Blue Ice - Ice Climbing Adventure

You’ll be climbing on Sólheimajökull, the outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland's fourth-largest ice cap. There is no doubt that the glacier and the surrounding area are exquisite. Your knowledgeable glacier guide will point out to you how the glacier is retreating and give you a fascinating history and geology lesson to get you to understand the true magic of the glacier.

You'll witness how natural forces shape the glacier, forming intricate patterns of ice ridges and deep, V-shaped crevasses. Look out for massive sinkholes known as "moulins," which occasionally puncture the glacier, channeling meltwater through small waterfalls and streams.

This adventure is suitable for participants in good physical condition who can comfortably walk for a few hours at a steady, moderate pace. The trails are generally manageable with gradual inclines.

Opt for pick-up from Reykjavík to add some sightseeing to your adventure. Pick-up from your hotel or a nearby meeting point is at 8 a.m., and it can take around 30 minutes to gather everyone. On the way, we’ll stop at some of Iceland’s most majestic waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.

Seljalandsfoss is a 213-foot (65-meter) high waterfall that can be explored from multiple angles, offering ample opportunities to snap photos. In summer, you can even walk behind the waterfall. (FYI, there’s no gold there, just breathtaking views.)

Skogafoss is a 197-foot (60-meter) high and 85-foot (25-meter) wide waterfall. The cascading water is majestic and mesmerizing, often creating one, two, or even more rainbows from the sprayed water.

You can drive to the Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot yourself. It’s located 98 miles (158 kilometers) from Reykjavik and takes around 2 hours to reach. The meet-on-location option gives you ample time to visit the locations mentioned above. However, it’s important to remember that poor weather and road conditions can prolong your journey.

If the tour is booked for a child above 14 years old, an adult must accompany the child during both the transfer to the location and the tour itself. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.

Shoe Size: For safety reasons, crampons are not available for shoe sizes below 35 EU, as they cannot be securely attached to smaller footwear.

No prior experience is required, but guests should be comfortable hiking ~8km over uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes.

Pick-up: For those who have chosen to be picked up in Reykjavík, the pick-up time is at 09:00 AM. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is greatly appreciated!  

Don’t know where you will be staying? No worries, choose “To Be Announced” for pick-up location and get back to us when you have further details.  

Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.

If you have chosen to meet us on location, the meeting point is at Sólheimajökull Car Park. Please give yourself plenty of time to drive from Reykjavík – there is no way you want to miss this stunning adventure on Sólheimajökull Glacier. In good conditions, the journey takes just over two hours without stops. It is always worth allowing the extra time so you can relax. With poor weather or road conditions, the journey can take longer. The distance from Reykjavík is 158 km (98 mi).  

Please note that the meet-on-location tour does not include any other stops but the Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing.  

The tour is about 5 hours with approx. 3 hours on the ice, this includes the hour spent climbing. 

If you have chosen to meet us on location at Sólheimajökull Car Park. Distance from Reykjavik approx. 164 km / 101 mi.  

GPS coordinates for the Sólheimajökull Car Park: 63°31'47.4"N 19°22'11.7"W