Iceland is a land of beautiful extremes, from some of the Earth’s most active volcanoes to massive glaciers that dominate the landscape. With glaciers covering 11% of the country one is never far from ice, making Iceland one of the best places in the world where you can easily get up close to a glacier. Sólheimajökull, located 2 hours from Reykjavik and near the popular tourist route of the Golden Circle, is perhaps the most accessible of Iceland’s glaciers. Our adventure started as we pulled onto a gravel road from Iceland’s Ring Road, the vibrant greens of the coast giving way to the lunar gray of the volcanic mountains. Driving down the gravel road with nothing to either side and ice capped mountains in the distance we wondered if we were going in the right direction. A twenty minute drive delivered us with little fanfare to a parking lot and and a spartan building that in high season serves as a cafe.It was here that we got our first glimpse of Sólheimajökull and met our guide Sigurður of Icelandic Mountain Guides. The constantly changing topography of a glacier can be dangerous for the inexperienced so its always a good idea to use a guide when exploring this icy landscape. Each of us armed with a pair of crampons and an ice ax we were off to explore this otherworldly landscape.
Leaving the stability of solid ground it took me a few minutes to get comfortable walking with the crampons, but once I got them gripping the ice I was good to go. At the base of the glacier it was easy to see how these enormous masses of ice, which appear immovable and immobile, shift over the Earth’s surface. Sigurður explained that as the ground warms it melts the ice from below forming a thin layer of water that acts as a lubricant allowing entire glacial sheaths to glide over the earth and each other. The glacial melt and runoff forms cracks, crevasses and ice caves.
Sólheimajökull is not the pristine white landscape that you might expect. The ice is layered with both volcanic earth from the ground below and ash from the occasional volcanic eruption (I’m looking at you Eyjafjallajökull). Glacial ice is so dense that the crystalline structure of the ice has changed resulting in that iconic ethereal blue glow, though much of the newer surface ice is still clear.
Following our guide Sigurður, we continued our trek upward. By now my steps were sure and confident, instead of constantly looking where my next step would be I could now look up and take in in my surroundings The icy expanse no longer appeared endless, the mossy slopes of the Myrdal mountains now flanking the edge of Sólheimajökull. The topography of this island of ice was as varied as any continent. Streams and lakes punctuated gently sloping plains, rolling hills give way to cliffs and canyons. As we neared the summit we pass a group of local Icelanders, some wearing lopapeysa (the traditional icelandic sweater), out for an afternoon of ice climbing.
Reaching the top I was rewarded with the view of the glacier carved valley below. Solheimajokull is one of the glaciers featured on Chasing Ice, a documentary that has filmed the retreat of this and several other glaciers over multiple years. Less than ten years ago the tongue of the glacier reached the end of the visible glacial river in the picture below. Yet again I am reminded of how fragile our glacial ecosystems are.
Read more about the effects of global warming on Solheimajokull Glacier.
Hiking up a glacier was one the highlights in my trip to Iceland. Do you want to explore a glacier up close?
I was graciously offered a discount by Icelandic Mountain Guides but as always all opinions remain my own.
Bianca @itsallbee says
Beautiful pictures! Looks like I may have to add this to my list as I am booked for Iceland next summer! 🙂
Brianna says
You will love Iceland, there is no where else on Earth like it!
Lois Alter Mark says
We walked on a glacier while we were in Iceland but didn’t hike like this. Iceland is so beautiful and truly one of the most special places I’ve ever visited.
Brianna says
I agree 1000%, there is no place like Iceland is there?
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) says
Looks amazing and sounds like fun! I am dying to get to Iceland!
Brianna says
You should totally go!
Patti Morrow says
What a great adventure! Seeing and perhaps walking on the glaciers in Iceland is on my bucket list, but I’ve never considered climbing them with a pick axe — just might have to do that! I love the aqua-blue in the glaciers.
Brianna says
You don’t seem like someone who would shirk away from a challenge Patti 🙂
Sarah Ebner says
That view from the top really is worth it – fantastic stuff. I really thought your pictures were magical. My daughter is desperate to Iceland, and one day we will do it!
Brianna says
Thanks Sarah! You should check out We 3 Travel for tips on going to Iceland in the summer with kids.
Katja - globetotting says
What an adventure! I keep reading stories about Iceland and am desperate to go. Your pictures are great and I love how they show all the various colours of the glacier. Beautiful.
Brianna says
Thanks, I hope you get a chance to go to Iceland sooner rather than later.
Dana says
What an amazing experience! I would love to explore a glacier. Hopefully I will get to Iceland soon.
Brianna says
I hope you get to Iceland soon, its a beautiful country!
Curtis Engler says
What a fantastic post. I had never really considered making a trip to Iceland anytime soon, but after seeing your photos and your description of the landscape I might just have to hop on over from Ireland and have a look 🙂 Looked like quite the trek as well!
Brianna says
You aren’t that far from Iceland (relatively speaking) you should visit if you get the chance.
Prianka | Map Halves says
Hiking a glacier sounds seriously epic! Those spiky boots look dangerous but super useful (coulda used them when I was sliding around on the black ice growing up in Canada). I’ve been seeing many posts about Iceland lately and it is making me really want to go there!
Brianna says
It tool a while to get use to the crampons but they certainly were handy. I didn’t slip even once!
Natalie says
Climbing up a glacier looks like a really fun experience. I would be a bit scared to slip on the ice, but I’m sure that you get use to it after a while. Thanks for sharing! Now I want to go to Iceland even more….!
Brianna says
It was definitely a cool experience (no pun intended).
Sophie says
Beautiful photos! I am desperate to go back to Iceland so when I go back I hope to try this!
Brianna says
You should definitely give this a try when you get back to Iceland.
Inma says
YES!
One of my reasons why I will go back to Iceland soon as I wrote a few days back. Cool post!
Brianna says
Thanks! Iceland really is a special place.
Kayla says
Wow, this looks amazing!
I live in the UK, and many of my classmates from Asia seem to go to Iceland during holiday weeks as they often times can’t afford to go home. I’ve always wanted to go, but heard it was expensive. How would you say the cost of something like glacier hiking was for you?
Thanks for all the pictures, having a ton of Wanderlust now!
Kayla
Brianna says
The cost for this particular glacier hike was about $100 usd.
Nancy says
Beautiful photos! I would love to explore a glacier up close. It looks like a fun family activity.
Brianna says
Check out We 3 Travel, she has a few posts about going to Iceland with kids.
Laura says
The blue ice is really fascinating as are all the shifts in the plates around Iceland. Makes for some exciting hikes.
Brianna says
There is no place else like Iceland.
Alli says
Looks fantastic! Brings back great memories of my time in NZ hiking Franz Josef!
Brianna says
I would love to explore the glaciers in NZ!
Mama Munchkin says
Iceland… Iceland… every one is talking about it. I think it should be on the hot spot list for 2015. And, for good reason it is absolutely incredible. I would love to go someday. Your photos are beautiful. I haven’t seen such nice ones especially of the glacier.
Brianna says
Thanks MM, Iceland is truly special.
Kristi Trimmer says
Glacier hiking is awesome – can’t forget the crampons! I can’t wait to do it in Iceland – it looks utterly amazing.
Brianna says
The crampons are a must!
Amanda says
I’d love to explore a glacier one day. I’m in Patagonia at the moment so there’s plenty around.
Brianna says
Patagonia is definitely on my wishlist 🙂
Esther Lee says
yes!! i definitely want to do this. this actually reminds me of glacier hiking at fox glacier. i’ve talked to other people who often compare new zealand and iceland to have lots of similar landscapes. 🙂
Tami says
I suppose once you get past the initial hesitation, it would be a wonderful experience — both challenging and thrilling!
Brianna says
One of the most memorable adventures of my time in Iceland for sure.
Jacomijn - Safe and Healthy Travel says
I just shared a blig about the same Glacier!! Great experience! I was there during Sunset too 😉 Wonderful!!
Brianna says
Wasn’t it just an awesome expreience? I was there in summer so I didn’t get a sunset lol.