare, accessible way to explore Iceland’s largest natural features.
Glacier hikes highlight Iceland’s massive icefalls, ash-streaked glaciers, and ancient ice formations. Their real appeal is that they are accessible for beginners while remaining thrilling for more experienced hikers.
These adventures also provide exciting opportunities to witness the striking blues and whites of ice caves. Thanks to dramatic landscape contrasts in different seasons, ice caves are only accessible in the wintertime. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a family, or in a small group, you can enjoy a glacier walk in Iceland, no matter your skill level.
Safety First
Our tours feature the rigorous safety standards you’ve come to expect from Adventures.com. Between certifications, provided safety equipment for glacier tours, and manageable group sizes, your safety is the top priority.
As qualified outdoor professionals and certified first aid experts, our partners’ guides inform clients about the safety and techniques needed for the tours. Plus, they receive ongoing training and share their wide knowledge of glaciers and Icelandic nature. If you’re looking to test your skills on an Iceland glacier tour, our excursions feature all the necessary safety equipment, from crampons and helmets to ice axes and ropes.
Why do we offer smaller group sizes? Not only do smaller tours provide a more personalized experience, but they also highlight the importance of numbers for your safety. We’re here to make sure everyone is accounted for and having a fantastic time, so glacier hikes have a maximum of 15 participants, while ice climbing has a limit of 6 participants!
Vatnajokull Glacier
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe and covers 8% of Iceland’s total landmass. With over 30 different outlets, this large ice form even hides whole volcano structures under its weight. Additionally, the magnificent Vatnajökull glacier is famous for its prominent icefall and crystal winter ice caves. Our glacier adventures feature some of the most striking outlets, such as Falljokul, ”The Falling Glacier,” and ice fields in Skaftafell Nature Reserve —you won’t want to miss a single step of these hikes.
Solheimajokull Glacier
Translating to “home of the sun” in English, Sólheimajökull Outlet Glacier is located between two volcanos—Katla and Eyjafjallajökull—and it stands out with dramatic ashy stripes from past eruptions. Only 2 hours from Reykjavík, this glacial tongue with jagged crevasses and steep ridges is one of the country’s most accessible glaciers, offering incredible views of the South Coast. As Iceland glacier tours go, it’s a popular destination where we offer numerous hiking and ice climbing excursions - easier and short to intensive and invigorating.
Step Into a World of Ice
Join Our Glacier Hiking Tours
What to Expect & Prepare
When glacier hiking in Iceland, we recommend that you prepare for the local weather first. Crampons, helmets, and other safety gear are provided on our tours, but you’ll need to dress the part. Layer up with a thermal base, waterproof shell, and a windproof jacket. Glaciers can get gusty, so stay warm and dry with breathable layers, snug socks, and sturdy hiking boots. Keep the jeans at home, as they don’t dry quickly and can limit your movements.
While beginner tours are accessible, good health and reasonable fitness will enhance your experience tackling gentle slopes. More challenging hikes may combine a glacier walk with ice climbing, so solid fitness and confidence on uneven terrain is a must. Whether you’re on a full-day glacier hike from Reykjavík or taking an express 2.5-hour express hike, listen to your guide—they know glaciers better than Google Maps. Lastly, don’t let your stomach get the best of you; bring water and snacks. You’ll burn energy faster than you think out there.
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