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South Coast, Waterfalls & Glacier Hike Tour

Name: South Coast, Waterfalls & Glacier Hike Tour
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 85127
Price: 24990 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

13–13.5 hoursGroup: Larger group, by coachEasy to moderateCoach from ReykjavíkAge 8+All year

5.0(1 review)

Hikers among the crevasses of Sólheimajökull

The basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beach

This south coast glacier hike tour combines Iceland's best-known waterfalls with a guided walk on real glacier ice. You see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, hike on Sólheimajökull with crampons, and finish at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara.

SeljalandsfossSkógafossSólheimajökull glacier hikeReynisfjara black sand beach

Walk on real glacier ice on Sólheimajökull, with crampons and an ice axe
See Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two of Iceland's best-known waterfalls
Walk the black sand and basalt columns at Reynisfjara
All glacier gear included, no experience needed
Small-group minibus with an English-speaking guide

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up in ReykjavíkYour guide meets you at your pick-up point, from around 8am.

SeljalandsfossA waterfall you can walk behind in summer.

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, before sea levels fell after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water, so expect to get wet and bring a waterproof jacket.

Walking · short, can be muddy or icyTip · wear waterproofs if you walk behind the falls

Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →

SkógafossA wide waterfall with a 60-metre drop and a stairway to the top.

Skógafoss falls in one broad curtain about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, right beside the village of Skógar. On sunny days the spray usually throws a rainbow, sometimes a double one, across the pool at its base. A staircase of 527 steps leads to a viewpoint at the top, where you can see the river before it drops. One of Iceland's biggest waterfalls, with a viewing platform reached by around 527 steps.

Walking · steps to the top viewpoint, optionalFacilities · toilets and cafés nearby

Read our Skógafoss guide →

Sólheimajökull glacier hikeA guided walk on glacier ice with crampons and an ice axe.

The front of Sólheimajökull glacier and its lagoon

A guided walk on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, with blue ice, crevasses and volcanic ash layers to see up close. You wear crampons and carry an ice axe, and the hike takes around 3 to 4 hours in total over uneven, sometimes icy ground. All gear is provided.

Time here · the hike takes around 3-4 hours in totalWalking · uneven, sometimes icy groundEquipment · crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet provided

Read our Sólheimajökull guide →

Reynisfjara black sand beachBasalt columns and black sand near Vík.

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach with the sea stacks of Reynisdrangar rising out of the water offshore. At the western end, a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns, stacked like organ pipes, stands beside the cave Hálsanefshellir. It is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland, because of sudden, powerful waves that run far up the sand. Keep well back from the water and follow the warning signs.

Safety · stay well back from the water

Read our Reynisfjara guide →

6Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your pick-up point in the evening.

About the south coast glacier hike tour

This is a long day that combines South Iceland's most famous sights with a proper glacier walk, so it suits people happy to spend most of the day on the road and on their feet in exchange for covering a lot of ground. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are two of Iceland's best-known waterfalls, and both have short, easy paths to the base.

The glacier hike itself is on Sólheimajökull, an outlet of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Your guide fits you with crampons, an ice axe and a harness, and no previous glacier experience is needed. It's a real hike on uneven, sometimes icy ground, so it's rated easy to moderate rather than fully easy.

The day usually finishes at Reynisfjara, the black sand beach near Vík with its basalt columns, where the sea can be genuinely dangerous. Stay well back from the waterline, since unpredictable waves here have caught people out before. Because it's a full day, about 13 hours in total, bring snacks for the drive and dress for changeable weather, especially in winter when daylight is short.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Hiking boot rental
Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)

Included

Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
English-speaking guide
Glacier gear (crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet)
Free WiFi on the bus

Not included

Lunch
Hiking boots and waterproof clothing (rental available)

What to bring

Warm, waterproof jacket and trousers
Hiking boots with ankle support
Hat and gloves
Snacks and water

Good to know

Full day tour, about 13–13.5 hours
Minimum age 8, accompanied by an adult
Minimum shoe size EU 35, for fitting crampons
Easy to moderate: the glacier hike is on uneven, sometimes icy ground
Reynisfjara has dangerous waves; stay well back from the water
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

Questions people ask

Do I need glacier hiking experience?

No. All gear is included and the guide teaches you to use crampons safely.

Is this a long day?

Yes, about 13 hours including driving, so bring snacks and something to pass the time on the bus.

Is it safe at Reynisfjara?

Stay well back from the water. Waves here can be unpredictable and dangerous.

What shoe size do I need for crampons?

EU 35 or larger.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

Excellent Tour to the South Coast

We had the absolutely best experience on this tour to the South of Iceland. The waterfalls are even more beautiful than in the photos and I really loved the black sand beach and the cliffs that come out from the sea. Our tour guide was very friendly and when I was the big buses I was so happy that I chose this small group tour to travel with.

Oliver S. · October 2023

From24,990 ISKPer person