Intro to Glacier Packrafting

The meeting point for this tour is Smyrlabjörg Hotel, where we begin with a short briefing on weather conditions and what to expect. After preparing for the adventure, we depart in a 4x4 vehicle along gravel roads towards the glacier. Upon arrival, we get our gear ready and start a scenic hike along a green mossy trail, passing the cascading Bolstaðafoss waterfall and walking to the lake’s edge. The serene surroundings and fresh glacial air set the stage for a truly immersive experience in Iceland’s pristine wilderness.

At the lake, we inflate the boats and put on our drysuits. After a paddling and safety briefing, we glide across the calm waters, taking time to admire the surrounding mountains and floating ice. We land on a skerry emerging from the melting glacier and hike a short distance to a stunning viewpoint across the lake, close to the glacier’s edge. Safety permitting, we even step briefly onto the ice, marking our walk on the largest glacier in Europe. This tour combines gentle hiking and calm paddling with breathtaking glacial scenery, offering a unique chance to experience untouched nature, observe geological transformations, and create memories that will last a lifetime.