Glacier Xtreme: Vatnajökull Ice Climbing + Hike from Skaftafell
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This activity offers a thrilling combination of glacier exploration and ice climbing on Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Participants have the opportunity to scale towering ice walls and descend into crevasses, experiencing the raw power and beauty of the glacier up close. Led by experienced guides, adventurers receive personalized instruction and guidance, ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience. With its blend of adrenaline-pumping adventure and awe-inspiring natural beauty, this activity promises a unique and unforgettable journey into the heart of Iceland's icy wilderness.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
This is a challenging tour. Guests should be physically fit and prepared to ice-climb and walk ~8 Km over a 350-400m elevation gain.
Specialized ice-climbing boots are provided for this adventure and available in sizes 36-50 EU.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
We begin your glacier adventure at the Skaftafell Booking Center, where our expert guides await to introduce you to this icy wonderland. After a briefing on the tour and safety rules, ensuring you're informed and prepared,and gearing up, we embark on a 20-minute drive to Falljökull glacier. Brace yourself for a scenic hike, encountering vibrant ice giants and moulins along the way. Our knowledgeable guides share glacier tales while you hydrate with glacier meltwater. But the adventure continues! Test your mettle by scaling towering ice walls or descending into crevasses. This is your chance to conquer Europe's largest glacier!
What‘s Included
Small Group Guarantee
Guided Glacier Hike
Glacier Gear (Crampons, Ice Pick, Helmet & Ice Climbing boots)
4x4 Bus transport from Skaftafell to the foot of the glacier
Food and Drinks
Warm, waterproof clothes (waterproof jacket & pants available to rent for a fee)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Glacier Xtreme: Vatnajökull Ice Climbing + Hike from Skaftafell
Reviews
36 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Super fun and adventurous experience!
P6918WMalexr,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was so much fun and one of the highlights of our Iceland trip! Our guide, Rob, was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and patient with all of us. He made us feel very safe considering we've never hiked a glacier before. The hike went on pretty much all day and only has like 6 people making it more intimate and personalized. One thing I recommend for people booking is to wear thick socks or wrap their ankles because the hiking boots they provided cut up the back of my ankle on my Achilles tendon. Overall, highly recommend this to everyone! It's definitely worth the price.
Best activity we did in Iceland!
920dustyc,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Xtreme Glacier climb. There were six in our group with two guides. It was amazing. We hiked all the way up into the glacier and climbed several ice walls along the way. Amazing time and great guides!
ELITE
Roving08270749338,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So happy I attended this tour. A physical and technical challenge but the views were impossible to beat. Rob was an outstanding tour guide with great knowledge and experience that kept our group safe and entertained. Would recommend him and this tour to anyone. I am eager for my next ice climbing and hiking experience!
Galcier Xtreme Tour is a Must Do
amberhC5891MQ,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had the most amazing experience with Rob as our tour guide! Cannot recommend this tour enough. He was very patient with us as we got more comfortable with climbing and went the extra mile squeezing in an extra climb on our tour. Learned so much and got amazing photos!
Great!!
ryanaB8661QN,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sara was amazing as our guide. We hadn’t done any ice climbing before. She made it easy and the trip was really fun with my teen sons.
Great experience, greater guide!
D1701IYanaj,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time, our guide Sara was super nice and made it super easy and fun. We loved this ice climbing adventure!
Amazing hike!
V1407AZmarcb,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The hike was amazing. We were a little group with an amazing guide (Sara)!! The glacier is beautiful, the hike was great with climbing on ice walls! Sara gave us a lot of hints about the glacier and Iceland! I can only recommend! Worth every penny!
Amazing, beautiful, safe ice climbing experience
S7340QHbille,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome trip up the glacier to hike and climb! Indra and Steven were super knowledgeable, friendly, and careful to make sure we were also safe. They lectured us about the geology and history of the glacier while taking breaks on our hike and helped us understand the glacier we were climbing. Absolutely recommend!
Best experience Iceland
731agatak,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My ice climbing and hiking experience with Sara was outstanding. Sara is an expert guide who combines high safety standards with clear, direct technical instruction. The equipment was top-tier and well-maintained, which is critical for a demanding environment. This wasn't a superficial tourist trek; it was a well-paced, physical "project" that offered a legitimate sense of the glacier’s scale. Sara’s deep knowledge of glaciology and her ability to read the ice made the climbing both challenging and rewarding. For anyone valuing professional execution and high-quality gear, I highly recommend requesting Sara for a focused, high-value adventure.
Amazing ice climbing experience!!
amberrB9999TV,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing ice climbing tour with Sara on the glacier! She was so kind and so much fun! We would highly recommend, best experience in Iceland!!
From €228.00
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Operated by Arctic Adventures