Private South Coast & Glacier Hike

Tour Details

Duration:

12H

Season:

All year

Max People:

Difficulty:

Moderate

Highlights

Private glacier hike with professional guide
Seljalandsfoss - walk behind the waterfall
Skógafoss waterfall and folklore
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Sólheimajökull glacier adventure
Glacier equipment included
Adventure and sightseeing combined
Professional glacier guide

Gallery

Dramatic south coast landscape with glaciers and waterfalls

Blue ice crevasses and glacier formations

Private South Coast tour vehicle and dramatic landscapes

Professional glacier equipment and safety gear

Wide view of glacier rim and rugged terrain

Basalt column formations at Reynisfjara beach

Sólheimajökull glacier hiking adventure with crampons and ice formations

Glacier edge meeting volcanic rock formations

Tour group exploring icy expanse under clear sky

Reynisfjara black sand beach with basalt sea stacks

Icy landscape with hikers using crampons and helmets

Skógafoss waterfall with rainbow and dramatic cliff formations

Snow and ice fields stretching toward distant peaks

Guide and participants walking over a glacier crevasse

Seljalandsfoss waterfall with walking path behind the falls

Group hiking across glacier ice with mountainous backdrop

Close-up of glacier ice features and textures

Adventurers standing on ice looking into distance

Waterfalls, Black Sand, and a Glacier Hike in One Day

This tour combines the South Coast’s greatest hits with a guided glacier hike, making it one of our most action-packed day tours. The morning takes you along the waterfall corridor — Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss — before continuing east past the village of Vík and along the black coastline. In the afternoon, you strap on crampons and step onto a glacier tongue, guided by a certified glacier expert.

The glacier hike itself requires no previous experience. All equipment — crampons, ice axes, helmets — is provided, and the certified guide adjusts the route based on conditions and group fitness. You will walk on ancient compressed ice, peer into crevasses, and learn how Iceland’s glaciers have been retreating in recent decades — a lesson in climate science delivered from the glacier itself.

Starting the day at Seljalandsfoss before a glacier hiking adventure

How This Differs from the South Coast Complete Tour

The South Coast Complete tour covers more ground along the coastline, visiting Reynisfjara beach and the Dyrhólaey promontory, but does not include glacier hiking. This tour trades those extra coastal stops for the glacier experience. Your guide can help you decide which version fits your priorities — if you have two days, doing both is the ideal combination.

For a thorough overview of every South Coast attraction, read our ultimate South Coast guide. It details distances, seasonal highlights, and helps you understand what each tour variation covers.

Rainbow arching over powerful Skógafoss before the glacier adventure

Frequently Asked Questions About the Glacier Hike Tour

Do I need experience for the glacier hike? No previous glacier hiking experience is required. Certified guides provide all equipment and thorough instruction before you step onto the ice. Reasonable fitness for a 2-hour hike is recommended.

What equipment is provided for the glacier hike? All technical equipment is included: crampons, ice axes, helmets, and harnesses. You should bring warm layers, waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking boots, and gloves.

Is there an age limit for glacier hiking? Participants should be at least 8 years old. The glacier terrain requires following safety instructions carefully.

What if weather cancels the glacier hike? Glacier hikes can be affected by weather conditions. If cancelled for safety reasons, we will offer either a refund or options to reschedule.

What You'll Visit

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Experience the unique thrill of walking behind one of Iceland's most photographed waterfalls. During winter, the falls are illuminated by floodlights, transforming the scene into a nighttime spectacle. The walking path behind the cascading water allows you to witness the falls from inside the cave.

This rare feature makes Seljalandsfoss one of only a handful of waterfalls worldwide where you can walk completely behind the curtain of water. Be prepared to get wet!

Skógafoss Waterfall

Marvel at the thundering power of Skógafoss, where the Skógá river plummets 60 meters across a 25-meter-wide cliff face, creating perpetual mist that frequently produces single or double rainbows on sunny days.

Folklore enriches this site with tales of trolls turned to stone while gazing at the falls' beauty. The steps to the viewing platform reward climbers with panoramic views across the former coastline.

Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike

Sólheimajökull glacier hiking adventure with crampons on blue ice formations

Gear up for an glacier adventure on Sólheimajökull, a dramatic outlet tongue flowing from Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Nestled between Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes, this glacier displays remarkable volcanic ash striations.

Your certified glacier guide provides crampons, ice axes, and helmets before leading you across volcanic sands toward the glacier tongue. Once on the ice, you'll explore deep azure crevasses, towering ice formations, and seracs that demonstrate glacier dynamics. Utmost care is essential: never venture onto glaciers without trained guides.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Visit Iceland's most dramatic black sand beach, where volcanic lava from the legendary Katla eruption met the freezing Atlantic and shattered into countless obsidian fragments.

This beach has achieved international fame as a Game of Thrones filming location, yet it carries serious dangers. Your guide will ensure you stay in designated safe zones.