At a glance - your questions answered
How cold is a glacier hike in Iceland?
In winter, the temperature can dip below freezing, but in summer, the temperature can climb as high as 12℃. Expect anything in between throughout the year.
What should I pack for a day hike on the glacier?
- A backpack large enough to hold any clothing you shed along the way, plus drinks and snacks
- Lip Balm, sunscreen and sunglasses - the sunshine can do a lot of damage, even in winter
Is it hard to walk on a glacier?
Your guide will set the pace in accordance with the slowest in the group. Don’t expect a quick march - they will frequently stop to explain the wonders of the glacier. If you can walk uphill and downhill and negotiate uneven ground, glacier walking isn’t difficult.
Your expert will show you how to walk with crampons and how to use an ice axe. Glaciers are extremely dangerous places, however, so never think of going it alone.
What shoes should you wear on a glacier walk?
Always wear proper hiking boots. They should be waterproof and have good ankle support alongside thick soles with good grip.
Is a glacier hike in Iceland worth it?
Yes, yes and yes! You won't experience a hike like it: the brilliant snow; the crazy ice formations; the dazzling shades of whites, greys and blues; the sheer glacier walls, deep crevasses and surrounding mountain peaks.
What should you not wear during a glacier walk?
Never wear jeans. When they become wet, they are weighty, stiff, uncomfortable and cold. Even when dry, they lack flexibility. Don’t wear trainers: they won’t give you the ankle support you’ll need on the uneven ground of a glacier.
Don’t have hiking boots? No worries: you can rent them from Icelandic Mountain Guides.
What do you wear to the ice caves in Iceland?
If crampons, headlights, hardhats, ice axes and safety harnesses are required, your guide will provide them. It’s going to be cold down there - expect sub-zero degrees. As for above the ice, dress in layers - and make sure you have enough of them to stay warm. In short, you should have:
- Ankle-supporting walking boots
- Layers of lightweight (but warm) breathable clothes
- Waterproof outer layers - water will drip inside the ice cave
- A hat fine enough to fit under a helmet
- Gloves and warm socks