Iceland Glacier Hike Guide

What are the best glaciers to hike on in Iceland?

Sólheimajökull glacier. Sandwiched between the Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes is the iconic Sólheimajökull glacier. Forming part of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Solheimajökull is an easily accessible marvel.

Tours from Solheimajokull

Skaftafellsjökull glacier. Skaftafellsjökull glacier is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull glacier, which is Iceland’s largest ice cap. Walking on black sands and seeing sparkling ice chunks are some of the highlights of visiting this glacier. Acting as our base, it lies conveniently close to the Skaftafell visitor centre and is surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Falljökull glacier. Also located in Skaftafell, Falljökull translates literally to ‘The Falling Glacier’. Found on the black sandy shores of the south coast, it is known for its rugged surface and striking blue and white coloring.

Tours from Skaftafell

Where are glacier hike tours close to Reykjavik?

If you are making your way to the site on your own, you’ll be pleased to know that the Sólheimajökull glacier has a variety of glacier hike tours close to Reykjavik. As the nearest glacier to Reykjavik, it is easily accessible but still takes between 2.5 to 3 hours to reach. Tours here vary in difficulty and length.

What do I wear on a glacier hike?

Biting cold, powdery snow, and slick ice always spring to mind whenever people think of glaciers, but Iceland’s infamous ever-changing weather means it can be even harder to know what to wear. If you are struggling to decide, here are some golden essentials to bring with you:

Iceland’s weather is known for how rapidly it changes throughout the day, but glaciers are always much warmer in summer than people expect. Sometimes, you can even venture out onto the ice without a jacket, but you should always be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions by bringing these essential items:

Waterproof ankle boots. Glaciers are made of one thing only: water, which means you should always pack some comfortable, waterproof, or GORE-TEX ankle boots, so you aren’t caught off guard by weather changes.

Thermal socks. Thin ankle socks won’t keep your toes toasty and warm, so bring some thick, thermal socks instead.

Warm underlayers. The first rule about visiting Iceland is dressing in layers. Thermal layers will keep frost at bay if you are going on your glacier walk in winter, and they are also easy to peel off if you get warm on your summer glacier walk.

Your best waterproof jacket. Iceland experiences high rainfall in summer, so bringing a waterproof jacket is recommended. Make sure it has some light padding that will keep you warm but won’t weigh you down. There will be days where you don’t need it, but it’s never a good idea to leave it behind.

Hiking pants. If there is one item you should never wear on a glacier walk, it’s jeans. Instead, pack some flexible, breathable pants that will work with you as you move.

You don’t just need the right wardrobe when glacier hiking, but also the right equipment. Below is a list of items you need that will keep you safe and enhance your experience.

You’ll always need these specialist items:

- Crampons
- An ice axe
- A harness

On more difficult tours, you might also need these items:

- A helmet
- A headlamp (only on specific winter tours)

This equipment will be provided to you, and any protective rain gear or hiking boots can be provided at an additional cost.

When is the best time of year to go on a glacier hike?

It is no secret that summer has more options for glacier walking where full and half-day tours can be enjoyed. Some glacier walks still operate in winter, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s a worse choice. In fact, in winter there is the Glacier Hike with Ice Caves with ice tunnels, ice wells, and more blue ice. Despite this, tours can only be so long in winter. Summer offers longer hikes and combo options, such as the ATV and Glacier Walk Combo and the Blue Ice Experience & Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon.

Where to find us

Directions to our Glacier Hike bases in Skaftafell and by Sólheimajökull glacier in South Iceland can be found on this page: Where to find us. Sólheimajökull is about 2.5 hours from Reykjavík, and Skaftafell about 5 hours. We look forward to seeing you and please drive safely!