Ice climbing in Iceland is done on glaciers and outlet glaciers, using solid ice walls and crevasse faces. Beginner intro sessions require no previous ice climbing experience. Dedicated sessions typically last a few hours on the ice, while combined glacier-hike-and-ice-climb tours can run around 5 to 7 hours total.
What ice climbing in Iceland is like
Ice climbing in Iceland takes place on glacier ice, not rock, with climbing sections built around solid ice walls and crevasse faces. The format is guided, and the techniques are taught on the day by professional glacier guides.
Conditions on glaciers change, and glacier travel involves hazards. Ice climbing is guided only, never alone. Always check current glacier and weather conditions at safetravel.is before booking or heading out.
Where you go: Solheimajokull and the Skaftafell glaciers
Solheimajokull, an outlet glacier on the South Coast, is a popular and accessible spot for intro ice climbing. It runs year-round.
In the Skaftafell area, tours use Falljokull, the falling glacier, which is an outlet of Vatnajokull near Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park. Some Skaftafell tours cross Falljokull and continue onto the neighbouring Virkisjokull outlet. Skaftafell sits within Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe's largest glacier. Tours in this area are more seasonal.
No experience needed: guides, gear, and safety
Beginner intro sessions require no previous ice climbing experience. Tours are guided by professional glacier guides who teach the techniques.
Provided technical gear includes crampons, an ice axe, a harness, and a helmet. Operators also supply glacier safety equipment and, on some tours, ropes and stiff climbing boots. Before the climbing starts, guides give a safety briefing and instruction on walking with crampons and using ice axes.
Combining ice climbing with a glacier hike
Ice climbing is often combined with a glacier hike in the same outing. In practice, that means some tours are built as mixed glacier travel and climbing days, rather than climbing-only sessions.
How long it takes and how fit you need to be
Dedicated ice climbing sessions typically last a few hours on the ice. Combined glacier-hike-and-ice-climb tours can run longer, around 5 to 7 hours total.
A reasonable level of physical fitness and good health are needed. Most tours have a minimum age of around 14 years.
How to choose and book an ice climbing tour
A Skaftafell glacier hike and ice-climbing tour is one combined format. You can compare ice climbing tours in one place. The compare page is where prices link out.
Make the road check part of the plan
Before building a route around Ice Climbing in Iceland: What Tours Involve, review Iceland road conditions and adjust for current conditions.
