Glacier hike from Reykjavík: day tours that put you on the ice
Can you hike a glacier on a day trip from Reykjavík?
Yes. While the grandest ice is four hours east at Skaftafell, the Sólheimajökull outlet of Mýrdalsjökull sits just off the south-coast Ring Road, around two hours from the city. That makes it the natural choice for a glacier hike you can do and be back the same day — usually wrapped into a full south-coast tour so the long drive earns its keep.
The best glacier-hike day tours from Reykjavík
Two formats dominate. A glacier-hike-plus-highlights day combines the ice with waterfalls and a black-sand beach; a south-coast tour with a glacier walk leans more on the sights with a shorter time on the ice. The top-rated option below scores 4.8 stars.
Top ratedReykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
Best sellerReykjavik: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier
What a typical day looks like
- ~08:00 — Pickup from your Reykjavík hotel or a central bus stop.
- Morning — South coast: stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
- Midday — Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull: gear up and head onto the ice for ~1.5–2 hours with your guide.
- Afternoon — Reynisfjara black-sand beach and basalt columns near Vík.
- ~19:00 — Return to Reykjavík.
It’s a long day with a lot of driving. Sit on the right side of the bus on the way out for the best coast views, bring snacks and water, and wear your hiking layers from the start so the glacier stop is hassle-free.
Reykjavík day trip or stay on the south coast?
If the glacier is your main goal and you want the deepest blue ice, it’s worth driving to Skaftafell and staying over. If you want the glacier and the famous south-coast sights in one efficient day without changing hotels, the Reykjavík day tour is hard to beat. Compare them on our best glacier hike page.
More tours from Reykjavík
Frequently asked questions
Can you hike a glacier on a day trip from Reykjavík?
Yes — the Sólheimajökull glacier is about two hours from the city and is usually combined with the south-coast waterfalls and a black-sand beach on a single 10–11 hour day tour from around $107.
Which glacier is closest to Reykjavík?
Sólheimajökull, an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull on the south coast, is the closest hikeable glacier — about a two-hour drive. It’s the standard glacier for day tours from the capital.
How long is a glacier hike day tour from Reykjavík?
Plan on a full 10–11 hour day, including roughly four hours of driving, the waterfalls, a black-sand beach and about 1.5–2 hours actually on the glacier.
Is a Reykjavík glacier hike tour worth it?
For most visitors, yes — it’s the easiest way to hike real glacier ice and see the south coast’s highlights without a self-drive or an overnight stay. If you only want the biggest, bluest ice, drive to Skaftafell instead.