Travel along the south coast to the Sólheimajökull Glacier, where you will strap on crampons and walk with a trusted guide across an ever-changing landscape. Skip past the sightseeing tourists, and get up and onto one of Iceland’s most accessible glaciers.
Take your first steps onto a glacier, designed specifically for first-timers. You set the pace, and we provide the expertise. This glacier is perfect for those who want to witness the blue ice, deep crevasses, and stunning formations of Sólheimajökull glacier without the technical difficulty of ice climbing.
***While this trip is available year round, it is important to note that access to the glacier remains changeable on a daily basis, with access not always being possible. In these cases, our team of experts will propose some other great alternatives for you.
Tour Overview
A Private Glacier Hike can meet on location, or with a pick up from Reykjavík, travelling along the scenic South Coast. If you are travelling from Reykjavík, the drive takes around 2 hours, passing volcanoes and waterfalls, before reaching the parking lot in front of the Sólheimajökull glacier.
It is here that local guides will prep you and provide you with all the necessary gear required for the hike (crampons, helmet, and ice axe). You will start your hike by learning about the glacier and how to walk competently on the ice with crampons. Once on the ice, your guide will lead you through the frozen landscape, searching for safe crevasses, moulins, and unique ice sculptures.
No ropes are typically needed for exploration and there is no climbing involved, unless you specifically request a small taste of it. Typically, most tours will spend approximately 2.5 hours on the ice, allowing ample time to explore without exhaustion.
If you are hoping to do this trip as part of a longer day out on the south coast, starting and ending in Reykjavík, account for around 11–12 hours in total.
Often, people will couple this up with additional stops at the iconic Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls to complete your South Coast experience.
This hike is not typically included on our multi-day tours, but you can get in touch to check the access and availability at any time. Our team will be happy to share current conditions. For a more scenic south coast tour, check out our South Coast: Fire and Ice which still includes a viewpoint of the glacier as part of a scenic day.
Reach out to us at: info@hiddeniceland.is
FAQ
- What if I have no experience? When accessible, this trip is designed for first-timers with no prior experience on glaciers. It is the perfect introduction to glacier exploration. Check out our Glacier & Ice Cave Guide to learn more about what glacier hikes entail.
- What is the physical requirement? Although this is a beginner-friendly tour, hiking on uneven ice requires full mobility of your knees and ankles and a general fitness level. You should be comfortable walking for 2–3 hours on uneven terrain.
- Do I need to worry about ropes or climbing? No. This is a hiking-focused tour. No ropes are used, and no climbing is required. If you are feeling adventurous and want to try a small step of climbing, you can request this, but the standard tour is strictly hiking.
- What should I wear? Dress in warm, waterproof layers. Good sturdy hiking boots are essential (we can provide boots and waterproof clothing free of charge, upon request, if you do not have them).
- Will we see waterfalls? The glacier is the main focus of the day. However, since we are travelling the South Coast, we often have time to stop at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls on the way back, depending on the group’s pace and the timing of the day.
- Can I meet directly at the glacier? Yes, if you have your transport, you can arrange to meet your experience Hidden Iceland guide directly at the glacier entrance. Simply mention it to us when inquiring.
- Is glacier access guaranteed? Sadly not. The front of the glacier, where the hike starts, sits alongside the glacier lake, making flooding and melting a regular occurrence. This means that on occasion, a hike may be postponed or cancelled last minute. On these days, we would provide you with alternative hiking or activity options to fill the day.
