Skaftafell: Falljökull Glacier Hike & Ice Formations Tour

Summary

Falljökull glacier hike through crevasses and wild ice shapes

You’ll step onto Falljökull glacier with a local guide, feel the crunch of crampons underfoot, and peer into wild crevasses as you explore for hours across blue ice. Warm up mid-hike with chocolate and coffee before soaking in those wide Skaftafell views—an experience that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first step onto the glacier to feel so weirdly satisfying — like stepping onto a frozen sponge that bites back. We’d just bounced over gravel in the “Tröll Bus” (it’s actually just a big van, but I guess that’s Icelandic humor), and our guide Ása was already handing out crampons before I’d even finished gawking at the blue streaks running through the ice. She showed us how to strap everything on, and honestly, I was nervous about tripping over my own feet. The wind kept snapping at my hood, but there was this salty-sweet smell in the air, almost like rain mixed with something ancient.

Once we got moving across Falljökull — which means “the falling glacier,” Ása explained — it felt like entering another planet. She pointed out pale moulins that looked bottomless, and deep cracks that made my stomach flip if I looked too long. At one point she tapped her pole against an ice wall so we could hear how hollow it sounded underneath. There were these tiny black rocks trapped inside clear ice; she said they’d been carried down from the volcanoes ages ago. Someone in our group tried to pronounce Vatnajökull (I’m still not sure I say it right) and Ása laughed, which broke the tension a bit.

The higher we climbed, the more surreal it got. Skaftafell stretched out below us — all mossy green patches and black sand veins. The silence up there is strange; you think you’ll hear wind or water but sometimes it’s just your own breath echoing in your ears. My hands were freezing even inside gloves, but then Ása pulled out chocolate and coffee from her pack (she called it “glacier fuel”). That little break, sitting on cold ice with strangers who suddenly felt less like strangers… I still think about that moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Glacier hiking and exploration

• Ride 10 minutes on Tröll Bus
• Begin short hike to ice cap
• Get geared up with crampons
• Learn glacier walking safety
• Explore Falljökull glacier
• Observe ice formations and crevasses
• Enjoy panoramic views of Skaftafell

Top questions

How long is the Skaftafell glacier hike?

The tour lasts about 5 hours total, with around 3.5 hours spent on the glacier itself.

Is equipment provided for hiking on Falljökull?

Yes, all necessary safety gear for glacier hiking is included.

Do I need previous experience for this glacier tour?

No previous experience is needed, but travelers should have moderate fitness.

What is included in the Skaftafell glacier tour?

The tour includes a professional guide, all safety gear, coffee and chocolates, plus activities on the glacier.

How do we get to Falljökull from Skaftafell?

You’ll take a short 10-minute ride on the “Tröll Bus” from Skaftafell to reach the starting point of the hike.

What’s included

Your day covers a ride from Skaftafell to Falljökull by “Tröll Bus,” full safety equipment for walking on glacial ice, guided exploration of crevasses and formations with a local expert, plus coffee and chocolates during your adventure.