Glacier Experience / A Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier
by Arctic Adventures · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · South Coast
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified
- Skip the queue
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Duration
4 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Parking
Meeting
Meet on location
Languages
EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH, ES
Departs
09:45, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30 …
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
Sólheimajökull Glacier Experience: Valley Views & Ice Exploration
Step onto one of Iceland's most spectacular natural wonders and experience the ever-changing world of Sólheimajökull Glacier. Located on Iceland's South Coast, this impressive glacier tongue flows from the mighty Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, creating a dramatic landscape of ice formations, crevasses, ridges, and glacier valleys.
Your journey begins with a safety briefing and introduction to the glacier hiking equipment before setting off through a quiet, moss-covered valley. As you ascend toward the glacier access point, you'll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of Sólheimajökull and the surrounding mountains, black volcanic sands, and glacier lagoon. This scenic approach offers a unique perspective of the glacier and an opportunity to appreciate the scale of Iceland's dramatic landscape before stepping onto the ice itself.
After gearing up with crampons, you'll follow your certified glacier guide onto the glacier to explore this remarkable frozen wilderness up close. Traverse a landscape sculpted by centuries of ice movement, where deep crevasses, soaring ice ridges, meltwater channels, and striking blue ice formations reveal the powerful forces at work within the glacier.
Along the way, your guide will share insights into the glacier's fascinating geology, its connection to Iceland's volcanic past, and the visible impacts of climate change on this rapidly evolving environment. You may even spot layers of volcanic ash preserved within the ice, remnants of eruptions that have shaped the landscape over time.
Combining scenic hiking, glacier exploration, and expert local guidance, this tour offers an incredible opportunity to experience one of Iceland's most spectacular natural wonders from both above and on the ice itself.
Trip difficulty: 2/5, easy-moderate. No prior experience is required but guests should be prepared to hike ~6km over uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes.
Disclaimer: All glacier hiking tours are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their 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.
Included
- Guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull glacier
- Certified glacier guide
- All specialized glacier gear, including glacier crampons, helmet, harness, & ice axe
Not included
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for this adventure (rentals available for a fee)
Good to know
- Appropriate clothing for current conditions - we recommend dressing in layers
- Warm outdoor clothing
- Waterproof jacket and pants (available to rent)
- Headwear (that can fit under your helmet) and gloves
- Good hiking shoes are required (available to rent)
- Reusable water bottle; snacks
Sturdy hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants are available to rent on-site or in advance.
- No prior experience is required, however, guests should be prepared to hike ~6km over uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes
- Sturdy hiking boots are required for this adventure (available to rent for a fee)
- Guests must be dressed appropriately for current conditions. Waterproof jackets and pants are available to rent for a fee
- 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 →
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 8 cannot join this one.
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.
- Iceland on a budget — the tours worth paying for and the ones to skipPay for what you can't do yourself — a glacier hike, a lights hunt, a coach with no car. Skip city tours, doubled-up hot springs and private cars for two.
- Snowmobiling on Langjökull or a glacier hike — pick one glacier day, not bothAn hour on a snowmobile from €241 or three hours in crampons from €92. They feel nothing alike, and one is the better first glacier day for most people.
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.
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