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
from €242.18 per person
Next departure: Thu 22 Oct
1 / 26
Duration
13 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
08:00
Minimum age
14
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
Meeting point, in Arctic Adventures's words: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING TIME IS AT 11:30 BY THE GLACIER CAR PARK! The meeting point is at "Sólheimajökull" Parking lot by our bus marked "Glacier Guides" / "Arctic Adventures" at 11:30. Distance from Reykjavik approx. 164 km / 101 mi.
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 Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall & Black Sand Beach from Glaciers and Waterfalls is €161 — €81 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €242 | Glaciers and Waterfalls · €161 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 13.5 hours | 11 hours |
The €81 buys you 2.5 more hours out. 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 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 Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 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.
★★★★★ · 3 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.
★★★★★ · 2 months 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.
★★★★★ · 3 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!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Ice climbing in Iceland for first-timersNo experience needed. Book a hike-and-climb on Sólheimajökull from €182 if you're on the South Coast; Skaftafell from €234 if you want quieter ice and more climbing.
- 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 Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
from 16.181 kr.Lowest price
Guesthouse · Reykjavík
Old Town Reykjavík
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 41.790 kr.Mid-range
Hotel · Reykjavík
Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 60.840 kr.Top end
Hotel · Reykjavik
Hótel Holt
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €13 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
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Arctic Adventures
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The Iceland Tour Co.
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Transfer Airport -> Hotel in Reykjavík and Hotel in Reykjavík -> Airport
meet at the start point
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