Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 Picks
The 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.
The short version
- For most people the best pick is Arctic Adventures' Sólheimajökull glacier hike: €95, about four hours, eight start times a day, all year.
- No car? Gravel Travel's South Coast day with the same glacier picks you up in Reykjavík for €193.
- Already driving the Ring Road: Melrakki's three-hour Skaftafell walk on Vatnajökull for €130.
- Minimum age is usually 8. Crampons, helmet and harness are included on every pick.
For most people the best glacier hike in Iceland is Arctic Adventures’ Sólheimajökull glacier hike: €95, about four hours, eight start times a day all year, and the glacier is only two and a half hours’ drive from Reykjavík.
Sólheimajökull is the easiest glacier to reach from the capital, which is why three of our five picks are on it. If you are choosing between glaciers rather than tours, read which glacier to book first. This page is the shortlist.
1. Arctic Adventures: Sólheimajökull Glacier Experience
Book: Glacier Experience on Sólheimajökull
- Operator: Arctic Adventures
- Duration: about 4 hours
- Price: €95 per adult
- Departs: Sólheimajökull car park, South Coast (meet on location)
- Minimum age: 8
A certified guide, crampons, helmet, harness and ice axe. The walk onto the ice is short and the pace is gentle. With start times from 09:45 to 15:00 it slots into a self-drive South Coast day without an early start.
Suits: first-timers, families with children over eight, self-drivers. Not for: anyone without a car. There is no pickup on this one.
2. WayNorth: Public 4-hour Sólheimajökull Hike
Book: Public 4 hour Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike
- Operator: WayNorth
- Duration: about 4 hours
- Price: €95 per adult
- Departs: Sólheimajökull car park (meet on location)
Same glacier, same price, a smaller local operator. If the Arctic Adventures slot you want is full, book this one instead. The experience on the ice is very similar.
Suits: self-drivers who want a smaller company. Not for: anyone needing a lift from Reykjavík.
3. Melrakki Adventures: Skaftafell 3-hour Glacier Walk
Book: Skaftafell 3 Hour Glacier Walk
- Operator: Melrakki Adventures
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Price: €130 per adult
- Departs: Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park (meet on location)
- Minimum age: 8
An outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, with deeper crevasses and bigger views than Sólheimajökull. Many start times through the day. Our calendar shows no departures in December and January, so check dates.
Suits: Ring Road drivers staying near Skaftafell or Höfn. Not for: a day trip from Reykjavík. Skaftafell is about four and a half hours each way.
4. Gravel Travel: South Coast & Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík
Book: South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike from Reykjavík
- Operator: Gravel Travel
- Duration: about 10 hours
- Price: €193 per adult
- Departs: Reykjavík, 08:30 pickup
- Minimum age: 8
A full day with Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss on the way, then the glacier hike. Small groups, maximum 15 per guide. You pay more than for the hike alone, but you don’t need a car or a winter driving plan.
Suits: people without a car, winter visitors who don’t want to drive. Not for: anyone who wants long stops. The day is planned around the hike, so waterfall time is short.
5. North Ice: Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing
Book: Glacier hike & Ice Climbing
- Operator: North Ice
- Duration: about 4.5 hours
- Price: €182 per adult
- Departs: Sólheimajökull car park (meet on location), 10:30 or 12:15
A short walk onto the ice, then ropes and two ice axes on a wall of glacier ice. You don’t need climbing experience, but you will use your arms more than you expect.
Suits: active people who want more than walking. Not for: anyone with a fear of heights, or who would rather look around than work. See ice climbing for first-timers.
Our honest take: how we picked
- Reachable. We favoured glaciers you can reach in a day from Reykjavík, and said so when you can’t.
- Runs most of the year. Picks one, two, four and five have departures every month from October to March in our calendar.
- Gear included. Crampons, helmet and harness on every tour, plus a certified guide.
- Honest price. Adult price as listed. No hidden fees.
- Clear tradeoffs. Every pick has something it is wrong for, and we said what.
When to go
Glacier hikes run all year on Sólheimajökull. Summer means more daylight and softer, greyer ice near the edge; winter means harder ice, shorter days and a higher chance of a weather cancellation. Wind is the usual reason a hike doesn’t go. If the operator cancels for safety you get a full refund or a new date. Nobody can promise blue ice on the day: the colour depends on fresh snow and light. Wear proper hiking boots in any month.
FAQ
What is the best glacier hike in Iceland for beginners?
Sólheimajökull. The walk to the ice is short, the hikes are gentle and you can book one with Arctic Adventures or WayNorth for about €95.
Do I need experience or special gear?
No experience. The operator gives you crampons, helmet and harness. You bring waterproof layers and ankle-high hiking boots.
Is Skaftafell better than Sólheimajökull?
It is bigger and more dramatic, but it is far from Reykjavík. Book it if you are already driving east. Our Skaftafell guide compares the lengths.
Can I do a glacier hike without a car?
Yes. Gravel Travel’s South Coast day picks you up in Reykjavík at 08:30 and includes the hike.
What is the minimum age?
Usually 8 for glacier hikes. Check the tour page, as some operators set it higher in winter.
Can I see an ice cave on a glacier hike?
Not on these. Ice caves are a separate, winter-only tour. See our ice cave shortlist.
