Beautiful tour
Beautiful tour from start to finish.
Hill
Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
A Sólheimajökull glacier hike is the easiest way to walk on real glacier ice in Iceland. You meet the guide at the glacier on the South Coast, put on crampons and spend the tour walking among ridges, crevasses and ash-streaked ice.
Sólheimajökull is a tongue of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, which sits on top of the Katla volcano. It is about two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavík on Route 1, and roughly 30 minutes from Vík, which makes it an easy stop on a South Coast trip.
The tour starts at the Sólheimajökull parking lot, where you meet your guide at the tour company's meeting point and get fitted with your gear. From there a new access route of about 2.3 km each way takes you to the edge of the ice. Most of the path is fairly even, but the last part near the glacier is steeper. At the ice you put on crampons and the guide explains how to walk safely.
On the glacier you follow the guide along ridges and between crevasses. The ice here is streaked black and grey with ash from past Katla eruptions, and the guide shows you moulins (holes where meltwater drills down through the ice). The glacier changes every week, so the route is never quite the same.
The pace is steady and relaxed. You do not need hiking experience, but you should be comfortable walking for a few hours on uneven ground. Sólheimajökull has retreated by more than a kilometre in recent decades, and the guides are happy to talk about what they have seen change.
It is rated moderate. You walk slowly on crampons, with some short uphill sections. If you can walk for three to four hours on uneven ground, you will be fine.
Yes, the tour runs all year. In winter the days are short and the ice can be harder and more slippery, but the crampons handle that. Dress warmly and check road conditions on umferdin.is before driving.
You need hiking boots with ankle support. If you do not have them, you can rent boots, a waterproof jacket and trousers at the meeting point.
The glacier is signposted from Route 1, about 160 km from Reykjavík. The last few kilometres are on a paved side road to the parking lot. If you do not have a car, choose one of our South Coast tours that includes a glacier hike.
No. There are toilets at the parking lot, so use them before the tour starts.
Beautiful tour from start to finish.
HillAs a photographer, this tour delivered. Light on ice, shadows in the crevasses, blue hues you don’t see in ordinary photos, and viewpoints suggested by the guide that maximized the effect. With the right gear, you can get some truly magical shots. Also appreciated how the guide emphasized respecting the glacier—leaving no trace, sticking to safe routes.
Ezra G.I thought ‘easy glacier walk’ meant simple, but parts of this were more strenuous than expected (uneven ice, using crampons). But honestly, the struggle made the reward even sweeter. The views, the ice formations, the mist—it all came together. The guide pushed us gently and made sure no one got left behind.
Priya S.Our guide Asta was exceptional—thoughtful, funny, extremely safety-conscious. She pointed out little details: how glacial meltwater works, how cracks form, why the ice looks blue. Her passion added so much. The glacier itself—astonishing, ancient, alive. A highlight of our trip.
Sebastian K.Ver el glaciar Solheimajokull tan de cerca fue algo increíble. Los guías muy profesionales, equipo adecuado, ritmo bueno. Me encantó explorar la formación de hielo y los contrastes con la ceniza volcánica. Impresionante experiencia.
José R.Stunning hike, amazing guide, and views I’ll never forget. If you’re in Iceland, don’t miss this!
Freya H.The ice, the colours, the vastness… all stunning. Even with light drizzle, the hike held its beauty. Our guide Lina was warm, patient, and really knowledgeable. She made sure everyone had a chance to get the best views and photos. One of the best nature adventures I’ve done.
Laura C.Gorgeous, raw, and powerful landscapes. Walking across Solheimajokull felt like stepping into another world. The guide’s commentary about how the ice is changing due to climate was eye-opening. Be prepared: cold wind, bright ice reflections, and an aching body, but oh so worth it.
Omar H.We brought our two kids (ages 10 and 12) on this hike and it was so worth it. The guide was great with them — telling stories, helping them safety, taking time for photos. The terrain wasn’t too steep for our kids, and the glacier scenery was absolutely magical. Best family memory from our Iceland trip so far.
Ella S.I did this glacier walk with no previous glacier experience, and it was perfect. The guide explained all the safety gear, the crampons felt secure, and the walk was challenging but fair. The glacier formations were wild—beautiful patterns, blue ice, textures I’d never seen. Would absolutely recommend for anyone curious about glaciers.
Michael Y.This was an unforgettable glacier hike! The guides made us feel completely safe, helped with crampons, and pointed out all the fascinating ice ridges and moulins. I don’t hike often, but with their steady pace and thoughtful explanations, I felt comfortable throughout. The views of Solheimajokull are staggering—blue ice, volcanic black ash streaks, and crevasses everywhere. A must-do.
Samantha W.This glacier hike was amazing! Challenging enough to be exciting, but the guides made it accessible and safe. The views and icy landscapes were absolutely stunning. Highly recommended!
Beatriz · August 2025Beautiful day at the glacier with our group and the guide. The guide told us about the history of the glacier and his guidance was excellent.
Noury · December 2024I recently went on the Sólheimajökull Glacier hike, and it was an incredible experience! The glacier's stunning blue ice formations and rugged crevasses were absolutely mesmerizing. Our guide was knowledgeable and made the hike both safe and informative, sharing fascinating insights about the glacier's history and geology. The combination of breathtaking scenery and the thrill of hiking on a glacier made this adventure unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Iceland!
Jonas · July 2024We had an amazing day up on Solheimajokull glacier with Iceland Travel Guide. This glacier hike was the top of our road trip in South Iceland.
Steven M. · December 2022
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