Most reviewed here
Meets at the glacier
A half day on Sólheimajökull, 15 people at most
For a first hike: by far the most reviews on this glacier, and the operator says you need no experience.
Sólheimajökull glacier hike
5 hikes compared from €93, with the longer walk to the ice since summer 2026, and what each operator says about it.
- From
- €93
- Duration
- 2 h 30 to 4 h
- Best season
- All year, say the operators
- Walk to the ice
- 2.3 km each way, says Troll
Has the Sólheimajökull hike changed?
Yes: since summer 2026 you walk further to reach the ice.
In July 2026 the ice ridge that led to the glacier thinned and became unstable, and operators stopped to look for safer routes. Troll now gives 2.3 km each way, against 1 km before, and Arctic Adventures goes through a moss-covered valley. South.is also says the distance has grown.
Safetravel's page still said on 6 November that trips were cancelled. No source we read says that tours have resumed, and pauses are decided day by day. Confirm with your operator before you travel.
What does each operator say about the walk?
They don't all say the same, so read the page of the tour you book.
Troll Expeditions
2.3 km each way, mostly even, with a steeper and harder last section. Rain makes it more demanding.
Arctic Adventures
A hike through a moss-covered valley, about 6 km in all. Up to 6 km over uneven ground with a moderate climb, on its day tour.
Glaciers and Waterfalls
About 6 km in all and 230 m of climb on its day tour. It warns that routes and distances can change. 35 minutes each way on its meet-on-site hike.
David The Guide
A walk around the glacier lagoon. Its page gives no distance.
Icelandia
Its page still speaks of a short walk to the glacier's edge. Ask how far it is now.
Which Sólheimajökull hike should you book?
The most reviewed for a first hike, the shortest if you are pressed for time.
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Hike, meet at the glacier
5 hikes from €93. For a day tour with pickup, see from Reykjavik.
Lowest price here
Base camp with restrooms
3.5 hours from a base camp, with hot drinks
For the lowest price on this glacier, with hot drinks at a base camp and 12 people at most.
Says how far
Meets at the glacier
Three hours with coffee and chocolates
For the clearest account of the walk: 2.3 km each way, and steeper at the end.
10 people at most
Meets at the glacier
Four hours, 10 people at most
For a smaller group on the same half day, at a price close to the others.
Shortest
Meets at the glacier
Two and a half hours, one of them on the ice
For the shortest hike here: 2.5 hours, with 1 hour on the ice in its itinerary.
Hike and ice climbing
3 tours from €166.
Most reviewed climb here
On site or from Reykjavik
A hike and an intro to ice climbing, on site or from Reykjavik
For a first climb: the most reviews on this glacier, no experience needed, it says, and transport from Reykjavik if you want it.
Lowest price with climbing
Base camp with restrooms
A hike and ice climbing, 6 people at most
For the lowest price with ice climbing on this site, in a group of 6 at most.
5 people at most
Meets at the glacier
Four hours of beginner ice climbing, 5 people at most
For a morning given to the climbing itself, in a very small group, at beginner level, it says.
Without stepping on the ice
A guided walk for those who can't or don't want to go further.
No ice
For every age
A guided walk to the glacier's edge, without the ice
For children under 8, or anyone who prefers to stay off the ice: a guide, hot drinks, and no minimum age.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hike, meet at the glacier | ||||||
Most reviewed hereA half day on Sólheimajökull, 15 people at mostArctic AdventuresReaching the ice: Through a moss-covered valley, about 6 km for the whole hikeGroup size: Up to 15 peopleBoots: To rent, 1,500 ISKSeason: All year, says Arctic AdventuresKeep in mind: About 6 km for the whole hike. Boots cost 1,500 ISK to rent. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 4 h | The yellow Arctic Adventures bus, Sólheimajökull parking lot | 8 years | €96 | See dates: A half day on Sólheimajökull, 15 people at most | |
Lowest price here3.5 hours from a base camp, with hot drinksIcelandia (Icelandic Mountain Guides)Reaching the ice: Its page still says “a short walk”Group size: Up to 12 peopleBoots: Boots and rain gear to rent on siteKeep in mind: Each adult may bring only one young person. Its page still speaks of a short walk: ask how far it is now. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h 30 | Icelandic Mountain Guides base camp, Sólheimajökull | €93 | See dates: 3.5 hours from a base camp, with hot drinks | ||
Three hours with coffee and chocolatesTroll ExpeditionsReaching the ice: 2.3 km each way, against 1 km before, about 30 minutes in its itineraryGroup size: Up to 12 peopleBoots: Ankle-supporting shoes required, to rent if neededKeep in mind: Its header says 3 hours, its text 4. Rain makes the route harder. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Tröll Expeditions, Sólheimajökulsvegur | 8 years | €104 | See dates: Three hours with coffee and chocolates | |
Four hours, 10 people at mostDavid The GuideReaching the ice: Around the glacier lagoon, says its pageGroup size: Up to 10 peopleBoots: Required: ask the operator if you need to rentKeep in mind: Bring hiking boots: sports shoes may not fit the crampons. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 4 h | Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot, road 221 | 8 years | €108 | See dates: Four hours, 10 people at most | |
Two and a half hours, one of them on the iceGlaciers and WaterfallsTime on the ice: 1 hour in its itineraryReaching the ice: 35 minutes each way in its itineraryKeep in mind: From age 10, and 95 kg at most. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h 30 | Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot, road 221 | 10 years | €94 | See dates: Two and a half hours, one of them on the ice | |
| Hike and ice climbing | ||||||
A hike and an intro to ice climbing, on site or from ReykjavikArctic AdventuresReaching the ice: Up a moss-covered valley, to reach the glacier from aboveGroup size: Up to 8 or 19 people, depending on the optionKeep in mind: From age 14. You reach the glacier from above, up a moss-covered valley. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 5 h 30 | The yellow Arctic Adventures bus, Sólheimajökull parking lot, or Reykjavik | 14 years | €188 | See dates: A hike and an intro to ice climbing, on site or from Reykjavik | |
A hike and ice climbing, 6 people at mostIcelandia (Icelandic Mountain Guides)Group size: Up to 6 peopleEffort: “Moderately difficult” ice climbing, says its pageKeep in mind: From age 14, with few reviews so far. It calls the climbing moderately difficult. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 5 h | Icelandic Mountain Guides base camp, Sólheimajökull | 14 years | €166 | See dates: A hike and ice climbing, 6 people at most | |
Four hours of beginner ice climbing, 5 people at mostnorth iceGroup size: 5 people at most, 2 at leastEffort: Beginner or introduction level, says its pageKeep in mind: It needs at least two participants to run. Transport and rain gear are not included. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Not suitable with
| 4 h | Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot | €250 | See dates: Four hours of beginner ice climbing, 5 people at most | ||
| Without stepping on the ice | ||||||
A guided walk to the glacier's edge, without the iceArctic AdventuresReaching the ice: 2.5 to 3 km on mostly flat, partly uneven pathsEffort: Rated easy by Arctic Adventures, no minimum ageKeep in mind: You don't step on the glacier. Parking is extra, and the path doesn't suit strollers. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | The yellow Arctic Adventures bus, Sólheimajökull parking lot | €67 | See dates: A guided walk to the glacier's edge, without the ice | ||
How does the Sólheimajökull hike work?
You walk to the ice, put on crampons, and follow a guide for about an hour.
Times vary by operator: here is what their pages say.
Meet at the car park
Arctic Adventures' yellow bus is the meeting point for its hikes; arrive 10 minutes early. Icelandia asks for 20 minutes on its climbing tour.
Walk to the ice
30 minutes each way with Troll, 35 with Glaciers and Waterfalls. The itinerary of Glaciers and Waterfalls adds 20 minutes for the safety briefing.
Put on your crampons
Troll fits them at the ice and explains how to walk safely. Helmet, harness and ice axe are provided.
Follow the guide
About 1 to 1.5 hours on the glacier, says Arctic Adventures of its day tour, among crevasses, moulins and ice formations.
Who can do the Sólheimajökull hike?
From age 8 with most operators, if you can walk on uneven ground.
Age
8 with Arctic Adventures, Troll and David The Guide, 10 with Glaciers and Waterfalls, 14 on most climbing tours.
Effort
Arctic Adventures says it suits adventurous beginners with a reasonable level of fitness. Glaciers and Waterfalls says you need no experience, but that the approach climbs over uneven ground.
Boots
Troll requires ankle-supporting shoes, which you can rent. David The Guide warns that sports shoes may not fit the crampons.
Weight
Glaciers and Waterfalls' hike isn't suitable above 95 kg. The other pages give no limit.
Families
Icelandia says each adult may bring only one young person.
Too young
Arctic Adventures' walk to the edge, from €67, has no minimum age, and children need an adult with them. It covers 2.5 to 3 km.
How long are you on the ice?
About an hour to an hour and a half, on an outing of 2.5 to 4 hours.
The itinerary of Glaciers and Waterfalls gives 1 hour of hiking, with 35 minutes' walk each way and 20 minutes of briefing. Arctic Adventures says about 1 to 1.5 hours on the glacier on its day tour.
Sólheimajökull is an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull that responds quickly to climate change, says South.is. Its lagoon is about 60 m deep, says Arctic Adventures, and icebergs on it come and go.
How long is the hike to Sólheimajökull glacier?
30 to 35 minutes each way in two itineraries.
Older pages still say 10 to 15 minutes.
How much is a Sólheimajökull glacier hike?
From €93 at the glacier, per person. With ice climbing, from €166. A day tour from Reykjavik starts at €170.
How difficult is the Sólheimajökull glacier hike?
Troll says the path is mostly even, with a steeper last section, and that rain makes it harder. Glaciers and Waterfalls gives about 230 m of climb. Neither asks for experience.
Is Sólheimajökull closed?
Public authorities and most operators agreed in July 2026 to keep access open. Tours can be paused on a given day.
What the authorities sayCan you drive to Sólheimajökull glacier?
To the car park, by road 221, a gravel road about 5 km long. From there you walk.
Parking and accessHow far is Sólheimajökull from Reykjavik?
About 2.5 hours by car, says Troll, and about 158 km, says Arctic Adventures. Icelandia puts its meeting point 25 minutes' drive from Vík.
Day tours from ReykjavikCan you do a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull in winter?
Arctic Adventures says hikes run all year. Glacier Guides warns that the road in can be very difficult in winter, and strongly recommends a pickup.
Still choosing?
Compare it with Skaftafell, or take a day tour.