Glacier Experience Glacier Walk
On Solheimajokull glacier
Explore the incredible ice world of the Sólheimajökull glacier in South Iceland!
Meet us at the Sólheimajökull parking lot for this easy glacier hiking tour. This is your chance to set foot on a glacier in Iceland in magnificent surroundings.
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Availability
All year
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Duration
3 hours (1-1,5 on ice)
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Level
Easy
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Pickup
No
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Meet on location
Yes
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Min. Age
10 years
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Ratio
1:12
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Price from
9.500 ISK
- Tour highlights
- Glacier hike
- Small group guarantee
- Sólheimajökull (Solheimajokull glacier)
- Included
- Guided glacier hike
- Certified glacier guide
- Specialized glacier gear
This tour is meet on location only which means that you will have to meet us at Solheimajökull Parking Lot. If you want a pick up from Reykjavík, please check out our Glacier Experience from Reykjavík.
The tour starts with an introduction to the equipment and safety rules needed to explore the glacier, followed by a short walk across the pitch black volcanic ash and sands towards Sólheimajökull, the glacier tongue we will be hiking on. Walking through the valley, that the glacier filled only a few years ago, your knowledgeable glacier guide will point out to you how the glacier is retreating at an alarming rate, almost right before you eyes. At the glacier edge, we lace up our crampons and following the guide you will explore this otherworldly natural wonder; a rugged, raw and ever changing hub of ancient frozen water.
The glacier hike is an adventure like no other, and with the rapid rate of global climate change, this popular activity is only available in very few parts of the world. You will see how the primal elements shape and affect the glacier, creating mesmerizing labyrinths of ice ridges and deep v-shaped crevasses that crisscross and scar the surface of the ice. Not to mention the big sinkholes, called “moulins”, that sometimes have drilled their way through the glacier, draining the meltwater of the ice through little waterfalls and streams. The glacier also carries with it ashes of volcanic eruptions from the distant and not so distant past, you might even be lucky enough to be able to collect a little sample of the Eyjafjalljökull volcanic ash from 2010.
Add some adventure to you Iceland tour and explore an amazing crawling glacier, before it becomes inaccessible.
Remember to bring: Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking shoes are recommended.
What if I don’t own all of these clothing necessaries?
Don’t worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants in the booking process. We do not rent gear from location.
Please note
Departure from Sólheimajökull Parking Lot. Distance from Reykjavik approx. 164 km / 101 mi. GPS 63°31’00.48″N, 19°22’00.12W(WGS84).
How far from Reykjavik is the meet-up location for the tours at Solheimajokull?
We meet you at Sólheimajökull parking lot and the distance from Reykjavik is approx. 164 km / 101 mi. The drive takes around 2-2,5 hours.
For GPS: 63°31’00.48″N, 19°22’00.12W(WGS84).
What should we wear on our glacier trip in Iceland?
Iceland is known for colorful weather. It can sometimes show you all 4 seasons in one day.
Dressing for this sort of weather can be a challenge so we always recommend to dress in layers. Dress is 3 or 4 upper layers such as a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment, topped off with a waterproof wind-breaker. Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet. Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are best and then wind/waterproof pants over. We also recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy due to the high UV and sunlight reflection off of the glacier.
We can rent out good hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers for all of our trips.
Do any glacier tours go from Reykjavík to Skaftafell and back in one day?
Yes, so happy to be able to tell you that we have 3 tours that do exactly this
VATNAJOKULL GLACIER HIKE & JOKULSARLON
Do I need to bring a backpack on a glacier trip in Iceland?
We recommend bringing your own backpack on our full day or 1/2 day tours. It’s great to carry a small lunch or some extra clothing.
Can I bring my camera along on a glacier tour?
You can bring you camera along, and you should definitely bring one since the setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.
I am pregnant, can I still join a glacier hike?
This is, of course, a personal choice, we have often had pregnant women on our trips and we have also gladly refunded our guests that had booked well in advance of finding out the happy news. We recommend you take a close look at our trip description and difficulty rating, they will hopefully give you a better idea. It is also good to contact your physician, pregnant women’s health can be quite different. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.
Do I need to bring a lunch with me on the glacier tours?
We do not provide lunch on any of our trips, so we recommend you bring your own lunch (for the longer trips), snacks and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip).
What are crampons?
Crampons are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes, these enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping.
Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures glacier tour?
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified glacier guide on each trip glacier tour we offer.
Disclaimer
All our tours are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
“Worth every cent”
We took part in the 90 minute glacier hike up Sólheimajökull and it was well worth every cent we paid! Well organized and they even had pants, shoes etc for rent for those who did not have it.
Very interactive and informative. One lady was not too confident and I witnessed them helping her which was very sweet.
