Snowmobile on Vatnajökull Glacier

3 hoursGroup: Small groupModerateMeet on locationAge 6+March–October

Group with their snowmobiles on Vatnajökull

Snowmobiles following the tracks across the ice

A Vatnajökull snowmobile tour that takes you onto Europe's largest ice cap in Southeast Iceland. With a guide leading the way, you ride across the glacier's snow-covered surface, stopping partway for photos and views.

Meeting point near HöfnSnowmobile briefingOnto Vatnajökull glacierScenic stopReturn

Snowmobiling on Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier by volume
A guided ride with a scenic stop for photos
Suitable for children as passengers
Full snowmobile suit, helmet and gloves provided
Meets close to Höfn in Southeast Iceland

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Meeting point near HöfnArrive at the glacier base, about 46 km west of Höfn.

The glacier base is about 46 km west of Höfn, near Hotel Smyrlabjörg, so you need your own transport to get there. Arrive in good time before the start for check-in.

Read our Höfn í Hornafirði guide →

Suit up and briefingGet kitted out and learn how to handle the snowmobile.

You are given an insulated suit, helmet and gloves, and a face covering, then shown how to operate the snowmobile before setting off. Passengers must be at least 6, and drivers need a valid driving licence.

Age · minimum 6 to ride as a passenger; drivers need a valid licence

Onto Vatnajökull glacierRiding in convoy across the snow-covered ice cap.

You follow your guide out onto the glacier surface, with the group riding together at a controlled pace. Vatnajökull covers about 8% of Iceland and is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume, so the views from the surface are wide.

Time here · part of the approximately 3-hour tour

Read our Vatnajökull guide →

Scenic stopA stop midway for photos and views over the ice.

A stop midway for photos and views over the ice. You get off the snowmobiles and hear about the glacier from your guide.

5ReturnRide back to the starting point to finish the tour.

About the Vatnajökull snowmobile tour

Vatnajökull covers about 8% of Iceland, and this tour gets you out onto its surface on a snowmobile, guided the whole way. The meeting point is around 46 km west of Höfn, near Hotel Smyrlabjörg, and after a safety briefing you head up onto the ice in a group, following your guide.

The ride includes a stop partway across for photos and to take in the scale of the ice cap, with views that stretch out over the glacier and surrounding mountains on a clear day. Only one person per snowmobile needs a driving licence, so it works well for couples or families riding two to a machine, with children able to join as passengers.

The season runs from March to October, when the ice is stable enough for the machines. Conditions and visibility can change fast up on the glacier, so your guide may adjust the route or turn back early if the weather closes in.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Solo rider fee (needed when booking an odd number of people)
Private tour upgrade
Carbon offset for your tour, through tree planting in Iceland

Included

Guided snowmobile tour
Snowmobile, insulated overall, helmet and gloves
Safety briefing and instruction

Not included

Transport to the meeting point near Höfn
Food and drinks

What to bring

Warm layers under the provided suit
Sunglasses or goggles
Driving licence if you plan to drive

Good to know

Minimum age 6 to ride as a passenger; drivers need a valid driving licence
Runs March to October, weather and ice conditions permitting
Duration about 3 hours
Meeting point is about 46 km west of Höfn, so you need your own transport there
One person per machine can ride as passenger without a licence

Questions people ask

Do I need a driving licence?

Only the person driving the snowmobile needs one; a second person can ride as a passenger.

Can children come?

Yes, from age 6, as passengers only.

Does it run all year?

It runs March to October, depending on ice and weather conditions.

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No, the meeting point is near Höfn in Southeast Iceland; you need your own way there.

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From31,500 ISKPer person