Included:

• • An experienced, local glacier and ice climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Full-day glacier hiking and ice climbing tour on Vatnajökull (7–7.5 hours)
  • All necessary glacier and technical climbing gear (crampons, helmet, harness, ice axes, ropes, carabiners, etc.)
  • All required safety equipment

Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout)

• • Equipment rental — waterproof jacket and waterproof pants

Not included:

• • Transportation to Iceland
  • Meals or snacks
  • Accommodation
  • Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Insurance — recommended, available at checkout

In order to join this Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull, great fitness is required, along with a good level of comfort moving on uneven, icy terrain. The most you’ll hike within the day is up to 8 km (5 mi), with up to 400 m (1,300 ft) of elevation gain.

Since part of the day is spent ice climbing on a vertical wall, expect some upper-body effort on top of sustained hiking—no prior climbing experience is necessary, your guide teaches everything on-site. Note that crampons can’t be fitted to shoe sizes below EU 35, so sturdy, ankle-supporting boots of your own are a must.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland adventures here!

Gear:

• • Sturdy hiking boots (crampon compatible)
  • Day pack (25–40L)
  • Water bottle/hydration bladder (min. 2L)
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Gloves (warm, flexible for gripping tools)
  • Camera or phone (optional, but highly recommended)

Clothing:

• • Waterproof rain jacket and pants (shells)
  • Warm, moisture-wicking base layers
  • Insulating mid-layer (fleece or light down)
  • Wool or synthetic hiking socks
  • Warm hat and a buff or neck gaiter

Other:

• • Snacks or small packed lunch
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Personal medications/essentials

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

No experience or personal gear is necessary for this Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull—crampons, an ice axe, a helmet, and a harness are all provided and fitted by your guide, included in the tour price.

Crampons matter here specifically because you’re not just hiking on ice, you’re climbing it—they’re metal spikes that attach to your boots and dig into the ice for grip, both on the glacier hike and on the ice wall. One thing to note: crampons only fit securely from EU shoe size 35 upward, so bring appropriate backup footwear if yours is smaller. All gear gets returned to your guide at the end of the tour.

Group sizes and pricing:

• • For this Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull can be accommodated for larger groups upon request—contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors older than 14 may be permitted to join the Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The starting point of this Skaftafell glacier hike and ice climbing on Vatnajökull is the Skaftafell Booking Center, inside Vatnajökull National Park, about 327 km (203 mi)—roughly a 4.5- to 5-hour drive—east of Reykjavík. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), then rent a car or take a bus toward Skaftafell. There’s no pickup included, so you’ll need your own transportation to the meeting point.

Parking at Skaftafell isn’t included—a fee applies (from around 1,040 ISK for a standard car, payable online or on-site), valid until midnight the same day.

You will meet your guide at 9:30 am in the tour operator’s base by Skaftafell parking lot.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.