From Reykjavik: South Coast and Glacier Hiking Tour

Ice, waterfalls, and a long Icelandic day.

This 10.5-hour outing combines a 1.5 to 2-hour guided walk on Sólheimajökull with visits to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. I like that you get more than a photo stop: mountain guides explain how to use crampons and move safely across the ice, while the drive adds views of Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano linked to Iceland’s famous 2010 eruption.

I also like the careful, friendly guiding reported by past participants, including guides Bart, Gary, and Tinna, plus driver Tomek. The main drawback is physical: the glacier walk can leave you tired, especially if you do not usually hike, and winter daylight may make the waterfall stops feel short.

Key points before you book

• Sólheimajökull is the main event: You spend up to two hours walking among ice ridges, sculptures, and crevasses with a mountain guide.
• The trip covers three major sights: The glacier is paired with Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, giving you ice and waterfalls in one day.
• The drive takes about two hours each way: That is a lot of bus time, but it lets you reach a part of southern Iceland that is difficult to visit on a short independent outing.
• You receive glacier equipment: Basic ice-walking gear and safety equipment are included, with instruction before you step onto the glacier.
• You need a reasonable level of fitness: Children aged 9 and younger cannot join, and people unused to hiking may find the walk tiring.
• Winter timing matters: In December, the waterfall visits may happen with limited daylight, so an early departure would give you more time for photographs.

Why Sólheimajökull is worth the long ride

Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier flowing from Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier. It is not simply a broad sheet of white ice viewed from a parking area. The guided route takes you onto the glacier, where the surface changes into ridges, ice formations, and crevasses.

That close view gives the excursion its purpose. From a roadside viewpoint, a glacier can look distant and flat. On foot, you notice the rough texture, blue tones, hollows, and uneven channels. Your guide also explains how glaciers move and why these ice bodies are shrinking. That makes the walk more than a scenic photo opportunity.

You should keep expectations realistic. This is a glacier hike, not an ice-climbing course. Ice climbing is specifically excluded, so you will not be scaling walls with ropes and axes. The route focuses on walking safely across the ice and seeing its natural shapes.

The guide is a major part of the experience. Past outings have included Bart, Gary, and Tinna, with praise for their calm instruction, useful explanations, and willingness to answer questions. One guide even allowed a carefully supervised look into a deep crevasse using proper safety equipment. That kind of moment depends on current conditions and the guide’s judgment, but it shows why a guided visit is important here.

The two-hour ride south from Reykjavík

The tour leaves from Reykjavík’s BSI Bus Terminal, where you should arrive 15 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan extra time to reach the terminal from your accommodation.

The bus ride takes roughly two hours each way. That is the trade-off for reaching Sólheimajökull and the southern waterfalls in one day. You spend much of the morning and late afternoon seated, but the route gives you a broad view of southern Iceland and takes you beneath the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

Eyjafjallajökull became world-famous after its 2010 eruption disrupted air travel across Europe. Seeing the volcano in its wider setting adds useful context to the day. You are not merely being driven from one attraction to another. The route connects the volcano, its glacial surroundings, and the rivers that feed the waterfalls.

Previous participants praised the driving as smooth and safe, with bathroom breaks planned along the way. That matters on a 10.5-hour day. You should still bring food and drinks, since neither is included. Past participants were able to buy food at stops, including a fuel station around 10 a.m. and a kiosk later in the day, but carrying your own snacks is the simpler plan.

Learning to walk on a glacier

Before stepping onto Sólheimajökull, your mountain guide explains the equipment and shows you how to use it. The included gear is designed for walking on ice, and instruction covers basics such as fitting crampons and placing your feet securely.

If you have never used crampons, do not worry. The guidance is intended for beginners, and past participants specifically praised the patient instruction. Guides also adjusted their pace for people who walked more slowly or felt less sure on slippery ground.

That does not make the outing effortless. A glacier surface is uneven, and you need to pay attention to each step. One detailed account described the hike as physically moderate and tiring for anyone with joint pain or little walking practice. You should be in generally good condition and comfortable walking for an extended period.

Wear proper hiking boots. Warm clothing and rain gear are essential, even if Reykjavík looks mild when you leave. Conditions can change quickly around the ice, and you may encounter wind, cold, wet surfaces, or spray at the waterfalls.

The walk lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. The exact experience depends on the weather and the condition of the glacier. The operator can change or stop the activity if conditions are unsafe, so keep your schedule flexible and do not book an important evening commitment too close to the planned return.

What you see on Sólheimajökull

The reward for the effort is close contact with a changing ice world. You may see blue ice, ridges, sculpted walls, and openings formed by meltwater. The guide points out features that are easy to miss when you are focused only on your feet.

The glacier is also a useful place to understand change over time. Your guide explains more about these shrinking ice bodies as you walk. That discussion gives the scenery some weight. You are looking at an impressive natural feature, but also one that is receding.

Photographs can be excellent here, but safety comes first. Stay with the guide, follow instructions around crevasses, and do not wander off to find a better angle. The most memorable part of the experience is often seeing the ice from a safe route rather than trying to create a dramatic photograph.

A small group can make this easier. One past outing had 10 participants, a comfortable size for instruction and questions. Group size can vary, so do not assume every departure will match that number, but the experience is best when the guide can keep everyone together without rushing.

Seljalandsfoss: the waterfall you can walk behind

After the glacier portion, the tour visits Seljalandsfoss. This waterfall is fed by the Seljandsá River, which begins at Eyjafjallajökull. Its famous feature is a path that goes behind the falling water.

The rear path gives you a different view from a normal waterfall stop. You see the curtain of water from inside the rocky recess, with the surrounding countryside beyond it. It is a memorable contrast to the enclosed, blue-white world of the glacier.

Bring a raincoat or waterproof outer layer if you want to go behind the falls. Spray can soak you even when the weather is otherwise dry, and the footing may be wet. Waterproof trousers are also a sensible choice, though they are not listed as included equipment.

You do not have to take the rear path. If the weather is poor or the surface looks uncomfortable, you can enjoy the waterfall from the front. That flexibility is useful because the tour is already a long day, and not everyone will want another slippery walk after the glacier.

Skógafoss and the final scenic stop

Skógafoss is the second major waterfall stop. It has a broad, powerful drop and a very different feel from Seljalandsfoss. At Seljalandsfoss, the memorable feature is the path behind the water. At Skógafoss, the attraction is the scale and force of the falling water.

The waterfall is also associated with the Fimmvörðuháls route to Þórsmörk, a well-known hiking crossing. It has appeared in films including Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, though the setting is more impressive in person than its screen appearances suggest.

Bring warm layers for both waterfall stops. One past account described Skógafoss as particularly cold, and winter visits can be dark, windy, and wet. Carry your camera in a weather-resistant bag, and keep a dry layer available for the ride back to Reykjavík.

The amount of time at each waterfall is important. You have several major sights in one day, so this is not a slow photography tour with unlimited time at every stop. In winter, a late arrival can also mean less daylight. A December participant suggested starting an hour earlier to give the waterfalls more light. That is a useful point when comparing departure times.

Is $213 a fair price?

At $213 per person, this is not a budget bus ride. It is also more than a simple South Coast sightseeing trip because the price includes the glacier guide, ice-walking equipment, safety gear, transportation, and the two waterfalls.

The value depends on what you would otherwise arrange. Reaching Sólheimajökull independently requires transport, glacier equipment, route planning, and a separate guide. You would also need to organize the waterfall stops. Here, those pieces are combined into one full day, which saves planning and removes the need to drive on unfamiliar roads in changing Icelandic weather.

The tour is especially good value if the glacier is your priority. The waterfalls are excellent additions, but they are not the reason to pay for this particular outing. If you only want to see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, a standard South Coast tour may offer more time at the falls for less money.

Food and drinks are not included, so budget for your own lunch and snacks. Past participants found places to buy food during the day, and card payment was available at those stops. Still, bringing something from Reykjavík is wise because meal timing depends on the day’s schedule.

Who should book this glacier day?

I would choose this trip if you want an active introduction to Iceland’s ice and do not have time for a longer glacier program. It suits first-time glacier walkers because the guide teaches the equipment and walking technique rather than expecting prior experience.

It also works well for anyone who wants variety. You see a volcano, a glacier, two major waterfalls, and a wide stretch of southern Iceland without changing hotels.

You should think twice if you dislike long bus rides or want a relaxed day with plenty of time at each sight. The glacier walk takes real effort, and the return journey can feel long after a cold-weather hike.

Children aged 9 and younger are not permitted. The experience is also a poor fit for anyone with significant joint pain or limited walking ability, based on the physical demands described for the route. The operator’s weather rule matters too: glacier conditions can affect whether the activity runs as planned.

English is the tour language. If you want detailed explanations about glaciers, safety, and the route, that is a useful match. Guides on past departures were praised for being friendly, professional, and willing to answer questions.

Practical packing advice for a winter or summer departure

Pack for movement, moisture, and wind rather than for the temperature in Reykjavík when you leave.

• Wear warm layers that you can add or remove.
• Bring a waterproof coat or rain gear.
• Use sturdy hiking boots.
• Carry snacks and drinks because food is not included.
• Bring a waterproof cover or bag for electronics.
• Keep an extra warm layer available for the waterfalls and bus ride.

Do not arrive in ordinary trainers and expect the glacier equipment to solve every problem. The included ice gear helps on the glacier, but you still need suitable footwear and clothing for getting to the ice and walking around the waterfalls.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful when Iceland’s weather may affect your plans, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and keep the day open.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if walking on a real glacier is high on your Iceland wish list and you want the waterfalls added without arranging transport yourself. The strongest part is the guided time on Sólheimajökull, where patient instruction, proper equipment, and close views of the ice make the experience suitable for careful beginners.

Skip it if you want a short, easy sightseeing day, have little tolerance for bus travel, or mainly care about waterfalls. At $213, the price makes sense because the glacier guide and equipment are included, not because the waterfall stops alone justify the cost.

For an active day that links Iceland’s ice, volcanoes, and falling water, this is a solid choice. Pick an early departure if you are visiting in winter, arrive prepared for cold and wet conditions, and leave enough energy for the ride back to Reykjavík.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full tour lasts 10.5 hours, including transportation from Reykjavík, the glacier walk, and visits to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss.

Where does the tour depart from?

The main departure point is the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavík. You should be there 15 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the BSI Bus Terminal.

How long is the glacier walk?

The guided glacier walk lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is glacier equipment included?

Yes. Ice-walking gear and safety equipment are included, along with instruction from the mountain guide.

Is ice climbing part of the tour?

No. Ice climbing is not included. The activity is a guided glacier walk.

Are children allowed to join?

Children aged 9 and younger are not permitted on this tour.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, rain gear, hiking boots, food, and drinks. A waterproof coat is especially useful if you want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss.