Hidden Ice Cave on Vatnajökull: A Full-Day Remote Glacier Hike

Overview

Available languages

English

24 hours

Mobile ticket

We specialise in full day adventurous glacier hikes and ice cave visits with a focus on delivering a more immersive experience on the ice.

•Our guest to guide ratio is the smallest in the industry (4:1),

•Minimum moderate fitness requirement, means more adventurous opportunities.

•We're naturalists, so you'll hear facts and stories of the geological forces that produced this surreal part of the world. As well as the opportunity to get detailed explanations through the day of any questions you may have about glaciers and their impacts.

•Even though it is not a requirement to have been on a glacier before, maybe this time you want to go further and 'do more'.

•Expect to be outside all day in the wilderness ready to face wind, rain, snow, be lost in clouds and more. Icelandic nature at it's finest.

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 at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

•At the gas station(meeting point) we can use the bathroom & purchase any snacks. You'll then follow us for a short drive to a car park where you'll get equipped with safety gear. •Next, a 20min trail walk to the glacier front where we'll gear up go and run through safety instructions. •Once on ice, we'll walk through easy terrain to get familiar with techniques to progress your skills. •Once familiar and confident with the equipment and usage, we'll begin to move through steeper and more adventurous terrain. •You'll see your guide at work, fixing anchors, ropes and cutting steps to make your journey through these areas very safe and let you be semi-autonomous. •We'll hike to a large ice cave not visited by larger group operators. Here, we'll descend into the ice cave as far as safe, before returning back. •Throughout the day you'll get many opportunities to take photos, learn about the natural history of Vatnajökull, Europe's most voluminous ice cap. More specifically, topics we love to talk about are geology, glaciology and what it's future looks like in a world of climate change.

What‘s Included

Experienced Hard Ice Guide kitted with first aid, communications device and rescue hardware.

Helmet, Harness, Crampons, Ice Axe, Headlamp (if required)

Coffee and/or Tea

1-2 days before your hike, we'll get in touch to give you a weather & expected conditions report.

Private transportation

Lunch

If you don't have solid Mountain Boots, you can rent for only €15/$15/£15 (Waterproof, Warm & Protective)

Options

Remote Ice Cave & Glacier Hike - Full Day

Reviews

5.00

1 review

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

One of the best tours I've ever done. Beautiful glacier hike with wonderful views.
timmJ3192WV,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were constantly updated on all details such as weather, wind, required clothing and other information even before the tour started. From the beginning we felt we had known our guides Keish and Adam for a long time. They were so nice, cool and relaxed. We started at a gas station where they equipped us with the equipment for the day: Climbing harnesses, crampons and ice picks. After that we drove about 10 minutes towards the glacier, mach are track for each car, classic gravel road, but no 4x4 needed. After a short hike we finally reached the ice. The two of them showed us how to attach the crampons to our boots. With many helpful tips and tricks, we moved across the ice as if we had never done anything else. During the hike they gave us interesting information about the glacier and the surrounding area. We passed several large hiking groups, but away from them we went to areas where nobody else was, much nicer and quieter. Unlike the large groups, where everyone had to walk in a straight line behind their guide, we were able to move freely on the glacier. Always under the watchful eyes of Keish and Adam, who accompanied us on our way and in dangerous places. As the ice took more of a toll on our hiking skills and we began to climb up and down ice crevices, the guides did everything they could to ensure our safety, regularly setting up rope railings or similar safety devices so that we were safe in case any of us slipped or tripped. They worked very well together as a team of two and stretched the ropes one after the other at incredible speed. After four hours of hiking it was finally time, but into the depths of the ice cave/ice crevices. After another safety rope had been stretched, we began our descent. It was such a wonderful and magical moment to be deep down in the ice and see what nature had created there. This feeling cannot be compared to anything else you have ever experienced on another hike. Looking up at up to 12 meters of ice above us made it very special. As we made our way deeper and deeper into the narrow ice gap, we felt like an explorer. You mentioned that up to that point probably only about 10 people had seen this place as it looks now, and that not many more people will see it before the glacier continues to migrate and it disappears forever. After enjoying the picturesque sight of the setting sun dipping everything in a beautiful orange, we drank a hot chocolate from Keith – what a beautiful, special drink on the glacier. Now all that had to happen was the descent. Since we already knew how to move on the ice, and the route was planned, we came down in about 1.5 hours and finally reached our car. We made perfect use of every minute of our very manageable daylight of about 5.5 hours on the glacier, and the tour lasted a total of 7 hours. I really have to say that it was the best tour I have ever done anywhere, and one of the most scenic and best hikes I have ever undertaken, comparable to anything in the Alps or Madeira. It was the best decision to go there with Ice Guardians. There were two of us and had two guides, which was perfect. Normally there would have been only one guide, but fortunately another guide, Adam, came along for free that day. Together they have made it a perfect and entertaining time for us. Thanks to both of you!