Unleash your adventurous spirit with the Ice Cave and Glacier Walk: Only for the Brave!
Looking for a challenge with a fantastic reward? On this active day tour, you will experience a natural ice cave, one of the most iconic and picturesque features of the glacial landscape. As is often the case, the most beautiful places can be difficult to access, but it is absolutely worth it if you are physically up for it. Expect a challenging tour with about 4.5 hours spent on the ice.
Arrive at base camp in Skaftafell at least 20 minutes before the time of tour departure at the National Park Visitor’s Centre. The tour starts with your experienced and qualified glacier guide providing safety information and outfitting you with the gear for the glacier, including an ice axe, crampons and a harness. Then, a glacier bus will transport you to the starting point.
Once you step onto the glacier will feel as if you have been transported to another planet. As your guide leads you through a sea of glacial ice sculptures, ice ridges and deep crevasses, you will see stunning scenery as far as the eye can see. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the power of a glacier in person.
The glacier features kilometres of white, pure ice intertwined with blue and smoky hues in interesting shapes formed by compression. It’s a wide-open space, sitting on top of active volcanoes. You will experience whipping winds, sky-high elevations, and cold temperatures; it’s exhilarating. Your trained guide will explain aspects of the glacier and keep you safe along the way.
Depending on the conditions, getting to the natural ice cave can take up to two hours. Once inside the cave, you will take in the beauty, run your fingers over the ice and appreciate the different shapes and hues of the ice. Before returning to base camp, there will be plenty of time for photos.
After about 30 minutes in the ice cave, you will return to Skaftafell base camp with memories that will last a lifetime.
*Please note that ice caves are a natural phenomenon, and the conditions can change depending on the weather. Your safety is our priority, so our tours may be cancelled with short notice due to weather conditions or safety concerns. If this happens, we will do our best to offer you an alternative tour if the weather permits.
- Availability
- All year
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Minimum age
- 16
- Meeting Point
- Skaftafell Base Camp
- Max ascent
- 500 meters
- Walking per day
- 8-10km
- Total distance
- 8-10km
TourID: SKF02
Activity provider: Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia
Skaftafell Base Camp
Need to know
Please arrive 20 minutes before departure time.
Accessible to all those in good health, who are doing some sport regularly, and who are used to all-terrain walks. 4-6 hours walk per day, without much carrying.
Remember to dress according to the weather. The Skaftafell parking lot fee is not included in the tour price.
Requirements
- Hiking boots. It is possible to rent a pair of boots at the base camp.
- Small backpack
- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Glacier gear
- Safety equipment
Not included
- Rain gear
- Hiking boots
- Warm clothing
- Snacks
Optional extras
Hiking Boots
Rain coat
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
Some meeting points don't have traditional addresses as they are parking lots or or mountain base camps in remote areas or, but you can always find these locations on Google Maps and see directions on the map above.
Before we head to the glacier for the tour, we need to get everyone fitted with the equipment (protective overalls, helmets and goggles for snowmobile tours, crampons and harnesses for glacier hikes, dry suit for kayak touts, etc.). Some equipment needs to be adjusted to each person's, so people must arrive 30 minutes before so everyone is ready at the departure time.
We always recommend booking as soon as you are ready, especially if you have a strict travel schedule or a large group. Changing or cancelling your tour is easy and free of charge until 24 hours before departure by emailing us (info@mountainguides.is). Tours can also be purchased on the day of as long as spaces are available.
Yes, this cave is accessible all year round. However, please note that this is a natural ice cave and it can be temporarily closed for safety reasons. Every year is unique,
The ice cave is quite large. Water from the mountains carves out the cave, making it seem almost endless until you reach the bottom where the water disappears.
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