Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall & Black Sand Beach

by Glaciers and Waterfalls · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · South Coast

5.00(814) · tour · TripAdvisor
Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall & Black Sand Beach — Glaciers and Waterfalls

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Glaciers and Waterfalls'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 Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall & Black Sand Beach

A person is taking a photo on it's phone of a couple standing by an ice wall on the glacierA waterfall plunges from cliffsPeople standing on a glacier with a solar halo behindPeople standing if front of the wall of ice.Beautiful sea stacks in Reynisfjara, black sand beach on a sunny day.Playing with illusion on the glacier, "little man - big man".People fooling around for a fun photo on the glacier

12 photos from Glaciers and Waterfalls. Tap any one for the full-size original.

  • Duration

    11 hours

  • Difficulty

    Moderate

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Meeting

    Hotel pickup available

  • Languages

    EN

  • Departs

    08:00

  • Minimum age

    10

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

Experience what it is like to stand on a glacier
Experience the magic of Iceland’s South Coast on this unforgettable day trip from Reykjavik. Discover dramatic landscapes, powerful natural forces, and some of Iceland’s most iconic sights, including a guided glacier hike on the spectacular Sólheimajökull glacier.

The highlight of the adventure is a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, an ever-changing outlet glacier shaped by Iceland’s volcanic and glacial forces. Equipped with crampons, a harness, helmet, and ice axe, you’ll journey through the dramatic glacial landscape before stepping onto the glacier’s icy surface. Explore centuries-old glacial ice, deep crevasses, striking ice formations, and breathtaking views while your certified guide shares insights into the glacier’s fascinating history and ongoing transformation.

Along the South Coast, you’ll visit the magnificent Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can admire the cascading water and, conditions permitting, walk behind the waterfall for a unique perspective.

Continue to the world-famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where powerful Atlantic waves meet volcanic black sand, towering basalt columns, and the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks. This dramatic coastline is one of Iceland’s most remarkable natural wonders.

Throughout the journey, enjoy sweeping views of Iceland’s rugged landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, volcanic terrain, and vast coastal scenery that showcase the incredible forces that have shaped this unique island.

By the end of the day, you’ll return to Reykjavik with unforgettable memories from an authentic Icelandic adventure filled with nature, discovery, and breathtaking moments.
Don't miss out on this captivating adventure.

Itinerary
Glacier Hike on SólheimajökullSólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier, graces the South Coast with its presence. Located just 158 kilometers (98 miles) from Reykjavík, it offers a unique opportunity to explore glacial features and gain insight into its formation. This icy realm is a living testament to the dynamic forces that shape Iceland’s ever-changing landscape.

The Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara, a stunning black sand beach on the South Coast, showcases the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean. Its colossal waves crash upon the shore, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. Basalt columns, resembling ancient sentinels, line the beach, while the enigmatic “Reynisdrangar” sea stacks emerge from the ocean’s depths, steeped in local folklore. This beach has earned its place among the world’s most beautiful non-tropical beaches.

Seljalandsfoss waterfallsSeljalandsfoss, another of Iceland’s classic waterfalls, offers a unique twist on the traditional waterfall experience. While not among the country’s largest falls, what sets Seljalandsfoss apart is the rare opportunity to walk behind the cascading water for most of the year. This immersive encounter transports you into a world of mist and magic, revealing a different perspective of nature’s beauty.

Description from the operator, Glaciers and Waterfalls. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Glacier hike
  2. The Black Sand Beach - Reynisfjara
  3. Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Included

  • Transfer to/from Reykjavik in a Minibus
  • English speaking certified glacier guide
  • Equipment for glacier hike
  • Free WiFi on the Bus

Not included

Meals

Good to know

  • Warm outdoor clothing
  • Hat and gloves or mittens
  • Rain gear
  • Good hiking boots
  • Backpack
  • Water bottle
  • Camera/Phone
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • No previous glacier hiking experience is required, but the approach to the glacier includes uphill hiking on uneven mountain terrain.
  • The full glacier experience takes approximately 3.5–4 hours, including preparation, the hike to the glacier, the glacier hike, and the return walk.
  • The total distance is around 6 km (3.7 miles), with an elevation gain of approximately 230 metres (750 feet).
  • The walk to the glacier is part of the adventure, offering beautiful views before you step onto the ice.
  • On the glacier, you’ll explore unique ice formations and crevasses with an experienced glacier guide.
  • Sólheimajökull is a constantly changing natural environment, so routes and distances may vary depending on glacier conditions.
  • The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, road, or glacier conditions to ensure the safest and best possible experience.
  • We recommend warm, waterproof clothing, a hat, gloves, sturdy hiking boots, and an extra set of dry clothes.

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.

  1. 1Glaciers and Waterfalls 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 — €87 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

Glaciers and Waterfalls · €172Nordur Travel Services ehf · €85
How long it runs11 hours3 hours
Getting therePicks you upYou make your own way
How hard it isModerateEasy

The €87 buys you 8 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

  • Children under 10 cannot join this one.
  • Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 11 hours 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

Glaciers and Waterfalls 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 →

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

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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.

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  • 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.

from

€172 per person

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