Bucket list experience:
Iceland
Credit Hotel Husafell
Glaciers – vast sheets of permanently frozen ice – are remnants of the last Ice Age which have never melted – at least not yet. Sadly, due to climate change, many of them are now retreating at an alarming rate.
With more than 11% of its land surface covered, and over 269 named glaciers, Iceland is probably the best destination in the world to explore these wonders of nature. They are relatively easy to access here too, and served by plentiful, well-run tours for adventure enthusiasts.
There are many different ways to explore the ice: on a glacier walk, by snowmobile or via a scenic flight.
Hiking on a glacier is the best way to see the ice up close: using crampons and ice-poles, you’ll trek out onto the glacier in the company of an experienced guide to see crevasses, seracs, ice caves and other formations.
Snowmobiling is a much more high-octane activity: wrapped up in polar-style suits, you’ll race over the ice at surprisingly fast speeds. It takes time to master, but it’s hugely thrilling fun.
Iceland is also one of the best places to see ice caves. These magical subterranean spaces glint and dazzle with polar colours, while strange ice sculptures adorn the walls, floor and ceiling. Little wonder they’re often featured in Icelandic myths as the homes of trolls, elves and other creatures.
Some of them are actually rock caves that are coated with ice, but there are also pure ice caves (usually located inside glaciers). Some are semi-permanent, while others only exist for short spaces of time before the ice swallows them up again.
These can usually only be reached on a guided glacier hike; many glacier tours include a tour of one or more along the way.
Breidamerkurjokull, Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland
This sparkling ice cave is on Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, a spur of Vatnajokull. It’s famous for its colours, which range from translucent blue to clear white – it’s best seen on a sunny day, when the display can be dazzling. Guided tours depart from Skaftafell or Jokulsarlon.
Best for ages 8+
Duration: 1 night
Frequency: monthly
Vik, Iceland
Where else in the world but Iceland could you explore an ice cave under an active volcano? That’s exactly what you get at Katla, which burrows deep beneath its namesake volcano. It’s a famous filming spot, featured in Star Wars: Rogue One and Game of Thrones. 3-hour guided tours depart from the nearby town of Vik.
Adult price: £160
Min age 6
Best for ages 6+
Duration: 1 night
Frequency: monthly
Iceland
The second largest ice sheet after Vatnajokull, the ‘Long Glacier’ is a favourite for all-terrain jeep and snowmobiling trips, as well as guided hikes and glacier skiing for those who are experienced enough. There are also many ice caves to explore. It lies in the interior highlands, and can be reached from Thingvellir National Park.
Best for ages 18+
Duration: 1 night
Frequency: monthly
Lake Myvatn, Iceland
This unusual cave near Myvatn combines two geological processes in one: it’s a lava cave coated in impressive ice formations. Around 370m of the cave is accessible on foot. Don headlamps, spiked boots and waterproofs – it’s a proper, big-thrill caving experience, so expect to get wet and muddy – and be prepared to squeeze through some tight spots. Tours last 4-5 hours.
Adult price: £200
Min age 8
Best for ages 8+
Duration: 4-5 hours
Frequency: monthly
Snaefelssnes Peninsula, Iceland
Most of the western tip of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is taken up by this wild national park and the icy sheet of Snaefellsjokull. If you want to tackle a glacier walk and see the ice up close, this is a fine place to do it. Expeditions are led by guiding companies including Summit Adventure Guides and Snaefellsjokull Glacier Tours.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 1 night
Frequency: monthly
Iceland
The granddaddy of the glaciers: stretching from Iceland’s north to south, this is the biggest ice sheet in Europe. It’s so huge, it encompasses two national parks: the southern area is more visited, with a range of glacier walks and snowmobiling trips from Skaftafell.
Best for ages 18+
Duration: 1 night
Frequency: monthly
Ice and icy attractions/activities are fairly ubiquitous in Iceland, but Vatnajokull National Park (especially the area around Skaftafell), Snaefellsnes National Park in the west and Langjokull in the interior are among the more accessible ice sheets.
Glacier walks range from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on difficulty and distance; harder walks may have age restrictions. Most of the popular ice caves are accessible to everyone, though tours usually specify a minimum age of 6.
You’ll need warm clothing, waterproofs and decent footwear. Never venture onto the ice on your own. Glaciers are dangerous places and can only be safely visited in with experienced, qualified guides.
Top operators include Icelandic Mountain Guides (https://www.mountainguides.is/ice-cave-tours) and Arctic Adventures (https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/), who can organise trips to all the main glaciers and ice caves.
The major glaciers are open for visits year-round, although hardcore hikers and cavers can arrange trips with local guides earlier or later in the season when crowds will be lighter.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
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Hofn
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Iceland
From volcanoes and glaciers to black beaches, geothermal pools and the Northern Lights, Iceland is one of the world’s wildest, weirdest destinations. A paradise for adventurous travellers.
