Highlights of the tour
Guided hike on Sólheimajökull glacier
Explore the stunning Solheimajokul Ice Cave
Certified glacier guide and safety gear included
See dramatic ice ridges, crevasses, and blue ice walls
Small-group adventure, suitable for ages 12+
About Tour
Solheimajokull Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
Included
Certified glacier guide
Safety gear: crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe
Small-group experience
What to bring
Warm, waterproof, windproof clothing (layers recommended)
Sturdy hiking boots (available for rent at base camp)
Hat, gloves, and sunglasses
Water bottle, snacks, and a camera
Activities
Attractions
Good to know
Tour Duration: The Solheimajokul Ice Cave tour lasts about 3.5 hours in total, including gearing up, safety briefing, glacier hike, and time inside the ice cave.
Meeting Point: The adventure begins at Sólheimajökull Base Camp, where you’ll meet your certified glacier guide. Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow time for fitting crampons and harnesses.
Season & Availability: The Solheimajokul Ice Cave can usually be visited in fall, winter, and spring when conditions are safe. Ice caves are natural formations and may vary in appearance from season to season.
Difficulty Level: This glacier hike is rated moderate. You’ll be walking on uneven icy terrain with crampons, so good general health and mobility are required. No prior glacier experience is needed.
Age Requirement: Minimum age is 10 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Clothing & Footwear: Warm, waterproof, and windproof layers are essential. Sturdy hiking boots that cover the ankle are required (boots can be rented at base camp if needed).
Weather: Icelandic weather is unpredictable. Conditions on the glacier can change quickly, so bring extra layers, gloves, and a hat. Sunglasses are recommended on sunny days due to the glare from the ice.
Health & Fitness: Travelers should be in good physical health. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, or mobility issues should consult with the tour operator before booking. Pregnant women over 12 weeks should book a private tour.
Safety: All guides are AIMG certified and experienced in glacier travel. Safety gear is provided, and a full briefing will be given before departure. Your guide will assess conditions to ensure the cave is safe to enter.
Accessibility: The glacier is not accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, or crutches. The hike involves walking on ice, snow, and uneven surfaces.
Photography: The Solheimajokul Ice Cave is a photographer’s dream! You’ll have time inside the cave to capture its stunning crystal-blue walls. Don’t forget your camera.
Facilities: There are restrooms and parking at the base camp, but none on the glacier. Bring water and a small snack for the hike.
Itinerary
Solheimajokull Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
1. Arrival at Sólheimajökull Base Camp (20 minutes before departure)
Your adventure begins at the Sólheimajökull Base Camp, located near the glacier’s edge. Here, you’ll check in with your certified glacier guide. After introductions, you’ll be fitted with all the necessary glacier gear: crampons, harness, helmet, and ice axe. The guide will also give you a short but essential safety briefing covering glacier conditions and how to use the equipment.
2. Start of the Glacier Hike
With gear secured, you’ll begin your hike across the Sólheimajökull glacier. The path leads you over a rugged, icy surface shaped by centuries of movement and seasonal meltwater. Your guide will explain how glaciers form and share insights about the constantly changing landscape. Along the way, you’ll pass ice ridges, deep crevasses, and frozen formations that look almost sculpted by hand.
3. Exploring the Glacier Landscape
As the group continues, you’ll stop at viewpoints to admire and photograph the unique surroundings. On clear days, you’ll also enjoy dramatic views of Iceland’s South Coast mountains and volcanic landscapes. Your guide will point out how the ice is retreating year by year and explain the natural forces that create crevasses, moulins, and ridges.
4. Entering the Solheimajokul Ice Cave
The highlight of your journey is reaching the Solheimajokul Ice Cave—a naturally formed tunnel carved by summer meltwater. The cave glows in shades of crystal blue, offering a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Here you’ll have time to carefully enter, explore, and capture incredible photos. Your guide will explain the cave’s seasonal nature, how it changes from year to year, and the science behind its striking blue color.
5. Time for Photos & Reflection
Inside the ice cave, there will be opportunities to stop, take photos, and simply enjoy the atmosphere. This is a rare chance to stand inside a glacier and see the beauty of Iceland’s icy wilderness up close. Your guide will ensure plenty of time is given while keeping safety a priority.
6. Return Glacier Hike
After exploring the Solheimajokul Ice Cave, you’ll hike back across the glacier, retracing your steps to base camp. The return walk gives another perspective on the landscape, with opportunities for more photos as the light shifts.
7. Return to Base Camp
Back at the base camp, you’ll return the equipment and have time to relax after your glacier adventure. Restrooms and facilities are available before you continue your journey on Iceland’s South Coast.
FAQ
No prior glacier or ice cave experience is required. The Solheimajokul Ice Cave hike is designed for beginners as well as adventure seekers. Your certified guide will explain how to use crampons and other equipment before you step onto the glacier. The hike is rated moderate, meaning it’s accessible to anyone in good health with basic fitness.
All glacier gear is provided: crampons, helmet, harness, and an ice axe. Your guide also carries safety equipment such as ropes and first-aid kits. Hiking boots are not included but can be rented at the base camp if you don’t have your own.
We recommend dressing in warm, waterproof, and windproof layers. The weather on the glacier can change quickly, so bring a breathable base layer, an insulating mid-layer (like fleece or wool), and a waterproof outer shell. Sturdy hiking boots that cover the ankle are required. Gloves, hat, and sunglasses are also highly recommended.
This tour runs in fall, winter, and spring, when the ice cave is safe to enter. Ice caves are natural formations that change from year to year, so no two visits are the same. Summer months are generally too warm for natural ice caves, but the glacier hike itself can still be done in summer.
The hike is rated moderate. You’ll be walking on uneven icy terrain with crampons, which can feel unusual at first but becomes easier with guidance. The total duration is 3.5 hours, including gearing up, hiking, and exploring the ice cave. Travelers should be comfortable walking for a few hours and in good overall health.
Yes—safety is always the top priority. The tour is led by AIMG-certified glacier guides with extensive experience. The cave is only visited when conditions allow, and the guide will assess the glacier and cave before entry. All participants are equipped with helmets, crampons, and safety harnesses.
Glacier conditions can change rapidly. In cases of heavy rain, strong wind, or unsafe ice conditions, your guide may adjust the route, replace the ice cave visit with an extended glacier hike, or reschedule the tour. Safety always comes first.
Yes, the minimum age is 10 years old. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The hike is not suitable for younger children, strollers, or baby carriers.
If you are pregnant (over 12 weeks) or have medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure, we recommend booking a private tour so the pace and conditions can be adjusted. Please notify your guide of any conditions before starting the hike.
The total tour time is 3.5 hours, including gear fitting, glacier walk, time inside the ice cave, and the return hike. The actual time inside the cave depends on conditions but is usually long enough to fully explore and take photographs.
Absolutely! The ice cave is one of the most photogenic places in Iceland. Bring your camera or smartphone and plenty of memory space. A wide-angle lens works especially well to capture the crystal-blue walls. Tripods are allowed but may be tricky to set up on ice.
Sólheimajökull is located about 2.5 hours’ drive from Reykjavík along Iceland’s South Coast. It’s easily combined with visits to Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, making it a perfect day trip.
The glacier hike is available year-round, but the ice cave itself is typically only safe and accessible in fall, winter, and spring. In summer, the cave may melt or collapse due to warmer temperatures.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness. The hike is moderate and includes walking on uneven icy terrain for a couple of hours. Most travelers in good health can complete it without issue.
The standard language is English, but guides often speak additional languages. Contact us if you have specific requests.
No, visiting the glacier or ice cave without a certified guide is strongly discouraged. Glaciers are constantly changing and can be dangerous if you don’t have local expertise. With a guide, you’ll have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Restrooms are available at the base camp before and after the tour. There are no restroom facilities on the glacier itself.
Yes—sturdy hiking boots are available to rent at base camp. All other necessary glacier gear (crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe) is provided as part of the tour.
