The Best Glacier Tour
Guide To Iceland

 Experience Volcanic Ice

Hiking on an Icelandic glacier is a unique experience and we understand that you may be wondering what to expect on the ice. This guide will hopefully answer any questions that you may have, however if you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Table of contents

• When is the best season to visit a glacier in Iceland?

• The ice cave guide to Iceland

• How cold is a glacier hike in Iceland?

• The glacier kayaking guide to Iceland

• Are children allowed to hike on the glacier in Iceland?

• What shoes are best to hike on a glacier in Iceland?

• What clothing is best to wear on a glacier tour in Iceland?

• Glacier photography Iceland

• Can I fly a drone over an Icelandic glacier?

• What food is best to take on a glacier hike?

• The best campervan rental in Iceland

• Where can I buy outdoor equipment in Iceland?

• Closest accommodation near the glaciers of Skaftafell, Vatnajökull

• Iceland’s best horse riding tour beside the glacier

• Important Glacier and Volcano Expeditions tour information

• Ability Levels

• Safety overview

• Severe weather and cancellations

• Visiting Vatnajökull National Park

• Company Information

• Terms and conditions

When is the best season to visit a glacier in Iceland?

Every month is distinctly different here in Iceland and the conditions may not be quite as you expect!

Summer glacier hiking in Iceland - Hiking on the glacier is easiest in summer time as the ice provides more grip after it has been exposed to summer heat which allows crampon spikes to engage with the ice more effectively than in the winter months. The weather conditions in the summertime are by far the most pleasant in Iceland. In addition to easier walking on the glacier ice, one can also enjoy camping, hiking and being outdoors in warm temperatures and very long daylight hours. Come and enjoy Iceland’s beautiful scenery all day and all night long!

Winter glacier hiking in Iceland - Winter on the glacier is incredibly beautiful as the ice is a lot more dense and blue in appearance. Air temperatures in Southern Iceland seldom become severely cold (below minus 15°C), however the powerful storms that frequently batter the country are often extremely brutal and should not be underestimated. Expect tour cancellations, difficult driving, road closures and confinement to the shelter of your accommodation.

So, what is the best season? Well it really depends on your style. In our opinion we would recommend the summer months. If you prefer perfect hiking in warm temperatures in comparison to cold unpredictable weather we would recommend visiting an Icelandic glacier in the summer.

Tip: September is also a really nice time to visit Iceland as the weather is still quite mild, the days are still long and you have the possibility of seeing the Aurora during the night.

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 How cold is a glacier hike in Iceland?

The following is a list of the average air temperature range that you can expect on your glacier hike in Southern Iceland. Please take into account the wind chill factor and the fact that rainfall can occur during any month in Iceland so it is important to have a quality waterproof jacket, trousers and boots. For more information on glacier clothing, scroll down to  What clothing is best to wear on a glacier tour in Iceland?

January - Very short daylight hours, storms likely and snow probable. Approximate temperature -10°C to +1°C
February - Short daylight hours, storms, rain or snowfall likely. Approximate temperature -10°C to +2°C
March - Still cold and wintery, rain or snowfall probable. Approximate temperature -5°C to +3°C
April - Icelandic summer begins and it usually snows, storms begin to relent. Approximate temperature 0°C to +4°C
May - Warmer temperatures return to Iceland, snowfall unlikely. Approximate temperature +2°C to +8°C
June - Summer arrives! Longest daylight hours of the year. Approximate temperature +4°C to +9°C
July - Iceland’s warmest month and often the best weather for glacier and mountain hiking. Approximate temperature +5°C to +11°C
August - Iceland’s best weather for glacier and mountain hiking. Approximate temperature +5°C to +10°C
September - Fall begins, Northern Lights make their first appearance. Approximate temperature +3°C to +8°C
October - Winter is on its way! Typically wet and windy. Approximate temperature -1°C to +6°C
November - Beginning of ice cave season, short daylight hours begin, rainy and windy, snowfall possible. Approximate temperature -2°C to +5°C
December - Very short daylight hours, storms, wind rain/ snowfall very likely. Approximate temperature -10°C to +3°C

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 The glacier kayaking guide
to Iceland

Explore Iceland over land, water and ice

The glacier kayaking guide is constructed by Glacier and Volcano Expeditions in order to answer any questions that you may have if you are interested in joining a Glacier Kayaking Iceland or a Glacier Hike and Kayaking Combination tour.

This guide includes:

• An incredible and unique experience

• General details of glacier lagoon kayaking in Iceland

• Drysuit and lifejacket information for glacier kayaking

• How challenging are the glacier kayaking tours?

• Do I need experience to kayak on a glacier lake and river in Iceland?

• What clothing is best to wear on a glacier lagoon kayak tour in Iceland?

• What type of weather is suitable for glacier kayaking in Iceland?

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Are children allowed to hike on the glacier in Iceland?

Children are certainly welcome on Iceland’s glaciers, however there are some things to consider before booking your tour, such as:

The age of the children - all of our tours have a minimum age requirement. The minimum age is designed to keep the children safe, comfortable and to not slow down other adult participants in the group.

We cannot allow children under the age of 6 to join us on any of our tours.

Your children’s fitness ability and experience level - if your children have never been on a hike on a mountain before it would be best to contact us for further information and advice.

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 What shoes are best to hike on a glacier in Iceland?

Correct footwear is probably the most important part of equipment that we require our guests to bring with them on a glacier hike. Glacier and Volcano Expeditions does not have a boot rental service therefore it important for you to consider the type of footwear you will bring for the glacier trip.

Correct footwear directly affects comfort and safety on the glacier. If you wear suitable boots that are designed for the style of terrain that you are walking on you will be significantly more stable when walking on the ice.

Throughout the year you can expect to encounter mud, water puddles, streams and rain that will wet your feet so it is best to have solid, waterproof boots for glacier hiking.

In winter you can expect to encounter snow on the hiking trail to the glacier and also on the ice, so it is important that your boots are waterproof and cover your ankles to stop snow going inside your footwear and making your feet cold and wet.

Ice climbing boots and alpine boots need to have a stiff sole in order to support all of your body weight when you are standing on just the very front of your boots during an ice climb.

If you are looking to buy boots we recommend Aku Footwear as their boots are very comfortable, functional, durable and reasonably priced. If you are in Iceland and you need a pair of boots we recommend paying a visit to GG Sport in Reykjavík as they stock a great range of Aku Footwear as well as quality outdoor clothing and accessories.

Glacier and Volcano Expeditions proudly endorse Aku Footwear as product ambassadors, content creators and product testers. To view the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions profile on the Aku website, click here.

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Glacier hiking footwear guide

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 What clothing is best to wear on a
glacier tour in Iceland?

It is important to wear appropriate clothing on the glacier so that you are warm, dry and comfortable. A waterproof jacket is mandatory and we also highly recommend bringing waterproof overtrousers. Iceland can be wet and windy at any time of the year and your choice of clothing can make or break your glacier experience!

It is common for people to overdress on a glacier hike and although this is usually not a major issue, it is important that you have a backpack with enough room to stash additional layers that you remove as a result of getting too hot during the hike.

A good rule to live by when hiking is to never wear cotton. Cotton provides little warmth and it absorbs moisture from sweat and rainfall and transfers cold to the body. Cotton teeshirts, sweaters and jeans should be avoided.

What we wear

Upper body

In any given month of the year our base layers are generally always a thermal long sleeve base layer of merino wool or a synthetic blend. On top of the base layer we usually just wear our waterproof jacket as this combination is warm enough whilst hiking, but not too hot so that we will sweat. It keeps wind and rain off and is sufficient for most days of the year apart from deep winter. We always take a lightweight down jacket or synthetic-fill insulated jacket to wear on top of the waterproof jacket when taking breaks, eating lunch, ice climbing or if it gets cold. If it rains we will put the waterproof jacket over the top of the down jacket to stay dry.

Legs

During the winter months we wear a merino thermal layer beneath our synthetic breathable hiking trousers on fine days with little snow on the ground. If there is deep snow, strong winds or rain we will wear our hiking trousers or thermal layer underneath our hard shell waterproof overtrousers.

In summertime we generally tend to just wear hiking trousers with no base layer and carry our waterproof overtrousers in our backpacks in case of rainfall. If it is raining at the beginning of the tour we will wear waterproof overtrousers over the top of our synthetic breathable hiking trousers.

Hands

Gloves are very important for the colder months (September to May) and also for ice climbing tours. Any type of glove is fine, ski gloves are ideal.

Head

During the summer months it is wise to bring a cap on the glacier to keep the sun off your face. In the wintertime a wool hat is highly recommended to help your head warm. Both caps and wool hats (without a pompom) are able to be worn beneath a helmet which is mandatory for most of our tours.

Eyes

Sunglasses are recommended for glacier hiking, especially during the summer months. The ice reflects UV light from the sun and it can be so bright it is hard to keep your eyes open!

Skin

Sunscreen is recommended for glacier hiking during the summer months, as is lip balm that offers sun protection.

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Glacier Photography
 Iceland

Serious landscape photographers know what it takes to capture amazing shots

They know that they need to visit outstanding locations, give themselves time and space to consider compositions, time to set up a tripod, set up and adjust the camera to the right settings and wait for the light to hopefully cooperate.

We are passionate and active photographers here at Glacier and Volcano Expeditions so we understand what is involved in producing high-quality images. We know that it is best not to rush or be under pressure from those who are non-photographers which is why it is always best to book an Iceland Private Glacier Tour and request a photography-specific glacier trip. By making a private reservation your creativity will not be limited and you will have the opportunity to capture outstanding images on an Icelandic glacier.

Ice caves are not always an option as they can flood in periods of heavy rain or high temperatures, however we always try our best at all times of the year to take our guests into an ice tunnel or cave when possible.

For more images please visit the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions
Vatnajökull Photography Gallery

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 What food is best to take on a glacier hike?

Eating lunch on a moving river of ice is a special experience and you deserve to treat yourself to something nice! Glacier and Volcano Expeditions recommend that you bring something tasty and nutritious that gives you energy for the remainder of your glacier hike. It is best to try and bring food that is lightweight so that you don't carry an unnecessarily heavy backpack.

If you are intending to book a short half day tour (such as the Iceland Glacier Walk or the Glacier Kayaking Iceland) we recommend only bringing a small snack such as a chocolate bar as the tour is too short to have lunch on.

For all of the longer tours that are six hours or more (eg the Skaftafell Glacier Hike, Vatnajökull Ice Climbing, Iceland Private Glacier Tour and the Glacier Hike and Kayaking Combination) we recommend that you carefully consider what you would like to eat for lunch on the glacier before driving to Skaftafell.

There are no large supermarkets near Skaftafell so you will need to shop at the supermarket in Höfn, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Vík or in Reykjavík before you drive to Skaftafell.

There is a limited convenience store-style food selection at Freysnes Fuel Station which is the meeting point of our tours. There are also restaurants at Freysnes fuel station and Hotel Skaftafell who offer takeaway lunch packages.

Food from the supermarket

We recommend buying food that will not be too heavy to carry or get easily squashed in your backpack. Dried fruit and nuts are better than fresh fruit, for example. Sandwiches are always a good option, as are lunch wraps and biscuits. Don't forget to throw in a chocolate bar for each person too!

Drink

If you have a thermos or insulated bottle it is a great idea to bring tea or coffee. Otherwise a water bottle is fine, however I would recommend only carrying a maximum of one litre. The glacier melt water is perfect for drinking during the warmer months so we do not carry water between April and October.

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 Where can I buy outdoor equipment in Iceland?

GG SPORT

Iceland’s best outdoor equipment store

GG Sport stock a wide range of top quality outdoor equipment including waterproof layers, outdoor clothing, footwear, camping equipment, hiking accessories, backpacks, skis and snowboards.

GG Sport are based in Reykjavík and the shop is open 7 days a week. Their helpful staff speak fluent English so if you are in need of any outdoor equipment do not hesitate to call them on +354 571 1020 or pay them a visit at Smiðjuvegur 8, 200 Kópavogur

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Closest accommodation near
the glaciers of Skaftafell, Vatnajökull

Campground near Skaftafell

SVINAFELL CAMPGROUND

Situated just a couple of minutes drive from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point and directly beneath Iceland’s highest mountain, Öræfajökull.

Park your camper van, pitch a tent or stay in a cabin in the peaceful Icelandic countryside.

Hotel accommodation near Skaftafell

HOTEL SKAFTAFELL

The closest hotel to a glacier in Iceland

Situated directly in front of the famous Svínafellsjökull glacier and across the road from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point, Hotel Skaftafell is a great choice for a warm and cosy hotel accommodation in Southern Iceland.

Hotel Skaftafell also features a restaurant and a bar.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Takeaway lunch packages can be made upon request.

Guest house near Skaftafell

THE POTATO STORAGE
ACCOMMODATION

Comfortable Apartments
in Svínafell
Between ​Skaftafell and​ Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Situated just a couple of minutes drive from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point and directly beneath Iceland’s highest mountain, Öræfajökull.

The Potato Storage Apartments have a private entrance, private kitchen and a private bathroom.

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Important information

• Our email: info@glacierandvolcano.com

• Our phone numbers: Rowan: (+354) 777 4815 Guðný: (+354) 843 0268

• Where to meet us to begin the tour: Freysnes fuel station, map shown here .

• Transport: We do not provide any vehicle transport. You need to meet us at Fjallsárlón Glacier Kayaking and then follow our gear van in your vehicle on a short drive to the glacier parking lot where we will begin the tour.

• Departure time: Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

• Does Glacier and Volcano Expeditions rent out boots or rain clothing? No, we do not have rental gear, sorry.

• What do you need to bring with you for your glacier or hiking trip? Hiking shoes/ boots, warm clothing, waterproof coat and pants, gloves, small backpack, snack/ lunch, camera.

• Are you fit enough to take part in this tour? We can cater to 95% of people’s fitness and health ability levels. Scroll down to the Ability levels section for more information or contact us regarding any issues.

• The weather forecast is for snowfall, wind or rain, will the trip still be going ahead? We run tours on most days of the year, snow, rain or sunshine. We only cancel due to severe weather that poses dangerous conditions. See the Severe weather and cancellations section.

• Are there penguins on the glacier? There have been rumours of some sightings…

• What tours do you offer? Check out the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions page.

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Ability levels

Walking up and onto an Icelandic glacier or volcano with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions requires a degree of physical effort and ability which varies depending on the nature of the adventure that you embark upon. We do our absolute best to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests but it is important that your choice of tour is appropriate for your level of physical ability.

It is very important that you notify us of any medical issues or injuries that you may have.

Factors such as lack of physical fitness or pre-existing medical conditions including, but not limited to, ankle injuries, knee injuries or ACL damage, joint replacements, dislocations, neck or back injuries, heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, diabetes or severe asthma can adversely affect the ability to safely take part in a glacier or volcano trip and in turn increase the possibility of sustaining an injury.

If you do have any medical issues or injuries we will not necessarily exclude you from participating, the most important thing is that we know about them. Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Here are the definitions of the ability levels that we use to describe our adventures:

• Easy - up to 3 hours of relaxed walking over relatively flat terrain with some short steep sections (similar to walking up several flights of stairs). Uneven surfaces consisting of boulders, loose rocks and bumpy ice. Suitable for most people, including families.

• Moderate - all of the characteristics of above, with 6-hour duration of hiking and potential for low angle scrambling or short sections of steep terrain. Good balance and stamina is required.

• Challenging - all of the characteristics of above, with more than a 6-hour duration of hiking with some periods of strenuous exertion. Loose rocks and some steep uphill walking. Need to be comfortable with exposure to heights. Good balance and stamina is required.

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Safety overview

Safety is Glacier and Volcano Expeditions number one priority. No one wants to be injured so we do our absolute best to prevent injury right from the very beginning of the tour and at all times.

Glacier and Volcano Expeditions are highly-experienced and qualified guides so that you can be confident that we will take you on a safe glacier and/or volcano experience.

Hazard mitigation begins with our guests informing us of any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries. It is very important that you notify us of any issues before the trip begins.

All participants need to have the necessary equipment. We do not rent or lend any clothing or boots. Therefore it is very important that everyone arrives with enough warm clothing, a hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and good sturdy hiking boots. Hiking boots need to provide ankle support so they need to be proper boots that cover your ankles, not just running shoes.

On all of our glacier tours we provide our guests with:

• Crampons (spikes to go on to your boots for walking on the ice)

• Harness (for in case we need to use a rope for protection or for ice climbing)

• Helmet

• Climbing and rope hardware

Once we are out in the wilderness it is our job to mitigate all hazards to ensure the safely of everyone. The only thing that we ask from you is that you follow our instructions.

By making a booking with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions you acknowledge the natural risks associated with entering Vatnajökull National Park and that Glacier and Volcano Expeditions accepts no responsibility for any loss as a result of any such occurrence. These risks are outlined below under Severe Weather and Cancellations

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Severe weather and cancellations

Icelandic weather and conditions can be extreme. Occasionally the weather or conditions are too severe to venture outside which forces us to cancel tours. If Glacier and Volcano Expeditions cancel your tour we will try our best to change your booking to a more suitable time but if this is not possible we will issue a full refund. Please see our Cancellation Policy for full details.

The only reason for Glacier and Volcano Expeditions to cancel tours is due to safety.

We still venture out into the wilderness if the weather is wet and windy, if it is safe to do so, therefore it is important that you come prepared for wet and windy weather. The temperature here is usually approximately 0 degrees Celsius in winter and approximately 10 degrees Celsius in summer so when you add wind chill and rain/snow onto that it gives you an idea of the need to be prepared.

The Icelandic wilderness and Vatnajökull National Park are extremely dynamic environments which means that the natural conditions are constantly changing. Challenges and hazards include, but are not limited to, the weather, structure of the glaciers, integrity of the mountains, snow conditions, river flows, glacier lagoon ice conditions, erosion, volcanic eruption, glacial outburst flood, strong winds, avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, heavy rain, snowfall, whiteout, cold exposure, heights, flooding, water ice, uneven terrain, tripping and sun exposure. Please be aware that natural hazards and events can and sometimes do occur and that Glacier and Volcano Expeditions is not responsible for any loss as a result of any such occurrence.

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Visiting Vatnajökull National Park

Glacier and Volcano Expeditions are lucky to have the opportunity and ability to guide our tours on several different outlet glaciers within Vatnajökull National Park so we will always choose the most suitable glacier to guide each day. We are a small company with a simple structure so we have the flexibility to easily change plans as conditions change.

Vatnajökull National Park is an extremely dynamic environment which means that the natural conditions are constantly changing. The weather, structure of the glaciers, integrity of the mountains, snow conditions, river flows, glacier lagoon ice conditions and human factors such as overcrowding at specific locations are just some of the factors that influence our decision on which glacier we choose to guide on any given day. 

Some of the glaciers only require a short ten minute walk for an average fit person to reach the ice, while some of the other glaciers require a hike of up to 45 minutes to reach the ice. All of the glaciers are incredibly beautiful and have their own individual quirks. With safety and comfort as our main priorities we will always do our best to provide an incredible experience by taking our guests to the glacier that has the safest and best conditions. 

To maximise your experience within Vatnajökull National Park we advise you to allocate an entire day (as a minimum) towards your visit here. A short three-hour glacier hike will give you a taste of what is on offer here, however you can experience so much more with just a few more hours with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions.

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Company Information

• Company name: Glacier and Volcano Expeditions/ Jökla og Eldfjallaferðir ehf

• Kenntitala: 5410191540

• Vat number: 135949

• Phone number: (354) 7774815

• Company address: Holt, Malarás, Öræfi, Iceland 

• Email: info@glacierandvolcano.com

• Terms and conditions

• Contact

• Glacier and Volcano Expeditions

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Follow us on Instagram: @glacierandvolcano

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Glacier and kayaking tour options

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