Crampons on, ice axe in hand, and the first crunch of steel on blue-grey ice. That sound is the moment most people stop checking their phones. Glacier Wonders is Arctic Adventures' shorter glacier hike from Skaftafell, and it takes you onto Falljökull, one of the ice tongues flowing down from Vatnajökull.

Arctic Adventures rate it 2 out of 5 for difficulty: real glacier walking, without the heroics. It's a solid pick if you want to stand on a glacier properly rather than look at one from the car park.

What you'll do on this Skaftafell glacier hike

You meet your guide at the Arctic Adventures Hut, next to the car park at the Skaftafell Visitor Center in Vatnajökull National Park. From there it's a short drive to Falljökull, where you gear up and walk onto the ice. Your guide picks the route on the day, and depending on what the glacier is doing you'll pass crevasses, moulins and icefalls, with a running commentary on how the ice moves and why it looks the way it does.

Expect around 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking with 200 to 250 metres of elevation gain. It's rated easy and suits most fitness levels, but glacier terrain is uneven, so it's a steady walk rather than a stroll. The whole tour takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes.

What's included

• English-speaking, certified glacier guide
• Glacier safety gear: helmet, harness, glacier crampons and ice axe

Good to know before you go

The crampons only fit shoe sizes 35 EU and up, so anyone with smaller feet can't join. Bring a waterproof jacket and trousers and sturdy hiking boots with ankle support. Both can be rented if you don't have them. Add a light wool or fleece layer, thin gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sun protection (the ice reflects more light than you'd expect), plus food and drinks. Skip the jeans: they get wet and cold fast and take forever to dry. As with all Arctic Adventures day trips, you'll sign a waiver before heading out.

Pro tip: bring a small backpack. You'll want your hands free on the ice, and it's the easiest way to carry your camera, rain layers and snacks.