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Blue Ice Glacier Hike and Ice Climbing in Iceland

Hike Solheimajokull Glacier and Climb the Ice on Iceland’s South Coast

Product-ID: AA-BI-MOL / AA-BI-RVK

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About Tour

Join us for an afternoon glacier hiking and ice climbing the fourth largest glacier in Iceland. You’ll explore the deep blue crevasses, steep ridges, and lily-white ice of Solheimajokull Glacier.

Solheimajokull Glacier is one of the fastest shrinking glaciers in Iceland. Explore this magical place while you still can.

Highlights

Sólheimajökull Glacier
Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls (with pick-up from Reykjavík 1st Feb-15th Nov)
Ice Climbing
Glacier Hiking

Included

Guided Glacier Hiking
Introduction to Ice Climbing
All Required Gear and Safety Equipment (Harness, Helmet & Ice Ax)

What to Bring

Warm layers
Warm headwear, scarf, and gloves
Waterproof jacket and pants
Good hiking boots with ankle support

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year

Duration 5.5 / 13 hours

Departs From Sólheimajökull / Reykjavik

Difficulty Moderate

Ratio 1:8

Pick Up Yes

Meet on Location Yes

Minimum age 14

Shoe Size Min. 35 EU (No crampons for shoes smaller than 35 EU.)

From

215

Per

Adult

Expert Guides
Small Group Experience
Free Cancellation
No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment
Best Price Guarantee

Please Select When Booking:

You have selected From Solheimajokull

For those who have a car - Meet us at the glacier!

You have selected From Reykjavik

Get a minibus pick-up from Reykjavik. Includes sightseeing stops at Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss waterfalls.

From

215

Book Now

Itinerary

With our Blue Ice Hiking and Climbing Tour, you have two options: we can pick you up from your hotel in Reykjavik, or you can meet us on location at Solheimajokull Car Park.

If you choose to be picked up from Reykjavik, a guided sightseeing tour of rural Iceland is also included. On our way to Solheimajokull, we’ll stop to marvel at the incredible 196-feet (60-meter) tall Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and the neighboring Skógafoss Waterfall. Here, you’re welcome to snap some of those perfect vacation pictures. Then we’ll continue toward Solheimajokull Glacier.

For those who are staying outside of Reykjavik or choose to meet us on location, please be at Solheimajokull Car Park well in advance of your tour.

Glaciers & Ice Climbing

Now it’s time to hit the ice! Jump into crampons, hike on top of the vast glacier, and try your hand at ice climbing!

Iceland is one of the more unique locations for ice climbing. At Solheimajokull, you’ll be climbing ice walls known as moulins or crevasses.

Our expert guide will provide you with all the safety equipment and climbing gear needed and instruct you on using it. All you need to have is some warm underlayers, a waterproof outer layer, good hiking shoes, and an appetite for adventure. Your guide will have your back every step of the way, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

The Land of Fire and Ice is perfect for those who want to bring back something more than just pretty landscape pictures. Step out of your comfort zone and into an ice adventure!

About Solheimajokull Glacier

Solheimajokull Glacier is an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull Ice Cap, the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland. It's around 4 miles (8 kilometers) long and 1.4 miles (2 kilometers) wide. It's one of the most visited glaciers in Iceland, thanks to its deep crevasses, steep ridges, ice caves, and proximity to Reykjavik. Towering ice formations scattered around the glacier's surface make it a perfect ice climbing destination for beginners and experts!

Practical information

Pick-up Information: Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is greatly appreciated! The tour will last around 11 hours.

Meet On Location: Be at Solheimajokull Car Park at least 10 minutes before your tour. The tour will take around 4.5 hours.

Please Note: Good hiking boots are essential on this tour as we’ll need to fit crampons on them. If you don’t have hiking boots, you can rent them at the time of booking. Due to limited sunlight, during the darker months (November - February), we won’t stop to marvel at Skogafoss Waterfall. However, you’ll have an impressive view from the bus as we drive past.

Shoe Size: Please note that if your shoe size is smaller than 35 EU, our guides will not be able to fit crampons into your shoes for glacier activities.

Children aged 14 and above must be accompanied by an adult throughout both the transfer and the tour. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.

No prior experience is required, but guests should be comfortable hiking ~8km over uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes.

FAQ

What is best to wear on our Iceland glacier trips?

Iceland is known for unforeseeable weather. It is likely that you can see all 4 seasons in one day.

Dressing for that kind of weather can always be demanding, so we suggest dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended, for example, a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.

Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they are not suitable for the weather conditions, they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.

Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are convenient and wear wind/waterproof pants over them. There is high UV and sunlight reflecting off on the glacier so we highly recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy.

You will need sturdy hiking boots that fit crampons for the glacier hiking tours. If you do not own a pair then we rent out suitable hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers.

Is a backpack necessary on a glacier trip in Iceland?

It is good to bring your own backpack on our full-day or half-day tours. It’s the best carry-on for a small lunch, extra clothes, and other necessary items.

Is a camera allowed on a glacier trip?

The scenery on the tour is full of stunning, breathtaking views that you’ll almost definitely want to capture forever, so you should definitely bring your camera along. Your tour guide will also be happy to take your photo.

Are you allowed to join a glacier hike if you are pregnant?

This is surely a personal choice, we do not deny pregnant women on our glacier trips but we highly recommend you to take a closer look at our trip description and difficulty ratings, they will hopefully give you a better idea. We also recommend you to contact your physician, as pregnant women’s health can be quite different. If you have any further questions or concerns then feel free to contact us.

Is lunch provided on the glacier tours?

Lunch is not provided on any of our trips, therefore we recommend you bring your own lunch, snacks, and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip). It is especially important to make sure you bring lunch on our longer trips.

What are crampons?

Crampons enable you to walk on the glacier ice without slipping. They are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes.

Does Adventures.com have a guide on all of their tours?

Yes, we have specially trained and certified glacier guides on every glacier tour that we offer. And for our 3rd party tours we only partner with operators that meet our quality and safety standards.

Do you provide equipment when taking part in your glacier tours?

Yes, we provide you with all the necessary glacier gear for our glacier hiking tours. Ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and helmets are provided. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.

Why do we have glaciers in Iceland?

Iceland is known to have a lot of snow and when the snow stays long enough in one place than it turns to ice. Over long periods of time, the ice layers up becoming huge blocks called glaciers. It forms to create ginormous glaciers that sweep across huge masses of land. Iceland is home of the largest glacier in Europe that is called Vatnajökull. The Glacier Guides can tell you more about and everything you need to know about the Glaciers.

What happens if it is raining?

Rain is common in Iceland but we never let the rain be in our way to go forward with our tours.
That’s why we highly recommend appropriate clothing so you can stay warm and dry.
Nature is out of our control and therefore we need to adapt to the weather. Your safety is our priority so if your safety is compromised by going on the tour then we will cancel it and you will get full reimbursement.

Can I find more information about how to prepare for my Glacier Hiking tour?

The guide on your glacier hiking tour will provide you with all the information you might need when preparing for a glacier hike.

Will I need crampons for this tour?

Crampons are metal spikes that fasten to the soles of your hiking boots to provide a reliable grip on icy surfaces and help prevent slipping. For our glacier tours involving walking on ice, specialized glacier crampons are provided. These are stronger and more durable than standard ice spikes, designed specifically for challenging glacier conditions. Your guide will assist you in putting them on before you step onto the glacier, and they will be collected at the end of the tour.