Skaftafell glacier hike: Blue ice maze on Vatnajökull

Walk inside the ice: blue canyons and frozen corridors most visitors only see from a distance

A guided glacier hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull in Skaftafell, where you navigate a labyrinth of deep blue ice walls and crevasses carved into the glacier. You meet your guide at the Arctic Adventures booking hut, drive 11 km to the glacier tongue, gear up with crampons and a helmet, then walk roughly 4 km through the ice maze while learning how the glacier shifts with the seasons and climate. All safety equipment is provided. The hike suits beginners and all fitness levels, though you'll cross uneven glacier terrain with about 200–250 meters of elevation gain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Skaftafellsjökull30m
2. Vatnajokull National Parkpassing by

Glacier hike through blue ice maze

• Meet guide at Skaftafell Booking Hut
• Drive 11 km to Fallsjökull glacier tongue
• Gear up with crampons and equipment
• Hike ~4 km through glacier labyrinth
• Explore blue ice corridors and crevasses
• Learn about glacier geology and climate impact

The experience

You start at the Arctic Adventures Skaftafell booking hut, where you meet your certified glacier guide and the small group. From there, a 4x4 bus drives 11 km to the foot of Falljökull: the "Falling Glacier," where Vatnajökull, Europe's second-largest glacier, spills down the mountainside. Once you're geared up with crampons, a walking axe, helmet and harness, your guide leads you onto the ice itself. The first part of the hike is about getting comfortable on the crampons and learning how to move safely across the glacier surface.

The real draw is the Labyrinth: a section of Falljökull where the ice has been pushed and pulled into deep cracks and narrow alleys, creating corridors with walls of shimmering blue ice. You weave through these passages, roughly 4 km total, while your guide explains the geology of the ice and points out how climate change is reshaping the glacier year to year. The formations you encounter shift with the seasons. The blue can be vivid or pale depending on when you go, and no two hikes are ever the same. Vatnajökull is a living landscape, and the crevasses and ice walls you walk past are different every time someone visits.

The hike takes about four hours total and involves walking over uneven glacier terrain with an elevation gain of 200–250 meters. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory. If you don't have them, rentals are available for a fee. Crampons fit shoe sizes 35–50 EU. Those outside that range cannot safely participate. The tour is rated easy and open to all fitness levels, including children from age 8, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Certified glacier guide leading the hike.
• entry to Vatnajökull National Park.
• 4x4 bus transport from Skaftafell to the glacier foot.
• all safety equipment (crampons, walking axe, helmet, harness).
• beginner-friendly instruction on glacier movement and safety.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (8 to 15 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 28 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Arctic Adventures

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here because your guide can watch everyone's footing on the uneven ice and adjust the pace through the Labyrinth to keep the group together. If you're visiting Skaftafell with a free afternoon and want to step off the standard trails, this hike fits a single outing without eating your whole day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 15 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What is the Labyrinth on Falljökull and what will I actually do there?

The Labyrinth is a section of the Falljökull glacier where ice has been pushed and pulled into deep cracks and narrow corridors with blue-tinted walls. You'll walk through these passages, weaving between ice formations while your guide explains the geology and how the glacier changes with climate and season.

How far is it from Skaftafell to where the hike starts?

The booking hut is in Skaftafell, and from there a 4x4 bus drives about 11 km to the foot of Falljökull glacier, where you gear up and begin the hike.

Do I need my own hiking boots and crampons, or are they provided?

All safety gear (crampons, walking axe, helmet and harness) is provided. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are required. If you don't have them, rentals are available for a fee. Crampons fit EU shoe sizes 35–50 only.

Is this hike suitable if I've never been on a glacier before?

Yes. The tour is beginner-friendly and rated easy, suitable for all fitness levels. Your certified guide will ensure everyone is comfortable with their crampons and gear before you head into the Labyrinth, and the hike is open to children from age 8.

What makes the ice blue, and will it look the same every season?

The ice appears blue due to its density and how it absorbs light, but the shade varies with season and weather: sometimes vivid, sometimes pale. Vatnajökull is constantly changing. Ice formations, crevasses and colors evolve throughout the year, so no two glacier hikes are ever identical.