Skaftafell Glacier Hiking Adventure
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Availability
All year
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DURATION
5 hours
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Difficulty
Moderate
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Pickup
No
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Minimum Age
8 Years
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Price
ISK 19.900
Tour Highlights:
- Certified Glacier Guides
- Necessary glacier gear and safety equipment
- Glacier hiking and ice climbing
- Falljökull Glacier
- Panoramic views
Included:
- Certified Glacier Guide
- Small group (12 Person max)
- Crampons & Glacier Equipment
The Skaftafell Glacier Hiking Adventure
The Skaftafell Glacier Hiking Adventure tour is designed for those who are looking for a challenging adventure. On this 5 hour tour, you will hike and climb on the majestic Falljökull glacier. Falljökull is a glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. This small group experience is led by expert guides so you can safely explore this stunning area. Not only will you be able to witness the wonders of the glacier itself, but you’ll also be able to enjoy stunning views over the Skaftafell National Park. If you are looking to add a true adventure to your Iceland self-drive holiday, we recommend this tour!
The meeting point for this tour is at the Skaftafell Visitor Information Center. There you will meet your qualified guide who’ll give you a safety briefing. You’ll also get your safety gear. Afterward, you’ll take a short drive up to the glacier’s edge from where you’ll enjoy a light hike up to the ice cap. Once there, it’s time to gear up. Don’t worry if this is your first time doing a glacier hike. Your guide will help you with your equipment and teach you how to safely walk on the glacier.
Once everyone’s geared up, you are ready to start your glacier adventure. You will be walking on Falljökull glacier, a glacier tongue of Vatnajökull glacier. The name Falljökull translates to “falling glacier”. This glacier is home to unique and stunning features. During your hike, you’ll see amazing ice formations, moulins, and even ice sculptures. As you walk higher on the glacier, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view over Skaftafell National Park. This beautiful area is perhaps best known as the backdrop for many tv shows and films that have been shot here in recent years.
As this hike is more demanding than the shorter glacier walks, you’ll learn the basics of ice climbing during the tour. You may also get the chance to learn more intermediate techniques of glacier hiking, such as via ferrata. Your experienced guide will also tell you about how glaciers are formed and the dangers that can be encountered when exploring them. He’ll also tell you how global warming is affecting Iceland’s glaciers and their future.
After a rewarding adventure on the glacier, you will return to Skaftafell from where you can continue your own Iceland adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum number of guests on this tour is 12 persons.
Transfer to Skaftafell is not included in this tour. This tour is meet-on-location only.
You will meet your experienced guide at Skaftafell Information Centre Parking lot and from there you will be driven to the root of Falljökull, which is an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull Icecap.
You don’t need previous experience but note that this tour is demanding so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
The tour takes about 5 hours to complete, including transfers, safety briefing and gearing up.
Yes, you will be supplied with hiking boots, crampons, ropes, helmet, harness and ice ax.
No, lunch is not included on this tour. As this is a 5-hour tour we recommend taking some light snacks with you, such as an energy bar or the like. You can also bring a reusable water bottle.
Please remember to collect any wrappers or trash in your pocket and dispose of it in a bin at Skaftafell once you return.
You should wear warm clothes as your first layer and waterproof clothing as your second layer. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands and a warm cap.
All guests should bring good, sturdy, waterproof hiking boots on this tour. If you don’t have hiking boots you can rent them at booking.
Reservations can be canceled 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. Cancellations received less than 24 hours prior to departure are non-refundable.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@iat.is.
Please be mindful of possible time zone differences. Iceland is in the GMT time zone and cancellations must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure in Icelandic local time (GMT).
If you do need to cancel your tour, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible.
Please note that since May 1st, 2019, the meeting point is be at Skaftafell Terminal Tour Center by the main road. You can look up “Skaftafell Terminal” on Google Maps to find the exact location and driving directions or click here: https://goo.gl/maps/rogvdrahzKx
