Can I walk on the glacier by myself?

No, you should never walk on a glacier without proper equipment and a certified guide. Glaciers have hidden crevasses that are extremely dangerous.

What should I wear for a glacier hike?

Wear warm, layered clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, and sturdy hiking boots. Tour operators provide crampons and ice axes.

Are ice caves available year-round?

Natural ice caves are typically only accessible from November to March. Conditions vary each year.

Iceland/south-iceland

Sólheimajökull

Sólheimajökull is an accessible glacier tongue descending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, offering some of Iceland's best glacier hiking and ice cave experience…

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At a Glance

Visit time

3 hours (glacier walk)

Best season

All year

Access

Off Route 1 near Skógafoss. Parking at the end of the road. Glacier walks require guides.

GPS

63.5660, -19.2955

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About

About Sólheimajökull

Sólheimajökull is an accessible glacier tongue descending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, offering some of Iceland's best glacier hiking and ice cave experiences directly from the car park.

Guided glacier walks available year-round

Background

History & Background

The Sólheimajökull glacier is one of Iceland's most closely studied glaciers because of its dramatic and rapidly visible retreat due to climate change. The glacier has retreated roughly 1 km in the last 20 years and measuring stakes mark its steady decline. Glacier hiking with crampons and ice axes is offered on the glacier year-round, and natural ice caves form within the glacier each winter.

Sólheimajökull is a remarkable glacier in Iceland. Sólheimajökull is a magnificent glacier located in South Iceland. This ancient ice mass is part of Iceland's iconic glacial landscape. Visitors can ex... Sólheimajökull is the most accessible glacier tongue in Iceland for walking tours — a river of ancient ice pouring down from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap to within a 15-minute walk of the parking area. Guided glacier walks here take you across crevasses. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Iceland's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Sólheimajökull is the most accessible glacier tongue in Iceland for walking tours — a river of ancient ice pouring down from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap to within a 15-minute walk of the parking area. Guided glacier walks here take you across crevasses, past vivid blue meltwater pools and through seracs (ice towers) that form as the glacier flows over bedrock ridges beneath. The glacier surface is never the same twice: ice shapes reform, crevasses open and close, ash layers from Katla volcano create dark stripes across the ice. Sólheimajökull has retreated dramatically in recent decades — comparison photos from 20 years ago show the ice now hundreds of metres further from the road.

Local Legend

The Ice Spirits of Sólheimajökull

In Icelandic folklore, Sólheimajökull is home to ancient ice spirits who have dwelled in the glacier for thousands of years. These spirits are said to guard the ice and punish those who disrespect the glacier. Locals believe the creaking and groaning sounds of the ice are the spirits communicating with each other.

Experiences