Booking choice: The South Coast day with a glacier hike, from $195 per person. Check dates Tour details
Solheimajokull is an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull, about 165 km from Reykjavik, and the easiest glacier to reach on a day trip. The black streaks in it are ash layers from Katla. It is also shrinking fast: the ice edge has pulled back hundreds of metres since 2010, and a meltwater lagoon now fills the space in front of it.
That retreat changed the hike. You now walk a good way before you reach the ice. Here is what each tour gives you and what the day asks of your legs.
The quick answer
Three day tours from Reykjavik go on the ice: the Troll.is glacier hike tour ($195, 12 hours, ages 8 and up), the glacier hike and black beach day ($185, 11 hours, 10 and up, no Skogafoss listed) and the Wild tour with its 1.5-hour hike option (from $149 without, ages 10 and up). Crampons, harness, ice axe and helmet are provided. Expect a medium walk with a steep final section, and bring boots with ankle support or rent them.
Which tours from Reykjavik hike on Solheimajokull?
Three: the Troll.is South Coast and glacier hike tour, the glacier hike and black beach day, and the Wild South Coast tour if you pick the hike option.
Side by side, from the listings:
| Tour | From | Hours | Min. age | Glacier time | Other stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Coast and glacier hike | $195 | 12 | 8 | Guided hike, gear included | Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara |
| Glacier hike and black beach | $185 | 11 | 10 | 4 hours at the glacier | Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara (no Skogafoss listed) |
| Wild South Coast, hike option | From $149 without hike | 10 to 13 | 10 | 1.5-hour hike if chosen | Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara |
All three run in minibuses of 18 or 19 at most. The Troll.is tour is the one we'd book for most people: the classic stops plus the hike, with the lowest minimum age.
All the classic stops plus a guided walk on the ice, from age 8, gear included.
Check dates for the South Coast day with a glacier hikeDo standard South Coast tours walk on the glacier?
No. They stop for 30 to 45 minutes and you walk about 15 minutes to a viewpoint over the lagoon and the glacier tongue. Without a guide and crampons, you stay off the ice.
The viewpoint is about 500 m from the car park (Arctic Adventures). What you see keeps moving away: Hvolsvollur schoolchildren have measured the ice edge every October since 2010, and it pulled back 408 m between 2010 and 2021 (Grapevine). The western tongue lost another 93 m in 2024-25, according to the Glaciological Society's survey (Jokull 75).
A standard stop still impresses. It just isn't a glacier walk. A BusTravel guest in July 2026 put the time limit well: "I do wish we had more time at the glacier."
How hard is the Solheimajokull glacier hike?
Medium. You walk about 2.3 km each way to the ice, mostly even with a steeper last part, then move slowly on crampons. Fit seniors and kids from 8 manage it.
Troll rates its hike medium and describes a 2.3 km walk each way from the meeting point, steeper near the ice (troll.is). Guests report the effort honestly. "Glacial hike is very doable but definitely a workout... I would rate it a moderate activity level." And from a December guest: "It is about 3 hrs and at the end of the day, we walked close to 6 miles."
The glacier hike and black beach day has a harder approach, by one September 2026 account: "It took 45 minutes to an hour to hike to the glacier with some very steep descents on a very narrow path." A couple in their seventies did the Troll tour in March 2026 and called it "an experience of a lifetime".
How long are you actually on the ice?
Usually 1 to 1.5 hours. Even the tour with 4 hours at the glacier spends a good part of it walking to and from the ice.
The glacier hike and black beach day lists 4 hours at Solheimajokull, the most of any day tour. One guest broke it down: "we spent 1 hour each way to reach the glacier point, and maybe only 1.5 hr inside the glacier for the hike." The Wild tour sells a 1.5-hour hike. On the Troll.is tour, a December guest timed the walk and hike together at about 3 hours.
If you want hours on the ice, a dedicated glacier tour from the meeting point near the glacier does more of it. As part of a Reykjavik day, 1 to 1.5 hours on the ice is the norm.
The most glacier time of any day tour: four hours at Solheimajokull, with Seljalandsfoss and Reynisfjara.
Explore the glacier hike and black beach day Tour detailsWhat is the minimum age for the glacier hike?
8 on the Troll.is tour, 10 on the glacier hike and black beach day and on the Wild tour. The limit comes from the smallest crampons.
Troll explains that the age limit is mainly about crampon size, and asks for a minimum shoe size of EU 34 (troll.is). The Troll.is tour and the glacier hike and black beach day charge the adult price from the minimum age; the Wild tour has a child price for ages 10 to 15.
Kids who meet the limit tend to cope well. A June 2026 guest on the glacier hike and black beach day: "Had 2 kids (10&12) along and they were easily able to complete the hike." For younger children, book a standard tour and walk to the viewpoint: Iceland Horizon takes kids from 3.
What should you wear, and what is provided?
Provided: crampons, harness, ice axe and helmet. You bring warm layers, waterproofs, gloves and boots with ankle support, or rent the boots.
- Boots: stiff hiking boots above the ankle. On the Viator listing, Troll rents boots, a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers for 1,750 ISK each.
- Layers: a warm first layer and a waterproof second layer, says Troll; in winter add a hat and gloves (troll.is).
- Don't overdress in spring and summer: "We were here in late May. Weather was warm, no need to overdress. [...] I was HOT."
- Sunglasses: ice reflects a lot of light, even under cloud.
The Wild tour has rental boots available too. Jeans and trainers are the wrong choice on all three.
Crampons, harness, ice axe and helmet included, with boot rental on the day if you need it.
Check dates for the South Coast day with a glacier hikeIs it safe, and what happens if the weather turns?
With a guide, yes. Never walk onto the glacier alone. In strong wind the hike is cancelled and the tour swaps in other stops.
The surface shifts, with hidden crevasses and unstable ice, and Arctic Adventures says you should never hike here without a guide who knows the terrain (Arctic Adventures). In April 2013 a man on an organised tour fell into a crevasse and was brought out by rescuers (Grapevine).
Weather cancellations happen. A November 2025 guest: "The wind was BRUTAL so we weren't able to compete the glacier hike, but we did manage to not get blown away enroute to the lookout point." The Wild tour's listing says a cancelled hike is replaced with other activities where possible, or partly refunded.
Is the glacier hike worth paying extra for?
Yes, if you have never stood on a glacier. It costs about $63 more than the standard small-group day and is the part guests remember.
The comparison: the small-group day is $132 for 10 hours with a viewpoint walk; the Troll.is hike tour is $195 for 12 hours with the hike. Guests keep calling it the highlight. One in August 2025: "One of the most inspiring days of my life hiking and experiencing a glacier for the first time."
Skip it if you have bad knees, a child under 8, or only want photos. If you go on to the south-east later, the 2-day trip adds a blue ice cave on Vatnajokull instead. Costs for every tour are in the price guide.
Our pick: the waterfalls, Reynisfjara and a guided hike on Solheimajokull in one 12-hour day, from age 8.
Explore the South Coast day with a glacier hike Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Can you walk on Solheimajokull without a guide?
It is not illegal, but don't. Crevasses and unstable ice are hidden, and you need crampons and training. Every hike tour here includes a certified guide.
Do I need hiking boots for the glacier hike?
Yes, boots with ankle support. Crampons strap onto them. If you don't have any, rent them: 1,750 ISK on the Troll.is tour.
Does the glacier hike run in winter?
Yes. Troll runs its Solheimajokull hike all year. Winter days are shorter and colder, and wind cancels more hikes.
Is the glacier hike scary?
Rarely. You walk slowly behind a guide on gentle slopes. One January guest: "I was scared of it a little bit at first but [...] He gave us tips on how to control the crampons. It was fun!"
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
South Coast and Glacier Hike
- Guided hike on Solheimajokull
- Crampons, harness, ice axe and helmet
- Minibus, 18 guests at most
Glacier Hike, Waterfall and Black Beach
The most glacier time of any day tour, ages 10+
Wild South Coast, Hike Optional
Adds Gljufrabui; the glacier hike is your choice
