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
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An Epic Ice Climbing Adventure
ahmedaI6665TL,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing Ice Climbing experience with Christian! The tour was well organized, fun, and felt very safe from start to finish. Christian was professional, supportive, and made the whole experience enjoyable even for first-timers. Definitely a highlight of the trip — 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Worth it, amazing experience
El M,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really great experience, the guide was great, knowledgeable and knew exactly what he was doing, demonstrated what to do and answered any questions, we got to climb a lot of sections away from other groups and the views were amazing with the setting sun Well worth doing
10/10
N4311DIrobw,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today was an awe-inspiring adventure courtesy of our fantastic guide Darragh. Conditions happened to be ideal and we made the most of it. The highlight of my Iceland trip for sure.
Darragh is the man
I2758FHigort,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend booked an extreme experience an d i couldn't have asked for a better day and our Guide went above and beyond. If you can request a guide Darragh was an amazing person, a great teacher and an over of the top guide, I hope his employer cherishes him and what he brings to their organization. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Darragh, you made our excursion a hit, THANK YOU.
Best experience!!
Sunshine67202008974,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour was awesome! Darragh was our guide and was fantastic! We climbed for the first time and had a blast together! He’s incredibly knowledgeable and all about being safe and enjoying the trip! I can’t speak more highly of him!
Absolute must do
Jacob M,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Booked the glacier Xtreme experience and had an amazing time. A truly once in a lifetime experience with breathtaking views and thrilling climbs. Huge shoutout to Darragh who was extremely knowledgeable, communicative and helpful throughout the whole trip. He made us feel safe on the ice and gave us plenty of opportunity to scale up or down the difficulty depending on skill or preference. Will definitely book with artic adventure in the future
Great Experience!
kimmellc,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took this tour with Sara and had the best time! She went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and having fun. Definitely feel like we made the most of this experience!
Your best day in Iceland
T4587DMmichaelp,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are interested in an adventurous, physical activities this tour is a must do! You also need to ask for Martin as a tour guide. Martin is hilarious, knowledgeable, a great photographer, and an incredible teacher. His genuine love of the glaciers is infectious. Thanks to him (and as he predicted before our tour started), this was our best day in Iceland.
Love it!
Qingyuan Z,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Christian is the best! Professional, kind and warm. The ice climbing and hiking experience is pretty good. A bit challenging and lots of fun.
Extreme ice climbing and hike - BOOK IT!!
Excursion08200913869,,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Xtreme Ice Climbing and Hike tour not really knowing what to expect, and it turned out to be way more fun than we imagined! The ice climbing was absolutely legit—challenging, exciting, and so much better than we thought it would be. I traveled with my fiancée and two other adult family members, and every one of us was so glad we decided on this adventure. Our guide, Sarah, was the best. She’s clearly super skilled and knowledgeable, and she made us feel completely safe and confident throughout the day. Her guidance and encouragement really made the experience even more enjoyable. Not to mention she's clearly as badass. If you’re on the fence about booking this tour, do it—you won’t regret it. We’ll be talking about this one for a long time!
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Operated by Arctic Adventures