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South Coast, Waterfalls and Glacier Hike Tour

Combine a Guided Glacier Hike With Iceland’s South Coast Highlights

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Product-ID: AA-GVAW

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Group Posing For A Picture On A Glacier Hike in iceland

Tourists Near Seljalandfoss Waterfall In Winter in iceland

Woman In An Orange Jacket In Front Of Glacier Lagoon in iceland

Black Sand Beach During Winter in iceland

Glacier Crevasses On Solheimajokull in iceland

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About Tour

This full-day adventure combines South Coast sightseeing with a guided hike on Sólheimajökull glacier. Along the way, the route includes stops at Skógafoss waterfall and Reynisfjara black sand beach before reaching the glacier for the main activity: a roughly 4-hour hike covering about 6 km (3.7 miles) over varied terrain with moderate elevation changes. The approach crosses a moss-covered valley with wide views of the glacier and surrounding peaks, and once on the ice, a certified guide leads the group, with all glacier gear provided. You’ll visit Seljalandsfoss on the return to Reykjavík. The tour lasts around 13 to 13.5 hours, operates year-round by minibus, and requires no previous glacier hiking experience.

Highlights

Travel beneath Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes
Visit the powerful Skógafoss waterfall
Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach
Walk through the valley leading to Sólheimajökull
Hike 6 km on the glacier with a certified guide
See Seljalandsfoss and its famous path behind the falls

Included

Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík
Guided South Coast sightseeing
Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull
Certified glacier guide
Specialized glacier equipment
Minibus transport with free Wi-Fi

What to Bring

Warm outdoor clothing
Waterproof jacket and pants
Hat and gloves
Hiking boots with ankle support

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year

Duration 13-13.5 hours

Departs From Reykjavík

Difficulty Easy-Moderate Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Ratio 1:19 Guide to client ratio

Pick Up Yes

Meet on Location No

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

Minimum age 8 years

From

206

Per

Adult

Adventure for less! Book a combo tour and save up to 10%.

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Expert Guides
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Free Wi-Fi
No Booking Fees
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Itinerary

The day begins with pickup in Reykjavík at 8:00 AM before heading east along Iceland’s South Coast. The drive passes farmland, small communities, and views toward Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla.

Eyjafjallajökull became internationally known after its 2010 eruption disrupted air travel throughout Europe. In clear weather, the Westman Islands may also be visible offshore during the journey.

SKÓGAFOSS WATERFALL

The first major sightseeing stop is Skógafoss, where water drops 60 meters (197 feet) from a former sea cliff.

Visitors can walk close to the base of the falls, where the spray often fills the air, or climb the staircase beside the waterfall. The 527 steps lead to a viewing platform above the drop, offering a different perspective over the waterfall and surrounding landscape.

When sunlight catches the mist, rainbows can sometimes appear in front of the falls.

REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH

The tour continues to Reynisfjara, one of the South Coast’s best-known black sand beaches. Dark volcanic sand stretches beneath basalt cliffs, while the Garðar rock formations create a wall of geometric columns along the shore. Offshore, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the Atlantic. According to Icelandic folklore, the stacks are trolls that were caught outside at sunrise and turned to stone.

The ocean at Reynisfjara can be extremely dangerous. Powerful sneaker waves can reach much farther up the beach than expected, so visitors must stay well back from the water and follow the guide’s safety instructions.

SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL GLACIER HIKE

The glacier hike is the main activity of the day and lasts about 4 hours in total. Before heading onto the ice, your guide provides the necessary glacier equipment, including crampons, a harness, helmet, and ice axe, followed by a safety briefing and instructions on how to use the gear. The route first climbs through the valley toward Sólheimajökull, reaching a higher viewpoint over the glacier and nearby mountains before descending toward the ice.

After fitting crampons, the group follows the glacier guide onto Sólheimajökull. The hike covers roughly 6 km (3.7 miles) and crosses a constantly changing landscape of ridges, crevasses, meltwater channels, and moulins. Dark volcanic ash can also be seen streaking parts of the glacier surface, including deposits associated with the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. No previous glacier hiking experience is necessary, although participants should be comfortable walking over uneven terrain with moderate changes in elevation.

SELJALANDSFOSS WATERFALL

Seljalandsfoss is the final sightseeing stop before returning to Reykjavík. The waterfall drops 60 meters (197 feet) from a high cliff. During suitable conditions, a path curves around the back of the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk behind the curtain of water and look outward through the spray. Access behind the falls depends on conditions and may be closed when the path becomes icy or unsafe.

PICKUP INFORMATION

Pickup begins at 8:00 AM from the selected Reykjavík pickup point and can take up to 30 minutes. The tour travels by minibus, with the glacier guide accompanying the group during the day.

Available pickup points: Reykjavík pickup list

PLEASE NOTE

This tour operates as a small-group experience and travels by minibus.
The itinerary combines South Coast sightseeing with a guided hike on Sólheimajökull glacier.
If conditions make the glacier hike unsafe, the itinerary may be adjusted. The sightseeing portion will still operate, and a partial refund will be provided for the missed glacier activity.
The minimum shoe size for the glacier hike is EU 35 because crampons cannot be safely secured to smaller footwear.
The minimum age is 8 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult during both transportation and the tour.
The glacier hike is rated Easy to Moderate.
No previous glacier hiking experience is required.
Participants should be comfortable hiking around 6 km (3.7 miles) over mixed terrain with moderate elevation changes.

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South Coast, Waterfalls and Glacier Hike Tour

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.

Do I need crampons for this tour?

During the winter months, from mid-October to mid-April, we recommend purchasing lightweight crampons (ice spikes) when booking this tour. They provide extra grip and safety on icy paths at sightseeing locations in Iceland.

For the glacier hike part of the tour, you’ll be provided with specialized glacier crampons, which are specifically designed for walking on ice. At the end of the walk, you'll return these to your guide.