Small-Group South Coast & Glacier Hike Tour from Reykjavik
Description
Discover Iceland’s breathtaking south coast on this full-day adventure from Reykjavík! Marvel at the thundering waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, take a guided glacier walk on Sólheimajökull, and explore the dramatic black sand beach of Reynisfjara, home to towering basalt sea stacks. Start your journey with a scenic drive along Iceland’s rugged coastline. We stop at Skógafoss, a stunning 60-meter waterfall, and visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where powerful waves crash against volcanic black sands - home to iconic basalt sea stacks. You will gear up for an easy glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, where you’ll explore blue ice, deep crevasses, and dramatic formations. We also stop at Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the cascading water for a unique view. On the way back to Reykjavík, relax and enjoy stunning views of Iceland's iconic South Coast.
Tour Options
Itinerary
No car required! Start your memorable journey to the iconic south coast with convenient pickup from select stops in Reykjavik.
We make a brief stop at the Lava Centre in Hvolsvollur where guests can use the restroom and purchase food & drinks to go
Feel the power of one of Iceland’s most iconic falls as Skógafoss crashes 60 meters into a wide misty basin. Walk right up to the spray for photos, or climb the staircase beside the waterfall for sweeping views over the valley and the South Coast
Step onto Iceland’s most famous black-sand beach, where basalt columns rise like a natural cathedral and the Atlantic surf roars in. You’ll see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore and the striking geology that makes this coastline so dramatic - plus important safety guidance for the powerful “sneaker waves.” Leisurely stroll along the black sand beach known for its famous basalt columns and caverns. Witness the Reynisdrangar cliffs and basalt rock stacks that rise from the sea.
Next, enjoy a truly unforgettable walk on ice with a beginner-friendly guided hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier, a stunning outlet of Mýrdalsjökull on Iceland’s South Coast. In a small group, you’ll meet your certified glacier guide at the parking lot, gear up with crampons, an ice axe, and helmet, and walk across a dramatic landscape to the glacier. We walk through a quiet mossy valley to access the glacier from above, where you will have stunning panoramic views of Sólheimajökull and the surrounding landscape before stepping onto the ice. Then you’ll spend about 1.5 hours hiking on the glacier, weaving between ice ridges, crevasses and shimmering blue formations. Along the way, your guide will share stories about climate, history, and the area, with plenty of time for photos and taking in the views. It’s a fun, safe and unforgettable way to experience Iceland’s ice world - no previous glacier experience required.
A picture-perfect waterfall with a pathway that can let you view the cascade from behind for an unforgettable perspective. In winter the trail can be icy or closed, but the stop is still spectacular from the front, with dramatic cliffs, mossy rock, and constant shifting light. In the winter months Seljalandsfoss is lit up, making it a stunning illuminated last stop of the day.
We will make our way back to the capital where you will be dropped off at your selected pick-up point.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please select the closest pick-up point to your accommodation from our list. The pickup process begins at your selected tour time and can last up to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and your location along the pickup route. Thank you in advance for your patience.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 8 years old and minimum shoe size is 35 EU
- Please bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, packed lunch, gloves, hat and good hiking shoes
- Please note that the order of the itinerary can be altered if weather conditions change
- For the glacier hike: In order to safely fit our specialized glacier crampons, guests must have a shoe size between 35-50 EU
- Hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for the glacier hike portion of the adventure (available to rent for a fee)
- This glacier hike is rated as easy to moderate - no prior experience is required - however; guests should be prepared to hike ~6km over uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes
Reviews(366)
Good experience, but did not like htat you were managing groups to multiple destinations/activities on our bus - it meant that we had to wait for other people to finish an activity before we could all do the glacier hike.
We did the glacier walk with 2 adults, 2 senior and a 12 year old. Monika, our guide, was great, and looked after our senior, and chatted to our 12 year old about berries at length which he loved. We felt very safe, and the glacier was amazing. It’s described as moderate and that’s accurate. Amazing experience, in would use Arctic Adventures again.
Had a great time on our tour with Arthur! He was really knowledgeable about and made our tour unforgettable!!
Hi Sabrina, really glad the tour earned a good review! The South Coast and a great guide is a proven formula. Arctic Adventures Team
Arthur was a great guide for our trip! Super knowledgeable of the region and took us to such beautiful spots along the coast. Definitely would recommend this trip to anyone travelling to Iceland!
Hi Francesca, really glad the trip was worth recommending. The South Coast has a lot to offer and it sounds like yours covered it well. Arctic Adventures Team
If you want to experience the sheer, untamed variety of Iceland’s landscapes in a single day, this full-day South Coast expedition delivers. Covering nearly 14 hours round-trip from Reykjavík, it’s an ambitious marathon of a day—packing in roaring waterfalls, moody black sand beaches, and a glacier trek across Sólheimajökull. The glacier hike was by far the highlight. My guide, Pietro, made every single hour worth it. Navigating glacier ice requires absolute precision, and Pietro kept safety front-and-center while pointing out deep crevasses, ice caves, and explaining the fascinating glaciology behind the landscape. Pro tip: Bring an extra pair of dry socks and a heavy-duty waterproof shell. Between the waterfall mist and glacier winds, staying dry is the secret to surviving the day. And pack plenty of water and snacks!
Hi again Tori, calling it a marathon and still saying every hour was worth it is the best endorsement a 14-hour day can get. The glacier earning highlight status over Skógafoss and Reynisfjara says a lot about the hike. Thank you for joining our tours! Arctic Adventures Team
Our driver/guide Lucky and glacier hiking guide Steven are so nice and professional who made my day❤️
Hi there, good to hear this. A wonderful day with great people on both legs of the tour is the best outcome. Glad it made your day. Arctic Adventures Team
A beautiful hike through some stunning hillsides up to the glacier. Arctic Adventures was very easy to communicate with, and they made it easy to rent and equip specialized gear so we didn't have to buy (and travel with) a bunch of extra stuff. Our guide Danny was fun, informative, and kept a brisk pace while making sure everyone had time to take pictures and marvel at the scenery.
Hi there, the gear rental tip is one future guests will appreciate reading. Traveling light and picking everything up on the day is so much easier than packing crampons in a suitcase. Glad the glacier hike lived up to the scenery on the way up. Arctic Adventures Team
Edgar was a wonderful driver/guide, patient with our group’s questions-both logistics and about Iceland and the attractions we visited.
Hi there, nice to hear you enjoyed the day. A patient guide who handles both the practical and the curious questions equally well is exactly what that South Coast run needs. Arctic Adventures Team
This tour was the highlight of our stay in Reykjavik! The sights were beautiful, but having a small group was the best and made the trip so enjoyable. There isn't a better tour guide than Bruno. I knew from the moment he picked us up with his welcoming smile that it was going to be a great day! He was so thoughtful of his passengers and went out of his way to make sure we saw a much as possible, timing our stops to avoid the crowds as much as possible. He even made a surprise stop to see the puffins up close. Which wasn't even on our itinerary. . He is very knowledgeable of this area. He also shared his favorite Icelandic candy with us. I would love to go on another tour with him and highly recommend you go with him as well!!
Hi Ellen, this was a joy to read. A surprise puffin stop and Icelandic candy from the guide's personal stash — that's the kind of day you can't plan from a brochure. So happy to hear you enjoyed it, come back for more anytime! Arctic Adventures Team
This hike is NOT easy and very strenuous. The original, easy beginner path is no longer available due to glacial changes. A new path was created which the guides described as moderate/challenging. (Told this when we arrived) The hike is also 4 hours in total, which is an hour longer than originally displayed. We had fun, but be prepared for a very exhausting hike and climb to get to the glacier. The guides and tour were great, just prepare accordingly if you’re looking for something easy.
