Skaftafell Blue Ice Glacier Hike review
Our verdict: this is the glacier hike to book if you want the real thing without overpaying. You meet at Skaftafell, gear up with crampons and an ice axe, and spend roughly 1.5–2 hours on Falljökull / Svínafellsjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, walking past crevasses, sinkholes and ridges of deep blue ice. At $92 it’s the lowest-priced proper hike on the south coast and rates 4.7 from 1,200+ reviews. Best for first-timers who actually want to hike, not just photograph, a glacier.
What the day is actually like
You meet your guide at the Skaftafell visitor area in Vatnajökull National Park — about 4.5 hours’ drive from Reykjavík, so most people pair it with a south-coast road trip rather than a same-day return. After a short safety briefing you’re fitted with crampons, a harness, helmet and ice axe, then walk a few minutes to the glacier tongue. From there it’s a guided loop on the ice: the guide picks a safe route between crevasses, points out sink holes and moulins, and explains how the glacier moves and why the ice glows blue. The pace is gentle and there’s plenty of stopping for photos.
Who it suits — and who should look elsewhere
What works
- Most hands-on glacier time of any budget tour
- Lowest price for a real hike ($92)
- All technical gear and a certified guide included
- Runs year-round, beginner friendly
- Small enough effort for most reasonably fit adults
Worth knowing
- You must get yourself to Skaftafell (no Reykjavík pickup)
- Standard group can be up to ~15 people
- Not a fit if you want an ice cave — this is a surface hike
- Far from the capital, best as part of a multi-day trip
Book the earliest slot you can. Morning departures get the calmest light on the ice and the smallest crowds on the glacier tongue, and you’ll still have the afternoon for Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon 50 minutes east.
Is it worth it?
Yes — for the price, nothing else gives you this much genuine time on the ice with full gear and a guide. The only real catch is logistics: you have to reach Skaftafell under your own steam. If you’d rather be collected in Reykjavík, read our review of the Reykjavík glacier hike day tour instead, or compare both on the Skaftafell glacier hike guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you spend on the glacier?
Roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of actual walking on the ice, plus gearing up and the short walk to the glacier tongue. Total tour time is about 3 to 3.5 hours.
Is the Skaftafell Blue Ice hike hard?
It’s graded easy to moderate. You walk on flat-to-gently-sloping ice in crampons at a slow pace, so any reasonably fit adult who can walk on uneven ground can do it. No prior experience is needed.
Does the tour include pickup from Reykjavik?
No. You meet the guide at the Skaftafell terminal, about 4.5 hours from Reykjavík. Most people drive the south coast and do the hike en route. For a door-to-door option, book a Reykjavík-departing glacier tour instead.
What should I bring?
Warm layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, and sturdy waterproof hiking boots (rentable if needed). Crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet are all provided. See our what to wear guide.