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Hvannadalshnúkur The Great Withe One

(5)
Skaftafell, Iceland
Adventure ToursGlacier HikingHiking ToursNature Tours
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About this activity

Climb Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland's highest peak (2,110m) and Europe's largest glacier, on this 14-hour guided expedition across Vatnajökull. A non-technical but stamina-demanding adventure combining steep gravel ascent, glacier traversal, and alpine terrain with expert guidance tailored to your experience level.

About the tour

Hvannadalshnjúkur is a magnificent place, this expedition takes you to the highest peak in Iceland and on the biggest glacier in Europe. Hiking up to the peak is not a technical climb but it requires good stamina.

We’ll meet up the day before the hike to make sure you know what the summit day is going to be like. Our guides will also go over how the glacier gear works. We also want to know your experience in mountains to set the starting time right. If you are beginner we start earlier so we can do this on a nice pace, but if you are a good hiker and used to mountaineering we can start later in the morning, the main purpose is to be on the summit around 13:00 a clock (1pm).

The trip starts early in the morning, our guides will meet you at Sandfell (Sand hill) which is the beginning of the hike. The first part is a steep gravel hill that take us from 20 meters up to 700m. The good thing about this first hill is that you can refill your water bottle in a spring around 500 meters, so you don’t need to bring a lot of water for the first 1-2 hours, this is also a nice place to grab some snack.

We will continue on gravel, rocks and snow up to 1100m. This place is called Skerið or (the reef) at this point we put on harnesses and rope up for the hills ahead. This is another good place to eat and drink something so it’s nice to stop and take in the nature and view the area.

Next part we will go from 1100m up to 1800m that is a long snow hill and will lead us to the plateau of Öræfajökull glacier. On a clear day the view can be beautiful in this area so it’s nice to break up this hill with some stops to drink and take some photos. The main danger on this part are crevasses, that our guides will navigate through.

When we get to the plateau it's a perfect place to have some lunch and enjoy the view and the achievements of the morning. After lunch we start to cross the plateau to the summit itself. The peak rise about 200m above the plateau. We make a short break below the summit and put on crampons this is the final push to the summit of the highest peak in Iceland. On clear days the view from the top is stunning, you can see Hrútfellstindar, Þumall and part of Vatnajökull ice cap.
Next we’ll hike back down the same way, this will not take as long as the hike up but we will move slowly due to tired muscles and we still have rope between us. After Skerið (the reef) we can move a lot faster back to the car.

Highlights

  • ✓Summit Iceland's tallest mountain with 360° views across Vatnajökull glacier
  • ✓Navigate Europe's largest glacier on a roped expedition with professional guides
  • ✓Steep gravel ascent from Sandfell (20m to 700m) offering early conditioning
  • ✓Rope-up glacier section from 1,100m with harness training and safety protocols
  • ✓Summit timing around 1pm maximises daylight and visibility
  • ✓Pre-hike briefing day covers gear, technique, and fitness-matched start times

Insider tips

  • ★Refill water at the spring around 500m elevation—eliminates heavy load for the first hours
  • ★Skerið (the reef, ~1,100m) is the ideal snack break; eat and drink here before rope-up
  • ★Communicate your mountain experience honestly during pre-hike orientation; beginners start earlier for controlled pacing
  • ★Aim to summit by 1pm for optimal light and safe descent before darkness

Good to know

  • •Two-part experience: pre-hike briefing day + 14-hour summit day (early morning start time varies by fitness level)
  • •Meet at Sandfell (the trailhead) on summit day; guides provide harness training and rope-up instruction at ~1,100m
  • •Bring adequate snacks and water for the climb; water available at spring (~500m) and Skerið (~1,100m)
  • •Non-technical but requires strong stamina; not a technical rock climb but involves steep gravel, rocks, snow, and glacier terrain
  • •All glacier safety gear and ropes provided; harness and crampons training included

Who it's for

Fit hikers and mountaineers seeking Iceland's ultimate peak challengeGlacier enthusiasts wanting to experience Europe's largest ice fieldAdventure travellers with solid hill-walking experience but no rock-climbing backgroundVisitors targeting all of Iceland's 'big three'—Hvannadalshnjúkur, Snæfellsjökull, and Öræfi glacier

Best time to visit

Summer (June–August) offers longest daylight, stable snow conditions, and safer glacier access. Aim for clear-weather windows; schedule attempts early in the season when snowpack is most stable.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€538
per person