Solheimajokull Blue Ice Cave & 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.

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

This unforgettable adventure will test your strength skills, as you’ll be climbing 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 definitely 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.

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.

Join 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.

This unique expedition takes you to the Katla Ice Cave, a stunning, year-round feature in the volcanic outlets of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, beneath the powerful Katla volcano.

The adventure starts in Vík at our meeting point, "Troll Expeditions Katla Ice Cave" (lobby of The Vik Inn). Our facility offers free parking. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure. Your highly qualified English-speaking guide will check you in and provide any pre-booked rental gear (waterproof clothing or boots).

Next, you will board our specialized 4x4 Super-Jeep for a thrilling 40-minute ride into the wilderness. The scenic drive includes a view of Mt. Hafursey, a mountain famously used as a film location. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating facts about the Katla volcano, its eruptions, and the unique geology of South Iceland.

The Super-Jeep ride ends at a black ash desert, where you will start an easy, 20-minute walk toward the cave. The hike is on an uneven, sandy path, offering breathtaking views of ash-covered glaciers and moss-covered mountains—a truly otherworldly scene.

At the cave entrance, your guide will provide all safety gear, including helmets, headlamps, and crampons, along with a safety briefing. You will then ascend a small slope to step onto the glacier ice for the first time. Inside the cave, you will explore its mesmerizing colors and formations, crossing small bridges and witnessing the striking combination of ash layers and blue ice. Your guide will ensure you have time for photos and to simply enjoy the magnificent environment.

The entire experience lasts approximately 3 hours (including the 40-minute drive each way). You will then enjoy a relaxing Super-Jeep ride back to our meeting point in Vík.

Join an adventure tour to experience the majestic features of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, in the Skaftafell area. The highlight of this tour is the chance to enter a naturally formed blue ice cave, offering a stunning view of crystalized ice. During the guided glacier walk on Falljökull, you will also explore other breathtaking ice formations, including deep crevasses (cracks in the ice) and vertical shafts known as moulins. This expedition allows you to witness the dramatic, carved landscapes of the glacier and learn about its continuous change.

This adventure offers a direct encounter with one of Iceland's most spectacular natural phenomena: a glacier and its crystal blue ice cave. The tour takes place on Falljökull, an accessible outlet glacier of Vatnajökull National Park in Southeast Iceland.

The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.

After gearing up, you will walk for approximately 20 minutes toward the glacier's edge. Along the way, your guide will point out the visible effects of the receding ice, such as marks on the bedrock and a meltwater lagoon. Once at the ice, your guide will provide a full safety briefing and instruct you on how to walk safely with your equipment.

You will spend about 3 hours hiking on the glacier, exploring the uniquely carved landscapes of the Falljökull outlet. Your guide will lead you to the most magnificent parts of the ice, including fascinating geological formations like deep crevasses and moulins. The most memorable part of the tour is the opportunity to walk inside the naturally formed blue ice cave, giving you an up-close look at the dazzling blue ice. Throughout the excursion, you will learn about the formation and geology of glaciers and their constant change.After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.