Glacier Discovery - 4-hour Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike
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Check out Our ReviewsDiscover the frozen marvels: Join our guided Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull.
4 hours•Languages: English
Join this guided glacier hike and explore the beautiful, icy wonderland of Iceland’s Sólheimajökull Glacier. Enjoy the fresh air, interesting shapes and hues of the ice and marvel at the vast and remote slice of south Iceland. Led by an expert guide, get up close and personal with one of the country's most famous glaciers!
Hiking on a glacier is the best way to experience the unique geology of Iceland. This isn’t something you can do just anywhere! An expert, professional guide will lead you on a guided, informative glacier hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier.
After meeting your certified glacier guide at our Sólheimajökull Base Camp, by Sólheimajökull Glacier, you will be fitted with the appropriate gear (crampons, an ice axe and harness) and you will be briefed about safety and then head off for your Glacier Hike
Your certified glacier guide takes you through a frozen wonderland of different tones and shapes of glacier ice. The spectacular colours of the ice can be white, blue or crystal clear.
You will safely view deep crevasses and meltwater pools, and you will have plenty of photo opportunities. Additionally, your expert guide will share their knowledge about the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, how they form and how these icy giants are connected with the surrounding volcanoes and mountains.
Once on the ice, this is a straightforward, guided walk suitable for most fitness levels — no glacier experience needed. Getting there and back is the part to prepare for: the route covers roughly 7 km with about 350 m of elevation change, out and back along the same path. Both legs are walked at a steady, purposeful pace so the group has plenty of time on the glacier itself, and the return includes a climb of its own before the final hike back. The route rewards the effort: expect sweeping views over the glacial valley and out toward the coast, with the glacier itself opening up into ridges, crevasses, and blue-tinged formations you won’t find from the car park.
We recommend this tour for guests who are reasonably active and comfortable with sustained, brisk walking on uneven ground. It will be a longer, more demanding hike for young children or anyone who doesn’t hike regularly.
All necessary glacier equipment is provided, but clients must be fit enough for the activity they are participating in and must be dressed and geared up according to weather conditions.
TourID: AG101
Activity provider: Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia
Sólheimajökull Base Camp
Need to know
This tour involves a roughly 7 km round-trip access hike with about 350 m of elevation change, walked at a steady pace — including a climb on the return leg, when legs are most tired. It's best suited to guests who are reasonably active and comfortable with sustained walking on uneven terrain.
Your certified guide will walk you through the terrain, duration and physical demands on-site. If at any point you'd rather not continue, you can turn back safely at the halfway viewpoint.
Before we head to the glacier for the tour we need to get everyone fitted with the equipment, crampons and harnesses. The crampons need to be adjusted to each person's shoe size, so it is important that people arrive 20 minutes before so everyone is ready at the departure time.
See our Difficulty Levels guide for how we grade all Icelandia tours.
Requirements
- Hiking boots. You can rent a pair at the base camp
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- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Included
- Experienced and qualified glacier guide
- Glacier gear
- Safety equipment
Not included
- Rain gear (optional bookable extra)
- Hiking boots (optional bookable extra)
- Warm clothing (optional bookable extra)
- Snacks and drinks
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
Some meeting points don't have traditional addresses as they are parking lots or or mountain base camps in remote areas or, but you can always find these locations on Google Maps and see directions on the map above.
Before we head to the glacier for the tour, we need to get everyone fitted with the equipment (protective overalls, helmets and goggles for snowmobile tours, crampons and harnesses for glacier hikes, dry suit for kayak touts, etc.). Some equipment needs to be adjusted to each person's, so people must arrive 30 minutes before so everyone is ready at the departure time.
We always recommend booking as soon as you are ready, especially if you have a strict travel schedule or a large group. Changing or cancelling your tour is easy and free of charge until 24 hours before departure by emailing us (info@mountainguides.is). Tours can also be purchased on the day of as long as spaces are available.
The Glacier is at the same elevation of the Base and the carpark, if you feel ok there you feel good on the glacier too. Just bring an extra layer in case.
It takes about 20 minutes to walk towards the glacier on an easy path. Only in the last few minutes does the wide and flat path become narrower and slightly steep, but it's manageable for most people.
Which Glacier Hike to Choose at Sólheimajökull
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