A step‑by‑step guide to climbing Hvannadalshnúkur: Iceland’s tallest peak

Perhaps you’ve heard its name on the lips of mountaineering enthusiasts. Maybe you’ve spied its majestic peak stretching skyward while circumnavigating the Rind Road. Or just maybe you’ve long dreamt of lacing up your hiking boots in the still dark morning, breath fogging the cold air, heart thumping with anticipation as you head out toward its summit.

Rising above the ice cap of Vatnajökull, Hvannadalshnúkur is not just the highest peak in Iceland; it is a rite of passage for adventure travellers drawn to the country’s rawest of landscapes, long summit days, and the deep satisfaction that comes from earning every metre of elevation.

To climb Hvannadalshnúkur is to experience Iceland at its most elemental: volcanic rock and ancient ice, ocean air and high-altitude silence, exhaustion and elation folded into a single unforgettable day. This is a story of what that climb really feels like — from preparation and pre-dawn starts to glacier travel, summit pushes and the long, reflective descent.

For the run-of-the-mill traveller, Iceland is a land of waterfalls, black sand beaches and steaming geothermal fields — and that’s fair, we have those in abundance! But for those who tend to look upward, this country offers something rarer still. Mountaineering in Iceland is defined by contrasts. Here, active volcanoes sleep beneath glaciers. Weather systems roll in fast and unapologetically. Mountains are not decorative backdrops; they are living, shifting environments that demand respect.

Unlike many classic alpine destinations, Icelandic mountaineering is less about technical rock routes and more about endurance, glacier travel and reading the land. Long summit days, variable snow conditions and rapidly changing weather mean that preparation and local knowledge are essential. The reward, however, is immense: wide-open horizons, uncrowded routes, and the chance to climb major peaks in a single, committed push.

At the pinnacle of Iceland mountaineering stands Hvannadalshnúkur — the ultimate summit hike in the country and a defining goal for anyone serious about climbing in Iceland.

Hvannadalshnúkur rises to approximately 2,110 metres (6,923 feet) above sea level, making it the highest peak in Iceland. It sits on the northern rim of Öræfajökull, a massive stratovolcano entirely covered by ice and forming part of the larger Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland. Yes, this is a volcano hike, a glacier climb, and a summit ascent rolled into one extraordinary journey.

What makes Hvannadalshnúkur especially notable is its accessibility relative to its stature. You begin the climb at around 100 metres above sea level, meaning you gain roughly 2,000 vertical metres in a single day. There’s no hut-to-hut approach, no multi-day expedition logistics. Instead, you wake early, climb all day, and — if all goes well — celebrate that evening with tired legs and a well-earned meal.

Despite its accessibility, the mountain commands respect. The route crosses steep scree, snowfields, and crevassed glacier terrain. Weather can turn quickly and the sheer length of the day — often around 13 hours — requires stamina, focus and steady pacing. This is why most climbers choose to summit Hvannadalshnúkur Iceland with experienced local guides who know the mountain intimately.

For Jón Yngvi Gylfason, a mountaineering guide with Icelandic Mountain Guides, summitting Hvannadalshnúkur was a moment of revelation.

“My first ascent was before I started working with Icelandic Mountain Guides,” he recalls. “My expectation was high because at that time it was a trend here in Iceland to go to the highest summit. The guides that took us up that day were great and took the large group I was in without a fuss; they were in their elements. I got addicted to this and ended up being a guide with the company.”

“This first summit was a life changing experience and I decided that this is what I wanted to do."

That sense of transformation is a recurring theme among climbers. The day begins long before sunrise — often around 3:00 a.m. — when Skaftafell lies quiet and the headlamps come out. The first 45 minutes, Jón Yngvi admits, are his least favourite. “You are still waking up and the body is adjusting to what is ahead.” The trail climbs steeply almost immediately, a sandy, switchbacking traverse that tests sleepy legs and lungs.

After several hours, you reach a vital water stop before continuing upward. The incline never truly relents, but the terrain gradually shifts. At around 1,100 metres, there’s a longer break and a moment to eat, drink and prepare mentally. Soon after, crampons come on and the rope comes out. You are stepping onto the glacier.

From here, the climb becomes a true Hvannadalshnúkur glacier climb. The world opens up: vast ice fields, distant peaks, and the subtle crunch of crampons biting into snow.

“It’s not a race,” Jón Yngvi emphasizes. “Pacing is super important. It’s about continuing with short breaks.”

At roughly 1,750 metres, the terrain changes again. You reach a broad plateau, which arrives like a rare gift on such a long ascent. This is Jón Yngvi’s favourite section. “Walking towards the summit, as you get closer the more thrilling it is. It’s also a break from the continuous incline.”

The summit cone rises ahead, closer now, more tangible.

The final push is the steepest and most demanding. Legs burn. Breathing becomes rhythmic and purposeful. Then, suddenly, there it is. The summit of Hvannadalshnúkur.

Standing on top of Iceland feels both triumphant and humbling. On clear days, you can see the Atlantic Ocean glinting far below, glaciers flowing in all directions and volcanoes stretching toward the horizon. The knowledge that you are standing at the highest point in the country settles in slowly, deeply. “The feeling of standing at the highest point is so rewarding and thrilling at the same time,” Jón Yngvi says.

After photos, high fives and a quiet moment to absorb it all, the descent begins. It is long, but lighter somehow. Gravity is now on your side and the mountain gradually releases its hold as you return to Skaftafell tired, fulfilled and changed.

Proper equipment is essential for a safe and enjoyable summit of Hvannadalshnúkur. One of the great advantages of joining an Iceland glacier summit tour with Icelandic Mountain Guides is that much of the technical gear is included.

Provided by Icelandic Mountain Guides:

• Crampons
• Harness
• Ice axe
• Rope and other group glacier safety equipment

What participants need to bring:

• Sturdy hiking boots compatible with crampons
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm layers (including insulated jacket)
• Hat, gloves and spare gloves
• Backpack
• Food and high-energy snacks
• Water or hydration system
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

The evening before the climb, there is a comprehensive briefing at the base camp in Skaftafell. Jón Yngvi explains: “There you meet the guide and other participants. We hand out the gear provided, we explain thoroughly how the day is going to be, we look at the forecast, set time for the departure and we double check that everything is in order.” This preparation sets the tone for a smooth, confident summit day.

While it is technically possible to attempt Hvannadalshnúkur independently, the mountain is not forgiving of inexperience or poor judgment. Glacier travel, crevasses and fast-changing weather make this a climb where local expertise matters.

Icelandic Mountain Guides has decades of experience leading summit hikes on Hvannadalshnúkur. During the season, we run tours regularly, which means guides are constantly up to date with current conditions. “That means more chance of summiting,” Jón Yngvi notes, “and our goal is always to get the group safely to the top.”

Beyond safety, guided climbs offer something equally valuable: insight. Guides share knowledge about the Öræfajökull volcano, the surrounding glaciers and the rhythms of the mountain itself. They manage pacing, logistics and decision-making, allowing climbers to focus fully on the experience.

For many, this support is what transforms a daunting objective into an achievable, deeply rewarding adventure.

To climb Hvannadalshnúkur is to engage with Iceland in its purest form. It is a long, demanding day that asks for effort, humility, and perseverance, and gives back perspective, pride and awe in equal measure. You gain nearly 2,000 vertical metres in one push. You walk on a glacier atop a volcano. You see ocean and ice in the same sweeping glance.

As Jón Yngvi puts it, “It is an absolutely unique opportunity to gain so many altitude meters in one summit day… You have an ocean view and an amazing mountain view during the same day.”

For adventure-seeking travellers, the chance to summit Hvannadalshnúkur Iceland is more than a checkbox. It’s a defining experience, one that lingers long after the boots are unlaced and the glacier is far behind you. If you’re looking for the ultimate expression of Iceland mountaineering — this is it.