Skaftafell Glacier Hike: Small Group Evening Tour & 4x4 Ride

Summary

Evening glacier walks in Skaftafell with tiny groups and local guides

You’ll step onto Falljökull glacier with a certified local guide in an extra small group from Skaftafell. Feel crampons crunch under your boots, hear stories from Icelanders who know this ice by heart, and catch those rare moments of real silence far from crowds. Includes all glacier gear and 4x4 ride straight to the edge.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the meeting point because I thought “extra small group” meant we’d be huddled together in some busy parking lot — but it was just five of us and our guide, Li, waiting by this muddy 4x4. My boots were already damp from an earlier rain (classic Iceland), but honestly, I forgot about that as soon as we started bumping along toward Falljökull glacier. The drive itself felt like a mini adventure; Li pointed out these weird moss fields and told us about how the glacier’s changed since his childhood. He had this way of talking that made it feel like he was letting us in on a family secret.

Getting geared up took longer than I expected — apparently, crampons aren’t as intuitive as they look. My helmet kept slipping over my eyes and Li had to adjust it twice, grinning and saying something about “tourist heads.” Once we finally stepped onto the ice, though, everything went quiet except for the sound of our spikes biting into the blue surface. It’s hard to describe that first cold gust coming off the glacier; it kind of stings your cheeks but wakes you up at the same time. We stopped every few minutes so Li could show us crevasses or those deep blue moulins (I still can’t pronounce that right). He told stories about filming Game of Thrones here — apparently there’s a spot where Batman fell into a hole? Didn’t see any capes, but I did see light bouncing off the ice in these crazy patterns.

The best part was how empty it felt — no crowds, just our little group and miles of white-blue silence. There was this moment when everyone just stood still for a bit, not talking or taking photos, just listening to nothing but wind and our own breathing. I didn’t expect to feel so small or peaceful at the same time. The walk back felt shorter somehow; maybe because I kept turning around for one last look at that shifting ice. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Glacier hike at Skaftafell

• Drive 4x4 to Falljökull glacier
• Learn to use glacier gear
• Hike on glacier for 1.5 hours
• Explore moulins and crevasses
• Listen to guide's glacier stories

Top questions

How many people are in each Skaftafell glacier hike group?

Groups never exceed 8 people on this tour.

Is equipment provided for the glacier hike?

Yes, helmets, harnesses, crampons, and an ice axe are included.

How do you get to Falljökull glacier from Skaftafell?

The tour uses a 4x4 truck to drive you directly to the glacier terminus.

How long do you spend on the ice during this hike?

The group spends around one and a half hours exploring on the glacier itself.

Are evening departures available for this tour?

Yes, evening departures run from June through August if you want fewer crowds.

Is this glacier hike suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's suitable for all fitness levels unless you have poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by 4x4 vehicle right at Skaftafell, all necessary glacier hiking gear (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe), plus guiding throughout by an AIMG-certified local expert before returning after your time on Falljökull’s ice.