Glacier Zip Line and Glacier Hike

A glacier zip line tour that combines a guided hike onto Sólheimajökull with a zip line ride over the ice itself. You get crampons, a helmet and harness, and finish with photos taken by your guide.

• Guided hike onto Sólheimajökull glacier with crampons
• A zip line ride over the ice, not offered on a standard glacier hike
• See moulins and crevasses up close with an experienced guide
• Small groups of up to 10 people
• A professional photographer, with 5 personal photos included

Your day, stop by stop

2Hike to the glacierAbout 40 minutes over rocky terrain to reach the ice.

About 40 minutes each way over rocky terrain to reach the ice. The approach walk crosses glacial outwash terrain before reaching the edge of Sólheimajökull. The ground is uneven, so wear sturdy boots.

Walking · about 40 minutes each way, uneven ground

3On the iceYour guide points out moulins, crevasses and how the glacier moves.

Your guide points out moulins, crevasses and how the glacier moves. Sólheimajökull is a fast-moving outlet glacier from Mýrdalsjökull, so its surface features change from year to year. You wear crampons throughout.

Equipment · crampons provided and worn on the ice

4Zip lineA zip line ride out over part of the glacier.

This is the section that sets the tour apart from a standard glacier hike, a zip line ride out over part of the glacier, giving a different view of the ice from above. A full harness and helmet are provided.

Safety · full harness and helmet provided

About the glacier zip line tour

This tour combines two things that don't usually come together: a proper guided glacier hike and a zip line ride, both on Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue reaching down from Mýrdalsjökull on the South Coast. You start at the car park below the glacier, get fitted with a helmet, harness and crampons, then hike up to the edge of the ice.

Once on the glacier, your guide points out features like moulins (holes where meltwater drains into the ice) and crevasses, and explains how the glacier moves and changes. The zip line section then takes you out over part of the ice itself, which is the unusual part of this tour compared with a standard glacier walk.

It's a moderate tour: the hike to and from the glacier is on rocky, uneven ground and takes real walking, and the ice itself needs care and the crampons provided. Groups are small, up to 10 people. Weather on the glacier changes quickly, so dress warmly in layers even if it looks mild at the car park.

• Five extra photos
• Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
• Hiking boot rental

Questions people ask