Best valueSkaftafell★ 4.6 · 2,031 reviewsTroll .is
Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike
4 hage 8+free parking
Meet Troll's base at Hof
Includes crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe
From
Check dates€140
per person · free cancellation 24 h
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Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
The best Vatnajokull glacier hike and ice cave tour for most people is the Skaftafell hike and ice cave: 4 hours, ★4.6 from 2,031 reviews, from €140. Fit hikers get more ice on the 6-hour remote cave hike from €250.
Updated · prices checked November 2026
- Tours compared
- 11 Skaftafell + Jökulsárlón
- Time
- 3.5–6 h 4 h from Skaftafell · 5–6 h from Jökulsárlón
- Prices from
- €140 up to €485 per person
- Youngest age
- 8–14 8+ short · 12–14 long
Key takeaways
- €140–147short hike-and-cave tours from Skaftafell take 3.5–4 hours
- 5–6 hlong tours from Jökulsárlón cover 4–8 km and cost €217–269
- Ankle bootsrequired on every tour; crampons, a helmet and usually an ice axe are included
- 8–14 yrsminimum age: 8 on the short hikes, 12–14 on the long ones
- 4.8the highest value-for-money score of any tour with 100+ reviews — a 6-hour hike
Our picks
Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour — Our Six Picks
Choose by hours on the ice: the 4-hour Skaftafell tours give you a shorter glacier walk and one cave, the 5–6-hour Jökulsárlón tours up to 3–3.5 hours on the ice and, when conditions allow, several caves. The six picks below each answer a different need and all run in the ice cave season only.
Best valueSkaftafell★ 4.6 · 2,031 reviews
Small groups from SkaftafellSkaftafell★ 4.6 · 975 reviewsArctic Adventures
Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
4 h12 per guideage 8+
Meet Arctic Adventures' Skaftafell Base Camp
Ride 4x4 bus to the ice, 20–25 min
From
Check dates€147
per person · free cancellation 24 h
Best ratedJökulsárlón★ 4.9 · 273 reviewsIce Walkers Tours
Jökulsárlón: Glacier Hike to a Remote Ice Cave
6 habout 8 kmage 12+
On the ice 3–3.5 h on the glacier and in the caves
Level moderate to hard, uphill sections
From
Check dates€250
per person · free cancellation 24 h
Most cavesJökulsárlón★ 4.7 · 232 reviewsIce Explorers
From Jökulsárlón: Ice Cave and Glacier Exploration Tour
5.5 h4–6 kmage 13+
Where Breiðamerkurjökull
Group 8 guests per guide in winter
From
Check dates€247
per person · free cancellation 24 h
Smallest groupJökulsárlón★ 4.7 · 97 reviewsGlacier Trips
Jökulsárlón: Blue Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Walk
6 hmax. 8age 14+
Level moderate to hard
Hike 1–1.5 h each way
From
Check dates€217
per person · free cancellation 24 h
One booking, three levelsSkaftafell★ 4.7 · 607 reviewsICELANDIA
Skaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike & Winter Ice Cave Option
3–4.5 hage 10+3 levels
Guides on the glacier since 1994
Cave option priced when you pick a date
Price shown when you pick a date
Check datesSource · GetYourGuide product pages, EUR "from" prices per person, 9 Nov 2026
Similar Hike-and-Cave Tours — One Difference Each
Five more hike-and-cave tours. Each row shows the one thing that sets it apart; the picks above cover the main formats.
Cave, tunnel or ice formation, by conditionsSkaftafell: Blue Ice Glacier Hike & Ice Cave Adventure3.5 h
★ 4.5 (22)From€140Check dates
Meets at Jökulsárlón, hikes FalljökullIceland: Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour3-hour hike · 20-minute walk in
★ 4.6 (33)From€142Check dates
Several caves, small groupJökulsárlón: Guided Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour4.5–6 h · age 14+ · parking fee extra
★ 5 (1 review)From€269Check dates
With a photo packageJökulsárlón: Glacier Hike, Ice Cave, and Photoshoot Package5.4 km · 5 photos each
★ 5 (4)From€391Check dates
Source · GetYourGuide product pages, 9 Nov 2026
Check dates for the Skaftafell hike and ice cave and the remote ice cave hike on GetYourGuide.
Check dates — Skaftafell hike and ice cave
Check dates — remote ice cave hike
The hike
Vatnajokull Ice Cave Tour With Glacier Hike — What the Hike Adds
A Vatnajokull ice cave tour with glacier hike puts you on the ice with crampons and an ice axe before you reach the cave — up to 3–3.5 hours on the longest tours — instead of a jeep ride and a short walk. You see crevasses, ridges and moulins up close, and the cave becomes one part of the day rather than all of it.
That changes who the tour suits. On a super jeep tour the youngest guest can be 5 and the walk under 10 minutes; on a Vatnajokull ice cave and glacier hike the minimum age is usually 8 or more, boots with ankle support are mandatory, and Arctic Adventures' crampons fit only EU shoe sizes 35 to 50. In return the price barely moves: the Skaftafell hikes cost €140–147, the same as the busiest super jeep tours.
The hike also spreads groups out. Reviewers on the longer tours describe visiting four locations, a second small cave in a crevasse, or crowd-free moments in the caves, while the review summaries of the short jeep tours mention queues at the entrance.
1On the ice
crevasses, ice ridges, moulins (vertical shafts), blue ice.
crevasses, ice ridges, moulins (vertical shafts), blue ice.
2In the cave
one cave on the 4-hour tours; one or more on the 5–6-hour tours.
one cave on the 4-hour tours; one or more on the 5–6-hour tours.
3The catch
weather: wind and rain can shorten the route or cancel the tour.
weather: wind and rain can shorten the route or cancel the tour.
From Skaftafell
Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajokull
The Skaftafell blue ice cave and glacier hike on Vatnajokull takes about 4 hours and goes onto Falljökull, an outlet glacier reached from Skaftafell. It is the cheapest way to combine a real glacier hike with a natural cave, from €140, and the most-reviewed hike-and-cave tour on GetYourGuide.
Two operators run the big ones from slightly different bases. Troll meets at its own base at Hof, west of Hofgarður, which it calls the closest meeting point to the ice; parking there is free, while the national park charges ISK 1,110 per car at Skaftafell. Arctic Adventures meets at its Skaftafell Base Camp and drives guests 20–25 minutes in a 4x4 bus shared between groups. Both give crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe.
- 01
Gear up
at the base, with boots for rent if yours are too low.
- 02
Ride and walk in
a short drive; on the Troll tour then about 20 minutes on foot past meltwater streams and bedrock marked by the retreating ice.
- 03
On the glacier
a lesson in walking with crampons, then crevasses, ridges and moulins.
- 04
The cave
time to explore and take photos, then the same way back.
Skaftafell is about 327 km from Reykjavík, roughly 4.5 hours by car, and about 56 km west of Jökulsárlón.
From Jökulsárlón
The Vatnajokull Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike From Jokulsarlon
The Vatnajokull ice cave tour and glacier hike from Jokulsarlon is the long version: 5 to 6 hours, a jeep ride of 30–40 minutes to the glacier, then 4–8 km on foot to caves most short tours don't reach. Prices start at €217 and minimum ages at 12 to 14.
Four tours leave the Jökulsárlón car park in this format, and they differ mainly in distance and group size. The remote ice cave hike walks about 8 km with uphill sections and spends 3–3.5 hours on the glacier and in the caves; Ice Explorers covers 4–6 km on Breiðamerkurjökull with a guide for every 8 guests; Glacier Trips caps the group at 8 and rates its walk moderate to hard.
Their listings make the same point about the caves: they change from season to season, so the guide picks the best cave that is safe that day, and visits more than one only when conditions allow.
"They took us to 4 different locations, each one better than the last."
Difficulty
How Hard Is a Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour?
The 4-hour Skaftafell tours are easy to moderate and need no glacier experience; the 5–6-hour Jökulsárlón tours need you to be fit enough for 4–8 km with uphill sections. On both, the hard part is the weather, not the terrain: it is colder and windier on the ice than at the car park.
What to wear: stiff hiking boots that cover the ankle, waterproof jacket and trousers, hat and gloves. Arctic Adventures, Icelandia, Troll and Ice Explorers rent boots at their bases, and most rent waterproofs too.
1Easy to moderate (4 h)
Skaftafell hikes, age 8+; on the Troll tour about 20 minutes' walk to the ice first.
Skaftafell hikes, age 8+; on the Troll tour about 20 minutes' walk to the ice first.
2Moderate (5.5 h)
Ice Explorers, 4–6 km, age 13+.
Ice Explorers, 4–6 km, age 13+.
3Moderate to hard (5–6 h)
the remote cave hike, about 8 km with uphill parts, age 12+; Glacier Trips, age 14+.
the remote cave hike, about 8 km with uphill parts, age 12+; Glacier Trips, age 14+.
4Who should not book
operators list mobility impairments, heart and back problems and pregnancy among exclusions on the longer tours.
operators list mobility impairments, heart and back problems and pregnancy among exclusions on the longer tours.
Side by side
Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tours Compared
The table puts the six main tours side by side on the figures that decide the booking: length, distance, minimum age and group size. Prices differ by up to €110 between the shortest and the longest tours, mostly for the extra 2 hours on the ice.
| Tour | Start | Length | Distance | Min. age | Group | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skaftafell hike and ice cave★ 4.6 (2,031) · our pick | Hof | 4 h | 20-min walk + glacier | 8 | small group | €140 | Check dates |
| Arctic blue ice cave hike★ 4.6 (975) | Skaftafell | 4 h | not stated | 8 | 12 per guide | €147 | Check dates |
| Icelandia winter cave option★ 4.7 (607) | Skaftafell | 3–4.5 h | not stated | 10 | small group | on date | Check dates |
| Glacier Trips cave walk★ 4.7 (97) | Jökulsárlón | 6 h | 1–1.5 h hike each way | 14 | max. 8 | €217 | Check dates |
| Ice exploration tour★ 4.7 (232) | Jökulsárlón | 5.5 h | 4–6 km | 13 | 8 per guide | €247 | Check dates |
| Remote ice cave hike★ 4.9 (273) | Jökulsárlón | 6 h | about 8 km | 12 | small group | €250 | Check dates |
not stated: the listing gives no figure · highlighted row: our pick
Source · GetYourGuide product pages, 9 Nov 2026
Reviews
What Guests Say About Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tours
Guests rate the hike-and-cave tours higher on value than the short jeep tours: 4.3 to 4.8 out of 5 against 3.7 to 4.2. Guides score 4.8 to 5.0, and reviewers single out patient guides, a pace that suits the group and time to take photos.
1Praised
guides who adjust the route to weather and the group; several caves on the long tours; feeling safe on crampons.
guides who adjust the route to weather and the group; several caves on the long tours; feeling safe on crampons.
2Criticised
caves smaller or less blue than the photos (review summaries for Troll, Arctic Adventures and Glacier Trips); boots rules not clear enough before arrival.
caves smaller or less blue than the photos (review summaries for Troll, Arctic Adventures and Glacier Trips); boots rules not clear enough before arrival.
"It said trekking shoes, but high-top boots are required. Low-top trekking shoes aren't suitable, since you have to put crampons on them."
Book it if
Who a Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour Suits
Book a hike-and-cave tour if walking on the glacier matters as much as the cave and everyone in your group is at least 8. Book a super jeep tour instead if you travel with younger children or want the cave in under 3 hours.
Book the 4-hour Skaftafell tour if
it is your first glacier, you sleep near Skaftafell, you want the lowest price.
Check dates — Skaftafell hikeBook a 5–6-hour Jökulsárlón tour if
you are fit, over 12–14, and want fewer people in the caves.
Book a super jeep tour instead if
your youngest is 5–7 or the walk is a problem. Compare super jeep tours.
Visiting in summer?
the caves are closed, but the glacier hikes run. See what summer visitors can book.
FAQ
Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour Questions
6 questions people ask before booking, answered from the operators' own listings, the national park and GetYourGuide reviews.
Is a Vatnajokull ice cave hike hard?
The 4-hour Skaftafell hikes are easy to moderate and need no glacier experience; on the Troll tour you walk about 20 minutes to the ice before the glacier part starts. The 6-hour remote cave hike needs fitness for about 8 km with uphill sections, and Glacier Trips rates its 6-hour walk moderate to hard.
Do I need glacier experience?
No. Every tour in this comparison teaches you to walk in crampons before you set off, and all say no previous glacier experience is needed. You do need boots that cover the ankle and the stamina for the distance of the tour you pick.
Can I rent boots and waterproofs?
Yes, at most bases. Arctic Adventures and Icelandia rent hiking boots, jackets and trousers on site, Troll fits boots at its base in Hof, and Ice Explorers rents rain gear and boots at Jökulsárlón. Operators may refuse guests in low shoes or sneakers.
Which is better, Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón for a hike and cave?
Skaftafell for a 4-hour tour at €140–147 with one cave; Jökulsárlón for a 5–6-hour tour at €217–269 with more time on the ice and sometimes several caves. Pick the one nearer your hotel: the two are about 56 km apart.
Is the glacier hike part of every ice cave tour?
No. Most super jeep tours from Jökulsárlón drive close to the cave and walk from under 10 minutes to about 2 km, without a long crampon hike on the glacier itself. If you want the hike, book one of the tours on this page.
Can I do a glacier hike without the ice cave?
Yes, all year. Skaftafell glacier hikes without a cave run in summer as well, from about €92 for 3–4 hours. Between May and September they are the only option, because the caves inside the national park are closed.
Book Your Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
Book the Skaftafell hike and ice cave for a first glacier at the best price, or the remote ice cave hike if you are fit and want the best-rated day on Vatnajökull. Both can be cancelled free up to 24 hours ahead.
Check a date now
Live availability for the Skaftafell hike and ice cave.