Do I need mountaineering experience to walk on the glacier?

No. All participants receive a safety briefing and ice-walking lesson before starting. The walk is designed for people in generally good health with no prior experience required.

What age can children join?

The minimum age is 8 years old, and children must be in generally good health.

What equipment is provided?

All glacier-specific gear is included: crampons, helmet, and harness. You must bring or wear sturdy hiking boots and warm, windproof clothing.

How long is the actual glacier walk?

The approach walk from the base camp takes 15–20 minutes through glacially-carved terrain. The time on the ice itself varies but is the core section of the 8-hour tour.

Why is this glacier special?

Sólheimajökull is Iceland's southernmost glacier, part of the vast Mýrdalsjökull ice cap (600 km²) that partially covers the active Katla volcano. At ~200 metres thick, it's an accessible window into Iceland's glacial and volcanic systems.

Can the tour be cancelled due to weather?

Yes, glacier walks are weather-dependent for safety. Tours may be rescheduled or modified if conditions are unsafe; check with your operator about their cancellation and rescheduling policy.

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Glacier Hike + South Coast Waterfalls | Day Tour | Midgard

Hvolsvöllur, Iceland

Sightseeing Tours

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About this activity

Combine Iceland's most dramatic South Coast landscapes—roaring waterfalls, volcanic black-sand beaches, and coastal cliffs—with a guided walk across Sólheimajökull glacier, the southernmost glacier in Iceland. This 8-hour tour reveals how glaciers sculpt terrain while letting you experience ice hiking firsthand with professional guides and full safety equipment.

Impressive coastlines, thunderous waterfalls, towering ice caps, glistening glaciers! The dramatic Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, must-see waterfalls. Dyrholaey headland, with coastal cliff features, contrasts beautifully with the black pebble beach at Reynisfjara.

You will also experience walking on a glacier. The walk takes place on Sólheimajökull glacier which forms part of Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The walk from the base to the glacier takes about 15-20 minutes and takes you through varied landscape, formed by the glacier over thousands of years. On the way it’s possible to see how rapidly the glacier has melted over the last 15 years.

After safety briefing and a lesson in ice walking we start our walk. We will walk in amazing terrain, over crevasses, sink holes and ice ridges, experiencing the unique glacier environment.

Sólheimajökull is the southernmost glacier in Iceland. The thickness of the ice is approximately 200 meters. The total size of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap is close to 600 km2. The volcano Katla, one of Iceland’s largest volcanos, is partially covered by the ice cap.No special skills are required. The glacier walk is suitable for people in generally good health. Minimum age requirement is 8 years old.

All necessary equipment is provided: crampons, a helmet and a harness. You will need to wear good shoes (hiking boots or snow shoes) and warm clothes (it gets cold on the glacier even on sunny days).

Highlights

✓Walk on Sólheimajökull glacier with crampons, crossing crevasses and ice formations
✓See Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls—Iceland's most iconic cascades
✓Explore Dyrholaey headland's dramatic coastal cliffs and sea arches
✓Visit Reynisfjara black-sand beach with basalt columns
✓Witness glacier retreat evidence—visible melting changes over 15 years
✓Hike through glacially-carved terrain shaped over millennia

Insider tips

★Bring extra warm layers and a windproof jacket—glacier temperatures drop significantly even on sunny days
★Wear proper hiking boots (not trainers); snow boots are ideal but not mandatory as crampons secure to most footwear
★Arrive early at Hvolsvöllur to avoid rushed transfers; the glacier walk is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled if unsafe

Good to know

•All glacier safety gear provided: crampons, helmet, harness, and ice walking instruction included
•Minimum age 8 years; suitable for those in generally good health—no technical climbing experience needed
•Approximately 15–20 minute walk from glacier base camp to the ice; waterfall sections involve moderate walking
•Duration is 8 hours total including transport, briefings, and all stops—bring snacks and water

Who it's for

First-time glacier hikers seeking a guided introduction to ice walkingSouth Coast road-trip visitors wanting an active half-day immersionFamilies with children aged 8+ looking for adventure without technical mountaineeringPhotography enthusiasts chasing dramatic waterfall and glacial landscapes

Best time to visit

Late May through September offers the safest glacier conditions and most stable weather. Early morning starts allow longer daylight for photography at waterfalls and coastal sites.