Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk

by Hrafnar Guides · Hiking & trekking · Glacier hiking · South Coast

5.0· 27 Google reviews of the operator
  • Beginners welcome

from €560 per vehicle

No published departures in the coming months — ask us

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Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk — Hrafnar Guides
Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk, photo 2
Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk, photo 3
Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk, photo 4
Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk, photo 5

1 / 5

  • Duration

    3 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Pickup

    Meet at the start point

  • Starts at

    Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot

    Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot, 221, Iceland, Vík

  • Guide

    Guided in English, Czech, Slovak, Polish

  • Departs

    10:30, 14:30

  • Minimum age

    10

  • Cancellation

    Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 8 days of departure.

About this experience

The Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike is up to 3-hour adventure starting at the Sólheimajökull parking lot by the toll gate, located at the end of Route 221, 871 Vík, Iceland. Participants meet their experienced glacier guide 10-15 minutes before departure at meeting point. Here, all necessary safety equipment is provided, including helmets, crampons, and harnesses, along with a thorough safety briefing and instructions on how to use the gear properly.

The tour begins with a scenic 15–20 minute walk from the parking lot to the glacier itself, passing stunning volcanic landscapes, glacier lagoon, and moss-lined mountains that mark the glacier’s previous extent. Once on the glacier, guests receive hands-on guidance on how to walk safely across the ice. The hike explores striking glacial features such as deep crevasses, moulins (vertical water tunnels), volcanic ash layers in the ice, ice falls, and sometimes small ice caves. Throughout the tour, the guide shares insights on glacier formation, climate change effects, and Iceland’s volcanic geological history.

This small-group tour is suitable for most fitness levels and emphasizes safety and an intimate experience with Iceland’s icy wilderness. The pace is relaxed and accessible, with about one hour spent walking directly on the glacier. The combination of dramatic scenery, expert guiding, and personal attention makes the Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike an unforgettable way to explore one of Iceland’s most accessible and impressive glaciers.

Description from the operator, Hrafnar Guides. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Sólheimajökull Glacier Private Walk

Included

  • Crampons
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Hiking pole

Not included

  • Hiking boots
  • Warm, insulating clothing (preferably layered in the “onion” style)
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
  • Gloves and a warm hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Sunscreen
  • Extra snacks and water

Good to know

  • Hiking boots
  • Warm, insulating clothing (preferably layered in the “onion” style)
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
  • Gloves and a warm hat
  • Extra snacks and water
  • Backpack
  • Sunglasses if sunny

Before Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike, customers should come well prepared with suitable clothing and gear. The Icelandic weather on the glacier is highly variable and can change quickly, so dressing in warm, layered clothing is essential. Waterproof and windproof outer layers help protect against rain, wind, and snow, while thermal base layers keep heat close to the body. Gloves, a warm hat that fits under a helmet, and sunglasses are also important to ensure comfort when sunny.

Participants are advised to bring sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, which are necessary for attaching crampons used for walking safely on ice. Additionally, bringing a backpack is recommended to store extra clothing layers, snacks, water, and personal items comfortably during the hike. This keeps hands free and ensures that essentials are easily accessible as the weather and physical demands change.

The glacier gear such as helmets, crampons, and harnesses will be provided by the guide to maximize safety. Fitness level and mobility should be adequate for moderate physical activity on uneven and icy terrain, but the guide will tailor the activity to the group’s needs.

Arriving at the meeting point—the Sólheimajökull parking lot—10 to 15 minutes before departure allows visitors to use bathroom, adjust the clothing if needed and meet your guide by the toll gate. Following these preparation tips helps ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable glacier hiking experience on Sólheimajökull.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 8 days of departure. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is wind above the treeline and river levels after rain — the guide decides on the day. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Hrafnar Guides decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until the cutoff shown above, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

  • Children under 10 cannot join this one.
  • Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Hrafnar Guides is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Hrafnar Guides

Read all 27 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 5.0/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Jan Valášek

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    I had the best glacier experience yet thanks to Ondra. Instead of a short walk he took our group for a proper long hike to Svinafelljokul, beautiful glacier with many crevasses and lupin field on the side. There was no time to be bored as he said many interesting stories and facts in a playfully and educational way. Highly recommend!!!

  • Ochal Nat

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    What an incredible adventure! 😭 The glacier was even more beautiful than I expected. The views were breathtaking and every moment of the hike was special 🥹🥹 Our guide Ondrej was fantastic, he explained many interesting things about the glacier and always checked that everyone was doing well. The small group made us feel special and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the experience. Walking through the glacier crossing between ice crevasses and glacier hills was exciting and fun, even during the more adventurous parts we always felt completely safe 🧚 Thank you for an unforgettable experience!

  • Kuba Pszczoła

    ★★★★★ · 5 months ago

    I highly recommend a glacier tour to anyone visiting and discovering Iceland, especially with guide Andrzej. He planned the route very well (you feel safe), provided all the new equipment, and shared many interesting facts about the glacier, plus seeing the crevasses was incredible🥹. I'm very satisfied, so I recommend it to everyone. A trip for everyone😇

  • Jakub Papierowski

    ★★★★★ · 5 months ago

    Our trip on Sólheimajökull with Ondrej was honestly a blast. He kept things fun but still made us feel totally safe the whole time. The gear was solid and easy to use, even for beginners. Lots of laughs, cool glacier facts, and great vibes. Definitely one of the highlights of our Iceland trip.

Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Hiking & trekking — questions people ask

When can you hike in Landmannalaugar?

Late June to September. The highland roads to Landmannalaugar are closed by snow the rest of the year, and the opening date shifts with the weather each summer. In season, day tours from Reykjavík (/experience/16823/) run about fourteen hours with a three- to five-hour guided hike and a soak in the hot river. If you have your own 4x4, the meet-on-location hike (/experience/254326/) skips the bus.

How hard is the Laugavegur trek?

Moderate to hard. It is 55 kilometres over four days from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, with river crossings, snow patches in July and weather that can turn to sleet in August. You do not need technical skills, but you need to carry a pack and walk five to eight hours a day. Guided treks (/experience/738812/) handle logistics and camping gear; the luggage transfer (/experience/1036525/) lets self-guided walkers carry a day pack only.

Can you hike to the volcano near Reykjavík?

Yes, when it is safe. The Reykjanes eruption sites at Fagradalsfjall and around Grindavík have drawn hikers since 2021, and guided tours (/experience/629086/, /experience/620679/) follow the routes the Civil Protection authority has open. If there is an active eruption, access changes daily and tours adapt or pause. The lava is usually cooled and crusted; you see fresh black rock and steam, not flowing lava. Wear boots; the ground is rough.

What should I pack for a day hike in Iceland?

Waterproof jacket and trousers, not a poncho; the wind will shred it. Hiking boots with ankle support, wool or synthetic layers, hat, gloves, sunglasses and a packed lunch with two litres of water. In the highlands add a warm mid-layer even in July. Guides carry first aid and route knowledge, not your rain gear. Cotton jeans and trainers are the most common reason people have a miserable day.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Hella & Hvolsvöllur, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

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Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

from

€560 per vehicle

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