Glacier Beyond: Remote Two-Glacier Hike from Skaftafell
by Arctic Adventures · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified
- Skip the queue
from €195 per person
Next departure: Sat 1 May
1 / 22
Duration
5 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Challenging
Season
All year
Starts in
Skaftafell
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Arctic Adventures Skaftafell Hut
Skaftafellsstofa, Skaftafell
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:00, 11:00
Minimum age
14
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Starting from the Arctic Adventures Hut in Skaftafell, you'll board our 4x4 bus for a scenic drive to the glacier's edge. You'll cross Falljökull, the "Falling Glacier," to reach the hidden Virkisjökull, the secluded "Fortress Glacier" where most of the hike unfolds. Far from the standard glacier routes, you'll walk through a quiet world of towering ice formations, dramatic icefalls, and striking basalt columns. This is a glacier almost to yourself.
Built for travelers ready to go beyond the beaten path, this is the wilder, more secluded alternative to a standard glacier hike.
Highlights:- Hike on 2 glaciers, the quiet Virkisjökull (''Fortress Glacier'') and the popular Falljökull (''Falling Glacier'')
- Escape the crowds on a hidden, off-the-beaten-track route
- Witness dramatic icefalls and fascinating black basalt columns
- Stand beneath dramatic icefalls from Iceland's highest peak
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Meet in Skaftafell
- 4x4 Transfer to the Glacier
- Falljökull to Virkisjökull
- 4x4 Return Transfer
Included
Certified, expert glacier guide
4x4 bus transport from Skaftafell to the glacier's edge
Specialized glacier gear: crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet
Small-group experience
Expertly guided glacier hike
Access to the remote Virkisjökull glacier
Not included
Waterproof jacket and pants (available to rent)
Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support (available to rent)
Warm gloves and hat
Good to know
- Warm outdoor clothing in layers
- Waterproof jacket and pants (available to rent)
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support (available to rent)
- Warm gloves and hat
- Food and drinks
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, especially in summer
This is an extended hike on a moderately challenging route. Guests should be comfortable on their feet for 3.5-4 hours and prepared to hike ~10-12km over a 300m elevation gain on uneven terrain. Previous glacier experience is not required, but a good level of general fitness is.
Our glacier crampons are not available for shoe sizes below 35 EU, as they cannot be securely attached to smaller footwear. Guests with a smaller shoe size than this are unfortunately unable to participate.
If the tour is booked for a minor, an adult must accompany them during both the transfer and the tour. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is high wind or rain on the ice — the guide decides at the meeting point, sometimes after you have set off. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Glacier Wonders from Arctic Adventures is €100 — €95 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €195 | Arctic Adventures · €100 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 5.5 hours | 4.2 hours |
| How hard it is | Challenging | Easy |
The €95 buys you 1.3 more hours out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Not for families with children under 14 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.
- Not for anyone unsure on their feet or carrying an injury — the operator rates this as physically demanding, and there is no easy version of the day.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe glacier hikes we would book ourselves in Iceland, on Sólheimajökull and in Skaftafell, with real adult prices, departure points and who each one is not for.
- Glacier hike in Iceland: which glacier to bookThree glaciers sell almost the same walk at different prices and distances. Which one fits your route, what 'easy' means, and what blue ice really requires.
- Glacier hike or ice cave: which to bookBetween October and April, book the Skaftafell hike-and-cave combo and get both. The rest of the year, a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull is the better day.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Glacier hiking — questions people ask
Which glacier is best for a first glacier hike?
Sólheimajökull on the South Coast, about two and a half hours from Reykjavík. It is the most accessible glacier tongue, the walk from the car park is short and the three-to-four-hour tours (/experience/6853/ or /experience/914990/) suit beginners. Skaftafell in the southeast has bigger ice and fewer people, with tours like Glacier Wonders (/experience/17340/), but it is a five-hour drive each way, so it only works if you are staying out there.
Can you hike on a glacier in Iceland in summer?
Yes. Glacier hiking runs all year. In June to August the ice is grey and gritty on the surface with blue crevasses and meltwater channels, and the weather is milder. In November to March the ice is whiter and you may see ice formations, but daylight is short and the wind bites. Neither is better; summer is easier, winter is prettier. The one thing you cannot do in summer is visit a natural blue ice cave.
How fit do I need to be for a glacier hike?
Moderately. You walk two to three hours on uneven ice in crampons, with some short steep sections. Anyone who can manage a hilly day walk will be fine; the pace is slow because the guide is checking the route. It is not for anyone with knee or balance problems, and most operators set a minimum age of eight to ten. Check the tour page. Longer tours like Glacier Explorer (/experience/17338/) push further onto the ice and need more stamina.
What do I need to bring on a glacier hike?
Sturdy boots with ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, gloves and a hat, plus water and a snack. The operator provides crampons, a harness, a helmet and an ice axe. Jeans and trainers are not allowed on the ice, and guides do turn people away. Most meeting points rent boots and rain gear for a small fee; check the tour page and book them in advance in summer.
Hotels
Where to stay for this tour
From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Skaftafell, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
206 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €10 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
Arctic Adventures
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
from age 6 · pickup included
2 days · from Reykjavík
- Wi-fi on board
- Free cancellation 24 h
Arctic Adventures
3 Day - Golden Circle, South Coast, Jökulsárlón & Ice Cave
from age 8 · pickup included
3 days · from Reykjavík
- Age 8+
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 24 h
Icarus Rising ehf
Glacier Photoshoot Adventure in Skaftafell
about the usual price for glacier hikes
Moderate · from age 8
5 h · from Skaftafell
- Age 8+
- Gear included
- Family friendly
Icefall Tours
Glacier Hike from Skaftafell - short tour
39% below the €216 typical for glacier hikes
from age 16 · meet at the start point
3 h · from Skaftafell
- Gear included
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 2 days ahead
Icefall Tours
Glacier Hike from Skaftafell
20% below the €216 typical for glacier hikes
Moderate · from age 16
4 h 30 · from Skaftafell
- Age 14+
- Gear included
- Free cancellation 2 days ahead
Your Transfer ehf
Transfer from KEF to Jökulsárlón / Jökulsárlón to KEF
pickup included
5 h 45 · from Keflavík Airport
- Family friendly
- Private