Trail list · GLACIER HIKES

Where to Walk on Ice: the 15 Best Glacier Hikes Worldwide

42 hikes  ·  from $99 a head

Every glacier hike here comes with a guide, crampons and a helmet, the only sensible way onto moving ice. The 15 below span the south coast of Iceland, the heli-hikes of New Zealand and Patagonia, priced and timed.

Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike - Meeting at Tröll Expeditions in Hof
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Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

1.Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,746 reviews · 4 hours · from $165Our pick

Meet at Tröll Expeditions in Hof for a four-hour glacier adventure on Falljökull. Your certified English-speaking guide supplies crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe, and glacier gear, then leads you across crevasses and ice formations into a naturally formed blue ice cave. Guides such as Maria, Elena, and Fabijan are praised for careful instruction and warm humor.

“Really cool experience! Our guide Stella was really sweet and did explain everything in a way you could understand.”

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Skaftafell: Falljokull Glacier Easy Group Hike - Meeting at Skaftafell and getting fitted out
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Skaftafell: Falljokull Glacier Easy Group Hike

2.Skaftafell: Falljokull Glacier Easy Group Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,508 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Meet Troll Expeditions in Skaftafell for a three-hour Falljökull glacier walk. You will ride a 10-minute bus, hike to the ice, learn crampon technique, and spend about 90 minutes exploring crevasses, moulins, ice falls, and possible ice caves with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Maria, Mark, Elena, and Christina have earned special praise for safety and clear explanations.

“Easy, not challenging, suitable for children above 6 years old”

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Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach - Skógafoss, the powerful waterfall
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Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach

3.Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,285 reviews · 11 hours · from $186

Travel from Reykjavik in a small minibus with an English-speaking guide such as Sara, Al, Thomas, Bessi, or Lorenzo. You’ll hike Sólheimajökull with crampons and safety gear, visit Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and walk Reynisfjara’s black sand beach. Expect a full day, changing weather, about an hour on the ice, and plenty of photo stops.

“Wow, what an experience! Everything about the day was great! We really lucked out with the weather as it was a super sunny clear day. Al was great and very knowledgeable about all things Glaciers and Waterfalls! He also very kindly pulled over on the way back to Reykjavik in the evening as the Northern Lights were out and incredibly vibrant which was more than we had ever bargained for! Would 10/10 recommend this experience to everyone I know and was definitely the highlight of our time in Iceland.”

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Sólheimajökull: Blue Ice Glacier Hike near Vík (Easy) - Meeting the guide at the yellow bus
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Sólheimajökull: Blue Ice Glacier Hike near Vík (Easy)

4.Sólheimajökull: Blue Ice Glacier Hike near Vík (Easy)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,260 reviews · 3 - 12 hours · from $104Best value

Walk across Sólheimajökull with a certified guide, using crampons and an ice axe to reach blue crevasses, volcanic ash bands, and moulins. The easy route suits beginners and families with children 8 and older, though steep sections can feel moderate. Choose a local meeting point or Reykjavík pickup with South Coast stops.

“We had a fab time! The tour group wasn't too big, and our guide, Basha/Borsha (so sorry), was great! She was patient, funny and catered everyone's pace. The hike wasn't too difficult at all, just some steep sections. It's such a unique experience and yes it was a little expensive, but very worthwhile. I'd highly recommend!”

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Skaftafell National Park: Falljokull Glacier Advanced Hike - Meeting at Tröll Expeditions in Skaftafell
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Skaftafell National Park: Falljokull Glacier Advanced Hike

5.Skaftafell National Park: Falljokull Glacier Advanced Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,083 reviews · 5 hours · from $167

Join a small group of up to 10 people for a demanding but rewarding five-hour hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull. Your English-speaking guide supplies crampons, helmet, harness, and ice axe, then leads you through crevasses, moulins, ice tunnels, and steep ice. Guides such as Anna, Paula, Filip, and Marc are praised for clear instruction and careful pacing.

“Our guide is awesome! Friendly and helpful. The store is so nice, they apply warm chocolate drink and chocolate bars.”

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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull - The 15 to 20 minute ride toward Falljökull
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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

6.Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,045 reviews · 4 hours · from $116

Join Arctic Adventures for a four-hour, beginner-friendly walk on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull. A certified English-speaking guide such as James, Anna, Nil, or Tomasz leads you across blue ice and around crevasses after a 4x4 transfer from Skaftafell. Gear is supplied, but sturdy ankle-support boots are required.

“This hike is a must do when visiting Iceland. Our tour guide was amazing and went above and beyond to make our experience beyond incredible, I think her name was Ana I’m not sure but she was the Mexican tour guide and she was absolutely amazing. She went above and beyond for our small group and has left me with life time memories from this experience that I will never forget. This is a must do must must must do!!!”

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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour - From the Jökulsárlón parking lot to the glacier
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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour

7.Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 921 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $150

Meet at Jökulsárlón and ride a super jeep to Breiðamerkurjökull, where you spend about two hours walking 4 to 6 km on Vatnajökull’s ice. Guides such as Iga, Guillermo, Javier, and Suzie explain glacier science, manage the route, and may lead you to moulins, crevasses, or a small ice cave when conditions allow.

“It was so so stunning! We were lucky that the sun was out and the weather was nice, but i think even with a bit of rain this experience is amazing. Starting with driving in this huge truck towards the glacier and then walking inbetween the mountains was an experience in itself. And of course then walking up to the glacier and learning some background knowledge of glaciers and how they behave was breathtakingly stunning. You could tell that our tour guide loved and lived his job. You felt super safe and he knew some really really cool spots! He made the experience 10x better!”

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From Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip - Skógafoss: Iceland’s classic 60-meter curtain
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From Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip

8.From Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, South Coast and Waterfalls Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend about 12 hours exploring Iceland’s South Coast with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of 15 people. Walk on Sólheimajökull with crampons, helmet, and ice axe, then visit Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Seljalandsfoss, and possibly Gljúfrabúi. Guides such as Michal, Svenni, Roberto, and Christopher are praised for adapting the day to changing weather.

“Michael was awesome. We really enjoyed the entire tour. The glacier was cool and the waterfalls were fabulous! It rained all day and we got back to the hotel a bit damp, but we would do this again in a heartbeat!”

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Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik - Skógafoss brings the big waterfall drama
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Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

9.Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 827 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $205

Set out from Reykjavik in a minibus for Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, and a guided hike on Sólheimajökull. Your English-speaking driver and glacier guide provide the gear and instruction you need. Expect a full day, moderate walking, about 18 people, and a long but rewarding return ride.

“Your day starts off by your driver picking you up at your stop, which went perfectly. Our driver Sveinbjorn was excellent. Right from the start he makes you feel welcome, nice calm icleandic music in the background and talking about Iceland. Since everything is based on a schedule during the day, Sveinbjorn made sure that we had plenty of time at each stop all the while keeping us on schedule. When you get to the Glacier Hike he introduces you to your guide and makes sure you have all your equipment. They wait for you on their bus while you are doing the tours so there is no need to…”

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El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise - From El Calafate to Bajo de las Sombras
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El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise

10.El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 805 reviews · 5 - 11 hours · from $396

Cross Argentino Lake by boat, hike for about an hour on Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons, then see the ice from forest trails and boardwalks. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead small groups, with a guide for about every 10 guests. Pickup from El Calafate may be added, and the national park fee is extra.

“It was awesome!!! Arturo our Glacier guide was excellent!!”

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Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group - What the approach feels like before your boots touch ice
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Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group

11.Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – Adventure in a Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $115

You’ll walk from Sólheimajökull Base Camp onto a blue-white outlet glacier with a certified Icelandic Mountain Guide. Expect safety training, crampons, an ice axe, glacier formations, crevasses, photo stops, and perhaps a small ice tunnel. Guides such as Sam, Sophia, Oskar, and Heini are praised for clear instruction and careful pacing.

“The whole experience was amazing. The views are incredible and our guide Oscar was very good. Would highly recommend”

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Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach - Sólheimajökull: the active centerpiece
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Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach

12.Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 705 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $198

Spend a full day exploring Iceland’s South Coast with guides such as Sara, Tomasz, Al, and Ignacio. Walk on Sólheimajökull with glacier gear, visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and see Reynisfjara’s black sand and basalt columns. Pickup, transport, WiFi, and equipment are included. Expect changing weather and a real hike.

“It was a great tour. Thomas was an excellent guide! The glacier hike is not easy.. be prepared for elevation and uneven terrain. Highly recommend as a more active experience.”

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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull - From Skaftafell Base Camp to the glacier
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Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

13.Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 643 reviews · 4 hours · from $163

Meet Arctic Adventures at Skaftafell Base Camp for a four-hour trip to Falljökull. A 20-minute 4x4 ride leads to a guided glacier hike, crevasses, moulins, and a natural blue ice cave. Guides such as Ola, James, Albin, and Dragon are praised for clear instruction, safety, and good humor. Bring proper boots and warm waterproof layers.

“Well, that was a unique activity! Ola -our guide- made sure we would have an excellent, funny, informative and, above all, safe experience!! She also took some marvelous photos of us on the glacier as well as inside the ice cave! Thank you for everything Ola, this was a day to remember!”

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Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike - Walking among caves, pinnacles, and crevasses
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Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

14.Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 618 reviews · from $506

Fly from Franz Josef village to the glacier, then spend about 2 hours 15 minutes walking among ice caves, pinnacles, seracs, and crevasses with a trained guide. Gear is provided, groups are limited to 11, and guides such as Sarah, Maya, Angus, and Abby add clear safety advice, glaciology, and Maori stories.

“An amazing experience! Our guide Angus was fabulous balancing the science of the glacier (had a glaciology degree!) with the traditional Maori stories of how the glacier formed.”

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Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls - Eyjafjallajökull and the Road to Skógafoss
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Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls

15.Reykjavík: Iconic Glacier Hike, South Coast & Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 605 reviews · from $195

Spend a full day on Iceland’s South Coast with an English-speaking guide such as Michal, Adonis, Roberto, or Klaus. Visit Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Eyjafjallajökull, and Reynisfjara, then hike Sólheimajökull for about 1.5 hours with crampons, helmet, and ice axe. Pickup, Wi-Fi, and glacier gear are included.

“Great day, guide roberto was great, very friendly and full of information.”

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