Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavík

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/30

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

You climb an ice wall on your first glacier, with a guide holding the rope.

Hike and ice climb on Sólheimajökull Glacier in a small group of up to 8 with a certified English-speaking guide, all safety gear provided, and optional introductory climbing for beginners. Departing from Reykjavík, the tour includes pickup, sightseeing stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and a moderate 5.5-hour day on the South Coast. No prior climbing or glacier experience required, though moderate fitness and hiking boots with ankle support are necessary.

The Experience

You leave Reykjavík in the morning and spend the drive south taking in two of Iceland's most recognizable waterfalls—Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss—before arriving at Sólheimajökull. The glacier itself sees far fewer visitors than Iceland's better-known ice fields, which means the experience feels less like a queue and more like an actual expedition. Your guide is certified in both glacier travel and ice climbing, and the group stays under 8 people, so instruction is direct and paced to where you actually are.

Once on the ice, you get crampons, an ice axe, helmet and harness—everything fitted and explained. The hike crosses the glacier's working terrain: crevasses, ridges, sections of vivid blue ice that shift year to year. The optional ice climbing happens after, on a frozen wall where the guide sets up the rope and walks you through the footwork and hand placement. Beginners do this all the time; the guide's job is to make it feel possible, not to perform. You're climbing, not watching someone else climb. Hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory, and the terrain is uneven with moderate elevation—plan on moving across roughly 8 kilometers over the day.

The tour runs 5.5 hours total. If you're booking from Reykjavík, pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, so you don't rent a car or navigate to the trailhead yourself. If you're already in the area and want to meet at the glacier parking lot instead, that option exists too. All the safety gear is provided; you bring sturdy clothes, waterproof layers, and the right boots. Minimum age is 14, and crampons come in sizes 35–50 EU shoe size—worth confirming before you book if you're outside that range.

What’s included

Introductory ice climbing (optional).
all necessary glacier safety gear including harness, helmet, crampons and ice axe.
English-speaking certified glacier guide.
guided hike across Sólheimajökull Glacier.
Reykjavík hotel pickup and drop-off (from Reykjavík option only).
sightseeing stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls (from Reykjavík option only).

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arctic Adventures

Is this one for you?Book from Reykjavík if you want the full South Coast experience without renting a car—the waterfalls and glacier fit into one morning, and the guide handles all the driving. Meet at the glacier if you're already exploring the area and want to skip the waterfall stops and longer travel time.