Solheimajokull (Sólheimajökull) is an outlet glacier of the mighty Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. It lies on Iceland’s south coast and is one of the most easily accessible glaciers in the country.
Why you should see the Solheimajokull glacier
It is about 8 km (5 miles) long and 2 km (just over a mile) wide, but because of the way it flows down from Mýrdalsjökull, it looks much bigger.
Its surroundings show the rugged beauty of Icelandic nature at its best: high ice ridges, crevasses, ice caves and moulins, with meltwater streams murmuring all around, make for great hiking. The mix of dark volcanic ash and light layers of ice is a striking sight, too.
Because of climate change, Sólheimajökull – like other glacier tongues in Iceland – gets smaller every year. If you want to see this unusual natural wonder, don’t put off your trip to Iceland for too long.
If you want to hike on the glacier, join a guided tour, for example:
- Solheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike (about $215, minimum age 12);
- Skaftafell 3-Hour Easy Glacier Hike (about $105) – on a glacier in Skaftafell, farther east.
Solheimajokull – tips and practical information
- Sólheimajökull is accessible all year round. At the end of Road 221, which leads to the glacier, there is a parking lot and a café.
- You can go onto the glacier on your own (formally, Iceland is very liberal about this) or book a guided tour.
- If you go on your own, be sure to stick to marked routes and pay attention to warning signs. Remember that rescue operations are not free of charge here…
- If you’re experienced and in good shape, you can try not only glacier hiking but also ice climbing.
How to get to Sólheimajökull
To reach the parking lot at the Sólheimajökull glacier, turn off Route 1 onto Road 221 and follow it to the end. The turnoff from Route 1 is just past the bridge over the glacier’s lagoon, about 6 km (4 miles) southwest of Skogafoss waterfall.
A group of hikers on the way to Sólheimajökull
