A glacier hike or ice cave tour is on your bucket list. And so it should be! You’ve no doubt seen the pictures of the incredibly blue ice, the crunchy white surface, the bottomless crevasses, and the captivating textures of these moving giants. But the big question from us is, are you ready for it? And, is it the right choice for you and your fellow travellers? This Glacier Hike & Ice Cave Guide covers all your burning questions to help you make the right choice when it comes to which tour to choose.
General Questions Answered
Scroll down to see exact specifications for each style of glacier and ice cave tour
What fitness level do I need to take part?
Our glacier and ice cave tours range from easy to challenging. On our easier tours (with the exception of our helicopter tours) you must be able to walk at least 3 kilometres (2 miles) without undue fatigue. The more challenging hikes require a moderate fitness level with the expectation that you can ascend and descend stair like slopes without support, and walk between 6 and 9km (5 miles) on our longest hikes. Don’t worry, every tour is designed for first timers and your guide is on hand to help at every step of the way.
What level of mobility do I need to take part?
Regardless of the difficulty level, full mobility of your knees and ankles is required. Most glacier hikes involve some sloped walking, so being able to lift your knees up to your waist and having a full rotational motion of both ankles is key. Don’t worry, we will provide you with all glacier equipment needed for the trip to keep you safe.
Will an injury or illness stop me from taking part?
In a word, no. We always assess on a case by case basis. However, it is your responsibility to notify Hidden Iceland staff before the tour of any medical conditions, illnesses or injuries that might affect your ability to take part or make entering a wilderness setting unadvisable. Not notifying us of relevant conditions can put you and those around you at risk.
How fast do I need to walk?
Further details are explained below for each tour but since each tour is designed for first timers, we make sure to take ample water breaks and picture stops and walk at a slow to medium pace. On the longer tours we even stop for lunch on the ice. It’s rare that you will be walking for more than 20 minutes at a time without a break. You will be given crampons and other safety gear to allow you to walk on the ice without any worry of slipping.
Will I have a guide for the entire time?
Always. All of our guides (or trusted partners) are experienced and well trained glacier guides. Each guide has hiked on the glacier you will be walking on many times in the past. They have all completed strenuous glacier training. Each glacier guide for Hidden Iceland is a certified Wilderness First Responder. They are also trained in rescue techniques including crevasse rescue. For self drive tours and some private tours, we may utilise the skills of trusted local partners who meet our secondary service provider standards.
Is it cold on the glacier?
On average, the glacier can feel around 1-2 °C colder than the surrounding areas (approx. 2-3 °F) but with constant walking, you’ll rarely notice the difference. With that said, you should always bring gloves and a hat and waterproof clothing at all times of year. In winter, extra thick socks and added warm layers are likely needed. Check out our year round packing list here. You can borrow waterproof outer-layers and boots from us upon request.
What should I bring?
We will provide all glacier equipment for you (helmet, crampons, harness, ice axe etc) but as standard you should bring hat, gloves and multiple layers (yes, even in summer). Waterproof outer layers (top and bottom) and hiking boots that support the ankle are highly recommended on all tours. These can be provided by Hidden Iceland or our partners upon request. A small day pack to shed and add layers as well as carrying water and snacks is a good idea too.
Is there a minimum age?
10 years old (14 for ice climbing). When running private tours we may be able to redue the minimum age, though it may come down to the physical size of the child more than the age, e.g. we have safety gear that doesn’t fit very small children.
When is the best time to come for a glacier hike or ice cave tour?
Ice cave tours are only accessible between late October and early April. Glacier hikes are available all year round. The ice is bluer between November and March but takes on a crunchy white texture in summer which allow for easier exploring. In short, there’s no bad time to explore Iceland’s glaciers.
What kind of tracks and trails will we be walking on?
Regardless of the tour difficulty (easy to challenging), we will be walking on nature trails or make-shift tracks that are not necessarily maintained regularly. You will likely encounter rocks, uneven surfaces and ice. Walking on these surfaces may require specialist equipment such as crampons, micro-spikes and other equipment, which can impede your walking somewhat. These devices are generally easy to use, especially if you take part in regular hikes in an outdoor setting, but may change the level of difficulty for some individuals if you are not used to this type of exertion.
What’s the difference between glacier hiking and ice climbing?
A glacier hike usually doesn’t require any use of ropes and relies on our guides to lead you across the surface of the glacier on foot (wearing crampons). We focus on exploring the surface of the ice and taking in the scenery. We tend to be able to cover the most ground on a glacier hike. An ice climbing tour will still require some hiking but will focus on single pitch climbs, with ropes. In both cases, your guide will have full control of the group and any necessary safety equipment.
GLACIER HIKE AND ICE CAVE GUIDE | THE TOURS
There are well over 400 named glaciers in Iceland, all with their own unique characteristics. But for this glacier hike and ice cave guide we will focus only on the ones you will most likely visit when with Hidden Iceland. Thankfully, we have lots of options for most abilities. Keep reading to hear about them all.
Tour Summaries:
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Sólheimajökull Glacier | Private Glacier Hike
– moderate, can be done as a day trip from Reykjavík
– can be enjoyed year round
– maximum group size – 6 per guide -
Sólheimajökull Glacier | Private Ice Climbing Tour
– challenging, can be done as a day trip from Reykjavík
– can be enjoyed year round
– maximum group size – 6 per guide (3 per guide in winter) -
Falljökull Glacier | Glacier Encounter Hike
– easy to moderate
– can be enjoyed year round though April to October is optimal
– this is the only glacier hike we do on our Small Group Tours (between April and October)
– maximum group size – 12 per guide -
Falljökull Glacier | Glacier Discovery Hike
– moderate to challenging
– can be enjoyed year round
– maximum group size – 12 per guide
– maximum 6 per guide if converting to ice climbing (max 3 in winter per guide)
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Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier | Ice Cave & Superjeep Tour
– easy to moderate
– only accessible from mid-October to the end of March
– this is the only ice cave tour we do on our Small Group Tours (between November and March)
– maximum group size – 12 per guide -
Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier | Private Ice Cave Discovery Tour
– moderate to challenging
– only accessible between early November and the end of March
– maximum group size – 12 per guide -
Skeiðarárjökull Glacier | Private Helicopter Ice Cave Tour
– easy to moderate
– only accessible between November and the end of March
– maximum group size – 4 per helicopter -
Svínafellsjökull, Fjallsjökull and other glaciers | Glacier Viewpoints
– easy, no glacier hike included
– can be enjoyed year round
– no maximum group size
Hiking on the glacier is usually the highlight of the trip, both for the customers and for me as the guide. For people who have never set foot on a glacier before, they are usually blown away by the majestic otherworldly scenery. Even for us guides who visit glaciers regularly, each glacier is unique and ever-changing, so it’s different every time I visit! Don’t forget to bring your gloves, especially in winter!