Hvannadalshnúkur - Iceland's highest summit
Conquer the roof of Iceland: conquer the Highest Peak!
Activity provider: Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia
Ascending the highest peak in Iceland, Hvannadalshnúkur (2110 m / 6900 ft) is a bucket-list worth climb to check off your list! The mountain is located on the northwestern rim of the Öræfajökull volcano and promises an unforgettable hike with breathtaking panoramic views. This is not a beginners’ hike; be prepared for a challenging climb befitting those with ample climbing experience and in fantastic physical shape. No special technical skills are required, but we recommend packing the items on our equipment list (see below). The climb will be mentally and physically gruelling, but it is worth it.
About this tour
To kick off your adventure-packed day, you will meet your professional, highly qualified guide at the base camp in Skaftafell for a required briefing at 16:00 the day before departure. You must be there on time as you will receive information and gear for your summit trip. If, for some reason, you cannot be at the briefing, we reserve the right to cancel your trip without a refund.
On the morning of the hike, you will meet your guide at the pre-determined location and head out. You can expect to hike for a total of 12-15 hours for the day. You will face a challenging climb with numerous hidden crevasses, and it will quickly become clear why an experienced mountain guide is necessary. At the summit, you will witness the rugged outlet glaciers of the mighty Vatnajökull glacier and the vast sandy plains of the rivers that drain off that great glacier. This tour combines marvellous nature and a demanding hike for an unforgettable experience.
Please note that a minimum of two participants and a guide meets our standard of ascending and descending the summit in the safest way possible. We recommend that our customers leave a few days free before and after the scheduled departure date if we need to cancel or make changes to a departure due to lack of participation or weather conditions. The season has been shortened due to deteriorating conditions on the glacier over the years.
Skaftafell Base Camp
Tour overview
- Availability
- Spring & Summer
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Meeting Point
- Skaftafell Base Camp
Need to know
Only suitable for people physically and psychologically prepared for a highly engaging experience. Expedition level. Often involves carrying your own gear.
A safety and preparation briefing with your guide will be at Skaftafell Base Camp (Icelandic Mountain Guides sales cabin) at 16:00 the night prior to departure. Accommodation is not included. Departure time in the early morning can vary, depending on conditions. A confirmed time of departure will be announced at the safety briefing&
Requirements
- Hiking boots. they can be rented at the base camp
- Backpack
- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Do you have questions about reserving online? Contact us and we’ll help you with your booking.
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Glacier gear
- Safety equipment
Not included
- Rain gear
- Hiking boots
- Warm clothing
- Lunch
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
Our meeting points have no official addresses, but you can see directions and GPS points if you click the map above.
Before we head to the glacier for the tour, we need to get everyone fitted with the equipment, crampons and harnesses. The crampons need to be adjusted to each person's shoe size, so it is important that people arrive 20 minutes before so everyone is ready at the departure time.
We always recommend to book as soon as you are ready especially if you have a strict travel schedule or a large group. It is easy to change or cancel 24 hours before departure by emailing us (info@mountainguides.is). Tours can also be purchased the day of as long as there are spaces available.
Up on the summit, temperatures are different than at the start of the walk. The summit is 2100m (6,923 feet) and should be approached as if it's a 4000m (14,000 feet) peak, conditions-wise. Depending on whether the departure is early or late in the season, there might be different conditions, but you always want to have a wind and rainproof layer, and both a light and heavy puff jacket with you.
It is good to have some sandwiches (3-4), some snacks or energy bars (4-5), and about 2L (0.5 gallons) of water is recommended.
