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A Skaftafell glacier hike for first-timers. You spend 1 to 1.5 hours on Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, walking in crampons with a certified glacier guide among ridges, crevasses and blue ice.
This is the shorter of the two glacier hikes from Skaftafell and the easiest way to get onto Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume. You meet at the base in Hof, get fitted with gear, and take a short drive and a 15-minute walk to the edge of Falljökull. Then you put on crampons and spend 1 to 1.5 hours on the ice.
Falljökull means 'falling glacier', and you can see why: the ice tumbles down from Öræfajökull in a steep icefall. On the lower part your guide picks a route among ridges, small crevasses, meltwater channels and ash layers. The pace is slow and you walk on uneven ice, so you need to be able to walk for a couple of hours, but no experience is needed.
The glacier changes all the time, so no two walks are the same. The weather in Öræfi can turn quickly from sun to wind and rain, so dress in layers and bring waterproofs. In summer the area around Skaftafell is busy, so plan your drive and arrive in good time. The meeting point is about 5 hours' drive from Reykjavík in good conditions, and the drive takes longer in winter.
No. Your guide teaches you how to walk in crampons before you step onto the ice. You should be comfortable walking for a couple of hours on uneven ground.
Yes. Hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers can be rented for an extra fee when you book.
About 1 to 1.5 hours. If you want more time on the ice, look at the 5-hour Skaftafell hike.
At the base in Hof, next to Route 1 east of Skaftafell. Free parking is available. You need your own transport to get there.
It runs in most weather, but your guide can change the route or cancel if it is not safe. If the operator cancels, you can choose another tour or date, or get a refund.
Amazing glacier and the views from the top were simply stunning. The colors and patterns of the glacier and being able to explore it up close was a memory I will not forget.
Emily · April 2026Amazing glacier hike. Cold, challenging, beautiful. The guide’s energy and knowledge made it worth every step. One of the top experiences of our trip!
Omar S.La caminata glaciar en Skaftafell fue maravillosa. El guía era muy profesional, buena explicación de cómo usar los crampones, y siempre asegurándose de que nos sintiéramos seguros. Las formaciones de hielo, los colores azules, el paisaje eran asombrosos. Una experiencia que no olvidaré.
Carla R.Wow. The ice, the textures, the light — just stunning. Our guide was very professional, taught us interesting facts about Vatnajökull. Even the walk up steep parts was manageable because we had good gear and support. Highly recommend for nature lovers!
Did this tour today and am still high on life after experiencing the nature!
We did this hike with our kids 11 and 14 years old. Petur from Iceland Travel Guide recommended this tour for us. The kids were a bit nervous at first about walking on ice. The guide was extremely considerate — checked everyone’s footing, explained everything, paused often for rest & photos. The experience left all of us buzzing. Beautiful, educational, and safe. Great for families.
Priya K.The glacier hike at Skaftafell delivered more than I expected. The contrast between white snow, black volcanic ash, and the icy blues was otherworldly. Our guide pointed out hidden moulins and seracs, explaining glacial movement simply but deeply. Even when clouds rolled in, the views were still dramatic. Cold, but so worth every shiver!
Ingrid S.Never glacier walked before, but this tour made it easy. The gear fit well, the guide was patient, helped me with the ice axe and crampons, and made the hike fun rather than intimidating. The views of the glacier front, crevasses and blue ice were breathtaking. A very memorable day!
Martin D.Skaftafell glacier hike was one of the highlights of our trip to Southeast Iceland. The ice is surreal — deep blue ridges, crevasses, and soaring views of Vatnajokull. Our guide, Jon, was fantastic: explained glacier safety clearly, kept our group together, made sure everyone was comfortable with crampons. Even though there’s quite a bit of walking, the pace was perfect. The knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide elevated the whole experience.
Hazel T.We had the best time on this glacier hiking tour - everything from start to finish was very smooth. The glacier was breathtaking, the guide extremely friendly and the view from the glacier was the best I have seen.
Highly recommend this experience.
Fantastic experience!
Hill · May 2025Magnificent experience with amazing guide and beautiful views!
Will definitely be booking this again next time I visit Iceland with my son.
This hike was the perfect adventure! Walking on a glacier with crampons felt thrilling, and the views were breathtaking. Our guide taught us about the glacier’s history and its changing landscapes, which made the experience even more meaningful. It was an adventure I’ll never forget, and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a close-up experience with Iceland’s glaciers!
Andrew S. · November 2024This hike was unforgettable! Walking on the glacier was surreal, and the views were out of this world. Our guide made the experience safe and fun.
Alex P. · October 2024Absolutely loved this glacier hike! The weather was great with clear skies so the views from the glacier were out of this world! The guide was great and made sure that the glacier hike was easy for everyone. We had never been glacier hiking and it was a truly unique experience to see the glacier so close!
Natalia H. · May 2023Skaftafell was the most beautiful place that we saw in Iceland and I am very happy that we decided to do the glacier hike in Skaftafell because the beautiful surroundings of the glacier and the views from the glacier were absolutely amazing. We were choosing between Skaftafell and Solheimajokull for our glacier hike. I obviously do not know how the glacier hike in Solheimajokull is but I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed with glacier hiking in Skaftafell, so if I were you I would pick Skaftafell.
Alexis J. · December 2022
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