Solheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
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.
Duration
4 hours
Highlights
✓ Hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier ✓ Climbing an ice wall ✓ Views of Ice Formations ✓ Small Group Experience
Included
✓ Free parking ✓ All necessary glacier equipment ✓ Hiking boots ✓ English speaking certified glacier guide
Tour Description
Challenge yourself on your trip to Iceland and experience natural wonders that look like they are out of this planet while doing good workout in the fresh air of the Icelandic mountains. Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, the 4th biggest glacier in Iceland and looks like you are walking on the moon. Climb a wall of ice mixed with volcanic ash from eruptions.
The tour begins when you meet your guide in the Sólheimajökull parking lot and get all necessary equipment for the hike: crampons, ice axes, harnesses, helmets and climbing boots. Then you will hike for about 15 minutes to the glacier where your guide will explain to you how to put on the crampons and the safety rules for the tour.
Since the glacier is impermanent and ever changing your guide often has to scout out each time a new crevasse or moulin for your climbing session, avoiding the potential crowds on the glacier as well. Your guide will install massive ice screw and attach a safety rope before you climb up the ice wall or rappel into a crevasse and climb up again. This will be an adventure of a lifetime.
You will also spend some time hiking on the glacier to see the ice formations in the area such as crevasses, deep cracks in the surface of the glacier, and so called moulins, often vertical shafts in the ice which are formed by melting water finding it’s way into fissures and cracks. In the wintertime, it is often possible to peek into small ice tunnels and capture the beautiful blue heart of the ice.
You will stay about 3 hours on the glacier itself.
General Information
All year
14:00
About 4 hours
Moderate
6
12 years old
✓ Certified Glacier Guide
✓ Small Group
✓ Glacier equipment: hiking boots, helmet, ice axe, headlamp, and crampons
• Warm clothes (first layer)
• Waterproof outdoor clothing (second layer)
• Gloves and hat
• Joy and happiness!
• Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities. Once it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, leaving you cold.
• All day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours from the departure time with the full price refunded by sending an email to [email protected] All cancellations requested less than 24 hours from the departure time are non refundable.
• In the case of cancellation of the tour by the operator because of extreme weather, road conditions or other factors, we will assist you with rebooking to another date or booking other activities when possible, or provide a full refund.
Photos
Meeting Point
We highly recommend that you arrive at our meeting point 20 minutes before the departure time stated on your ticket. Please note that if you arrive after departure time, your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed or refunded.
The meeting point is at our trailer marked Tröll Expeditions in the parking lot of Sólheimajökull. You can look up “Troll Expeditions Sólheimajökull” on Google Maps to find the exact location and driving directions.
Driving time to Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík is around o Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík is around 2,5 hours in good road conditions. If you arrive early, you can use the restrooms.
Click on the map for the exact location and directions.
FAQ
What should I wear for glacier tours?
Weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. For tours during winter: warm clothing as first layer, waterproof outdoor jacket and pants, hiking boots with high ankle protection, a hat and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket and pants is in most cases enough protection. Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”. Jeans are not recommended for outdoor trips as they become very heavy and cold when they get wet.
Do I need hiking boots?
Hiking boots are included in our ice climbing tours.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. You have to be able to walk for about an hour up and down on slopes and uneven surface. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance for some areas of the glacier. We also recommend you remember that we offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be hiking with a professional and certified glacier guide. If you have specific questions regarding one of our glacier tours, feel free to email us.
If I am pregnant, can I join a glacier hike?
This is a personal choice. We always recommend you read the description of the activity to get a better idea. In any case, feel free to contact our Service Team for further questions and concerns.
How does weather affect my tour?
Wind and rain are common in Iceland, in addition to snow in the winter, but we do not let challenging weather stop us from going out and enjoy nature. All we need to do is choose our clothing wisely, which is why we recommend wearing waterproof jacket and pants as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority, in case of extreme weather or road conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule your booking at a further date or provide a full refund.
Vik
4 hours
12
All Year
