In shortThe hike that starts at the lagoon goes onto Breiðamerkurjökull: 4.5 hours, May to September, ages 10–70, with crampons, helmet and harness provided. From Skaftafell you can combine a Falljökull hike with kayaking on the lagoon, and the 2- and 3-day tours from Reykjavík hike Sólheimajökull instead. In winter the ice cave tours are the way onto the glacier.
4.5 hwalk on Breiðamerkurjökull
May–Sepsummer hikes from the lagoon
10–70age range on that walk
3glaciers you can hike here
Three glaciers, three starting points
| Glacier | Start | Tour | Length |
|---|
| Breiðamerkurjökull | Café at Jökulsárlón | Ice Exploration Tour | 4.5 hours |
|---|
| Breiðamerkurjökull | Troll.is at the lagoon, by super jeep | 3-hour glacier hike | 3 hours |
|---|
| Breiðamerkurjökull | The lagoon, by super jeep | Kayak + hike combo | 6 hours |
|---|
| Falljökull | Skaftafell | Kayak + Falljökull hike | 5 hours |
|---|
| Sólheimajökull | Reykjavík (multi-day) | 2- or 3-day tour | 2–3 days |
|---|
Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon
A guided walk on Breiðamerkurjökull; crampons, helmet and harness included.
4.5 hours · May–September · ★ 4.9 (213 reviews)
3-hour Breiðamerkurjökull glacier hike
The shortest hike from the lagoon, from age 8; helmet, crampons, harness and ice axe provided.
3 hours · from €115 · ★ 5.0 (4 reviews)
Blue Ice Cave and a Long Glacier Hike
3–3.5 hours on the glacier and a remote ice cave; from age 14.
5.5 hours · from $310 · ★ 5.0 (51 reviews)
What a hike involves
Guides fit you with crampons and a helmet, plus a harness on the Breiðamerkurjökull walk, and lead the group across the ice between ridges and crevasses. Expect uneven, slippery ground the whole time; the operator asks for at least moderate fitness.
- Stiff hiking boots that cover the ankle are required. Trainers are refused; boots can be rented at the meeting point.
- Bring warm, breathable waterproof layers, gloves and a hat.
- The Breiðamerkurjökull walk needs a minimum shoe size of 35, and the harness fits up to 126 cm around.
The two summer hikes from the lagoon compared
Both drive you by super jeep to the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull and walk on the ice with a certified glacier guide. On the shorter hike the guide points out crevasses, moulins and, with luck, a natural blue ice tunnel.
| 3-hour glacier hike | Ice Exploration Tour |
|---|
| Operator | Troll.is | Ice Explorers (since 2011) |
|---|
| Length | 3 hours | 4–4.5 hours |
|---|
| Minimum age | 8 | 10 (up to 70) |
|---|
| Group | small group | up to 12 people per guide |
|---|
| Gear | helmet, crampons, harness, ice axe | crampons, helmet, harness |
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| Start | Troll.is Glacier Lagoon; arrive 20 minutes early | by the café, super jeeps |
|---|
| From | €115 | $149 |
|---|
Summer hike or winter ice cave?
They happen on the same glacier but in different halves of the year. From May to September you walk on the surface; from October to March the guides take groups to the day's blue ice cave instead. The month you travel decides which of the two you can do.
Ice caves in winter →
Combine the hike with the water
The combo tours pair a hike with a kayak among the icebergs. The 6-hour version stays at the lagoon; the 5-hour one needs your own car, because the hike starts at Skaftafell and the kayak at the lagoon.
Kayaking on the lagoon →
Which hike for which traveller
- Short on time, or with children from 8: the 3-hour Breiðamerkurjökull hike from the lagoon, the shortest and youngest option.
- At the lagoon in summer with half a day: the 4.5-hour Ice Exploration Tour on Breiðamerkurjökull, from the café.
- Fit, and want the most time on the ice in winter: the 5.5-hour hike to a remote ice cave, from age 14.
- Want water and ice in one booking: the 6-hour kayak and hike combo.
- Based in Reykjavík without a car: a 2- or 3-day tour with a Sólheimajökull hike.
Safety on the glacier
Glaciers are crevassed and constantly moving, which is why every hike here is guided and everyone wears crampons and a helmet. Never walk onto the ice on your own, even near the lagoon, and follow the guide's line exactly.
Cancellation and weather
The tours listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before. Weather can also cancel a hike at short notice; on the multi-day tours the operator then arranges other activities where possible or gives a partial refund.
Questions about glacier hikes
Do I need experience to hike a glacier?
No. The guides provide the gear and lead the group; you need at least moderate fitness and proper boots.
Can I hike the glacier in winter?
The Ice Exploration Tour runs from May to September. In winter, the ice cave tours include walking on the glacier to reach the caves.
What is the minimum age?
8 on the 3-hour hike, 10 on the Ice Exploration Tour (up to 70), and 14 on the long ice cave hike and the kayak combos.
Can I rent boots?
Yes: hiking boots and rain gear can be rented at the meeting point of the Ice Exploration Tour.
Tour lengths, gear, ages and seasons from the operators' Viator listings (47191P5, 50287P54, 50287P48, 42839P12/13), read on 4 October 2026.
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