Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap on Iceland's South Coast, around 11 km long and reached in just over two hours from Reykjavík. It has retreated far enough since the mid-1990s that a lagoon began forming at its snout in 2011. You can go onto the ice only with a guide and crampons, and this guide explains why, along with how the glacier is changing.
Sólheimajökull at a glance
| Sólheimajökull | |
|---|---|
| Type | Outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull |
| Size | Around 11 km long, 1 to 2 km wide |
| Location | South Coast, off the Ring Road |
| From Reykjavík | Just over two hours by car |
| On the ice | Guided only, crampons required |
| Proglacial lagoon | Formed in 2011, about 60 m deep |
An outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull
Sólheimajökull is a tongue of ice that flows down from Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland's fourth largest ice cap, which sits over the Katla volcano. It runs around 11 km long and 1 to 2 km wide. Part of what makes it a fixture on South Coast trips is access: the snout reaches down toward the lowlands near the Ring Road, so a short side road and a walking path bring you to the ice without a long approach.
A glacier that is retreating
Sólheimajökull is one of the clearest places in Iceland to see a glacier change within a human lifetime. It retreated 977 m between 1930 and 1969, then advanced 495 m between 1969 and 1995. Since the mid-1990s it has pulled back again, and by 2010 it sat about a kilometre behind its 1930 position, having thinned 120 to 150 m compared with 1960. A proglacial lagoon started forming at the snout in 2011, is now about 60 m deep, and could grow up to 4 km long over the coming decades. On current trends the glacier could disappear within 100 to 200 years.
Because the ice moves and melts constantly, the edge you see will not match older photos, and the ground near the lagoon shifts from year to year.
Walking on the ice, guided only
You do not walk onto Sólheimajökull on your own. The surface holds crevasses and moulins, the snout is unstable where it meets the lagoon, and thin ice near the water is a real hazard. On a guided Sólheimajökull glacier hike, the group stays on an assessed route and the guide supplies crampons, an ice axe, and a helmet, then shows you how to move on the ice. Dress for cold and wet in any season, with waterproofs and sturdy boots, and check safetravel.is for conditions and to log your plans before you go.
Getting there and when to go
The glacier lies just over two hours east of Reykjavík, off the Ring Road on the South Coast, which makes it easy to combine with waterfalls and the black-sand coast in one trip. Guided walks run year round because the terrain here is worked all seasons, though winter days are short and weather can close in. If you would rather not drive, compare guided South Coast tours that include a glacier walk; prices vary by operator and season, so check current options before booking.
Plan the journey
The Driving Distance Calculator can help you sequence Sólheimajökull glacier walks on Iceland's South Coast with nearby sights without overfilling the day.
