We will meet at Sólheimajökull parking lot, where you will find our bus. On the location we will handle all the necessary glacier equipment – such as a harness, helmet, crampons & ice axes. It is important to bring good ankle support shoes with you (which are also possible to rent  for a good price). Once everyone is ready to go, we will start our unforgettable hike to the glacier!

On the way to the glacier we will see a glacier lagoon – a lagoon formed from the melting ice. It is also pretty common to see huge chunks of icebergs floating in the lagoon, if winds do not push them into the Atlantic Ocean.

Once we reach the glacier, we will stop to secure our crampons & other glacier gear. We will then start our hike onto one of Iceland’s most panoramic glaciers. We will be greeted by scenic crevasses, which are huge cracks on a glacier caused by movement of different blocks of ice.

On the top of the glacier we will be able to experience the world like never before:

• Moulins – the glacial tunnels
• Crevasses – chucks of splitting ice
• Volcanic remains from a volcano under the glacier
• And so much more.

Unfortunately, like all other glaciers in Iceland, Sólheimajökull is melting at a rapid pace. It is believed that the glacier will completely disappear within the next few decades.

The top of the glacier offers extremely beautiful views, and if the weather is nice, we will be able to see Iceland’s beautiful South Coast, fading away into the North Atlantic Ocean.

This unforgettable glacier hike is relatively easy and can be done by almost anybody. It is also possible to go ice climbing during the tour, however this must be booked on Sólheimajökull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike tour.

It is important to know that glaciers change constantly as huge amounts of ice melt each day. Therefore some new ice formations might appear, and some may disappear within hours.

Tie your hiking boots and put on your adventure hat because Sólheimajökull glacier will blow your mind. You'll feel like you have landed on the moon walking on ice and volcanic ash. We'll provide you with ice axes and basic ice climbing techniques for you to climb up as you rise from the ice wall of a glacier crevasse.

Spend your afternoon hiking & ice climbing on one of Iceland’s most iconic glaciers on this private tour!

This unforgettable adventure will test your strength skills, as you’ll climb an ice wall on the 4th largest glacier in Iceland. This activity is for enthusiasts who would like to explore the Icelandic glaciers to the fullest.

Overview

Sólheimajökull is one of the most visited glaciers in Iceland by ice climbing enthusiasts & professionals, as it offers spectacular ice walls, in a super location – just a few hours away from Reykjavík.

This fun activity will leave you with tons of adrenaline & unforgettable experiences.

We will meet near our meeting point in Sólheimajökull parking lot, where we will hand you all essential glacier gear – a harness, a helmet, an ice axe, & crampons (which are special equipment that go on your boots to prevent you from slipping on ice). During this tour we will also give you some extremely stiff climbing boots, which are necessary for ice climbing. 

Once everyone is geared up and ready to go, we will start our unforgettable adventure towards the mighty glacier. We will instantly be greeted by a large glacier lagoon, which has formed due to melting ice; together with some large icebergs, which can frequently be seen in the lagoon.

At the edge of the glacier, we will secure our gear, have a quick safety talk, and make our first steps on the ice. The first part of the hike on the glacier will be the most difficult yet exciting one, as we make our way through the large crevasses. After crevasses, we will be welcomed by absolutely phenomenal views from the top of the glacier.

Once we get used to using crampons, we will continue our hike to an ice wall, where we will set up the climbing ropes. We will attach the ropes to your harness, which will guarantee your safety at all times. With two climbing ice axes in your hands, you will be able to beat gravity & climb the greatest ice wall of all.

After climbing, we will go for a short hike around the glacier to explore:

• Moulins – the glacial tunnels
• Crevasses – chunks of splitting ice
• Volcanic ash from a volcano under the glacier and the beautiful sceneries from the top of the glacier, into the wild Iceland.

This fun & thrilling activity is suitable for everybody, however it is recommended to be in good shape. There is no need to have any previous experience in ice climbing –  we will take care of you, and give each individual on this tour a chance to shine.

A volcano under the glacier

An active Katla volcano can be found under the glacier, which has been sleeping since 1918. It is expected that the volcano will erupt within the next few decades, however it is completely safe to be in the area, as volcanoes in Iceland are closely monitored at all times.

Come and join us on this once-in-a lifetime-experience, a chance to explore Iceland’s largest glacier.

As glaciers continue melting at an alarming rate – roughly more than 1.2 trillion tons per year around the world, we would like to invite you to this unforgettable tour, where you will experience a rare phenomena of how half of our world used to look like, just 12 thousands years ago. 

Like all other glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull glacier continues to melt, which will eventually lose half of its current ice by the year 2100 (which currently covers 9% of Iceland). It is estimated that by 2200, most of the glacier ice in Iceland will be forever lost. 

Individual glacier outlets have already seen 15-50% of ice loss since the year 2000.

Contact us on info@troll.is if you wish to book a Private Tour

Your tour will start at Höf, where you will meet your highly qualified glacier guide, 20 minutes before departure. 

Once you arrive to the spot, your guide will provide you with all the necessary gear – crampons, a helmet, an ice axe, and footwear / rainwear (if needed).

Once geared up, you will start your journey towards the glacier. 

Due to large amounts of melted ice, it will take roughly 20 minutes (by walk) to reach the glacier. On the way, you will be able to see how the ice has deformed the bedrock, the moss line of the surrounding mountains will indicate where ice used to be just a few years ago, and a lagoon, where you’ll see the last remains of the melted ice.

Once you reach the glacier, your guide will teach you how to walk on ice, and after a quick safety talk, you’ll start your hike on the icy Falljökull glacier – one of the most magical yet mysterious outlets of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Falljökull outlet is different from other outlets due to the dramatically carved glacier landscapes, which you’ll be able to see while on the 3 hour hike. During the tour, your guide will take you to the most magnificent parts of the glacier –  such attractions include crevasses, moulins, glacier mice (a type of moss), massive ice falls, and sometimes ice caves.

Difficulty:

The hike is not technically hard, yet sometimes steep and rocky. Some physical strength is required and hiking experience is recommended.

Extra info:

The temperature on the glacier is just a few degrees colder than at the Skaftafell Terminal, however much more windy due to a higher elevation.

Please note that to reach the glacier embark point, a 15-minute shuttle bus ride is shared with other tour participants. This short transfer allows us to minimize our environmental impact and ensures efficient access to the stunning glacier landscapes.

Feel free to contact Tröll customer service for any questions on info@troll.is or call +354 519 5544

Wish you an unforgettable hike!

Join us for a walk on the glacier, one of Iceland's most popular outdoor activities. Hike into the magnificent ice world of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you stunning scenery and astonishing ice formations.

Let majestic features of the natural world amaze you. The scenery is fantastical as you will see all the ice formations in the area: deep crevasses, pale moulins, and even ice sculptures. The further we continue exploring, the more the beautiful will get the view. Since we are going to be so high up, we will be able to observe panoramas over Skaftafell National Park, that has gained fame in the last years for being the location for many films and shows. So do not wait anymore. Experience the wonders of glacier hiking in Skaftafell. Check availability by choosing a date.