A Guide to Glaciers in Iceland

Iceland, the Land of Ice and Fire, is a country defined by its elemental forces. While its volcanoes command attention, it is the glaciers that truly shape the landscape and capture the imagination. These immense rivers of ice cover over 10% of the country, carving valleys, feeding powerful rivers, and creating some of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth. For visitors, they offer unparalleled opportunities for adventure, from hiking and ice caving to simply marveling at their sheer scale.

This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the magnificent glaciers of Iceland. We will explore the seven largest ice caps, detailing their unique characteristics, accessibility, and the incredible experiences they offer. Discover how the freedom of a rental car allows you to explore these natural monuments at your own pace and how Höldur Car Rental provides the perfect vehicle for your journey, right from the moment you arrive.

Understanding Iceland's Glaciers

Glaciers are massive, slow-moving bodies of dense ice that form over centuries from accumulated snow. The immense weight of the snow compresses the lower layers into ice, and under this pressure, the glacier begins to flow and deform, much like a slow-moving river. As they move, they scrape and sculpt the land beneath them, creating the dramatic fjords, valleys, and mountains that characterize Iceland.

Many of Iceland's glaciers conceal active volcanoes beneath their ice caps. This subglacial volcanism creates a dynamic and sometimes volatile relationship, leading to dramatic events like jökulhlaups (glacial outburst floods) when an eruption melts vast quantities of ice.

Exploring these icy giants requires respect and preparation. The surface of a glacier is a constantly changing environment with hidden crevasses, moulins (deep shafts), and unpredictable weather. For this reason, it is essential to never venture onto a glacier without a certified guide and the proper safety equipment.

The Seven Largest Glaciers in Iceland

Iceland is home to numerous glaciers and ice caps, but seven stand out for their immense size and significance. Let's explore each one.

1. Vatnajökull: The Colossus of Iceland

• Size: Approximately 7,900 km² (3,050 sq mi)
• Location: Southeast Iceland
• Key Features: Europe's largest glacier, numerous outlet glaciers, active volcanoes, stunning ice caves, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Vatnajökull is not just a glacier; it is a world unto itself. Covering roughly 8% of Iceland's total landmass, this colossal ice cap is so vast that it has its own weather systems. It is the centerpiece of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of the country's most iconic landscapes.

Beneath its icy surface, which reaches up to one kilometer thick in places, lie several of Iceland's most active volcanoes, including Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga. This subglacial activity creates a dynamic environment that is constantly in flux.

Exploring Vatnajökull:
The sheer scale of Vatnajökull means it offers a vast array of activities. Its many outlet glaciers, which flow down from the main ice cap like icy tentacles, are the primary access points for tours.

• Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing: Skaftafell Nature Reserve, part of the national park, is a popular hub for guided glacier hikes on outlets like Svínafellsjökull and Falljökull. Here, you can strap on crampons and explore the surreal world of blue ice, deep crevasses, and magnificent ice sculptures.
• Ice Caving: From November to March, Vatnajökull becomes home to some of the world's most spectacular natural ice caves. These mesmerizing blue caves are formed by meltwater flowing beneath the glacier in summer. Access is only possible with a guided tour, which typically departs from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon area.
• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach: At the foot of the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier lies Jökulsárlón, Iceland's most famous glacier lagoon. Here, massive icebergs calve from the glacier and float serenely towards the ocean. Boat tours take you among these icy giants. The icebergs that wash ashore on the nearby black sand beach create the glittering spectacle known as Diamond Beach.

Accessibility:
Vatnajökull is easily accessible from the Ring Road (Route 1) in Southeast Iceland. The drive from Reykjavik is about 4-5 hours to the Skaftafell area and another 45 minutes to Jökulsárlón. A standard 2WD car is sufficient for reaching these main hubs in summer, but a 4x4 rental in Iceland is recommended for winter travel due to potentially icy conditions.

2. Langjökull: The Long Glacier

• Size: Approximately 935 km² (361 sq mi)
• Location: West-Central Highlands
• Key Features: Second-largest glacier, man-made ice tunnel ("Into the Glacier"), proximity to the Golden Circle, snowmobiling hub.

Langjökull, meaning "Long Glacier," stretches across the western Highlands. Its relative proximity to Reykjavik and the popular Golden Circle route makes it one of the most accessible glaciers for adventure activities. Like Vatnajökull, it conceals volcanic systems beneath its ice.

Exploring Langjökull:
Langjökull is a year-round playground for adventure seekers.

• Snowmobiling: The vast, relatively flat expanse of the ice cap makes it a perfect destination for snowmobiling. Tours operate year-round, offering an exhilarating way to experience the immense scale of the glacier.
• "Into the Glacier" Tour: This unique attraction allows you to journey deep inside Langjökull through a massive, man-made ice tunnel. Specially modified trucks transport you onto the ice cap, where you can walk through tunnels and chambers carved from ancient blue ice, learning about glaciology along the way.
• Super Jeep Tours: The rugged terrain leading to Langjökull is an adventure in itself. Super Jeep tours are a popular way to reach the glacier, navigating the rough Highland tracks and providing a thrilling off-road experience.

Accessibility:
Access to Langjökull is via Highland F-roads (like the F35, Kjölur route) or other mountain tracks. A capable 4x4 vehicle is mandatory to reach the glacier's base camps. Tours typically depart from Husafell in the west or from Gullfoss waterfall in the south. Driving yourself to these departure points is straightforward with a Höldur rental car.

3. Hofsjökull: The Fortress of the Highlands

• Size: Approximately 925 km² (357 sq mi)
• Location: Central Highlands
• Key Features: Third-largest glacier, circular shape, source of major rivers, extremely remote.

Hofsjökull, or "Temple Glacier," is a large, circular ice cap that forms a formidable fortress in the very heart of the Icelandic Highlands. It is the source of several of Iceland's longest rivers, including the Þjórsá and the Hvítá. The glacier covers a large central volcano and caldera.

Exploring Hofsjökull:
Hofsjökull is one of Iceland's most remote and inaccessible glaciers. There are very few organized tours that venture onto its surface. Its exploration is primarily the domain of scientific researchers and highly experienced private expeditions. For most visitors, Hofsjökull remains a magnificent, imposing sight viewed from a distance while traversing the Highland F-roads.

Accessibility:
Reaching a vantage point to see Hofsjökull requires a robust 4x4 vehicle and experience driving on Iceland's most challenging F-roads, such as the F26 (Sprengisandur route). The area is completely inaccessible during the winter months.

4. Mýrdalsjökull: The Glacier of the Fearsome Volcano

• Size: Approximately 596 km² (230 sq mi)
• Location: South Iceland
• Key Features: Covers the Katla volcano, Sólheimajökull outlet glacier, ice caves, close to the Ring Road.

Mýrdalsjökull is Iceland's fourth-largest ice cap, located directly on the South Coast. Beneath its thick ice lies Katla, one of the country's largest and most powerful active volcanoes. The potential for a major eruption from Katla is a constant subject of monitoring by Icelandic scientists.

Exploring Mýrdalsjökull:
The most accessible part of Mýrdalsjökull is the Sólheimajökull outlet glacier, a rugged and dynamic river of ice that has become a major hub for glacier activities.

• Glacier Hiking: Sólheimajökull's crevasse-filled landscape offers incredible opportunities for guided glacier walks. Its dark veins of volcanic ash create a stunning contrast with the white and blue ice.
• Ice Climbing: The steep ice walls of Sólheimajökull are an ideal location for introductory and advanced ice climbing tours.
• Katla Ice Cave: Natural ice caves also form within the main Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. These are often called "Katla Ice Caves" and are accessible on Super Jeep tours from the nearby town of Vík. Unlike the Vatnajökull caves, some of these can be visited year-round.

Accessibility:
Mýrdalsjökull is one of the easiest glaciers to access. The turn-off for Sólheimajökull is directly on the Ring Road, about a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik. A short gravel road leads to a car park at the glacier's base. A 2WD car is sufficient to reach the car park, but a 4x4 is always a safer choice for South Coast travel in winter.

5. Drangajökull: The Untamed North

• Size: Approximately 160 km² (62 sq mi)
• Location: Westfjords
• Key Features: Iceland's northernmost glacier, the only glacier in the Westfjords, the only Icelandic glacier entirely below 1,000 meters.

Drangajökull is an outlier, the only major ice cap located in the remote and rugged Westfjords. It is also the only glacier in Iceland that has not been shrinking in recent years. Its low elevation and coastal proximity mean it receives heavy snowfall, which has so far balanced out summer melting.

Exploring Drangajökull:
Drangajökull is one of the least visited glaciers in Iceland, offering a true off-the-beaten-path experience. Its remote location means there are fewer organized tours compared to the southern glaciers.

• Hiking and Skiing: The area is a destination for experienced backcountry hikers and skiers who are prepared for self-sufficient expeditions. The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a pristine wilderness accessible only by boat, lies just north of the glacier.
• Guided Tours: A few local operators offer specialized Super Jeep and hiking tours to the glacier's edge, often departing from the town of Ísafjörður.

Accessibility:
Reaching Drangajökull is a significant undertaking. The journey into the Westfjords is long and requires navigating winding coastal roads. The tracks leading towards the glacier are rough, and a sturdy 4x4 is absolutely essential. This is an adventure best suited for the summer months.

6. Eyjafjallajökull: The Famous Unpronounceable

• Size: Approximately 78 km² (30 sq mi)
• Location: South Iceland
• Key Features: Covers the volcano that famously erupted in 2010, located next to Mýrdalsjökull.

Eyjafjallajökull became a household name (though one few could pronounce) when its subglacial volcano erupted in 2010, disrupting air travel across Europe for weeks. This relatively small ice cap sits directly west of its larger neighbor, Mýrdalsjökull.

Exploring Eyjafjallajökull:
Direct access to the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap is limited and primarily done via private Super Jeep or snowmobile tours. For most visitors, the glacier is best viewed from the Ring Road.

• Fimmvörðuháls Hike: One of Iceland's most famous hiking trails, the Fimmvörðuháls path, runs between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. This challenging day hike takes you through the newly formed lava fields from the 2010 eruption, offering incredible close-up views of both ice caps.
• Super Jeep Tours: Specialized tours can take you up onto the glacier to witness the eruption's aftermath and enjoy stunning views over the South Coast.

Accessibility:
The glacier itself is clearly visible from the Ring Road along the South Coast. The starting point for the Fimmvörðuháls hike is at Skógar, right by the Skógafoss waterfall. Accessing the glacier requires a guided Super Jeep tour due to the extreme terrain.

7. Snæfellsjökull: The Mystical Gateway

• Size: Approximately 11 km² (4 sq mi)
• Location: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Key Features: Covers a stratovolcano, setting for Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, visible from Reykjavik on clear days.

Though the smallest of this group, Snæfellsjökull is perhaps the most mythical. This glacier-capped volcano crowns the tip of the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Its perfect cone shape and mystical reputation, immortalized by Jules Verne, make it an iconic landmark.

Exploring Snæfellsjökull:
Snæfellsjökull National Park surrounds the glacier, offering numerous hiking trails and stunning coastal scenery.

• Glacier Hiking: In summer, guided tours offer the chance to hike to the summit of Snæfellsjökull. This is a full-day, strenuous trek that rewards hikers with panoramic views across the peninsula and bay.
• Snowcat Tours: For a less strenuous way to reach the top, snowcat tours are available, driving you up the slopes to the edge of the summit caldera.

Accessibility:
Snæfellsjökull is the focal point of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik. A 2WD car is sufficient for driving the main roads around the peninsula in summer. To get onto the glacier itself, a guided tour is necessary. The F-road leading up the mountain (F570) requires a 4x4.

Self-Drive Glacier Exploration with Höldur

 

Renting a car provides the ultimate freedom to explore Iceland’s glaciers on your own schedule. A self-drive Iceland tour allows you to travel between these icy giants, book tours that fit your itinerary, and discover all the other wonders—waterfalls, beaches, and hot springs—that lie along the way.

Höldur Car Rental offers a wide range of vehicles to suit your glacier adventure. For summer trips focused on the accessible southern glaciers, a 2WD vehicle may suffice. For winter travel or any journey into the Highlands, a capable 4x4 is essential for your safety and comfort. With convenient pick-up locations at Keflavik International Airport and in Central Reykjavik, you can start your journey smoothly and confidently.

Iceland’s glaciers are more than just ice; they are dynamic, living landscapes that tell the story of our planet. They are a source of adventure, inspiration, and a powerful reminder of the beauty and force of nature. Planning your self-drive tour is the first step toward experiencing them for yourself.

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