How far is Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík?

About 160 km, or around 2 hours by car on the Ring Road.

How long is the Sólheimajökull glacier hike?

Most guided hikes take about 3 to 3.5 hours in total, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the ice.

Can I walk on Sólheimajökull without a guide?

You can walk the path to the edge of the glacier, but you should never go onto the ice without a certified guide and proper equipment.

Is the glacier hike difficult?

It is moderate. You need to be able to walk for a few hours on uneven ground with some short, steep sections.

What is the minimum age for a glacier hike?

Usually around 8 to 10 years, depending on the operator.

When is the best time for a glacier hike in Iceland?

It is possible all year. Winter has cleaner blue ice and fewer people; summer has milder weather and long days.

Can I combine a glacier hike with the South Coast waterfalls?

Yes. Sólheimajökull is between Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, so it fits naturally into a South Coast day.

Can your driver take us to our glacier hike?

Yes. Book our private South Coast tour and tell us the time of your hike; we plan the day around it.

Places to visit

Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike: The Complete Guide from Reykjavík

Drive Reykjavik team · 5 min read · October 2026

Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue that flows down from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap on Iceland's South Coast. It is about two hours' drive from Reykjavík, right next to the Ring Road, which makes it the most popular place in the country for a first glacier hike.

Walking on a glacier is not like hiking a mountain path. With crampons on your boots and a guide reading the ice, you cross ridges, look into deep crevasses and see ice that has been compressed for centuries. This guide explains how it works and how to fit it into your day.

Sólheimajökull at a glance

Location: South Coast, between Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, about 160 km from Reykjavík.
Drive from Reykjavík: around 2 hours each way.
Typical guided hike: about 3 to 3.5 hours in total, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the ice.
Season: all year. Summer is milder; winter has fewer people and sharper blue ice.
Minimum age: usually from around 8 to 10 years, depending on the operator.
Equipment provided: crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness.
Never without a guide: crevasses and moulins make the glacier dangerous for unguided walkers.

A group of hikers in colourful jackets walking in a line on the ice of Sólheimajökull glacier — A guided group on Sólheimajökull. The guide chooses a safe route across the ice every day.

What the hike is like

Tours start at the parking area at the end of a short road from the Ring Road. From there you walk on a gravel path along the glacial lagoon to the edge of the ice. The glacier has retreated a lot in recent decades, so the walk to the ice has become longer over the years, and the change itself is one of the most striking things you see.

At the ice, the guide fits your crampons and explains how to walk with them. Then you climb gently onto the glacier, following the guide in a line. You see ice ridges, deep cracks, sinkholes called moulins and layers of black ash from eruptions of Katla, the volcano beneath the ice cap.

Pace: slow and steady, with stops for explanations and photos.
Difficulty: moderate. You need to be able to walk for a few hours on uneven ground and some short, steep sections.
Group size: depends on the operator; small-group and private guided hikes are available.

Best time of year

Summer (June to August): mild temperatures and long days, but more people and some grey, ash-covered ice.
Autumn and spring: a good balance of conditions and crowds.
Winter (November to March): fewer visitors, cleaner blue ice and sometimes snow on the glacier. Daylight is short, so book a late morning hike.

What to wear and bring

Hiking boots with ankle support. Many operators rent boots if yours are not suitable.
Waterproof jacket and trousers, even on a sunny day; the wind on the glacier is cold.
Warm layers: thermal base layer and a fleece or wool sweater.
Gloves and a hat; sunglasses and sunscreen, because the ice reflects sunlight.
Water and a snack for the hike.

A single hiker standing on the grey and white ice of a glacier in Iceland under a dramatic sky — On the ice the landscape is surprisingly varied: ash-streaked ridges, blue cracks and wide views.

Safety on the glacier

Glaciers move and change. Crevasses can be hidden under snow, and the meltwater holes called moulins can be very deep. Accidents happen when people walk onto the ice in trainers without a guide. Stay on the walking path to the edge of the ice unless you are on a guided tour, and always follow your guide's instructions.

Getting to Sólheimajökull from Reykjavík

The glacier is about two hours from Reykjavík by car, on the Ring Road towards Vík. The guided hikes start at fixed times, so arriving on time matters. You can drive yourself, join a bus tour that includes the hike, or go with a private driver who plans the day around your hike time.

Our private South Coast tour passes Sólheimajökull on the way to Vík. Tell us the time of your glacier hike when you book, and your driver plans the stops around it. Want the whole coast? See the South Coast and Jökulsárlón tour.

South Coast & Vík

Seljalandsfoss · Skógafoss · Reynisfjara · Vík

Car

1–4 people

125,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

160,000 kr

Book this tour

Private tours with Drive Reykjavik

We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík. Our tours are private for your group, with hotel pick-up, a fixed price per car and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The South Coast tour costs 125,000 kr per car for 1 to 4 people and 160,000 kr per van for 5 to 7.

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