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Doing a glacier walk in Iceland is like going on a hot air balloon in Cappadocia.
Most people want to do it.
Of all the activities on offer in Iceland, and there are a lot of them – doing a glacier walk was high up on my list. Despite having visited glaciers in New Zealand before.
For starters, glaciers in Iceland seem more accessible. You can hike, snowmobile, go into caves or learn how to ice climb.
You also don’t need to drive huge distances to get there.
In terms of cost, this is one of the pricier activities on the country (but that makes sense due to safety and equipment).
I’ve been lucky to experience a glacier walk once (and have had another cancelled due to weather) so I hope the following advice helps you plan how and where to go in Iceland in 2026.
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- 📲 Best eSIM: Ubigi eSIM (my top pick for convenience and stability) 10GB for 7 days for $11 – Also get 10% your plan with discount code BACHELORTRAVEL
🏨 Best hotel in Reykjavik: KEX HOSTEL – awesome location, great prices for private and shared rooms
🚌 Airport transfer: Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík Bus (Flybus) — cheapest and most straightforward way to get into the city after landing
🍽️ Food experience: Reykjavík Food Walk (guided foodie walking tour) — if you only do one tour in Reykjavik choose this one!
Read on for my full article on how to plan your glacier walk in Iceland.
How Many Glaciers Are in Iceland?
Before you decide where to go, it is important to know what the options are.
Iceland is home to 269 named glaciers as of 2024 and that number is, unfortunately, shrinking.
Of those 269, you will only come across a few names when looking for glacier walks.
These are:
- Sólheimajökull (South Coast): This is the closest to access from Reykjavik and often used when you have a short time frame.
- Skaftafell / Vatnajökull: This is where most of the *proper* glacier walks take place, and they are inside Vatnajökull National Park. The catch: you need more time to reach the area from Reykjavik and in my opinion you need to stay in the area for the day in order to not be rushed.
- Falljökull (part of Vatnajökull): this is the one I rarely see listed. It’s part of the tongue of Skaftafell and translates to “falling glacier” because it spills and falls in broken formations. There are some routes here (including with zodiacs that combine the lagoon) but mostly it is used for more technical or longer routes.
Vatnajökull is by far the largest — it covers about 8% of the entire country and is the biggest glacier in Europe by volume. If you’re travelling from Europe, you’ll fly above it and see the massive white mass from the plan.
But once you get to visit and hear the stories from the guides, you realize that it’s so much more than a block of ice.
It has volcanoes and caves inside, glacier formations that are thousands of years old, and its existence is of huge importance to the ecosystem.
Practical things to know about all glaciers
One important point to keep in mind for all these walks is that you can’t visit them independently.
All hikes must be done with trained, professional guides.
The tours don’t just provide transport, guidance on the mountain and equipment, but also liability and knowledge in case something happens.
The usual time you’ll spend on the glacier is 2-3 hours, even if the whole set up takes 7 hours.
That is because you need time to gear up and be fitted for the equipment, drive to the glacier and then walk to the location of the glacier you’ll be exploring.
From experience, I will also note that cancellations are common, more so in winter of course.
Speaking of weather…
The things and activities you can do on a glacier, do depend on the season when you visit.
What’s the Best Season to Go Glacier Walking?
You can do glacier activities year-round, but your experience will vary slightly:
- Summer (May–September): Warmer, more stable weather, longer hikes, more exposed crevasses. Easier conditions for beginners. No ice caves.
- Winter (October–March): Colder but more dramatic — especially if you’re combining it with an ice cave tour. Trails may be shorter but views are more surreal.
Personally, I did my glacier walk in early March, and it was perfect.
Keep in mind that even though glacier and ice cave tours might not be available during the summer, there are other glacier activities to take part in, like snowmobile tours, zodiac boat tours and more.
How to choose a provider
There are a lot of different activity providers here.
I can recommend the one I’ve worked with twice, since they also follow strict safety protocols needed when working with groups: Glacier Adventure
In terms of differences with other providers, the main things to check for are:
- group size (cheaper activity provides will have large group sizes)
- pace of the tour (and time on the glacier)
- overall organization and transportation (to/from)
Valdis, one of the guides that I went out on the ice with, is not just a brilliant photographer and social media manager — she’s also someone you can talk to about what it’s like to live in Iceland year-round, the rise of tourism, and how locals are adapting to the fast-changing economy. Because the company is locally run, the insight you get is personal — not rehearsed.
What also stands out is their commitment to glacier safety and preservation. Haukur (the owner) is passionate about climate awareness and the team hosts educational sessions and community events focused on education and the shrinking state of Iceland’s glaciers.
You’re not just walking on the ice — you’re hearing from people who live alongside it, who care about it, and who want you to understand why it matters.
What to Expect on the Glacier Walk
For the actual experience, expect to arrive at least a bit in advance to get the paperwork and gear ready. You’ll be fitted for crampons and uniforms, as well as a harness and helmet. It’s all very stylish and much needed.
For young kids, the Super Jeep ride alone could either be scary or the most exciting part. They look like mini spaceships traveling on bumpy roads with their huge wheels and are huuuuge.
The walk to the glacier is usually less than 15 minutes, at which point you put on the crampons and start walking on the ice. This part is always fun with a big group, as someone will inevitably have an issue with their crampons. But oh well — as newbies who don’t get to do this every day, we all have to learn.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the walk is the ice caves.
On my recent visit, we got to visit two ice caves, the first was in its final days (filled with debris and collapsing ice formations) which meant crawling low and carefully moving. It was quite a workout for the legs at some stage.
The second was a brand-new cave discovered just the season before, and it was magical. The light, the color, the stillness — it’s hard to describe and even harder to photograph in a way that does it justice. That moment alone made the whole day unforgettable.
What struck me more than anything was how much the glacier has changed. You can literally see how far it’s retreated, how dirty the ice is getting, and how much effort is required just to access it safely. It’s a wake-up call — a reminder that this landscape is disappearing faster than most people realize.
It’s also a point I want to bring up about people that are disappointed the experience should be more “photogenic”. While it is definitely a cool experience, the fact that it is grey or muddy or retreating should more of a wake up call rather than a complaint of the tourism providers.
Overall, expect this day to spark conversations — whether with your kids, your friends, or even yourself — about how we relate to nature and what we’re doing to protect it.
What to Bring for Your Glacier Walk
You don’t need to overpack for this — the tour company provides all the technical gear (crampons, helmets, harnesses). But there are a few essentials that will make your day way more comfortable:
- Waterproof jacket and pants – Especially important if you’re visiting ice caves or crawling through tight spaces.
- Thermal base layers – It’s cold on the glacier, even if the sun’s out.
- Gloves and a warm hat – The kind that cover your ears and still let you grip things.
- Sturdy hiking boots – With good ankle support. If you don’t have any, check if your tour company offers rentals. Glacier Adventures does offer them on request.
- Sunglasses – Glacier glare is real, even on cloudy days.
- Water bottle + small snack – It’s a few hours of walking and the cold burns energy fast.
- Camera or phone – Make sure it’s secured (wrist strap or zipped pocket). You will want photos.
- Small backpack – Nothing fancy, just something to hold your layers, water, and phone safely.
Optional but handy:
- Neck warmer or buff – Wind protection for your face
- Hand warmers – Especially if you’re sensitive to cold
How to Book Your Glacier Walk
You can book directly through Glacier Adventure’s website. Most of their tours depart from Hali or the surrounding area, which is about a 15-minute drive from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Tours tend to fill up quickly in high season (especially if you want the ice cave combo), so I’d recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance — more if you’re visiting during school holidays or winter.
Pricing: Expect to pay between €140–€180 per person, depending on the season and tour type. That usually includes all the technical gear, a guide, and transportation from the meeting point to the glacier base.
You can also book through third party agents like Trip Advisor or Viator.
Book the experience here.
What to Do Nearby
If you’re already making your way to Vatnajökull, you’re likely passing some of Iceland’s most incredible southern sights. A few things to pair with your glacier walk:
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Watch icebergs drift to sea
- Diamond Beach – Just across from the lagoon
- Höfn – For fresh langoustine if staying eastbound
Ready to book? Top Iceland recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Iceland: Easiest option is Ubigi — reliable across the country and super easy to set up before landing. Check full review here.
🚌 Airport transfer: Book the Keflavík Airport → Reykjavík bus (Flybus) — cheapest and easiest way into the city after landing. Here are all the options and why I chose this one.
🏨 City hotel option: I’d stay somewhere central in Reykjavík for the first day or 2-3 days if you want to see everything. I love KEX Hostel out of all the hotels I’ve tried. Super interesting design, social space, amazing location.
🎟️ Top Iceland activities:
There are so many good activities and tours to do in Iceland. Here are some of my favorites:
- From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour
- Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings
- Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
- Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour (I have had this tour cancelled on me a few times due to weather, but I will get it next time.)
🚗 Car rental: If you’re doing the Ring Road, compare prices on DiscoverCars — this is what gives you the most flexibility
🗺️ Must-have apps: Download/bookmark road.is and Vedur (Iceland weather) before your trip — you’ll use them daily. Also download all these apps as well.
👚Packing list: Iceland is must more enjoyable with the right gear. Here is what you need to pack and bring.
