





Skaftafell 3-Hour Easy Level Glacier Hike

Tour Description
Explore the unique ice formations of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, on a guided walk. This tour offers a direct experience with a constantly changing landscape. You will see deep crevasses, vertical shafts known as moulins, and potentially an ice cave. Your guide will also point out rare features like glacier mice, a type of moss found on the ice. This hike provides an opportunity to witness the immense scale of the glacier and its uniquely carved landscapes up close.
Join a guided glacier hike on Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull National Park. The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
After a short ride on the "Tröll Bus," you will walk a short distance to the edge of the glacier. Your guide will demonstrate how to use the equipment and how to safely walk on the ice. During the walk, you'll observe how the receding ice has shaped the surrounding landscape, noting visible marks on the bedrock and a lagoon formed by meltwater.
The tour guarantees 1 hour and 30 minutes on the ice, with an additional 10-minute shuttle ride each way. The remaining time is allocated for a safety briefing and a 20-minute walk on a gravel path to the glacier tongue. Your guide will provide information about the glacier's geology and its impact on the Icelandic environment. This tour is designed to be an educational experience, offering a factual look at a natural phenomenon.
This hike is suitable for most individuals with a reasonable fitness level. Participants should wear warm, layered clothing and sturdy footwear.After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.
Skaftafell
All Year
3 Hours
Meet on location
Easy to moderate
Highlight Of The Tour
What’s Included






Available Add-ons

Rent shoes for keeping your ankles safe to prevent injuries

Rent a jacket to keep you dry

Rent pants to keep you dry

Buy our Troll Beanie and Gloves to feel part of our winter Trolls and keep you warm in the Icelandic cold

Buy our Troll Neck-warmer to feel part of our winter Trolls and and protect your face from cold wind

Buy our Troll Summer-Cap to feel part of our summer Trolls and protect yourself from the sun
Frequently Asked Questions
Glaciers form when loads of snow collects on the mountains within many years, and not enough of it melts. Snow becomes incredibly heavy over time, therefore starts compressing on its own weight – eventually becoming glacier ice. Roughly, 50 meters of snow compresses into 1 meter of ice.
Individual glacier outlets have already seen 15-50% of ice loss since the year 2000.
Unfortunately Icelandic winters are no longer cold enough for the glaciers to grow. During winter months, glaciers tend to remain the same size since it's not warm enough to grow, while during summer months glaciers melt at a great rate.
No, you don’t! The meeting point is warm, cozy, and conveniently located close to Falljökull. Parking here is free, unlike Skaftafell, where parking fees apply.
Items
- Warm clothes
- Inner layer – Shirt / T-shirt (wool or synthetic)
- Insulating layer – Polyester Sweater / Fleece Sweater / Insulated Down Jacket
- Outer layer – Waterproof jacket and pants (can be rented from Tröll)
- Hiking pants / fleece pants
- Socks (wool / hiking)
- Hiking / Climbing boots (boots need to have an ankle support to protect your ankle from potential sprains while hiking; Tröll has boots rental at location if needed)
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small water bottle
- Joy & happiness!
Easy to Moderate Clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in. They must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions
8 years old, and the minimum shoe size to be able to participate in the tour is EU 33/34
📍Meeting Point – Google Maps Search:Troll Expeditions Skaftafell
Hof (next to Route 1, approx. 5 hours from Reykjavík in good road conditions)
Meeting point is a short distance from the Skaftafell Visitor Centre in Southeast Iceland.
We highly recommend that you arrive at our meeting point 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. Please note that if you arrive after departure time, your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed or refunded.
Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities. Once it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, leaving you cold.
Select extras (shoes, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants) during checkout, or rent them out at the meeting point directly with our guides.
The temperature on the glacier is just a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell Terminal, however much more windy due to a higher elevation.
Find the weather information here
Feel free to contact Tröll customer service for any questions on info@troll.is or call+354 519 5544
Wish you a magical hike!
• All day tours can be cancelled 24 hours before the departure time by sending a written email to info@troll.is. You will receive a full refund except the 3% card fee. All cancellations requested less than 24 hours from the departure time are non refundable. • In the case of cancellation of the tour by the operator because of extreme weather, road conditions, or other factors, we will assist you with rebooking to another date or booking other activities when possible or provide a full refund.
When you book this product, you will receive a follow up email with a promo code. The promo code will give you a discount on you second glacier activity that you book with Troll.is.
The following products are included in the Frozen Bonus rewards:
- Crystal Blue Ice Cave Tour
- Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell 3 hours Easy Level Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell 5 hours Adventure Glacier Hike
- Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
- Katla Volcano Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour
- Katla Ice Cave Extended 4-hour Super Jeep Tour
- Solheimajokull 3h Easy Level Glacier Hike
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing
- Solheimajokull Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike (temporarily closed)
The offer is valid for all travel dates until the 15th of December, 2025.
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Come and join us on this once-in-a lifetime-experience, a chance to explore Iceland’s largest glacier.
As glaciers continue melting at an alarming rate – roughly more than 1.2 trillion tons per year around the world, we would like to invite you to this unforgettable tour, where you will experience a rare phenomena of how half of our world used to look like, just 12 thousands years ago.
Like all other glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull glacier continues to melt, which will eventually lose half of its current ice by the year 2100 (which currently covers 9% of Iceland). It is estimated that by 2200, most of the glacier ice in Iceland will be forever lost.
Individual glacier outlets have already seen 15-50% of ice loss since the year 2000.
Contact us on info@troll.is if you wish to book a Private Tour
Your tour will start at Höf, where you will meet your highly qualified glacier guide, 20 minutes before departure.
Once you arrive to the spot, your guide will provide you with all the necessary gear – crampons, a helmet, an ice axe, and footwear / rainwear (if needed).
Once geared up, you will start your journey towards the glacier.
Due to large amounts of melted ice, it will take roughly 20 minutes (by walk) to reach the glacier. On the way, you will be able to see how the ice has deformed the bedrock, the moss line of the surrounding mountains will indicate where ice used to be just a few years ago, and a lagoon, where you’ll see the last remains of the melted ice.
Once you reach the glacier, your guide will teach you how to walk on ice, and after a quick safety talk, you’ll start your hike on the icy Falljökull glacier – one of the most magical yet mysterious outlets of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Falljökull outlet is different from other outlets due to the dramatically carved glacier landscapes, which you’ll be able to see while on the 3 hour hike. During the tour, your guide will take you to the most magnificent parts of the glacier – such attractions include crevasses, moulins, glacier mice (a type of moss), massive ice falls, and sometimes ice caves.
Difficulty:
The hike is not technically hard, yet sometimes steep and rocky. Some physical strength is required and hiking experience is recommended.
Extra info:
The temperature on the glacier is just a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell Terminal, however much more windy due to a higher elevation.
Please note that to reach the glacier embark point, a 15-minute shuttle bus ride is shared with other tour participants. This short transfer allows us to minimize our environmental impact and ensures efficient access to the stunning glacier landscapes.
Feel free to contact Tröll customer service for any questions on info@troll.is or call +354 519 5544
Wish you an unforgettable hike!
Embark on a long hiking adventure on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. This tour is an opportunity to explore deep into the ice and witness magnificent features. The higher elevation provides panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park, known for its spectacular scenery featured in major movies and TV shows such as such as James Bond, Interstellar, Batman, and Game of Thrones. This extended experience allows you approximately 3 hours on the ice itself for a truly immersive and unforgettable exploration.
Join our advanced guided hike on Falljökull ("The Falling Glacier") in Skaftafell National Park, Southeast Iceland. This 5-hour tour is designed for guests with a good fitness level who want a longer, more detailed, and demanding adventure on the ice.
Why choose this 5-hour tour? This option is for the adventurous traveler with more time, as it includes extra time on the ice, grants access to wilder terrain, and provides a deeper insight into the glacier’s unique features compared to shorter tours.
The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
The total tour time includes a guaranteed 3 hours of hiking on the glacier, a 10-minute shuttle ride each way on the “Tröll Bus,” and approximately 20 minutes for the walk on a gravel path to the glacier’s edge, which covers the safety briefing time. Your guide will demonstrate how to safely use the equipment and walk on the ice.
As you hike your guide will explain the geology of Falljökull. You will encounter dramatic ice formations like deep cracks (crevasses) and vertical shafts (moulins). In winter, you may even look into small ice tunnels. From the highest point, you will get to observe, panoramic views of the Skaftafell National Park. Your guide will provide a factual and educational overview of how glaciers are formed, discuss safety, and explain the current impacts of global warming. After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.
Embark on a long hiking adventure on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. This tour is an opportunity to explore deep into the ice and witness magnificent features. The higher elevation provides panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park, known for its spectacular scenery featured in major movies and TV shows such as such as James Bond, Interstellar, Batman, and Game of Thrones. This extended experience allows you approximately 4 hours on the ice itself for a truly immersive and unforgettable exploration.
Join our advanced guided hike on Falljökull ("The Falling Glacier") in Skaftafell National Park, Southeast Iceland. This 6-hour tour is designed for guests with a good fitness level who want a longer, more detailed, and demanding adventure on the ice.
Why choose this 6-hour tour? This option is for the adventurous traveler with more time, as it includes extra time on the ice, grants access to wilder terrain, and provides a deeper insight into the glacier’s unique features compared to shorter tours.
The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
The total tour time includes a guaranteed 4 hours of hiking on the glacier, a 10-minute shuttle ride each way on the “Tröll Bus,” and approximately 20 minutes for the walk on a gravel path to the glacier’s edge, which covers the safety briefing time. Your guide will demonstrate how to safely use the equipment and walk on the ice.
As you hike your guide will explain the geology of Falljökull. You will encounter dramatic ice formations like deep cracks (crevasses) and vertical shafts (moulins). In winter, you may even look into small ice tunnels. From the highest point, you will get to observe, panoramic views of the Skaftafell National Park. Your guide will provide a factual and educational overview of how glaciers are formed, discuss safety, and explain the current impacts of global warming. After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.
Join an adventure tour to experience the majestic features of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, in the Skaftafell area. The highlight of this tour is the chance to enter a naturally formed blue ice cave, offering a stunning view of crystalized ice. During the guided glacier walk on Falljökull, you will also explore other breathtaking ice formations, including deep crevasses (cracks in the ice) and vertical shafts known as moulins. This expedition allows you to witness the dramatic, carved landscapes of the glacier and learn about its continuous change.
This adventure offers a direct encounter with one of Iceland's most spectacular natural phenomena: a glacier and its crystal blue ice cave. The tour takes place on Falljökull, an accessible outlet glacier of Vatnajökull National Park in Southeast Iceland.
The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
After gearing up, you will walk for approximately 20 minutes toward the glacier's edge. Along the way, your guide will point out the visible effects of the receding ice, such as marks on the bedrock and a meltwater lagoon. Once at the ice, your guide will provide a full safety briefing and instruct you on how to walk safely with your equipment.
You will spend about 3 hours hiking on the glacier, exploring the uniquely carved landscapes of the Falljökull outlet. Your guide will lead you to the most magnificent parts of the ice, including fascinating geological formations like deep crevasses and moulins. The most memorable part of the tour is the opportunity to walk inside the naturally formed blue ice cave, giving you an up-close look at the dazzling blue ice. Throughout the excursion, you will learn about the formation and geology of glaciers and their constant change.After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.