Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
Walk on ancient ice, stand beneath cascading falls, and discover a shore unlike any other.
This full-day journey from Reykjavik takes you through the most celebrated landscapes on Iceland's south coast, anchored by a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull where you step onto living ice equipped with crampons, harnesses, and helmets. The 11-hour itinerary also covers the basalt columns of Reynisfjara, the towering cascade of Skogafoss, and the walk-behind marvel of Seljalandsfoss.
Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland's fourth-largest ice cap, situated roughly 158 kilometers from the capital. Hiking across its surface reveals crevasses, ice tunnels, and meltwater channels that document centuries of glacial movement and climate change in visible, tangible form.
Reynisfjara black sand beach brings an entirely different dimension to the day. The Atlantic swell arrives with considerable force here, and the geometric basalt columns alongside the Reynisdrangar sea stacks lend the shoreline a dramatic, almost geological gravity that photographs simply cannot capture.
The waterfalls complete the picture. Skogafoss drops 65 meters in a single vertical curtain wide enough to generate its own persistent mist, while Seljalandsfoss allows visitors to circle behind the falls for a perspective few waterfalls in the world can offer.
Tour Highlights
Hike on Sólheimajökull glacier with full safety equipment including crampons and ice picks.
Visit Reynisfjara, a black sand beach ranked among the world's most striking non-tropical shores.
Stand beneath Skogafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls at 65 meters tall and 25 meters wide.
Walk behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss for an immersive, 360-degree waterfall experience.
Observe basalt columns and the enigmatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks steeped in Icelandic folklore.
Depart directly from Reykjavik for a seamless day covering multiple iconic south coast destinations.
All glacier equipment — harness, helmet, crampons — is provided for a safe and accessible hike rated Easy.
Itinerary
The tour departs from Reykjavik and heads southeast along the Ring Road toward Iceland's famed south coast, with the volcanic highlands visible in the distance as the city fades behind you.
Arriving at Sólheimajökull, guides fit participants with harnesses, crampons, ice picks, and helmets before leading the group onto the glacier surface. The hike explores crevasses, ridges, and meltwater formations on an outlet tongue of Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, located 158 kilometers from Reykjavik.
Skogafoss stands 65 meters tall and 25 meters wide, placing it among Iceland's largest waterfalls. A staircase beside the falls leads to a vantage point above the cascade, and local legend holds that a Viking-age chest of gold is concealed behind the curtain of water.
Reynisfjara presents a striking contrast of black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, and the relentless North Atlantic surf. The offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks are central to local Icelandic folklore and provide a memorable backdrop to the shoreline.
Seljalandsfoss is notable for the path that runs behind its falling water, open for most of the year. The passage through the cave behind the falls offers a rare, enveloping view of the cascade from within the mist.
The group returns to Reykjavik after approximately 11 hours, concluding a day that covers glacier, waterfall, and coastal landscapes across the south coast.
What Is Included
Included
- Guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull
- Glacier equipment: harness, crampons, ice picks, and helmet
- Transport from and back to Reykjavik
- Professional glacier guide throughout the hike
- Visits to Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Reynisfjara
Not Included
- Meals and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Ready to Walk on Ice?
Secure your place on this south coast day trip and experience Iceland's glacier, waterfalls, and black sand beach in a single remarkable journey from Reykjavik.
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