Glaciers and Waterfalls - AA-GVAW

Tour Description

You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall

The journey heads out from Reykjavík and quickly opens into Iceland’s dramatic South Coast, where farmland, open horizons, and distant volcanoes set the tone for the day. Eyjafjallajökull rises prominently along the route, with Hekla visible on clear days and the Westman Islands sometimes appearing on the horizon.

The first major stop is Skógafoss, a powerful 60-meter (197-foot) waterfall tumbling from ancient sea cliffs. Step right up to feel the spray on your face or climb the 527 steps for a sweeping view over the river valley. In the right light, the mist often breaks into vivid rainbows.

From there, the landscape shifts to the striking black sands of Reynisfjara, where Atlantic waves crash against basalt columns and sea-carved caves. Offshore, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the ocean, tied to local legends of trolls turned to stone. This is a place of raw coastal power, and conditions can change quickly, so staying close to the guide is essential.

The day’s main adventure unfolds at Sólheimajökull, where you spend around four hours exploring the glacier and its surroundings over roughly 6 km (3.7 miles) of varied terrain. No prior glacier experience is needed.

Glacier hiking on Solheimajokull glacier

Before stepping onto the ice, your guide equips you with crampons, a helmet, a harness, and an ice axe, and walks you through everything you need to know. The approach leads through a mossy valley before rising to a viewpoint over the glacier, mountains, and ash-streaked ice below.

From there, you descend onto the glacier itself. Once on the ice, the world changes completely: ridges, crevasses, melt channels, and deep blue formations shape a constantly shifting landscape. Dark volcanic ash layers, left by past eruptions such as Eyjafjallajökull, are visible throughout the ice, adding to the sense of walking through living geology.

As the glacier experience comes to an end, the route winds back toward the South Coast with a final stop at Seljalandsfoss, where a 60-meter (197-foot) curtain of water drops from the cliffs. When conditions allow, a path leads behind the waterfall for a final view out through the water.

From there, the journey returns to Reykjavík in the evening after a full day of waterfalls, black sand shores, volcanic landscapes, and glacier exploration.

This tour combines South Coast sightseeing with a guided glacier hike. If weather or glacier conditions make it unsafe to go onto the ice, the itinerary may be changed. The sightseeing portion will still operate, and a partial refund will be provided for the glacier activity if it cannot take place.

The minimum age is 8 years, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear at least EU shoe size 35, as crampons cannot be attached securely to smaller footwear.

This glacier hike is rated Easy–Moderate. Previous glacier experience is not required, but participants should be comfortable walking approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) over mixed, uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes.

woman in an orange jacket in front of a glacier lagoon

glacier hike in progress

group of tourists on a blue ice glacier hike

crashing waves on a black sand beach during winter

people walking at skogafoss waterfall

tourists getting ready to ice climb

tourists in front of a glacier lagoon

Seljalandsfoss waterfall and tourists during winter

guide explaining things on solheimajokull glacier

two men crossing picaxes on a glacier

tourists taking photos in front of skogafoss waterfall in winter

Seljalandsfoss from the cave behind the waterfall

Recommended equipment list

For this full-day South Coast and glacier tour, bring:

• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm outdoor layers
• Hiking boots with ankle support
• Hat
• Gloves
• Food and drink for the day
• Small backpack for personal items
• Camera