Troll.is · Minibus from Reykjavik
Troll.is drives the classic South Coast loop in a minibus of 18 and swaps the glacier viewpoint for a guided walk on Solheimajokull in crampons, harness and helmet. It's the tour for people who want to stand on the ice, not just look at it, and still see the waterfalls and the black beach.
Troll Expeditions (Troll.is) is a Reykjavik glacier outfitter, and this is its long day: pickup at a central bus stop between 08:00 and 08:45, back around 20:00 according to Troll's own tour page. The minibus does Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Reynisfjara, and in the middle of the day you meet a separate glacier guide at Troll's base below Solheimajokull. Crampons, harness, ice axe and helmet are included.
The hike is the reason to book. The ice has retreated a long way (408 m between 2010 and 2021 by the Hvolsvollur school's count, and another 93 m in 2024-25), so the walk to the snout is longer than it used to be: on its Solheimajokull hike Troll gives about 2.3 km each way from the base, mostly even, steeper at the end. Guests rate the hike as moderate. A December 2024 reviewer logged close to 6 miles for the day's walking.
The catch is time. A 12-hour day with a hike inside it means short waterfall and beach stops, and several reviewers say the black beach felt rushed. There is no proper lunch stop either: guests report a coffee and food break about an hour out of Reykjavik, then food at Reynisfjara. Boots, waterproof jacket and trousers rent for 1,750 ISK each if you don't have them. Troll's own site listed this day at $179 in October 2026; Viator sells it from $195.
Troll collects from designated stops (see busstop.is or ask your hotel). A food and toilet stop follows about an hour into the drive.
Walk behind the first, climb the steps beside the second. In winter the first stop can come before full sunrise.
Boots are checked (hard soles, ankle support), then harness, crampons, helmet and an ice axe at Troll's base.
Walk to the ice and onto the glacier tongue with your glacier guide: ridges, ash layers and crevasses, at a moderate pace.
The black beach and basalt columns, with food and toilets at the restaurant. Stay back from the water.
About 2.5 hours on the direct drive back to your stop.
★★★★★Being physically active seniors in our seventies we were pushing the upper age range for the glacier hike. Our joyful guide Beth made the hike fun, safe, and interesting.
★★★★★Fun walking under the falls, climbing hundreds of steps to the top of another waterfall & the glacier hike was awesome. Be prepared for a 12 hr day but sooo worth it.
★★★★★Glacial hike is very doable but definitely a workout... I would rate it a moderate activity level. Never thought in my life I would say I traversed a glacier!
★★★★★As we were hiking, the hiking guide was also nice and humorous which added a lot fun to the hike. Someone fell during the hike and the guides provided first aid immediately and assisted the participant to finish the hike.
Read next:
Guests report about 3 hours for the glacier part, gear-up included. The walk to the snout is now longer because the ice has retreated: Troll gives about 2.3 km each way from its base for its Solheimajokull hike. The whole day takes about 12 hours.
Moderate. Reviewers in their seventies and children of 10 have done it. You need to be steady on uneven ground and able to walk a few hours, with some short climbs and descents on the ice in crampons. More in our Solheimajokull glacier hike guide.
8 years. Troll says the limit comes mainly from crampon sizes: the smallest fit from about shoe size EU 34 to 36. Teenagers and adults up to 80 are listed as bookable.
You need hard-soled boots with ankle support. If you don't own a pair, add the boot rental (1,750 ISK) when you book; waterproof jacket and trousers rent for the same price each.
Ready to book
The classic waterfalls and black beach plus a guided walk on Solheimajokull, with crampons, harness and helmet provided.
Glacier Hike, Waterfall and Black BeachThe most glacier time of any day tour: 4 hours at Solheimajokull, then Reynisfjara and Seljalandsfoss. Ages 10+.★ 4.9 · 11 hours · from $185
Wild South Coast, Hike OptionalGljufrabui and the classic stops, with a 1.5-hour glacier hike you can add or leave out. Minibus of 19, ages 10+.★ 4.9 · 10 to 13 hours · from $149
Small-Group South Coast Day TourThe most-reviewed minibus day: 19 seats at most, all the classic stops and 75 minutes on Reynisfjara.★ 4.8 · 10 hours · from $132