Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier: 2-Hour Ice Hike & Crampons
Two hours on blue ice: what a glacier walk in Iceland actually feels like
You hike 4–6 km across Breiðamerkurjökull glacier with a guide who explains how the ice formed and is changing. Crampons, helmet, and harness are provided and fitted before you start. The walk takes about 2 hours on medium terrain. You'll see blue ice, crevasses, and volcanic ash depending on daily conditions. All gear is included, and you return to the Glacier Lagoon by early afternoon.
Step-by-step itinerary
Glacier hiking and exploration
- Meet and gear up
- Drive 40 minutes by super-jeep
- Hike on Breiðamerkurjökull glacier
- Explore glacier features and formations
- Walk back to the jeep
- Drive back to Glacier Lagoon
What’s included
Your day includes hotel or Glacier Lagoon pickup (depending on booking), a 40-minute super-jeep drive to the glacier, crampons, helmet, and safety harness fitted to your size, a 2-hour guided walk across Breiðamerkurjökull covering 4–6 km, and the return drive to the meeting point. Rain gear and hiking boots are available to rent at the meeting point if you need them.
Times
Next departure: 1 May 2027
8 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Ice Explorers
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
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The experience
The glacier spreads in front of you like a frozen river that stopped moving a thousand years ago. Cracks run through it in shades of white and grey and something close to blue, and the air tastes thin and cold. You're standing at the Glacier Lagoon near Hófn, about to strap crampons to your boots and walk out onto Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest ice cap. Your guide checks your harness (adjusted to fit, not loose), and hands you a helmet. The super-jeep ride to the glacier takes 40 minutes from the meeting point, and then the real walk begins.
The ice exploration tour runs about 2 hours on the glacier itself, covering 4 to 6 kilometers across terrain that changes depending on the day. Some sections are hard-packed and almost easy. Others slope or have small crevasses that your guide navigates around or, if conditions allow, through. You'll see ashy ice where volcanic dust has settled, patches where the glacier is melting into meltwater streams, and if you're lucky, sections of that deep blue ice that only forms under pressure. Your guide explains how glaciers move and shrink, how they shape the landscape around them, and what the changes mean. The kind of detail that makes the walk feel less like a hike and more like a conversation with someone who knows this place. The difficulty is rated medium. You need to be comfortable walking on uneven ground in cold weather, but no prior glacier experience is required. What matters is that you can fit the safety gear and move steadily for two hours.
Gear is provided: crampons that bite into the ice, a helmet, and a safety harness that clips to a rope if the terrain demands it. The meeting times are 08:30, 12:00, or 13:45, so you can choose the slot that fits your day. Dress in layers (warm, waterproof, breathable), and bring hiking boots that cover your ankles. Soft shoes or sneakers won't work on ice. If you don't have proper rain gear or boots, you can rent them at the meeting point, though the rental adds to your cost. The glacier is usually as cold as the Glacier Lagoon itself, so plan accordingly. After the walk, you return to the jeep and drive back to where you started, usually by mid-afternoon if you took a morning slot.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to walk on a real glacier without arranging transport, gear, or timing yourself. The guide handles safety and navigation, and the fixed meeting times mean you know exactly when to show up and when you'll be back.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Do I need glacier experience to do this tour?
No. The tour is rated medium difficulty and requires no prior glacier experience. You need to be able to walk steadily for 2 hours on uneven terrain in cold weather.
What time does the tour start?
Meeting times are 08:30, 12:00, or 13:45 at the Glacier Lagoon near Hófn. The super-jeep drive to the glacier takes 40 minutes, and the walk itself is about 2 hours.
What's included in the tour?
Crampons, helmet, safety harness, and a guide. The super-jeep transport from the Glacier Lagoon is included. Rain gear and hiking boots can be rented at the meeting point if needed.
How far do you walk on the glacier?
You cover 4–6 km depending on conditions and group preferences. The walk takes about 2 hours and includes varied terrain: hard ice, slopes, and possibly crevasses.
What should I wear?
Warm, waterproof, breathable clothing and sturdy hiking boots that cover your ankles. Soft shoes, sneakers, or foam-soled boots are not allowed. Layers work best because the glacier is very cold.
Can I rent gear if I don't have the right equipment?
Yes. Rain jackets, rain pants, and hiking boots are available to rent at the meeting point. If you're not properly equipped, you may be required to rent gear or, in extreme cases, be denied participation for safety reasons.
How many people are in a group?
Groups are kept small. If you're booking for more than five participants, contact Ice Explorers directly to arrange.
Is this tour suitable for everyone?
The tour requires moderate physical fitness and the ability to walk on uneven ice terrain for 2 hours. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy. Participants must fit the safety gear (helmet, harness). The maximum harness size is 126 cm, and minimum shoe size is 35.
Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier: 2-Hour Ice Hike & Crampons
4h 30m · EN
from US$ 149 per person
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