ON FOOT · VIK HIKING TOURS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 13 vik hiking tours earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide over breakfast and still make the trailhead.
Join a small group of up to 12 for a four-hour glacier hike and natural ice cave visit near Skaftafell. Guides such as Camino, Maria, Elena, and Fabian lead you across Falljökull, explain crevasses and moulins, and help with photos. Gear, parking, coffee, and hot chocolate are included.
“Really cool experience! Our guide Stella was really sweet and did explain everything in a way you could understand.”
Walk on ancient Sólheimajökull ice with a certified guide such as Lucy, Daniela, or Daniel, using crampons and an ice axe to reach blue crevasses, moulins, and ash-covered ridges. The hike suits beginners age 8 and up, though steep sections can feel moderate. Reykjavík departures add Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Reynisfjara.
“the tour was great, our guide was very nice and informative. highly recommend 👌”
Walk onto Sólheimajökull with a certified Icelandic Mountain Guides leader, using crampons and an ice axe to explore blue ice, crevasses, and small ice tunnels. The three-hour outing includes equipment, basecamp coffee, and several daily departure times. Guides such as Sam, Sofia, Oskar, and Heini are praised for clear safety briefings and friendly instruction.
“Everything was amazing. our guide was very kind and professional. We full y recomend this experience.”
Meet your certified guide at Sólheimajökull parking lot near Vík for a three-hour glacier walk. After gearing up with crampons, helmet, harness, and ice axe, you’ll cross compacted blue ice, hear how the glacier formed and is shrinking, and may see Eyjafjallajökull. Guides such as Edgar, Anna, Lilly, and Filip are praised for patient safety instruction.
“Be prepared to hike. It is a beautiful and informative hike. Our guide was great. The advertising photo shows an ice cave, nope, no cave.”
Meet your certified Arctic Adventures guide at Sólheimajökull’s parking area, gear up, and walk across the glacier with crampons, helmet, harness, and ice axe. Expect about three hours, roughly 3 km over uneven ground, blue ice formations, glacier stories, and a small group of up to 15 people. Hiking boots and waterproof gear can be rented.
“The staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They explained the entire process of glaciers, stopped for breaks and pictures, and helped when needed. It was beautiful, a good workout, run by great people.”
Near Vík, Zipline Iceland combines four zip lines with a short but uneven hike beside an Icelandic stream. Guides such as Alex, Barbara, Sammy, and Nico have helped beginners and nervous participants feel at ease. Expect views toward Mýrdalsjökull, narrow trails, changing weather, and a possible bonus line or mini-bungee finish.
“This was our first trip to Iceland, and we had a great time on the Zip Line & Hiking Adventure. In particular, we really enjoyed our awesome guides -- Barbara and Alex!”
Spend three hours on Sólheimajökull with an English-speaking guide, using crampons and an ice axe to explore a non-technical glacier route. Guides such as Kamila, Elias, and Önundur have been praised for clear safety briefings, good photo stops, and patient help. Bring sturdy hiking boots, warm layers, and waterproof clothing.
“The tour was amazing! I was apprehensive as I don’t usually hike but Agnes was so encouraging and helpful. Truly such a memorable experience and couldn’t recommend it more”
Join Troll Expeditions for a three-hour guided hike on Sólheimajökull, about 30 minutes west of Vik. Your certified English-speaking guide supplies crampons, helmet, harness, and ice axe, then leads you across volcanic ash-streaked ice to crevasses, moulins, and changing ice formations. Coffee and chocolates make a welcome finish.
“Edgar was a great guide. Fun, personable and knowledgeable. One of the highlights from my trip around ring road.”
Set out from Vík with an Icelandic or English-speaking guide for a 3-kilometer hike and a series of ziplines through a river canyon. You will cross uneven ground, inspect Grafargil caves, fly above waterfalls, and possibly finish with a bonus bungee-style jump. Wear sturdy shoes and rain gear.
“This was such an amazing experience. I get a lot of nervousness with doing things like this and it was the first time I ever zip lined. My husband and I had a great time doing this on our honeymoon.”
Start at the Sólheimajökull basecamp, gear up, and follow a certified English-speaking guide onto the ice. Choose a family-friendly walk, classic hike, or longer trek lasting 2.5 to 4 hours. Guides such as Ellie, Sam, Lasse, and Javier lead careful routes past crevasses, ice ridges, moulins, and, when conditions allow, glacial tunnels.
“I highly recommend this hike. Our guide was great!”
Spend about three hours on Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, with a certified English-speaking guide and no more than six people. You will learn glacier safety, hike among crevasses and moulins, and try ice climbing or rappelling with ropes, crampons, and an ice axe. Guides have included Jan, Lily, Diego, and Vincenzo.
“Amazing! Our guide, Jan, was super nice and experienced, taught us how to experience the glacier safely and with some humor. Very happy to have done the ice climbing one, was a challenge but the view was worth it!”
Spend four hours on Sólheimajökull with a certified English-speaking guide and no more than five other climbers. You’ll hike across the glacier, learn crampon and ice axe skills, then climb an ice wall on a guided rope system. Warm clothes, rain gear, gloves, and hiking shoes are essential.
“Helki was friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel safe every crampon step of the way! Had a lovely time on our glacier walk and a wonderful first ice climb.”
Spend about three hours on Sólheimajökull with a certified private guide. You’ll walk 20 minutes from the parking lot to the ice, then use crampons and poles to explore blue ice, crevasses, and unusual formations. Your guide sets the pace for your group, with safety gear included and the tour ending back at the parking lot.
“We chose Glacier Encounter as our tour guide for a bucket list, adventure filled trip to Iceland during August 2023. We were not disappointed! Right from the start, they checked on us via text to ensure a timely arrival for the Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike. Once geared Read more”
Other ways to spend the day on foot
Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.
