Skaftafell at a glance
Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, with walking trails, the basalt columns of Svartifoss and guided glacier activities in the surrounding area. The first choice is between a land walk and an excursion onto the ice. Waterfall paths can be planned independently around local trail advice; glaciers and natural ice caves should only be entered with a certified, locally experienced guide and suitable equipment.
Falljökull is the glacier used by the guided walks compared here. For a day centred on the landscape without stepping onto ice, start with the Svartifoss walk or the hiking guide. For crampons and a glacier guide, choose a guided glacier hike. These activities need different preparation, even when they share Skaftafell as their starting area.
Our picks: Skaftafell glacier tours
For a cave visit, choose a guided glacier and cave combination. For a shorter walk, consider the three-hour Falljökull outing; the winter cave option depends on the option booked.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Glacier hike with ice cave visit
- Glacier safety gear
- 4x4 bus transport
- Maximum 12 guests per guide
Explore the ice with an English-speaking glacier guide. Cave conditions determine the experience.
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Longer Falljökull glacier walk
- Glacier equipment
- Parking
- Coffee and chocolates
Spend five hours on a guided glacier outing.
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Falljökull hike with cave visit
- Licensed guide
- Glacier gear
- Coffee and chocolates
The cave visited depends on conditions.
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Guided glacier walk with winter cave option
- Certified glacier guide
- Glacier equipment
- Transport to glacier edge
The ice cave is available only with the winter option; the starting price may be for a hike alone.
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Guided Falljökull glacier walk
- Certified glacier guide
- Professional glacier gear
- Vatnajökull National Park fee
A 4x4 bus takes you from the base to the glacier edge.
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Shorter Falljökull glacier walk
- Expert glacier guide
- Essential glacier gear
- Free parking at meeting point
A shorter guided walk with coffee and Icelandic chocolates afterwards.
Check availability →Glacier walks and ice cave combinations
Choose a straightforward Falljökull walk, a longer glacier outing or a cave combination, with equipment and starting points explained for each offer.
Choose the right glacier experience
The four-hour Blue Ice Glacier Hike includes a certified guide, glacier equipment, a 4x4 bus from Skaftafell to the glacier edge and the national park fee. The four-hour Blue Ice Cave and Glacier Hike combines walking with a natural cave visit and limits the group to twelve guests per guide. The four-hour Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike includes glacier gear, a licensed guide, coffee and chocolates, with a meeting point west of Hofgardur and hotel transfers excluded.
For a walk without the cave focus, the easy Falljökull group hike lasts three hours, while the advanced hike lasts five hours. The Blue Ice Glacier Hike with Winter Ice Cave Option needs particular attention: the cave belongs to the winter option, and the starting price can refer to the walk alone. These durations describe the whole activity, rather than continuous time on the ice. The tour comparison explains the choices.
Waterfalls and walks on land
Svartifoss drops between basalt columns. The official S2 circuit from Skaftafellsstofa is 5.8 km, with an estimated walking time of two hours and 250 m of elevation change. Its wider route includes Hundafoss, Magnúsarfoss and the turf house Sel. Wet steps and winter ice affect footing, so the route's easy classification should be read alongside the conditions on the day.
The S1 visitor path towards Skaftafellsjökull offers another way to see a glacier from land. Reaching a glacier viewpoint does not make the ice a continuation of the walking trail. Higher routes require more time and experience, and spring thaw can affect them into June. Ask park staff about the intended route before committing to a long walking day.
Explore Skaftafell in detail
Tours and excursions
Glacier walks, cave combinations and their meeting points.
Guided glacier hikes
Easy and longer Falljökull walks, gear and boots.
Ice climbing
Climbing and walking combinations with different time commitments.
Private South Coast tours
Private driving itineraries with a Skaftafell stop.
Svartifoss
The waterfall, basalt columns and S2 walking circuit.
Hiking routes
Viewpoints, higher paths and walking preparation.
Visitor centre
Skaftafellsstofa, seasonal hours and route advice.
National park campsite
Facilities, registration and winter zones.
Getting there
Road access, bus planning and arrival from Keflavík.
Where to stay
Choose an overnight base around your tour meeting point.
When to visit
Weather, daylight planning and seasonal activities.
Nature and history
Farms, basalt and the area's protection history.
Parking and fees
Vehicle charges and how they differ from tour costs.
Ice caves: a seasonal choice
Natural caves change with weather, and the guide selects the safe route. Choose the actual cave option rather than relying on a glacier tour's starting price. Read about Vatnajökull ice caves for the wider cave context.
Skaftafell national park and the wider Vatnajökull area
Skaftafell became a national park in 1967 and joined the larger park in 2008. This guide focuses on the local visitor area; the broader landscape is covered by Vatnajökull National Park.
Good to know
Keep parking costs separate from the activity budget. The park price list displayed 1,110 ISK for a car with up to five seats when checked on 5 November 2026. This is a vehicle charge, with validity until midnight on the payment day and re-entry included. The parking guide explains the other vehicle categories and payment arrangements.
Road access follows the Ring Road and road 998. Allow for the exact tour meeting point, rather than simply driving to the visitor centre. Check road.is, vedur.is and SafeTravel.is before driving, particularly in winter. Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothing for walking, follow marked paths and avoid disturbing wildlife. The national park campsite operates year round, with winter use concentrated in zones A and C.
Questions about visiting Skaftafell
Is this the official national park website?
This is an independent visitor guide, separate from the national park administration. Park staff and current local notices provide advice on trail conditions and access.
Can the glacier be visited without a guide?
Land paths provide glacier views. Enter glaciers and natural ice caves only with a certified, locally experienced guide and appropriate equipment because of crevasses and changing ice conditions.
Does every glacier hike include an ice cave?
Choose a cave combination for that activity. The winter cave option is a distinct choice, while straightforward glacier hikes focus on walking on the ice.