Glacier hiking tours in Iceland take you onto the ice with a certified guide, crampons, and safety gear. Glacier hikes are the most popular glacier tours in Iceland, followed by ice cave tours, ice climbing tours, and snowmobile tours. Easy glacier hikes welcome beginners from age 8.
Glacier experiences rank seventh among the things tourism professionals most often recommend in a 2026 survey of Iceland’s top experiences. Glacier tours also rank ninth in a separate study of Iceland tours ranked by traveler satisfaction.
Every glacier hiking operator in Iceland rates above 4.5 out of 5. The main difference between two glacier hikes is their length and price, not their quality. Entry-level glacier hikes in Iceland cost 12,900 ISK (107 USD) to 20,000 ISK (165 USD).
Longer glacier hikes in Iceland rate higher than the standard three-hour glacier hike. Our review of how glacier hiking tours compare on rating, price, and reliability explains what you get in each price band.
What to Expect on a Glacier Hike in Iceland
You can walk on glaciers in Iceland only on a guided glacier hiking tour. Icelandic glaciers have hidden crevasses and unstable ice. A certified glacier guide checks the conditions and leads your group safely across the ice.
A glacier walk in Iceland starts with a safety briefing at the base of the ice. Your guide fits you with crampons, a helmet, and a harness. You then spend about 1.5 to 3 hours walking on the ice, depending on the tour.
On a glacier hike in Iceland, you see deep crevasses, ice ridges, blue ice, and layers of black volcanic ash. Your guide explains how the glacier moves and changes. Our study of glacier melting rates in Iceland covers 135 years of change on these glaciers.
Best Glacier Hiking Tours in Iceland
Glacier hikes in Iceland are done with a trained guide and the right safety equipment. You should never walk on a glacier in Iceland independently. Compare the top glacier hiking tours below, from easy beginner glacier walks to longer, more challenging hikes.
Best Glacier Hiking Tours From Reykjavik
You can go glacier hiking on a day trip from Reykjavik on Solheimajokull Glacier. These glacier hiking tours from Reykjavik include round-trip transfers and run all year. They suit travelers without a rental car.
Where to Go Glacier Hiking in Iceland
The best place for a glacier hike in Iceland depends on where you stay. These are the main glacier hiking areas in Iceland, listed from west to east.
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Solheimajokull Glacier: Solheimajokull Glacier is the closest glacier hiking spot to Reykjavik. It is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the capital. Solheimajokull is an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull Glacier.
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Myrdalsjokull Glacier: Myrdalsjokull Glacier is the fourth-largest glacier in Iceland. It covers Katla Volcano near Vik Village. Tours from Vik Village combine glacier hiking with visits to black ice caves.
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Skaftafell Nature Reserve: Skaftafell Nature Reserve is the main base for glacier hiking on Vatnajokull Glacier. Tours from Skaftafell explore outlet glaciers such as Falljokull Glacier and Svinafellsjokull Glacier.
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Vatnajokull Glacier: Vatnajokull Glacier is the largest ice cap in Iceland. It covers about 8 percent of the country. Vatnajokull offers the widest choice of glacier hikes, ice climbing tours, and ice cave tours in Iceland.
Best Time to Go Glacier Hiking in Iceland
Glacier hiking tours in Iceland run all year. Summer, from May to September, brings milder weather and long daylight hours. Winter, from October to April, adds snow, blue ice, and the chance to see the northern lights.
Ice cave tours in Vatnajokull Glacier run from October to April only. February is the best time to visit ice caves in Iceland. February is also the safest month to visit ice caves in Iceland, based on 31 years of weather data.
How Difficult Is Glacier Hiking in Iceland?
Most glacier hikes in Iceland are suitable for beginners. You do not need previous hiking or climbing experience. Your guide sets a slow pace and teaches you how to walk in crampons.
If you can walk for a few hours on uneven ground, you can join an easy glacier hike in Iceland. Longer glacier hikes and ice climbing tours need a higher level of fitness. Check the age and fitness requirements on each tour page before you book.
What to Wear on a Glacier Hike in Iceland
Wear warm layers and a waterproof jacket and pants on a glacier hike in Iceland. Bring gloves, a hat, and sunglasses for the glare on the ice. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are required so the crampons fit.
Glacier hiking tour operators in Iceland provide crampons, a helmet, and a harness. Some tours also provide an ice axe. You bring your own warm, waterproof clothing.
Other Top-Rated Glacier Tours in Iceland
Glacier hiking is one of several ways to explore glaciers in Iceland. These other glacier tours suit travelers who want a different experience on the ice.
Multi-Day Tours With Glacier Activities in Iceland
Multi-day tours in Iceland include transport, accommodation, and glacier activities in one booking. These tours suit travelers who want to combine glacier tours in Iceland with sightseeing.
How to Choose the Best Glacier Hiking Tour in Iceland
The best glacier hiking tour in Iceland depends on where you stay, your fitness, and your age. Use these points to choose the right glacier hike for your trip.
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Choose by location: Choose a tour on Solheimajokull Glacier if you are exploring the South Coast or staying in Reykjavik. Choose a tour in Skaftafell Nature Reserve if you are driving the Ring Road or staying near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
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Choose by transport: Choose a glacier hike from Reykjavik if you do not have a rental car. These tours include round-trip transfers. Choose a tour that meets at the glacier if you are on a self-drive trip. Tours that meet at the glacier are shorter and often cost less.
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Choose by fitness: Choose an easy glacier walk if this is your first time on the ice. Choose a 5-hour glacier hike or an ice climbing tour if you are fit and want more time on the glacier.
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Choose by age: Most easy glacier hikes in Iceland accept children from age 8. Longer glacier hikes and ice climbing tours require travelers to be at least 12 or 14, depending on the tour.
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Choose by group size: Choose a small-group tour for more time with your guide. The small-group Falljokull glacier hike is an easy 3-hour tour from Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
Where to Stay for Glacier Hiking Tours in Iceland
The best place to stay for a glacier hike in Iceland depends on which glacier you visit. Most glacier hiking tours start on the South Coast or in Southeast Iceland, not in Reykjavik. Staying close to the glacier gives you more time on the ice and less time driving.
Stay in Vik for glacier hikes on Solheimajokull Glacier and ice cave tours under Katla Volcano. Solheimajokull Glacier is about 20 miles (33 kilometers) west of Vik. Our recommended hotels in Vik are close to both tour areas.
Stay near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon for glacier hikes in Skaftafell Nature Reserve and ice cave tours in Vatnajokull Glacier. Skaftafell Nature Reserve is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) west of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Our recommended hotels near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon are close to both tour areas.
Stay in Reykjavik if you do not have a rental car. Glacier hiking tours from Reykjavik include round-trip transfers to Solheimajokull Glacier.
