This mighty Sólheimajökull glacier flows down from the enormous Mýrdalsjökull icecap situated on the south coast of Iceland. The ice cap sits directly on top of one of the most powerful and feared volcanoes in the country, Katla. The glacier changes daily which makes it the perfect place to learn about its surrounding environment, characterised by glaciers and volcanoes. Ice climbing on Sólheimajökull glacier is a truly memorable experience, in a spectacular environment!
You will meet your glacier and ice climbing guide at Sólheimajökull Glacier Parking Lot, located at the end of road number 221 on the south coast. Here, you’ll meet your guide and get fitted with all the safety and climbing equipment needed before heading to the glacier. Then when we are all set we start hiking up the glacier valley up to the front of the icy giant.
Before taking the first steps on the ice your glacier guide will go through important safety and technical points before setting off. We continue our hike and take our first steps on the glacier to explore it’s ever changing glacier landscape. The glacier hike always stands out, both with our guests and guides, as the glacier is always changing and exciting as we pass it’s unique features such as crevasses, ridges, moulins and the view of the south.
We will teach you the best climbing techniques and boost your confidence before increasing the difficulty of climbs. Together with your glacier guide we will find a suitable ice walls to climb depending on your experience. We work up your confidence and ability level each time and find more challenging walls to climb, when you are ready.
The ice climbing tour is around 4 hours in total with around 3 hour spent on the glacier ice itself. The hike requires a moderate fitness level with good knee and ankle mobility, where you will hike up and over uneven terrain.
Meeting point and time
Sólheimajökull Glacier Parking Lot
GPS point: N 63.532833 W 19.369675
Make sure to be at location at least 15 minutes prior to tour departure time.
Driving time from Reykjavík: 2.5 hours in good weather and driving conditions
Driving time from Vík: 45 min in good weather and driving conditions
Not self driving? If you are not driving and want to do a glacier hike then join our South Coast: Fire and Ice tour or our Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Two Day tour, which both include glacier hikes and depart from Reykjavík.
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Included: Harness, helmet, climbing axe, climbing crampons, ice climbing guide
Excluded: Waterproof clothing, hiking boots, meals
Departure time: This tour is private to your group so departure time can be flexible. Get in touch with Hidden Iceland and we will find the best time for you.