Sólheimajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour from Reykjavik

Walk onto the ice with a guide who teaches you how to move safely across crevasses and towering formations.

This small-group glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, led by a certified guide, takes you onto the ice with professional equipment (helmet, harness, ice axe and crampons) included. The tour departs from Reykjavik (2.5 hours' drive south on Route 1), meets at the Sólheimajökull parking lot, and lasts 3 hours on the glacier itself. Children from age 10 can participate. Proper hiking boots with ankle support are required (rentals available on site for €13).

Step-by-step itinerary

Glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull

• Meet at Sólheimajokull parking lot
• Drive from Reykjavik to glacier
• Receive glacier equipment and guidance
• Hike on Sólheimajökull glacier
• Explore ice formations and crevasses
• Ask questions and take photos

The experience

Sólheimajökull is one of Iceland's most accessible outlet glaciers, and this tour puts you on it with a guide who handles the safety setup so you can focus on the landscape. You'll wear crampons, a harness, helmet and ice axe, all provided, and learn the footwork needed to walk safely across the ice. The guide points out deep crevasses, towering ice formations and the way the glacier shifts and changes year to year, so you understand what you're standing on and why the equipment matters.

The small group size (the operator does not state a maximum, but emphasizes it stays intimate) means you're not moving in a line of thirty. You'll have time to ask questions about how glaciers form, why this one is retreating, what the blue ice means, and to take photos without feeling rushed. The guide speaks English, and some departures are bilingual in English and Spanish, so check which language fits your group when you book.

The drive from Reykjavik takes 2.5 hours along Route 1 down the south coast, then a short turn onto Route 221 to the parking lot. Bring or rent proper hiking boots: the crampons need solid ankle support and sturdy soles to attach securely, so sneakers and soft shoes won't work. If you don't have boots, rentals are available on site. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy, but it suits all other fitness levels.

What’s included

• Certified glacier guide leading the hike in English (bilingual English and Spanish on select departures).
• all required safety equipment including helmet, harness, ice axe and crampons.
• professional instruction on how to walk safely on the ice.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Nordur Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, and some departures are bilingual in English and Spanish. Choose the language option that matches your group when you book. The small group size keeps the pace personal and gives you room to ask questions and take photos without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this glacier hike if I've never hiked before?

Yes. Sólheimajökull is designed for first-time glacier hikers, and the certified guide teaches you how to walk safely on the ice as part of the tour. The operator rates it suitable for all physical fitness levels, so experience is not required: only the willingness to follow the guide's instructions on the ice.

What's the difference between the ice on this glacier and regular snow?

Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier, which means it's a river of ice flowing down from the larger ice cap. The ice is dense, blue in places, and constantly shifting. It contains deep crevasses that the guide will show you and teach you to navigate safely. The landscape changes year to year as the glacier retreats.

Do I need to bring my own hiking boots, or can I rent them there?

Hiking boots are required because the crampons need solid ankle support and sturdy soles to attach securely. If you don't have suitable boots, rentals are available on site for €13 per pair. Sneakers and soft shoes won't work for this activity.

How long is the drive from Reykjavik, and where do we meet?

The drive is approximately 2.5 hours from Reykjavik down Route 1 along the south coast, then a short turn onto Route 221. You'll meet at the Sólheimajökull parking lot, which is the starting point for the glacier hike.

Is this tour available in languages other than English?

The tour is led in English. On some departures, the guide speaks both English and Spanish, making the tour bilingual. Check the available departures when you book to find a bilingual option if you need it.