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Best glacier destinations in Europe

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Vatnajökull National Park
Glaciers, Volcanoes and Ice Caves
8.3
Skaftafell has trails to Svínafellsjökull and Skaftafellsjökull, two outlet glaciers of the huge Vatnajökull ice cap. Svartifoss waterfall drops past black basalt columns. Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland, rises about 6,900 feet. UNESCO listed the park in 2019 for its fire and ice scenery.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Explore blue ice caves sculpted within the glacier
  • 🥾 Join a guided glacier walk on Vatnajökull ice cap
  • 🌊 Hike to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns
Iceland
Land of fire and ice
9.7
Ice covers about 11 percent of this island, mostly in a few huge ice caps. Guides lead walks on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier near the south coast. Icebergs drift through Jökulsárlón lagoon towards the sea. Blue ice caves open to tours in winter, when the glaciers glow.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the full Ring Road and explore Iceland’s natural wonders
  • 💦 Soak in the milky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon
  • 🌌 Marvel at the dancing Northern Lights in winter
Zermatt
Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn
9.3
Edward Whymper made the first climb of the Matterhorn from this village in 1865. Today a cog railway climbs to Gornergrat for views of the Gorner Glacier. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car reaches 12,740 feet. Summer skiing is possible on the glacier above town.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car
  • 🏞️ Hike to Riffelsee Lake and see the Matterhorn’s reflection
  • 🚞 Ride the Gornergrat Railway for stunning Matterhorn views
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc
8.9
In 1741 two English travellers visited the Mer de Glace and made the valley famous. A cogwheel train from town now climbs to Montenvers. A gondola and many steps lead down to an ice cave. The stairs grow longer as the glacier thins. Mont Blanc rises above at 15,777 feet.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Explore the Mer de Glace glacier and its ice cave
  • 🏔️ Hike or ski around the majestic Mont Blanc massif
  • 🚠 Take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi for breathtaking alpine views
Norway
Land of the long cloud
9.0
Locals practice friluftsliv, a tradition of outdoor life in all weather. It includes guided walks onto glacier tongues like Nigardsbreen. That glacier is an arm of Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European mainland. Blue ice, meltwater lakes and steep fjord valleys surround the trails.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights in Tromsø during winter
  • ⛰️ Hike to the breathtaking Trolltunga cliff viewpoint
  • 🛳️ Cruise through the stunning fjords of western Norway
Graubünden
Alpine wonderland with pristine lakes and trails
9.5
Cold air and the sound of meltwater meet hikers on the Morteratsch glacier trail near Pontresina. Signs along the path mark where the ice ended in past decades. A cable car to Diavolezza gives wide views of the Pers glacier. Piz Bernina, the highest peak in the eastern Alps, rises beyond.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit Sils Maria's vibrant art scene
  • 🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Rhine Gorge to witness dramatic cliffs
  • 🏔️ Explore St. Moritz's alpine scenery and luxury boutiques
Svalbard
Arctic wilderness at Earth's edge
8.3
Longyearbyen lies farther north than any point in Alaska. More than half of Svalbard is covered by glaciers. Guided trips visit ice caves and cross glacier tongues by snowmobile in spring. Boats reach calving fronts such as Monacobreen, where huge blocks of ice crash into the fjord.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike across the dramatic tundra and rugged landscapes
  • 🛥️ Explore glaciers and fjords on guided boat tours
  • 🐻‍❄️ Observe Arctic wildlife including elusive polar bears safely
Matterhorn
Majestic peak echoing alpine legends
Summer is when the Plateau Rosa glacier above Cervinia opens for skiing on the Italian side of the mountain. Cable cars climb on to Klein Matterhorn at 12,740 feet. The Matterhorn itself reaches 14,692 feet on the border with Switzerland. Its pyramid shape is visible for miles.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Savor a fondue dinner overlooking the glacier
  • 🏘️ Explore Zermatt's historic village and local cheese shops
  • ⛰️ Climb the Hörnli ridge for sunrise panoramas
Aletsch Glacier
Majestic ice plateau overlooking alpine valleys
A faint hum of meltwater rises from the Aletsch Glacier, a river of ice about 14 miles long. It is the longest glacier in the Alps. The car free villages of Bettmeralp and Riederalp have trails along its edge. UNESCO listed the area in 2001.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the Swiss Alpine Museum in Interlaken
  • 🚶‍♂️ Take a guided glacier walk on the Aletsch
  • 🏔️ Hike to the Aletsch Panorama viewpoint
Jungfraujoch
Top of Europe Alpine Adventure
The Ice Palace is a tunnel carved deep inside the glacier, with ice sculptures along the walls. A cogwheel train climbs through the Eiger mountain to the station at 11,332 feet. The railway opened in 1912. From the Sphinx terrace the Aletsch Glacier flows away below.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Sled or ski at the Snow Fun Park in summer
  • ❄️ Explore the Ice Palace with intricate ice sculptures
  • 🔭 Visit the Sphinx Observatory for panoramic glacier views
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