Blue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavík
by Arctic Adventures · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · Reykjavík
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified
- Skip the queue
Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Arctic Adventures's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.
More photos of Blue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavík
26 photos from Arctic Adventures. Tap any one for the full-size original.
Duration
13 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Meeting
Hotel pickup available
Languages
EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH, ES
Departs
08:00
Minimum age
14
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
We’ll pick you up from your designated location and begin our journey along Iceland’s stunning South Coast. En route, we stop at two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls - Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss offers the unique chance to walk behind the falling water, so don’t forget your camera for unforgettable photos.
The highlight of the tour is a guided hike on the striking glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull. You’ll meet your certified glacier guide at the Sólheimajökull parking lot, where all necessary equipment (ice axes, crampons, helmets, and safety lines) will be provided.
After a brief safety and gear session, we’ll head onto the glacier. You’ll strap on your crampons and begin the hike across a surreal landscape of ridges, crevasses, and shimmering blue ice. As part of the experience, you’ll also get an introduction to ice climbing and have the chance to try it for yourself on an icy wall under your guide’s supervision.
After this unforgettable adventure, we’ll return to Reykjavík - tired, inspired, and ready for a well-earned rest.
Disclaimer: All adventure and glacier 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 there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík City
- Hvollsvöllur Village
- Skógafoss waterfall
- Sólheimajökull Glacier
- Seljalandsfoss
Included
- Guided Minibus Transfer
- Visit to Skógafoss Waterfall
- Visit to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Certified Glacier Guide
- Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier
- Safety Equipment: Ice Climbing Gear, Crampons, Walking Axe, Helmet, Harness
- Ice Climbing on Sólheimajökull Glacier
Not included
- Warm outdoor clothing
- Gloves, hat
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support
- Food & drinks
We have waterproof jackets, pants, and hiking boots available to rent for 1500 ISK each.
Good to know
- Warm outdoor clothing - we recommend dressing in layers
- Headwear & gloves
- Waterproof jacket (available to rent)
- Waterproof pants (available to rent)
- Sturdy hiking boots are mandatory (available to rent)
- Reusable water bottle
- Lunch & snacks
For the glacier hike:
- While the tour is rated as moderate and previous glacier / ice-climbing experience is not required, guests should be prepared to hike up to 8km over uneven glacial terrain with moderate elevation changes.
- Please note that sturdy hiking boots are required for this adventure. They are available to rent for 1500 ISK if needed.
- In order to attach crampons to the hiking shoes, the minimum shoe size of the participant to join the tour is 35 EU, and the largest shoe size is 50 EU
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.
- 1Arctic Adventures 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 Solheimajokull Glacier Guided Hiking Small Group Tour from Nordur Travel Services ehf is €85 — €151 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €236 | Nordur Travel Services ehf · €85 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 13.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Getting there | Picks you up | You make your own way |
| How hard it is | Moderate | Easy |
The €151 buys you 10.5 more hours out and hotel pickup. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Not for families with children under 14 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.
- Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 13 hours and 30 minutes is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 154 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 Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,129 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · a month ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
A Fantastic Trip: Review of 3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave and Glacier Lagoon Absolutely incredible experience with Arctic Adventures and the guide Hjalti Bjornsson. The pick up from the bus stop was easy and the instructions were super clear. Be aware that they are extremely punctual at every stop. Do not be late by even a minute. We saw so many sites and the weather was perfect for most of the days. Our guide even took us on some stops that were not in the itinerary, but ones he thought were interesting and on the way, like the power plants and some other glaciers. The bus ride was very smooth with plenty of room and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was well thought out with a great mix of light walking about 3 - 6 miles per day depending on how much you wanted to walk to each site. Some sites like the glacier Skaftafellsjokull (optional) were further away (4 ish miles), while others were much closer (1000ft). The hotel was situated in a beautiful location with sheep everywhere and interesting rock formations. The hotel was very comfortable with hot water and plenty of space to spread out. Our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone between the ages 10 - 70. However, this might not be the best experience for those with mobility issues as there is walking to some of the best sites.
Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- Sólheimajökull, Skaftafell or Vatnajökull — which glacier hike to actually 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.
- Into the Glacier makes sense from Húsafell, and only just from ReykjavíkThe Langjökull ice tunnel from Húsafell, Klaki base camp, Þingvellir or Reykjavík — which departure to book and what the day really costs you.
- Lava tunnel or Into the Glacier — one is an hour from town, the other is a whole dayRaufarhólshellir lava tunnel vs the man-made ice tunnel inside Langjökull, compared on time, cost, what's underground and who each one suits.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on 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.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
153 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.
2-day packageSep – AprArctic Adventures
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Hotel pickup
- Wi-fi on board
- Free cancellation 24 h
from
€573 per person
3-day packageSep – AprArctic Adventures
Chinese Tour: 3 Day - Golden Circle, South Coast, Jökulsárlón & Ice Cave
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Hotel pickup
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 24 h
from
€931 per person
12 hoursThe Iceland Tour Co.
Private Glacier Hike Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 8+
- Hotel pickup
- Wi-fi on board
from
€1,579 per person
13 hoursIceland Adventures ehf
South Coast Adventure Private Tour
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 10+
- Hotel pickup
- Gear included
from
€1,499 per vehicle
10 hoursUnreal Iceland
South Coast, Glacier Walk & Lava show - Private Tour
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Age 12+
- Hotel pickup
- Free cancellation 24 h
from
€1,909 per vehicle
30 minutesIcelimo Luxury Travel
Private Reykjavik intercity transfer
Leaves from Reykjavík
- Hotel pickup
- Private
from
€170 per vehicle