Basic Information
Sólheimajökull Glacier, located along the southern region of Iceland ring road, is a part of mighty Myrdalsjokull Glacier. Open sky, wide mountains covered with milky white ice will provide you with a magical view. Sólheimajökull means the “Home of The Sun” and the place stands by its name. You will get a clear view of the sunrise in the early morning that will leave you mesmerized. Earlier less known to the people, this glacier has received a lot of fame in the last few years. You can capture the ice crevasses, rugged scenery, and deep blue sky color in any season of the year. With the width of 1-2 km, the glacier terrain is spread for around 8 km giving you a chance to do multiple activities. The constantly changing terrain of the glacier will phenomenally reveal the power of nature.
As the glacier layer is diffusing every year due to global warming, it is our responsibility to not throw the waste at these places to preserve the magnificent beauty of Mother Nature. Due to its reducing heights and size, it is also known as “Shrinking Glacier”. The Jökulsá river flows out of Sólheimajökull glacier with the glacial meltwater. If you love to get adventurous then Sólheimajökull is a perfect place for you. With the large and easy terrain, it is a famous destination among travelers for glacier walks and ice climbing activities.
Adventure Activities To Do
The easy access and majestic view of the glacier attract travelers for adventures. Crystal blue ice, deep crevasses make it the favorite place for hikers. You can hike along this glacier to get through the easy path and intensive excursions both; it will make your trip memorable and adventurous. Ice climbing is another sport activity that you can try in the mid of majestic glacier landscapes. Since finding the ice walls is not easy, it’s is necessary to hire an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Even if you are experienced in these activities, booking a guide will keep you safe at this unknown place.
Reaching the Glacier
Sólheimajökull glacier is located around 6 km east of Skógar and 28 km west of Vik. From the capital city of Reykjavik, the glacier is around 160 kilometers away so you can easily reach there with your vehicle or by public transport.
If you are coming from Reykjavik by car, head towards the east on ring road Route 1. Drive on this route for around 2 hours. After driving for 2 hours, take a left turn to drive on Route 221 and move on route 221 for 4 kilometers. You will find the Sólheimajökull Glacier parking lot. On your way to the glacier, you can also witness Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui Waterfalls. If you are planning to get the best of nature, make halts at these places for some time.
Weather of this glacier is normally unpredictable alike other along Iceland’s South Coast. If you are traveling under the warm sun you may experience rain in a few moments later. During summer, the temperature of the glacier remains between 5 and 15 °C while in winters, it lies between -15 and -5 °C. It’s highly recommended to visit here with full preparations according to the weather. Bring warm suits along with you to protect you from freezing winds. You can consider bringing ice cleats that will help you in walking, hiking, and many other activities at the glacier. If you are visiting in Summer and planning to stay there for a day or two, make sure you reserve your room in advance as it happens to get crowded in summers.
Map of Sólheimajökull Glacier
Interesting locations in the area
Hotels & Restaurants
- Hotel Skógá
- Mid Hvoll Cottages
- Volcano Hotel
- Smiðjan Brugghús
