Do I need ice climbing experience?

No. This is an introductory tour designed for beginners. Your guide will teach you fundamental ice climbing techniques, starting with an easy practice wall before progressing to harder climbs.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes a harness, helmet, crampons, ice axe, and all safety gear. Bring your own waterproof gloves and sturdy hiking boots.

How long is the hike to the glacier?

The approach is 15–20 minutes on a well-maintained gravel path, graded as easy. The majority of the 4.5-hour tour is spent on the glacier climbing and learning.

Where do we meet, and how far is it from Reykjavík?

You meet your guide at Sólheimajökull parking lot. The drive from Reykjavík is roughly 45 minutes. A detailed map is provided with your booking confirmation.

How many ice climbing sections are there?

You'll attempt three different climbing areas. The first is an easy practice wall to learn basics, then progressively more challenging routes depending on your skill and confidence.

Will the guide explain glacier features like crevasses?

Yes. Your guide will point out and explain glacial formations including crevasses and moulins (vertical shafts) as part of the experience.

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Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing

(3)

Reykjavík, Iceland

Nature ToursGlacier HikingIce Climbing

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About this activity

Learn ice climbing on Sólheimajökull glacier with expert local guides in a 4.5-hour introduction experience. This accessible adventure combines glacier hiking with progressive ice climbing instruction, letting you tackle multiple climbing sections while discovering glacial features like crevasses and moulins—no prior experience needed.

About the tour

If you go to Iceland you have to try out ice climbing on a glacier.

We start at Sólheimajökull parking lot, more details on a map below. You will meet your guide there. He is going to give you some glacier gear, harness, helmet, crampons and ice axe, after we but on the equipment we start the 15-20 min hike to the glacier. This part is nice and easy gravel road all the way, that ends up with beautiful view off the whole glacier.

At the base of the glacier we put on the crampons and show you how to use them. Your guide will also go over some safety rules before we start hiking on the ice.

When we are on the glacier we try to find three different areas climb on. We start with an easy ice wall to teach you basic skills to ice climb. After that we try to make each climb little bit harder or longer.

You don’t have to know anything about climbing or be super fit to do this tour, this is a introduction tour so you don’t have to be afraid to try this out.

Our guides will also show you the wonders of the glacier, such as crevasses and moulins.

This is perfect tour to see the glacier and try out some ice climbing with a local guide.

Highlights

✓Three progressive ice climbing sections from beginner to intermediate difficulty
✓Guided glacier walk with views of crevasses, moulins, and glacial formations
✓15–20 minute easy approach hike on gravel paths to the glacier base
✓Full equipment provided: harness, helmet, crampons, ice axe, and safety gear
✓Small-group instruction with local Icelandic guides

Insider tips

★Wear warm, waterproof layers beneath your guide-provided gear; glacier conditions are cold even in summer
★Arrive 10–15 minutes early at Sólheimajökull parking lot to allow time for gear fitting and safety briefing
★The gravel approach is genuinely easy, so focus your fitness concerns on the climbing itself rather than access

Good to know

•All climbing equipment included; bring waterproof gloves and sturdy hiking boots
•Meeting point is Sólheimajökull parking lot (location provided on booking map)
•Tour duration is 4.5 hours total; plan for 45 minutes of driving to/from Reykjavík
•No climbing experience or advanced fitness required—designed as an introductory tour

Who it's for

Adventure-seekers new to ice climbingActive tourists wanting a unique Icelandic experienceGroups and families with moderate fitnessPhotography enthusiasts after dramatic glacier landscapes

Best time to visit

Summer and early autumn (June–September) offer the most stable glacier conditions and longest daylight. Tours run year-round but winter requires extra cold-weather preparation.