Solheimajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Climb

by David The Guide · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · South Coast

4.70· 127 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own

from €192.99 per person

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €192.99 Other dates

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Climb — David The Guide

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Climb, photo 2

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Climb, photo 3

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Climb, photo 4

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Duration
4 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Solheimajokull
Sólheimajökulsvegur, Vik
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
14:00
Minimum age
12
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

Experience the wild with this exhilarating glacier hike and ice climbing tour.

This tour offers an up-close experience of Iceland's breathtaking glaciers, giving you a chance to explore the raw beauty of the frozen wilderness.

Your adventure begins where you will meet your certified glacier guide. The guide will brief you on the essentials of glacier safety, including the use of crampons and ice axes.

You'll be introduced to the basics of ice climbing techniques, ensuring that you are fully prepared for the journey ahead. All necessary equipment for the hike will be provided, including crampons, helmets, harnesses, and ice axes.

As you begin the adventure, your guide will share fascinating insights into the geology and history of the glacier, including its centuries-old formation. As you set foot on the glacier tongue, one of the many that stretch from the massive ice cap, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains,

Once you’re on the ice, the true beauty of this frozen realm reveals itself. Combined with the glacial ice and volcanic ash, it is a special view. As you walk, you’ll encounter mesmerizing natural formations, such as glacier moulins, which are deep vertical shafts carved into the ice by meltwater. You'll also see ancient ice sculptures, their brilliant blue hues created by oxygen trapped in the ice over millennia.

For those seeking a bit more adrenaline, there will be opportunities to try your hand at ice climbing using your ice axes. Scaling the glacier’s walls adds an exciting edge to this picturesque hike, making it a perfect combination of beauty and adventure.

Hurry now and experience the incredible thrill of scaling one of nature's most magnificent giants, the mighty glaciers, on this incredible glacier hiking and ice-climbing tour. Check availability now by choosing a date.

Description from the operator, David The Guide . Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Included

We provide all gear (except clothing/shoes)

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is high wind or rain on the ice — the guide decides at the meeting point, sometimes after you have set off. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1David The Guide decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper Glacier Hike Experience on Sólheimajökull Glacier - Meet on location from Glaciers and Waterfalls is €95 — €98 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	David The Guide · €193	Glaciers and Waterfalls · €95
How long it runs	4 hours	3 hours
How hard it is	Moderate	Easy

The €98 buys you 1 more hour out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Who this is not for

Not for families with children under 12 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

David The Guide is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about David The Guide

Read all 127 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Michael Donegan
★★★★★ · 6 months ago
We had an amazing time seeing the Northern lights with David The Guide during our first trip to Iceland! Ania was our guide and she was very informative about the science behind how the lights appear, and how they are able to take measurements to predict the intensity for the night. Ania also took pictures of everyone in the group who wanted one, and they turned out fantastic! In our case, the forecast was not looking great when we started the tour. But they ended up becoming very bright around midnight! Hot chocolate was provided and everyone could warm up in the bus when it got too cold. We will absolutely purchase a tour again during our next visit to Iceland!
Jubel
★★★★★ · 9 months ago
As a solo traveller, I did the 2-day Winter Tour to South Coast and Diamond Beach and was able to see many of the sites that I wanted to see on my first trip to Iceland! The bus is comfortable and I had a great stay at the Hotel Hofn (comes with delicious breakfast). A few of the sites included Ice Cave, Waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss etc.), Diamond Beach and more. We were a small group of 9 and everyone was respectful and on time when coming back to the bus at each stop. Yes, this is a fast-paced tour, but you will cover MANY spots! Thank you to my guide, Sebastien, for a wonderful trip to the South Coast, he is friendly, knowledgeable and communicates clearly.
K S
★★★★★ · 6 months ago
I went on the Northern Lights tour, and they let me reschedule it twice with no additional fee because conditions weren't good and the northern lights were not visible. I was able to see the northern lights on my third try, and it was an amazing experience. Chasing the northern lights with this tour company was fantastic since they take professional photos of both you and the aurora by itself, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out camera settings yourself. They also give you a hot drink, cookies, and they also lend you blankets! Be sure to layer up and bring hand warmers for your hands and feet as you will be outside for several hours
Zorali De Feria
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
★★★★★ I highly recommend this South Coast tour with David the Guide. Everything was exactly as promised—and even better. Our guide, Jagoda, was outstanding. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable, organized, and clearly passionate about Iceland. Throughout the two days, she shared fascinating information about the country’s history, geology, culture, and landmarks, making every stop more meaningful and enjoyable. What impressed me most was how efficiently she managed the itinerary. We maximized our time at every location without ever feeling rushed, and she even included a few extra experiences along the way. Her planning and time management were exceptional. The small-group format made a huge difference. If you’re considering a South Coast tour, I would not hesitate to book with David the Guide. And if you’re lucky enough to have Jagoda as your guide, you’re in excellent hands. Her professionalism, expertise, and dedication truly made this one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland.

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Sólheimajökull glacier hike: public or private?A public Sólheimajökull glacier hike costs about €95 to €104 a person. A private one lists from €256 for the group. Here is when private is worth it.
Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe glacier hikes we would book ourselves in Iceland, on Sólheimajökull and in Skaftafell, with real adult prices, departure points and who each one is not for.
Glacier hike in Iceland: which glacier to bookThree glaciers sell almost the same walk at different prices and distances. Which one fits your route, what 'easy' means, and what blue ice really requires.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Glacier hiking — questions people ask

Which glacier is best for a first glacier hike?

Sólheimajökull on the South Coast, about two and a half hours from Reykjavík. It is the most accessible glacier tongue, the walk from the car park is short and the three-to-four-hour tours (/experience/6853/ or /experience/914990/) suit beginners. Skaftafell in the southeast has bigger ice and fewer people, with tours like Glacier Wonders (/experience/17340/), but it is a five-hour drive each way, so it only works if you are staying out there.

Can you hike on a glacier in Iceland in summer?

Yes. Glacier hiking runs all year. In June to August the ice is grey and gritty on the surface with blue crevasses and meltwater channels, and the weather is milder. In November to March the ice is whiter and you may see ice formations, but daylight is short and the wind bites. Neither is better; summer is easier, winter is prettier. The one thing you cannot do in summer is visit a natural blue ice cave.

How fit do I need to be for a glacier hike?

Moderately. You walk two to three hours on uneven ice in crampons, with some short steep sections. Anyone who can manage a hilly day walk will be fine; the pace is slow because the guide is checking the route. It is not for anyone with knee or balance problems, and most operators set a minimum age of eight to ten. Check the tour page. Longer tours like Glacier Explorer (/experience/17338/) push further onto the ice and need more stamina.

What do I need to bring on a glacier hike?

Sturdy boots with ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, gloves and a hat, plus water and a snack. The operator provides crampons, a harness, a helmet and an ice axe. Jeans and trainers are not allowed on the ice, and guides do turn people away. Most meeting points rent boots and rain gear for a small fee; check the tour page and book them in advance in summer.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Hella & Hvolsvöllur, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in South Coast →

One checkout, any number of operators
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from

€192.99 per person

David The Guide 's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs14:00

Hella & Hvolsvöllur: light 08:29–17:42, 9 h 14 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If David The Guide cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: David The Guide 's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €9 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.