The best glacier hike in Iceland (and how to choose for your trip)
Best overall: Skaftafell blue ice (Vatnajökull)
For the actual hiking experience — the bluest ice, the most dramatic crevasse field and the lowest price — nothing beats Skaftafell. It’s the reason this is the glacier most ‘best of’ lists name first.
What works
- Deepest, bluest hiking ice in Iceland
- Lowest entry price (~$92)
- Beginner-friendly, year-round
- Small-group options available
Worth knowing
- ~4 hours’ drive from Reykjavík
- Best with an overnight stay nearby
- Long as a winter day trip
Best glacier hikeSkaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
Small groupBest from Reykjavík: glacier hike + south coast
If you’re car-free or short on days, the highest-rated day tour pairs a Sólheimajökull hike with Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the Reynisfjara black-sand beach — the south coast’s greatest hits plus real glacier time, all from your hotel door.
Top ratedReykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
Best sellerReykjavik: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier
Best for blue ice caves: Katla & Jökulsárlón
If the crystal-blue cave photos are what drew you in, you want an ice-cave tour rather than (or as well as) a hike. The Katla cave runs year-round by super jeep; the Jökulsárlón caves are a winter classic. More on the difference: glacier hike vs ice cave.
Super jeep
Blue ice caveHow to choose
| If you want… | Book |
|---|---|
| The best hiking ice, and you have a car/overnight | Skaftafell blue-ice hike |
| A glacier hike + highlights from Reykjavík, no car | Reykjavík glacier & south-coast day |
| The famous blue ice cave | Katla or Jökulsárlón ice cave |
| The smallest group / most personal | Small-group Skaftafell hike |
Cheaper isn’t always better here. The small-group hikes cost a little more but mean fewer people on the rope and more time for photos and questions — often the better day for the money.
Read the full write-ups on our tour reviews page before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best glacier hike in Iceland?
The Skaftafell blue-ice hike on Vatnajökull is the best overall — the deepest blue ice, beginner-friendly and from about $92. If you’re based in Reykjavík without a car, the top-rated Reykjavík glacier hike with south-coast waterfalls (4.8 stars) is the better choice.
Which is the best glacier to hike in Iceland?
Vatnajökull (via Skaftafell) has the best hiking ice, while Sólheimajökull is the most convenient from Reykjavík. Both are guided, beginner-friendly and run year-round.
Is Skaftafell or Sólheimajökull better for a glacier hike?
Skaftafell has grander, bluer ice but is ~4 hours from Reykjavík; Sólheimajökull is less dramatic but only ~2 hours away and ideal for a day trip. Choose by how much driving you want to do.
What is the best glacier hike for beginners?
Any of the standard half-day hikes — they’re all graded easy-to-moderate. The small-group Skaftafell hike is especially good for first-timers thanks to the slower pace and lower guide-to-guest ratio.