Meet on location: Skaftafell
Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, is home to stunning outlet glaciers. We operate year round in Skaftafell and offer a variety of tours on the glacier with highly experienced and certified glacier guides. You can book tours online or at our sales lodge near the National Park Visitor Center. Meet us in Skaftafell for an adventure of a lifetime.
- PopularFrom Skaftafell
Blue Ice Experience
Marvel at a wonderland of ice on this short and easy Glacier Walk in Vatnajökull National Park. See natural wonderlands like ice sculptures and deep crevasses as you traverse this surreal landscape.- Availability
- All-year
- Duration
- ~ 3.5 hrs
- Price
- From:11,900
ISK - New TourFrom Skaftafell
The Blue Dragon Ice Cave - Heli Combo
The dazzling blue colors of the Blue Dragon Ice Cave will inspire everyone that set their foot to this unexplored terrain. A spectacular insight into to the great world of ice caves and glaciers in Iceland.- Availability
- Nov - Apr
- Duration
- ~ 1.5 hrs
- Price
- From:59,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Skaftafell Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Walk
Discover the beauty hidden within an outlet glacier on this winter day tour. Explore the glacier’s naturally formed ice caves and tunnels while on a Glacier Walk. This icy wonderland is full of features that will surprise and delight.- Availability
- Oct - Mar
- Duration
- ~4 hrs
- Price
- From:18,700
ISK - From Skaftafell
Glacier Adventure
See more of the enchanting beauty on a spectacular glacier during this half-day Glacier Hike from Skaftafell. Go farther than the normal glacier tour to explore amazing scenery and ice formations seen only be a few.- Availability
- May - Sept
- Duration
- ~ 5 hrs
- Price
- From:17,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Blue Ice Experience & Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon
See the stunning blue ice on a glacier and marvel at icebergs of all shapes, sizes and colors while riding in a boat on Fjallsárlón lagoon. This exciting combo packs in a lot of adventure in one day.- Availability
- Mar - Oct
- Duration
- 6.5 hrs total
- Price
- From:19,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing
This fun and easy Glacier Walk and introduction to Ice Climbing adventure is suited for all climbing levels of experience. Enjoy different angles of the glacier on this combo day tour.- Availability
- All-year
- Duration
- ~ 4.5 hrs
- Price
- From:20,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Full Day Glacier Adventure
Go beyond the typical Glacier Walk and enjoy a full day of exploring. Throughout the tour, your experienced glacier guide will show you remarkable ice formations that have naturally formed in areas of the glacier that most people do not visit.- Availability
- Jun - Aug
- Duration
- 7 hrs
- Price
- From:26,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Skaftafell Ice Climbing
Experience the thrill of climbing on one of Iceland’s icy giants. This exciting ice climbing tour is suitable for all skill levels and lets you see the glacier from another angle.- Availability
- Jun - Aug
- Duration
- 5 hrs
- Price
- From:95,600
ISK - From Skaftafell
Hrútsfjallstindar Peaks
Mountain climb to 1875 m and experience one of Iceland's most beautiful summits on this full-day tour. After a challenging hike up, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Skaftafell National Park.- Availability
- Apr - Jul
- Duration
- 14 - 16 hrs
- Price
- From:48,900
ISK - From Skaftafell
Hvannadalshnúkur - Iceland’s Highest Summit
Take your mountain climbing to the next level by reaching the summit of Iceland’s highest peak, 2110 m. This demanding hike is a must-do for mountain climbing enthusiasts and those that love a good physical challenge.- Availability
- Apr - Jul
- Duration
- 12 - 15 hrs
- Price
- From:48,900
ISK
Skaftafell - General Information
Skaftafell is located in the eastern part of the south coast, precisely 326 km east of Reykjavik or about a 4 hour drive. Skaftafell used to be a national park on its own but in 2008 it became a part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park. The area is preserved and contains some beautiful landscapes. The landscape is similar to some of the Alps but is more varied since it has formed over thousands of years by fire, glacier and water. In Vatnajökull National Park lies the vast glacier, Vatnajökull. Underneath the glacier are some volcanoes and when they erupt they cause glacial floods, the last large one happening in 1996. Skaftafell is definitely an ideal destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities in beautiful surroundings. That is because of the scenic landscapes, favorable weather conditions and a wide selection of hiking trails. Short and easy trails lead to the waterfall Svartifoss and the glacier Skaftafellsjökull, which is a part of The bigger glacier Vatnajökull. For those who want to go further, the valley Morsárdalur and Kristínartindar mountain peaks are perfect in terms of distance and labour. Skaftfell is also the base camp for those who seek to climb Iceland‘s highest mountain peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur. Skaftafell has a great & large campground which has service from May 1st to September 30th. The area has really mild weather with an average temperature that is higher than in most of Iceland. The mild weather and beautiful landscape makes the destination a perfect stop on your trip to Iceland.
Skaftafell - Climate/Flora/Fauna etc.
Skaftafell has a very mild and pleasant climate - compared to many south coast areas - often benefiting from the shelter of Öræfajökull. Trees, mostly birch and some rowans, cover the rich undergrowth of the lower slopes. The birch trees in Bæjarstaðarskógur also grow higher than most of the other native birches, probably because of better weather conditions. There are several plants distinctive to East Iceland which are common to see in Skaftafell. They are the harebell, the pyramidal saxifrage and yellow saxifrage. Ever since sheep stopped feeding on the grass in Skaftafell the vegetation has changed enormously. It is quickly making incursion on the glacial deposits in Skaftafell. Birch and willows are also starting to colonise the land.
Down in the woods in Skaftafell , the redwing, redpoll, and wren are common. However the snipe, ptarmigan, golden plover, and meadow pipit seem to stay higher up in the slopes. Other birds seen frequently include the raven, merlin, wheatear, and snow bunting. Although the only wild mammals are the Arctic fox, mink and field mouse, the local insect fauna is considered quite diverse compared to most of Iceland.
Check out all our Glacier Walks
We also offer Glacier Walks on Sólheimajökull in south Iceland and from Reykjavík