Glacier hiking
If adventure is high on your holiday checklist, hiking on one of Iceland's monumental glaciers is a must. An immense wonderland of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses await discovery!
Area
Southern Iceland
Type
Active
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Difficulty
Moderate
For those who seek adventure with purpose and depth, glacier hiking in Iceland offers an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Here, on one of the island’s vast ice caps, silent, shimmering and shaped over millennia, you step into a landscape that very few travellers ever encounter with such intimacy.
Your privately guided journey begins at the glacier’s edge, where your expert guide fits you with crampons and introduces the fundamentals of safe glacier travel. With each step onto the ice field, the world shifts: the air sharpens, colours deepen, and the crunch beneath your feet signals entry into a realm sculpted by time and elemental force.
As you ascend, you weave among towering ice formations, glacial ridges and deep, iridescent crevasses, each one a fleeting masterpiece that speaks to the glacier’s constant evolution. Learning the basics of ice climbing allows you to engage with this environment not as an observer, but as a participant, gaining a sense of achievement that pairs beautifully with the solitude of the mountains around you.
Throughout the experience, your guide tailors the journey entirely to your comfort and ambition, whether you’re a seasoned hiker seeking challenge or an enthusiastic first-timer drawn to the thrill of the unknown. Along the way, pauses are woven naturally into the pace, inviting you to savour sweeping views across volcanic plains and distant peaks, moments that underscore Iceland’s extraordinary contrasts.
This is not simply a hike; it is a rare opportunity to stand upon a living, shifting giant, to witness its textures and tones up close, and to walk away with a deeper understanding of Iceland’s raw, transformative beauty. Crafted with care, expertise and exclusivity, it’s an adventure of exceptional value and enduring resonance.
Tours Featuring This Experience
Be inspired by the itineraries below which include this experience and let our travel specialists craft a bespoke luxury holiday for you.
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View TourFOCUS: Iceland Wonders - A private Family Adventure
A private, family-focused journey through Iceland’s iconic sights, from Reykjavík and the Golden Circle to glaciers, lava fields, and puffin-filled fjords, with exclusive access, expert guides, and seamless luxury throughout.
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View TourLimitless Iceland Expedition: The Land of Fire & Ice
Discover the Land of Fire & Ice like never before. Embark on an 11-day adventure exploring Reykjavik's vibrant culture, the Golden Circle's natural wonders, and the remote beauty of the Central Highlands, Northern Coast, and Troll Peninsula.
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View TourWonders of the North: Iceland and Ireland
Discover Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes, then explore Ireland’s castles, coastlines, and cultural highlights. Private guides, exclusive access, and exceptional experiences make this a seamless journey through two of Northern Europe’s most iconic destinations.
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View TourLittle Adventurers in Iceland
A thoughtfully paced Iceland adventure for families, combining Reykjavik, glaciers and volcanoes with hands-on experiences, expert guides and space to relax, from whale watching and snowmobiling to lava caves and the Blue Lagoon.
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View TourFOCUS: Iceland Decoded - Exploring the Elements
Experience Iceland’s volcanoes, glaciers, and hidden landscapes with private guides, family-friendly adventures, and exclusive access, from inside a dormant volcano to secret ice caves and Zodiac glacier tours.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationION Adventure Hotel
The Hotel Ion is a truly unusual hotel. It resembles a world war bunker and its remote location only adds to the intrigue. The setting is beautiful and is perfect for making the most of the ample winter and summer activities on offer in the area.
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View AccommodationHotel Borg
Hotel Borg blends Art Deco elegance, central Reykjavík convenience, and personalised service, offering discerning travellers a refined base from which to explore the city and bespoke Icelandic experiences beyond.
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View AccommodationHotel Ranga
Hotel Ranga offers a warm welcome, delicious gourmet food and wine, and the opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders of this remarkable part of the country. Its location means there is good chance of catching sight of the Northern Lights.
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View AccommodationGlacier Lagoon Hotel
Luxury meets wilderness at Glacier Lagoon Hotel. Watch icebergs drift from your room, dine on Icelandic cuisine, and explore glaciers and lagoons with Scott Dunn’s bespoke experiences.
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View AccommodationBlue Lagoon Silica Hotel
A tranquil hideaway set in lava fields with exclusive access to a private lagoon, Silica Hotel offers serene luxury and a restorative base to experience Iceland’s elemental beauty with Scott Dunn.
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View AccommodationFosshotel Glacier Lagoon
A stylish Icelandic hideaway between glacier and ocean, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offers sleek comfort, striking scenery and effortless access to Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders—elevated with Scott Dunn’s tailor-made expertise.
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View AccommodationHotel Geysir
Nestled beside Strokkur geyser, Hotel Geysir offers stylish comfort, locally inspired dining, and bespoke Golden Circle excursions, making it the perfect base to experience Iceland’s geothermal wonders and dramatic landscapes.
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View AccommodationHotel Grímsborgir
Hotel Grímsborgir offers luxurious Scandinavian-inspired accommodation in the Golden Circle,with tailored adventures, local cuisine, and private hot tubs or fireplaces,providing discerning travellers with a personalised and immersive Icelandic experience.
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View AccommodationTorfhús Retreat
Torfhus Retreat offers an exclusive Icelandic escape with stylish suites, bespoke adventures, wellness treatments, and local cuisine, surrounded by untouched wilderness for discerning travellers seeking privacy and connection to nature.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceSilfra Snorkelling between Tectonic Plates
Drift between continents in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra, where visibility stretches to 100 metres. A serene, dreamlike snorkelling experience revealing Iceland’s most ethereal underwater world.
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View ExperienceInside the Volcano
Descend into the heart of a dormant volcano at Thrihnukagigur, a singular experience on Earth. Step inside a vast, mineral-streaked magma chamber, guided through its awe-inspiring geology, a private, unforgettable encounter with the planet’s raw power.
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View ExperienceLuxury Lunch in the wild
Savour a gourmet lunch in Iceland’s wild heart. From hidden caves to Thorsmork’s valleys, a private chef prepares a bespoke meal amid dramatic landscapes, turning a scenic stop into an unforgettable, intimate culinary adventure.
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View ExperienceLaugarás Lagoon Sanctuary of Wellness
Immerse yourself in Icelandic geothermal luxury at Laugarás Lagoon, where mineral-rich waters, mountain vistas, saunas, and a gourmet menu combine for an exclusive wellness escape in nature’s dramatic embrace.
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View ExperienceThe Golden Circle
Discover Iceland’s Golden Circle in style with a private guide: erupting geysers, roaring waterfalls, and the tectonic drama of Thingvellir National Park, where nature and history converge in a truly unforgettable journey.
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View ExperienceSouth Coast Safari
Discover Iceland’s dramatic South Coast with a private guide, thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, volcanic cliffs, and glacier vistas—an exclusive journey into one of the country’s most captivating and varied landscapes.
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View ExperienceHáafell Goat Farm Visit
Visit the Icelandic Goat Centre at Háafell to meet this endangered breed up close, learning about conservation efforts while enjoying an intimate, hands-on encounter with these friendly and curious animals.
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View ExperienceFalljokull Ice Cave Tour
Step into a glacial wonderland on a private tour of Falljokull’s ice caves. Traverse frozen tongues, descend into sapphire-hued tunnels, and witness the ephemeral beauty of an underground world created anew each winter.
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View ExperiencePrivate Superjeep Tour to Thorsmork
A privileged journey deep into Iceland’s wild heart. Venture by super jeep across glaciers, rivers and volcanic plains, guided to hidden wonders few ever reach—an exclusive immersion into Thorsmork’s raw, untouched beauty.
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View Experience
Friðheimar - Greenhouse Private presentation and lunch
Step into the heart of a family-run Icelandic greenhouse, where tomatoes thrive year-round. Explore, taste, and savour dishes straight from the vine, with hands-on insight into farming, horsemanship, and true Icelandic warmth.
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View ExperienceIcee Horse Back Riding
Ride through Iceland’s wild Ölfus landscapes on a private, two-hour tour with gentle Icelandic horses, guided expertly for an unforgettable journey blending serenity, connection, and awe-inspiring scenery.
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View ExperienceSouth Coast to Jökulsárlón Tour
Explore Iceland’s dramatic south coast in private, from black sand beaches and legendary sea stacks to towering waterfalls, glacier tongues, and charming coastal villages, in a journey of legend, wonder, and breathtaking scenery.
Call us on 020 8682 5040 to start planning