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4 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, on this unforgettable adventure. A 4x4 vehicle transports you from Skaftafell to the glaciers edge. Then, led by an experienced guide, you’ll walk across shimmering ice and journey to a natural blue ice cave. Towering ice ridges, dramatic crevasses, and sweeping glacier views make every step feel like you’ve entered another world. This tour safely blends the thrill of exploration with the raw beauty of nature.
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in cold weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Minimum age is 8 years old and minimum shoe size is 35 EU
We provide all safety gear. Please note that our specialized glacier crampons are only available for shoe sizes 35-50 EU. Those with a shoe size beyond these are unfortunately unable to participate.
Hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for this adventure (rentals available for a fee)
This tour is rated as easy, but guests should be prepared to hike ~3km over uneven terrain.
Meet your expert glacier guide at our Skaftafell base in Vatnajökull National Park, gear up with crampons, helmet and ice axe, and set off for an unforgettable adventure Fallsjökull, an outlet of the mighty Vatnajökull - Iceland's largest glacier. A short 4x4 ride takes you to the glacier’s edge, where you’ll get a full safety briefing before stepping onto the ice. Hike across a dazzling frozen landscape of crevasses, ice ridges and sweeping mountain views, then visit a naturally formed blue ice cave - the photogenic highlight of the tour. You’ll have time to explore inside and capture incredible photos of the ice walls. Expect about 1.5–2 hours on the glacier at an easy pace on uneven terrain, making this a fantastic experience for active travelers with no prior glacier experience.
Specialized glacier equipment (glacier crampons, walking ice axe, harness, helmet)
Small group experience
4x4 bus transport from Skaftafell to the foot of the glacier
Certified glacier guide
Glacier hike & natural ice cave visit
Food and drinks
Clothing. Waterproof pants, jacket and hiking boots available to rent for a small fee
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
156 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
G4723CMianh,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Through GetYourGuide we booked this family/beginner glacier hike for ourselves and our 12yr old grandson. We hiked the nearby Fjalljakoll glacier and it was absolutely amazing. Our guide was brilliant. We explored many aspects of the glacier and the views were jaw-dropping throughout. Its not cheap, but we felt it was worth every penny. We booked onsite at Skaftafell campground. The company was in the left of the two Experience cabins as you face them. Think the company was called Icelandia
austinsL6327ZP,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
My fiancé and I did the extreme glacier hike and ice climb with Ivo as our guide. It was an absolutely incredible experience. Ivo was the best guide ever. He safely led our group to so many other-worldly areas of the glacier and was such a great ice climbing instructor, we were able to scale a 25ft ice wall! It was an unforgettable experience and truly an extreme adventure!
398justinea,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
The excursion was truly amazing. We spent 6 hours in the mountains between hiking and climbing on the glacier. Thank you to Ivo, who accompanied us all day! And who introduced us to this glacier.



charmains82,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was an excellent experience. Stunning and awe inspiring. Definitely an experience to remember.

35harriet,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
I booked the wrong date/tour, which arctic adventures promptly helped us fix. We ended up doing the extreme glacier tour. It was absolutely amazing. The pace was great, even though it is quite a hike, our guide Ivo took regular breaks to explain about our surroundings. He was very helpful and patient with me as a first time ice climber. He consulted with the group about which/how many climbs to do but also gave expert advice. He even found 2 ice tunnels! Made some cool pictures of us which he shared afterwards. 10/10, would recommend.
Graham R,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great guide Ivo who taught us the basics of ice climbing and took us on 4 climbs on the Vatnajōkull glacier. Very kind and competent, fun and witty with great knowledge of climbing, glacial terrain and experience of the area. Also a paramedic so felt very safe

Sunshine19225635145,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
The guy Kevin is insane He took us to explore many places He also teach good technique
bryanandheatherd2024,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a great time on this hike. It was well organized with great employees. I had to rent the hiking boots, and they were fine. We bussed to a lot, walked 20 minutes to the glacier, walked up to the top of the glacier base, then put on the provided crampons. We explored crevaces, ridges, and the ice cave. Our group was experienced hikers, so our pace was good. There was another group of less experienced hikers or those with movement issues, and their guide did an excellent job of pacing, aiding, and adjusting. Our guide provided excellent facts about glaciers and the region. The entire trip was 4 hours. This was well worth the price and time to get to hike on a glacier like this. The bonus was being able to go into the ice cave.



chiaram220,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
I participated in the Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike Tour on April 2, and unfortunately, my experience raises significant concerns regarding both safety and overall organisation. The tour was originally scheduled for 10:20 but was rescheduled to 15:00 the day prior due to adverse weather conditions. I accepted this change in good faith, trusting that conditions would be suitable at the revised time. This did not prove to be the case. From the outset, the organisation was inadequate. There were more participants than available seats on the buses, resulting in delays and confusion. The situation was handled in a manner that appeared unprofessional and did not inspire confidence. Despite the previously acknowledged weather concerns, the tour proceeded. Upon arrival at the glacier, participants were exposed to heavy rain, strong winds, and freezing temperatures. Within minutes, everyone was thoroughly soaked. Despite wearing technical, waterproof clothing, the intensity of the rain and the continuous flow of water rendered it ineffective. In my case, I was drenched through all layers and experienced significant discomfort, with legitimate concerns about the risk of hypothermia. The return to the buses did not improve the situation. We were asked to sit in a bus without heating, while a roof window remained open, allowing cold air and rain inside. Subsequently, participants were required to disembark and change buses, forcing everyone back into the adverse weather conditions and to walk again through snow, ice, and water. In addition, equipment such as ice picks was distributed without adequate explanation, while instructions for fitting crampons were delivered under extreme weather conditions. With freezing hands and limited visibility, it was difficult to follow these instructions effectively, indicating insufficient preparation and guidance. During the hike, I encountered a particularly hazardous situation when my leg sank into the snow up to my knee in an area with flowing water beneath the surface. At that moment, the guide was positioned significantly ahead and did not notice, leaving me without immediate assistance. The “blue ice cave” itself did not meet expectations and differed substantially from what had been advertised. Furthermore, conditions inside the cave raised safety concerns, with water dripping from above and flowing across the ground, creating unstable footing. The tour was advertised as lasting approximately four hours. In reality, the experience lasted closer to two hours, the majority of which was spent on transportation rather than the activity itself. Overall, the tour was not at all what was advertised, poorly managed, and, most importantly, conducted in conditions that I believe posed unnecessary risks. It would have been more appropriate to cancel or fully reschedule the activity. Following the experience, I contacted customer service; however, my concerns were dismissed as “normal Icelandic weather.” Based on what was experienced, I do not consider this to be an accurate or acceptable characterisation. For these reasons, I cannot recommend this tour.
57PaulD,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guide was amazing, the knowledge was incredible and the tour was overwhelming to see mother nature 🙏🏾




Operated by Arctic Adventures