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Iceland Glaciers

173 mapped6 regionsGuided tours availableIce caves: winter only
Vatnajökull
Eyjafjallajökull
Mýrdalsjökull

Iceland has roughly 170 named glaciers and ice caps, but a handful define the country: Vatnajökull (Europe's largest ice cap, ~8% of Iceland), Snæfellsjökull (the volcano-glacier on the western tip), and Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull on the South Coast — the easiest to reach from Reykjavík. Walking on the ice always needs a certified guide.

AI assistant

Ask anything about Iceland's glaciers

Quick answers — which glaciers to visit, ice cave season, guided tours and what to pack.

Conditions right now

Live from Vegagerðin & the Icelandic Met Office
Driving conditions
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Checking live road status…
Weather now
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Checking live weather stations…
Safety first
Guide required
Crevasses hide under snow — never walk unguided
Glacier walksGuided only
Ice cavesWinter only
BookingRecommended
Highland accessOften needs 4×4

Top glaciers

Iceland’s biggest ice caps and best-known outlet glaciers, with real access info.

Cars & campers

−15%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −15%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −15%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −15%

Tours near Iceland's glaciers

Free cancellationSmall groups
Glacier & Golden Circle
Adventure

Glacier & Golden Circle

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

Duration10 hours
PickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobile
VehicleSuper Jeep
From
49.990 kr
View tour →

When & how to visit Iceland's glaciers

The South Coast glaciers — Sólheimajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull — sit close to the Ring Road and make an easy day trip from Reykjavík. Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap, anchors the southeast and feeds the glacier lagoons near Jökulsárlón. Highland ice caps like Langjökull and Hofsjökull often need an F-road and a 4×4, and some routes only open in summer. Ice caves are a winter-only activity — book a certified guide, never attempt one alone. Iceland's glaciers are retreating, so exact access points and cave locations shift year to year.

Browse glaciers by region

South Coast glaciersSouth Coast
31 glaciersWest Iceland glaciersWest Iceland
4 glaciersNorth Iceland glaciersNorth Iceland
88 glaciersEast Iceland glaciersEast Iceland
21 glaciersWestfjords glaciersWestfjords
3 glaciersHighlands glaciersHighlands
26 glaciers

The glaciers of Iceland, compared

All 168 named glaciers, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Elevation and access details come from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata where they exist.

GlacierRegionBest seasonKnown for
BreiðamerkurjökullSouth CoastSummerSouth Coast's frozen giant
DrangajökullWestfjordsSummerAncient ice, endless wonder
EyjafjallajökullSouth CoastSummerAncient ice, endless wonder
HofsjökullHighlandsSummerthe Highlands's frozen giant
LangjökullHighlandsSummerthe Highlands's frozen giant
MýrdalsjökullSouth CoastSummerWalk on frozen time
SnæfellsjökullWest IcelandSummerWest Iceland's frozen giant
SólheimajökullSouth CoastYear-roundThe accessible glacier
VatnajökullHighlandsYear-roundEurope's largest glacier
DyngjujökullHighlandsSummerAncient ice, endless wonder
EiríksjökullHighlandsSummerAncient ice, endless wonder
FláajökullEast IcelandSummerEast Iceland's frozen giant
GeitlandsjökullWest IcelandSummerIce age experience
HoffellsjökullEast IcelandSummerEast Iceland's frozen giant
TorfajökullSouth CoastSummerIce age experience
TungnafellsjökullHighlandsSummerWalk on frozen time
ÞórisjökullWest IcelandSummerIce age experience
ÞrándarjökullEast IcelandSummerWalk on frozen time
ÖræfajökullSouth CoastSummerIce age experience
JökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Kvíárjökull glacier tongueSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
MerkurjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
SkaftafellsjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
SvínafellsjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
Hofsjökull (kalo nga yelo sa Islandya, Austurland)East IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
KistufjallsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Syðri-HolárfjallsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TröllafjallsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TungufjallsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VífilsfjallsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
BirnudalsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
BrúarjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
BrækurHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
EyjabakkajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
FalljökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
GígjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
GlámujökullWestfjordsSummerGlacier in Westfjords
GljúfurárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HeinabergsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
HeljargnípujökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
HolárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HrútárjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
KaldaklofsjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
KlofajökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
KotarjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
KverkjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
KöldukvíslarjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
LangafönnHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
MávabyggðajökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
MorsárjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
NorðlingalægðarjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
OkjökullWest IcelandSummerGlacier in West Iceland
SíðujökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
SkaftárjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
SkaftárkatlarHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
SkalafellsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
SkeiðarárjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
SnæhettaHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
SteinsholtsjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
StígárjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
TindfjallajökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
TröllajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TungnaárjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
VinðeimajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VirkisjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
ÖldufellsjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
Öræfajökull glacierSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
AfviksjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
AusturdragsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
AusturtungnajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
BarkárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
BlesárjökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
BrennihnjúksjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
BröndujökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
BungujökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
BægisárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
DeildardalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
EinstakijökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Eystri-GrýtudalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Eystri-LoðmundarjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
Eystri-ReykjadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Eystri-SkíðadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Eystri-VatnsdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
FannborgarjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
FossdalsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
FossskarðsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Fremri-SkriðjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
GíslajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
GlámajökullWestfjordsSummerGlacier in Westfjords
GloppujökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
GrasárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
GrímslandsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
GrjótárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
GrýtujökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HamrajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HausafönnNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HellisdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HjaltadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HóladalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HrafnabjargajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HrútatóajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
HúsárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HvarfdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
HöfðabrekkujökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
IllárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
IngjaldsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
IngjaldsskálarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
JökulkinnHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
KaldbaksjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
KerlingarbaksjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
KirkjufjallsdragsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
KlaufajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
KóngsstaðajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
LambatungujökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
LambárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
MelrakkadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
MyrkárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
MænisjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
NautárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
NorðurtungnajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
Nyrðri-HestárjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
Nyrðri-HvítalækjarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Nyrðri-SkriðjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
Nyrðri-TungnajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
OlnbogahnjúksjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
RegnbuðajöklarHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
RjúpnabrekkujökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
SauðhamarsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
SkarðsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
SkarphéðinsjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
SkíðadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
SkriðudalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
SnækollsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
StangalækjarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
SúlujökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
SveinsstaðajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
SveipsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
SyðratindsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
Syðri-BrettingsstaðajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Syðri-HraunárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Syðri-HvítalækjarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Syðri-KróksárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Syðri-TungnajökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland
SýlingarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TeigardalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TjarnhólajökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TrölladalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TröllaskálarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TungnahryggsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
TungnakvíslajökullSouth CoastSummerGlacier in South Coast
TungujökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
UnadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ValagilsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VaskárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Vestri-GrýtudalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Vestri-SkíðadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
Vestri-VatnsdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VesturárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VindárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VíkingsdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
VörðufellsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÞjófadalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÞverárdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÞverárjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÞverárskálarjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÞverdalsjökullNorth IcelandSummerGlacier in North Iceland
ÖgmundarjökullHighlandsSummerGlacier in Highlands
ÖxarfellsjökullEast IcelandSummerGlacier in East Iceland

While you're planning

Glaciers pair well with the rest of Iceland's outdoor wins. Most South Coast trips hit several of these.

Waterfalls
Walk-behind curtains and highland falls
Hot Springs
Natural geothermal pools, mapped
Lagoons & Spas
Blue Lagoon to Mývatn, compared
Interactive Map
Every glacier, plotted and searchable

Glacier
questions

Can I walk on a glacier without a guide?
No. Crevasses are often hidden under fresh snow and can be lethal. Every glacier walk needs crampons, ropes and a certified guide — book through a licensed tour operator, never freelance it.
Are ice caves open in summer?
No. Natural ice caves are a winter-only experience (roughly November–March). In summer the ice is unstable and caves can collapse, so guided operators close them for the season.
Which glaciers can I see from the Ring Road?
Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are visible from Route 1 on the South Coast without leaving the car. Vatnajökull is visible from several points near Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell.
Are Iceland’s glaciers shrinking?
Yes — most Icelandic glaciers have retreated measurably over the past few decades, and several smaller ice caps have disappeared entirely in recent years. Glacier tours and lagoons change year to year as the ice retreats.
Do I need 4WD to reach a glacier?
It depends on the glacier. South Coast glaciers like Sólheimajökull have paved or gravel access roads suitable for any car. Highland glaciers often require an F-road and a 4×4, and some are only reachable in summer.
What’s the biggest glacier in Iceland?
Vatnajökull, in the southeast Highlands — Europe’s largest ice cap by volume, covering roughly 8% of Iceland. It feeds numerous outlet glaciers, including the one behind the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.