By sasta holiday 
Read Iceland Glacier Hiking Guide Below:
I thought I was ready for a glacier hike in Iceland.
I watched videos, read blogs, bought the “perfect” jacket, and convinced myself that I’m basically a winter warrior. Spoiler: I wasn’t.
And that’s exactly why this experience became one of the wildest, most humbling adventures of my life.
If you’re planning to step onto a glacier in Iceland – here’s the stuff I really wish someone had told me.
It’s Not Just Cold – It’s a Different Kind of Cold
The glacier isn’t “winter cold.”
It’s quiet, sharp, creeping cold that finds its way through any small gap in your clothes.
Bring layers:
- Not one thick jacket – multiple layers you can add or remove
- Gloves that won’t get wet when you hold ice
- Wool socks – trust me
- A scarf or neck warmer (wind here is dramatic)
I thought I packed well – until I couldn’t feel my fingers enough to take photos.
You want memories, not frostbite.
Good Shoes Aren’t Optional
If you think your regular winter shoes will work – they won’t.
You’re literally walking on an ancient frozen river. It’s slippery, uneven, and sometimes cracks a little under your feet (in a thrilling but mildly terrifying way).
You’ll be wearing crampons, which are metal spikes strapped to your boots. Cheap shoes = sore feet + regrets.
The Glacier Is Always Moving (And That’s Equal Parts Amazing and Alarming)
Nobody mentioned that glaciers constantly shift and creak.
The first time I heard the rumble, I thought the ice was breaking beneath us.
It wasn’t – but it reminded me how alive the glacier is.
This is not a theme park.
This is nature – massive, unpredictable, and stunning.
It’s Physically Harder Than It Looks Online
Instagram shows the smiling selfie at the top – not the:
- Heavy breathing
- Sweaty back under all those layers
- Awkward baby-deer-on-ice walking
- Sudden fear when you look down and realize how steep it is
If you can climb stairs without dying – you’ll be fine.
But don’t expect a casual stroll.
Your Photos Will Never Capture What You Saw – And That’s Okay
Every picture I took looked flat compared to what my eyes saw.
The blue ice, the cracks, the endless white – cameras just don’t get it.
But that’s the beauty of it.
Some memories are meant to be felt, not posted.
A Guided Tour Isn’t Just for Safety – It’s for Stories
My guide turned what could have been a “walk” into a lesson in time-travel.
He pointed to:
- Black ash frozen inside the ice (from volcanoes)
- Craters formed by melting pools
- Deep sapphire blue tunnels carved by water
He told us which parts to avoid and why.
He also saved one person from taking a step they shouldn’t have. So yes – get a guide.
Final Thought: Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely.
I was freezing, out of breath, and nervous – and I loved every minute.
Standing on a glacier makes you feel tiny in the best way.
Like the world is huge, time is real, and you’re lucky to be here for even a moment.
If you’re heading to Iceland for a glacier hike:
Go prepared, go curious, and go ready to feel something unforgettable.
Because for me, it wasn’t a hike…
It was realizing I was walking on thousands of years of history – one careful, crunchy step at a time.
If you want to travel Iceland or any other peaceful place, you are missing a very good deal by Sasta Holiday Go and connect with them for your next trip.