Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Glide across the largest glacier in Europe on cross-country skis
Marvel at the wonders of the Grímsvötn Volcano and the surrounding crater-filled area.
Channel your inner NatGeo photographer skills and capture these supernatural landscapes on your camera.
Catch a glimpse of Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur (2,110m), and its snowy neighbours.
Cruise some sweet downhill sections to give your legs a break and get your heart pumping.
Imagine waking up each morning to glacial lands that stretch to the horizon and then getting to cross-country ski across them to the next destination. And you’re in Iceland!
Are you a cross-country skier ready to take on a new challenge? This 9-day tour in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park is your chance. This tour takes you on a challenging and rewarding cross-country ski loop covering 130 kilometres. Push yourself out of your comfort zone as you travel across the largest glacier in Europe, through active volcanic and geothermal regions, and past towering mountains for some downhill cruising. If you’re a fan of glaciers, this tour will not disappoint.
On the 9-day Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing, you’ll be led by a local expert guide who will take you to the best campsites for each night. Some nights will be spent in two-person tents, and others will be spent in mountain huts—an ideal combination for sleeping in the backcountry. If this sounds like your kind of challenge, book now!
Imagine waking up each morning to glacial lands that stretch to the horizon and then getting to cross-country ski across them to the next destination. And you’re in Iceland!
Are you a cross-country skier ready to take on a new challenge? This 9-day tour in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park is your chance. This tour takes you on a challenging and rewarding cross-country ski loop covering 130 kilometres. Push yourself out of your comfort zone as you travel across the largest glacier in Europe, through active volcanic and geothermal regions, and past towering mountains for some downhill cruising. If you’re a fan of glaciers, this tour will not disappoint.
On the 9-day Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing, you’ll be led by a local expert guide who will take you to the best campsites for each night. Some nights will be spent in two-person tents, and others will be spent in mountain huts—an ideal combination for sleeping in the backcountry. If this sounds like your kind of challenge, book now!
Read more
Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing Itinerary
Day 0 Meeting in Reykjavík
A day before your departure, you will attend a meeting with your guide and group to inspect your gear and get orientated on the upcoming expedition. If you need to stock up on any gear, you’ll have time to rent something before starting the journey tomorrow.
Accommodation for tonight is not included but can be added for a fee.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 XC Ski to Jökulheimar
Time to start the epic journey! You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík and transported in an all-terrain vehicle to plow through the snow line up to the trailhead.
In the early afternoon, you’ll start the cross-country ski into the unbelievable landscapes that comprise this area of Iceland. Prepare to see jaw-dropping views for the next nine days! Set up camp in a secluded spot, gather for dinner prepared by your guide, then settle into your tent for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 4–6 hours, 5–10 km
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Ascend Grímsvötn Volcano
Wake up surrounded by snow-covered plains and prepare for a challenging ascent. Over the next two days, the guide will lead you across the icecaps extending across Vatnajökull National Park to the summit of the Grímsvötn Volcano.
On the first night of this mini-expedition, you’ll camp in the rugged outdoors.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6–7 hours, 15 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Summit Grímsvötn Volcano
Your hard work yesterday and this morning will be rewarded with incredible views from the top of the volcano. Enjoy the uniquely beautiful winter scene all around you, a treat few people ever enjoy.
Tonight, you’ll enjoy stretching out in a bunk bed in the Grímsvötn mountain hut.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 6–7 hours, 15 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Explore Grímsvötn Volcano
Not ready to leave the area yet? Great! You don’t have to. Today, you’ll have all the hours of sunlight to explore the phenomenal volcanic area of Grímsvötn. It’s a highly active area, both volcanic and geothermal, so take care as you travel the area, stumbling upon infinite craters and a sub-glacial lake.
After your exploring, rest for another night in the mountain hut.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut at Grímsvötn
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Cross Icecaps to Öræfajökull Glacier
Indulge in a hearty breakfast at the hut, then set out southwards across immense icecaps. To start, you’ll follow along a glacier ridge and across vast open lands, drawing closer to Iceland’s highest peak and its mountain siblings.
Spend the night camping in a wild location with the end of the glacier in sight.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6–7 hours, 20–25 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Descend Öræfajökull Glacier
After breakfast, you’ll complete your journey across the glacier. Savour the vast views and the feeling of being the only people in the world where you are.
Officially off the glacier, you’ll kick back at camp in preparation for the exciting ski tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6–7 hours, 20–25 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Cross to Esjufjöll Mountains
After breaking camp in the morning, the group will traverse more unreal snow meadows and icecaps. Your cross-country skiing efforts will be rewarded today with an easygoing downhill segment towards the Esjufjöll Mountains.
With a less demanding ski day behind you, you’ll have the energy to spend time storytelling and laughing with the group in the mountain hut accommodation.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut at Esjufjöll
Distance: 6–7 hours, 20–25 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Cross Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier
Rise and shine for your last full day of cross-country skiing in Iceland! Have a leisurely breakfast, then clip into your skis and head out.
Your eyes will feast on mountain views, crevassed fields, and glacial moraines—truly a cross-country ski paradise! For the final night of the tour, you’ll stay in a guesthouse in Skaftafell.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Skaftafell
Distance: 5–6 hours, 15 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Return to Reykjavík
Well, that’s that! After a good night’s rest and breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Reykjavík, where the tour ends. The expedition is complete—and it’s certainly one for the books!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing Price and Dates
This guided cross-country ski tour is run as a mixed group where you would be joining a set departure date. The prices below are per person.Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Accommodation on the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing
This tour is based in tents, traditional mountain huts, and a guesthouse. You will be provided with high-quality two-person tents, but you must bring your own sleeping bag and mat. The huts are basic with dormitories for sleeping. The guesthouse has simple amenities with dorms.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Single rooms are not available on this tour as mountain huts only have shared dormitories. Single travellers are not required to pay an additional supplement for this tour.
What’s Included in the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 8 nights is included in the tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation to and from Reykjavík at the start and end of the tour is included. During the tour, you will transport yourself on cross-country skis and carry your pack on a pulk (gear sled).
Also Included
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Two-person tents for camping nights
- Cooking gear
- Pulk (sled for gear)
Not included
- Personal expenses or gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Cross-country ski equipment rental:
- skis, skins, poles and boots
- skis, skins and poles
- Sleeping bag rental
- Sleeping mat rental
- Extra nights in Reykjavík
- How hard is the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing?
- Will I be able to shower on the tour?
- Do the mountain huts have running water?
- Can I charge my phone/camera in the huts?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
- Are meals included on the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Reykjavík to start this tour?
- Is the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing in English?
- Where does the Vatnajökull Glacier Cross-Country Ski Crossing end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Iceland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Iceland?
- When is the best time to travel to Iceland for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. You should be comfortable cross-country skiing for up to 7 hours for multiple days in a row. You will have some downtime to recuperate, but the route can be strenuous. This tour is not recommended for beginner cross-country skiers. You should be comfortable in very basic accommodations in winter conditions as well.
Unfortunately, there is no hot water for showers in the winter.
No, you will need to melt snow for water on this expedition.
It’s recommended that you bring a power bank to charge any electronics as there is no electricity in the huts.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cross-country skiing. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Keflavík Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik. There are many available pickup spots and you can choose whichever suits you best.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends in Reykjavík. There are many available dropoff spots and you can choose whichever suits you best.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Iceland for cross-country skiing is in the winter. This tour is available in April, when there is plenty of snow but the weather isn’t quite as cold as the months prior.
Customer Ratings
Icelandic Mountain Guides are a boutique adventure tour company that has been sharing the best of Iceland’s beautiful wilderness since 1994. Their passion for nature and adventure drives them to provide quality, fun and educational experiences for their guests. They are also committed to the environment, carbon neutralizing all of their day tours.
