Solheimajokull 4-Hour Glacier Hike Adventure
Tour Description
Join a 4-hour guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap on Iceland’s South Coast. Located approximately 2.5 hours by car from Reykjavík, Sólheimajökull is a practical choice for travelers who want to experience glacier hiking without a highly technical or strenuous route. The minimum age for this tour is 8 years.
A key feature of this tour is the new access route to the glacier. The approach now involves a 2.3 km walk each way, compared with the previous 1 km route. Most of the path is relatively even, but the final section near the glacier access becomes steeper and more challenging. The longer route passes through a less-visited and previously untouched part of the surrounding landscape, making the walk to the glacier an important part of the experience rather than simply an approach to the ice.
You will meet your certified English-speaking guide at the Sólheimajökull parking area. The walk toward the glacier passes a small glacier lagoon, where icebergs can sometimes be seen. Once at the ice, your guide will fit your crampons and explain how to walk safely on the glacier.
During the glacier hike, you can see crevasses, ice formations, volcanic material, and moulins, which are channels formed by meltwater. Your guide will explain the glacier’s geology, its connection to Katla volcano, and the visible effects of climate change.
Required safety equipment, including a harness, helmet, crampons, and ice axe, is provided. Good ankle-supporting hiking shoes are required and can be rented if needed.
Weather conditions can affect the difficulty of the new route. Rain may make the walk more demanding, particularly for travelers who are not accustomed to hiking in wet conditions.
Sólheimajökull
All Year
4 Hours
Meet on location
Medium
Highlight Of The Tour
What’s Included
Available Add-ons
Rent a jacket to keep you dry
Rent pants to keep you dry.
Rent shoes for keeping your ankles safe to prevent injuries
Buy our Troll Beanie and Gloves to feel part of our winter Trolls and keep you warm in the Icelandic cold
Buy our Troll Neck-warmer to feel part of our winter Trolls and and protect your face from cold wind
Buy our Troll Summer Cap to feel part of our Summer Trolls and protect yourself from the sun
Frequently Asked Questions
- Warm clothes
- Inner layer – Shirt / T-shirt (wool or synthetic)
- Insulating layer – Polyester Sweater / Fleece Sweater / Insulated Down Jacket
- Outer layer – Waterproof jacket and pants (can be rented from Tröll)
- Hiking pants / fleece pants
- Socks (wool / hiking)
- Hiking / Climbing boots (boots need to have an ankle support to protect your ankle from potential sprains while hiking; Tröll has boots rental at location if needed)
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small water bottle
- Joy & happiness!
- Jeans are not recommended for glacier activities. Once it gets wet, it takes a long time to dry, leaving you cold. Select extras (shoes, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants) during checkout, or rent them out at the meeting point directly with our guides.
- All day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours from the departure time by sending a written email to info@troll.is. You will receive a full refund except the card fee for any sort of cancelled bookings. All cancellations requested less than 24 hours from the departure time are non refundable.
The minimum age for this tour is 8 years, and the minimum shoe size to be able to participate in the tour is EU 34
Medium Clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in. They must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions
- Up to 6 months pregnant: You may join at your own discretion. You should assess your physical condition and comfort with walking on crampons for extended periods. Our guides will explain the expected duration and terrain to help you decide if you're fit to participate.
- After 7 months pregnant: Glacier hikes are not recommended or permitted for safety reasons.
- The meeting point is at our bus 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.
- 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.
- Driving time to Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík is around 2,5 hours in good road conditions. Restrooms are available at the parking lot.
- All-day tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours from the departure time by sending a written email to info@troll.is. You will receive a full refund except the 3% card fee. All changes and 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.
You Might Also Like
This tour provides a comprehensive exploration of the Sólheimajökull glacier, an accessible outlet of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Highlights include viewing millennia-old blue ice, safely gazing into glacier moulins (vertical ice shafts), and witnessing the contrast of ice against volcanic ash from the underlying Katla volcano. All necessary equipment, including crampons and safety gear, is provided by certified guides, ensuring a safe and informative encounter with this massive natural phenomenon.
Sólheimajökull
Meet on location
Easy to moderate
3 HoursThis private tour combines a guided hike with the specialized activity of ice climbing on the Sólheimajökull glacier. Highlights include climbing a crevasse ice wall using safety ropes and twin ice axes, witnessing the dramatic crevasses and volcanic ash remnants on the ice, and exploring glacial features like moulins (ice tunnels). All technical gear, including stiff climbing boots, harness, crampons, and ice axes, is provided by certified guides.
Sólheimajökull Meet on location Medium 4 HoursJoin an extraordinary journey to the majestic Katla Ice Cave under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. This remote adventure takes you through a unique landscape of volcanic black sand and towering, mossy mountains. The highlight is the chance to walk inside the natural blue ice cave, where you'll witness the stunning colors and shapes created by volcanic ash and ice. As you travel, you'll be treated to a scenic drive with a view of Mt. Hafursey, a famous filming location from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The tour includes a thrilling Super-Jeep ride and a discovery of "Dragon-Glass" while exploring a remote, off-the-beaten-path location that is one of Iceland's best-kept secrets.
Vik 3 Hours Easy
All YearThis tour is a medium-difficulty adventure combining a guided hike with the specialized activity of ice climbing on the Sólheimajökull glacier. Highlights include climbing a crevasse ice wall using safety ropes and twin ice axes, witnessing the dramatic crevasses and volcanic ash remnants on the ice, and exploring glacial features like moulins (ice tunnels). All technical gear, including stiff climbing boots, harness, crampons, and ice axes, is provided by certified guides.
Sólheimajökull Meet on location Medium 4 Hours