Glacier Experience: Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike

From that high point, you'll drop down to the glacier's edge, strap on crampons, and follow your guide out onto the ice.

Sólheimajökull moves and changes through the season, so no two visits look the same. You'll pick your way between ridges and deep V-shaped crevasses, past moulins, the sinkholes that drill down through the ice and drain meltwater away in streams and small waterfalls.

Black bands of ash streak the surface here, blown over from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. You might come away with a little of it in your pocket.

Your guide will show you how far Sólheimajökull has pulled back in recent decades and explain what's driving the change. The full tour takes about four hours and covers roughly 6 km (3.7 miles).

If you select the Reykjavík pickup option, our tour guide will pick you up at your chosen location in Reykjavík. On our way to or back from the glacier, we stop at a few of Iceland's most magnificent natural attractions: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and the waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. 

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach 

We will visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, one of Iceland’s most breathtaking coastal sights. The beach is known for its black volcanic sands, impressive basalt columns, and the dramatic sea stacks of Reynisdrangar rising from the Atlantic Ocean. Located near the village of Vík, Reynisfjara is a must-see highlight on Iceland’s South Coast — a place where the power and beauty of nature truly come together. 

Seljalandsfoss waterfall 

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is about 65 meters (213 ft) high and can be viewed from different angles. The water flows from the Seljalandsá river, which has its origin at the infamous volcano glacier, Eyjafjallajökull. It's even possible to walk behind it during summer to experience it from another perspective! 

Skógafoss waterfall 

The mighty Skógafoss is located close to the small village of Skógar. It’s one of Iceland's largest waterfalls, with a width of 25 meters (82 ft) and a spectacular 60-meter (197 ft) drop. Due to the amount of spray, single and even double rainbows are frequent on sunny days.

If you’ve selected the ‘From Reykjavík’ option: Pickup starts in Reykjavík at 8:00 AM from your selected pickup location and can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is much appreciated. 

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

If you've booked the tour with pickup outside of Reykjavík, the following pickup times apply:

• Hveragerði: 8:30 AM – 09:00 AM   
• Selfoss: 8:45 AM – 09:15 AM   
• Hella: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM  

Please Note: The order in which we visit the waterfalls may change depending on the time of year. Seljalandsfoss is lit up at night during the winter months, making it a magical stop on the way back to Reykjavík.

If you select the meet-on-location option, please meet your tour guide at Sólheimajökull Parking Lot.

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 will take longer. The distance from Reykjavík is approximately 158 km (98 mi).

• The minimum age to join this tour is 8 years old, and the minimum required shoe size is 35 EU. Our specialized glacier crampons cannot fit smaller sizes.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult during both the transfer and the tour. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.
• Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for glacier hiking. We have rentals available for 1500 ISK (EU sizes 36-47) if required.
• This tour is rated Easy–Moderate. No previous experience is needed, but you should be comfortable hiking about 6 km (3.7 miles) over uneven ground with moderate elevation changes.