Intro to Glacier Packrafting

Glacier Lake Adventure Blends Hiking, Paddling, and Vatnajökull Ice Exploration

A guided wilderness experience in southeastern Iceland offers travelers a close-up encounter with glacier landscapes near Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. The journey begins at Smyrlabjörg Hotel with a safety briefing before continuing by 4x4 along remote gravel roads into the heart of the glacial region.

The first stage of the tour includes a scenic hike along moss-covered trails, passing natural features such as Bolstaðafoss waterfall. The route leads to a quiet glacial lake surrounded by mountains and ice formations, setting the tone for a peaceful yet adventurous day in nature.

At the shoreline, participants prepare drysuits and inflatable boats before receiving a paddling and safety briefing. The calm water allows for a slow, immersive journey across the lake, where floating ice and glacial scenery create a constantly changing Arctic-like environment.

The experience concludes with a landing on a small skerry and a short hike to a viewpoint near the glacier’s edge. Conditions permitting, guests may briefly step onto the ice itself, offering a rare and memorable connection to the living surface of Vatnajökull before returning from this multi-activity glacier adventure.