What It's Like to Walk on a Glacier in Iceland: A First-Hand Experience

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk on a glacier? I always thought it would be cold, slippery, and maybe a little scary. But when I finally had the chance to do it in Iceland, it was even more amazing than I imagined. It felt like I was walking on another planet — a frozen world full of silence, beauty, and adventure. 

Today, I want to share my first-hand experience of walking on a glacier in Iceland. I hope it helps you understand what it’s really like and maybe even inspires you to try it too!

Why Iceland?

Iceland is one of the best places in the world to walk on a glacier. It has many glaciers because of its cold climate and high mountains. In fact, about 11% of the country is covered by glaciers! Some of the most popular glaciers in Iceland include:

• Sólheimajökull
  
  
• Vatnajökull (the largest glacier in Europe)
  
  
• Langjökull
  
  
• Snæfellsjökull
  
  

These glaciers are easy to visit, and many tour companies offer safe and fun guided hikes, even for beginners. I chose to go to Sólheimajökull, which is located on the south coast of Iceland. It’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavík, the capital city.

Booking a Glacier Hike

Before the trip, I booked a tour with FAR Travel. Most glacier tours include:

• A professional guide
  
  
• All the safety equipment (helmet, crampons, harness, ice axe)
  
  
• A short lesson on how to walk on ice

The tour I chose lasted about three hours in total. That included the drive to the glacier, putting on gear, and about 1.5–2 hours of walking on the ice.

What to Wear

The weather on a glacier can be cold, wet, and windy. So it's important to dress properly. I wore:

• A warm base layer (thermal shirt and pants)
  
  
• A fleece sweater
  
  
• A waterproof jacket and pants
  
  
• Warm socks
  
  
• Waterproof hiking boots (very important!)
  
  
• A hat and gloves

Wearing layers helped me stay warm, and the waterproof clothes kept me dry when the ice melted or when it started to drizzle.

Arriving at the Glacier

When we got to the parking area near the glacier, I could already see the ice from a distance. It looked huge and white, but as we walked closer, I noticed the glacier wasn’t just white — it had streaks of black and gray from volcanic ash. It looked like something from a science fiction movie.

The guide handed out helmets, crampons (spikes that go on your boots), harnesses, and ice axes. We put on our gear and walked about 15 minutes to reach the edge of the glacier.

Stepping on the Ice

Walking on a glacier for the first time felt strange. The crampons helped my boots stick to the ice, but I still felt nervous. The ice was bumpy and uneven. Some parts were shiny and smooth, while others had small hills or cracks.

Our guide showed us how to walk safely: take short steps, keep your feet flat, and don’t drag your heels. Once I got used to it, walking on the glacier became easier and even fun.

What the Glacier Looked Like

The glacier was beautiful. I had never seen ice like this before. Some parts were bright blue — the kind of blue you see in pictures but rarely in real life. Our guide said the blue color happens when the ice is very dense and has no air bubbles inside.

We saw:

• Crevasses – deep cracks in the glacier
  
  
• Moulins – round holes made by melting water
  
  
• Ice ridges – tall, sharp edges of ice
  
  
• Small caves – places where the ice had melted and created little tunnels
  
  

The glacier looked like a frozen city, with walls and towers made of ice. Every step showed something new and exciting.

Feeling the Silence

One of the things I’ll never forget is how quiet it was on the glacier. There were no cars, no buildings, no other people (except our small group). Just the sound of the wind and the crunch of our crampons on the ice. It felt peaceful, almost like time had stopped.

I stood still for a moment and looked around. The glacier stretched out as far as I could see. Behind us were black volcanic mountains, and in front of us was a world of ice. It made me feel small — in a good way.

The Science Behind It

Our guide, whose name was Jón, told us a bit about how glaciers are formed. He explained that glaciers are made of snow that builds up over many years. The snow gets pressed down and becomes thick ice. The ice slowly moves downhill like a very slow river.

He also told us that glaciers in Iceland are shrinking. Because of climate change, the ice is melting faster than it used to. Jón showed us a photo of the same glacier from 10 years ago — it was much bigger back then. It made me realize how important it is to protect places like this.

Climbing and Exploring

There were parts of the glacier where we had to climb small icy hills. That’s where the ice axe came in handy. We used it to help keep our balance and pull ourselves up. It wasn’t too hard, and Jón always helped anyone who needed it.

At one point, we looked down into a deep crevasse. It was like a giant crack in the earth, going down into the ice. The inside was a glowing blue, and I felt both amazed and a little scared. I was glad we had a guide who knew where it was safe to walk.

Taking Photos

Of course, I took lots of photos! Every direction had a new view. Ice caves, blue cracks, and streams of melting water made it feel like a dream world. But I also made sure to put my camera away sometimes and just enjoy the moment.

If you go on a glacier hike, I suggest doing the same. Take some photos, but don’t forget to just look, breathe, and feel where you are.

Heading Back

After about two hours of hiking, we started walking back toward the edge of the glacier. I was tired but happy. My legs felt like they had done some serious work, but it was worth it.

When we got off the glacier, we removed our crampons and gear, thanked Jón for the great tour, and walked back to the van. I looked back at the glacier one last time. It looked different now — like an old friend I had just gotten to know.

Tips for Your Own Glacier Hike

Here are some helpful tips if you want to walk on a glacier in Iceland:

1. Book a guided tour – Never try to walk on a glacier alone. Guides know the safe paths and have the right equipment.
   
   
2. Wear waterproof clothes – You might get wet from melting ice or rain.
   
   
3. Bring snacks and water – You’ll need energy during the hike.
   
   
4. Take your time – It’s not a race. Go slowly and enjoy the views.
   
   
5. Ask questions – The guides are very knowledgeable and happy to share.
   
   
6. Stay on the path – Never walk off on your own. Glaciers have hidden dangers.