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Full-Day Glacier Hike and Ice Climb from Skaftafell

  • Operated by Ice Guardians Iceland

Overview

A full-day guided hike on Vatnajökull from Skaftafell, with short ice climbs on crevasse walls and, from October to April, an ice cave.

Small groups travel with AIMG-qualified hard-ice guides, who provide helmet, harness, crampons and ice axes and teach their use before the group moves into crevasse fields and icefalls, among ice towers known as seracs. Short pitches of crevasse wall are climbed along the way, with breaks for photographs and a hot drink on the ice. Boots are lent to guests who need them, and the route changes from trip to trip as the glacier melts and shifts.

The hike is graded challenging: no technical experience is required, but guests need to manage up to 12 km on uneven, hilly ground and a full day outdoors. The minimum age is 15, and the tour is not recommended for anyone with back problems, serious heart conditions or breathing difficulties, or for travellers late in pregnancy. Ice caves are only there from October to April, when the day runs up to seven hours rather than eight because of the shorter daylight. Transport and pick-up are not included.

Itinerary

The shape of your day

2 stops

  1. Start

    Meet the guide at Freysnes

    Meet at the black-and-pink gas-station building at Freysnes, following your booking instructions. Look for the guide in yellow by the entrance. Pickup is not included.

  2. Equipment and glacier skills

    Fit the supplied glacier equipment and practise its use with your guide.

  3. Glacier exploration and ice climbing

    Explore glacier terrain with short supervised ice climbs. An ice-cave visit is seasonal, from October to April, and depends on safe conditions.

  4. End

    Finish the guided glacier outing

    Leave the glacier with the guide after the day’s exploration. Arrange your own onward travel.

Your tour locationIceland
© OpenStreetMap contributors
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Freysnes meeting pointSelect a pin to see the place.
Tour areaFreysnes meeting point

What's included

  • Expert AIMG Hard Ice Glacier Guides
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Boots if required
  • Safety Equipment (Helmet, Harness, Ice Axe/s, Crampons)
  • Not included: transportation or pickup.

Know before you go

Here's what you need to bring,

  • Mandatory ankle-supporting boots with good grip, stiff sole and preferably waterproof. Bring boots you have used previously.

If you are unsure if your clothing or footwear is suitable, prior to your trip please send us some photos ideally with the brand and model name, and we can let you know if they are suitable at info@ice-guardians.com. Otherwise, we have boots available on request.

  • Good fitting hiking socks, minimal seams, synthetic or merino.
  • Breathable base layer top (merino or synthetic)
  • Softshell hiking trousers
  • Waterproof shell jacket and pants
  • Insulation layer (light-medium weight synthetic puffy jacket), and if you are sensitive to the cold bring a synthetic sweater (such as fleece).
  • a beanie/buff are useful on those chilly days
  • sunglasses are good at protecting your eyes against the bright white ice.
  • gloves (two pairs are ideal), they will not only protect against the cold/wind they will protect your hands from the sharp ice.
  • Lunch (something easy to eat, such as sandwiches, bars, trail mix etc.)
  • Water bottle (500ml minimum)
  • Mobile phone/camera (we don't recommend tripods, unless it is a private trip), waterproof case can be useful.
  • ~20-30L backpack that will fit your food, water & spare clothing.
  • Ice Caves only available in the winter time Oct-April
  • Challenging hike, no technical experience need but good fitness and mobility.
  • Not recommended for people with back problems.
  • Not recommended for heavily pregnant travellers (for more information please contact info@ice-guardians.com).
  • Not recommended for people with serious heart conditions or breathing difficulties.

Ice Guardians Iceland

Operated by Ice Guardians Iceland · Booked and supported by FAR Travel, Reykjavík

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