Description
Summary
Description
Experience the excitement of kayaking in Iceland and hiking a lesser-known mountain in the shadow of Europe’s largest glacier. Explore remote icy landscapes in a single day and a small-group setting on this Iceland glacier adventure designed for active outdoor enthusiasts.
This tour runs from May to September, when mild weather and long daylight hours make for ideal adventures. In summer, trails can be clear of snow and temperatures are just right for kayaking and hiking. It’s the perfect time to explore Iceland’s glaciers beneath glowing Arctic skies.
Your 6-hour glacier tour begins at Hotel Smyrlabjorg, located along the Ring Road in Southeast Iceland. Meet your professional guide and receive a short briefing on weather, safety, and trip details before starting your adventure.
All essential gear is provided for a seamless experience. You’ll have a boat, drysuit, personal flotation device (PFD), paddle, and water shoes. Lightweight MRS Nomad packrafts, about 4 kilograms, make it easy to hike while carrying your equipment. You'll carry your kayaking equipment, about 7 kilograms in total, during the hike. Boats take a maximum of 110 kilograms, and drysuits go up to size XXL.
Board a 4x4 vehicle and journey along gravel roads to the trailhead. A short walk brings you to Heinabergslon, a hidden glacial lagoon near the Heinabergsjokull Glacier. This lagoon in Vatnajokull National Park offers impressive icebergs and incredible ice formations away from the crowds.
Inflate your packrafts and paddle with a professional glacier and kayak guide. Spend 1.5–2 hours paddling beneath Heinabergsjokull’s outlet glacier, weaving between icebergs, and exploring textures and colors up close. With fewer crowds, you can enjoy a peaceful and uninterrupted experience on the water.
First-time kayakers can enjoy flatwater paddling in stable packrafts. Instruction is provided on-site, so everyone can enjoy, no matter their previous experience.
After kayaking, land at the base of a mountain and lace up your hiking boots. Hike to a panoramic ridge overlooking an outlet glacier descending from the Vatnajokull Ice Cap. Admire ash-streaked ice, deep crevasses, and rugged glacial formations along the way.
Cross glacial meltwater streams and explore newly exposed terrain. Witness Iceland’s evolving landscape up close as the ice retreats, revealing untouched wilderness rarely seen by visitors. The hike takes 1.5 to 2 hours, including a break to enjoy your own packed lunch.
Finish the adventure by kayaking back across calm waters dotted with icebergs to your starting point. Take in the glacier views one last time before concluding your kayaking tour in Iceland.
Some sections have no maintained trail. You’ll walk over rocky, uneven ground with short uphill stretches. A moderate level of fitness helps you fully enjoy this combination of land and water exploration.
With a small group of up to six participants, you’ll benefit from personal guidance, a safer pace, and a more immersive experience.
Your tour finishes back at the Hotel Smyrlabjorg, from where you may continue your Iceland exploration independently.
Experience glaciers up close, paddle among icebergs, and explore remote icy landscapes on this Heinabergslon glacier hiking and kayaking tour in Iceland. Check availability now by choosing a date.
