Sólheimajökull ice is the main event. You’ll get out on a real glacier with crampons and an ice axe guidance, then trade cold adventure for warm quiet at Sky Lagoon.
What I like most is the pairing: you don’t just “see” the south coast—you hike it, then recover with a proper lagoon stop. I also appreciate the small group setup (max 15) and the fact that you’re picked up from Reykjavík area stops instead of trying to figure out buses solo.
One consideration: this isn’t a casual stroll. You’ll be outside for about 2.5 hours on uneven ground, wearing crampons for roughly an hour, and the tour isn’t suitable for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, low fitness, kids under 12, or anyone over 95 kg.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll feel in your day
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Meets Sky Lagoon Recovery
- Getting Going: Reykjavík Pickup and a Timed Southern Coast Day
- Sólheimajökull: Where the Gear Makes the Walk Feel Doable
- What you’ll likely notice on the ice
- Seljalandsfoss: A Short Stop That Still Feels Worth It
- Sky Lagoon: The Best Way to End a Cold Adventure
- Price and Value: Why $305 Can Make Sense Here
- Who This Tour Is For (and Who Should Skip It)
- What to Bring (So You Don’t Lose Time on Day-of Prep)
- Should You Book This Glacier Hike + Sky Lagoon Day?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- What is included in the price?
- What is not included?
- Where are the pickup points in Reykjavík?
- How long do I spend hiking on the glacier?
- What should I bring?
- Who isn’t this tour suitable for?
Key highlights you’ll feel in your day
- Sólheimajökull glacier hike with gear and an English-speaking certified guide
- Crampons + ice axe time (about 1 hour) so you can move confidently on ice
- South coast viewpoints on the drive, plus a guided stop at Seljalandsfoss
- Sky Lagoon admission included, with a convenient drop-off near central Reykjavík
- Small group (15 max) keeps it less chaotic on icy terrain
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Meets Sky Lagoon Recovery
This day has a clean storyline: cold, physical, then calm. You’ll start with the thrill of walking on an outlet glacier—Sólheimajökull is part of the larger Mýrdalsjökull system—set in an area surrounded by volcanoes. That combo matters. Iceland’s glaciers aren’t “just ice.” They’re a living landscape shaped by weather, melt, and gravity, and the guide helps you read what you’re standing on.
After that, you shift gears. The Sky Lagoon stop isn’t a random add-on; it’s a smart way to give your body a break and let your mind slow down. The tour even builds this into the pacing: there’s a short waterfall stop before you head back, then you finish at Sky Lagoon where you can enjoy the facilities at your own rhythm.
If you’re the type who wants one day to feel like two experiences—adventure plus recovery—this is a great fit.
You can also read our reviews of more hiking tours in Reykjavik
Getting Going: Reykjavík Pickup and a Timed Southern Coast Day
The tour runs long enough to justify the drive south and still leave you time for a real glacier hike and a meaningful lagoon visit. You’ll leave from one of two Reykjavík-area pickup points: Ráðhúsið (City Hall), Bus Stop #9 on Snorrabraut.
You’ll board a mini bus marked Glaciers and Waterfalls. Because the driver has a few pickup stops, your group assembly can take up to about 30 minutes after the scheduled start. The good part: it’s still organized, and the bus can’t always stop right in the city center due to restricted areas—so they handle the realistic logistics.
On the way, you’ll get the kind of Iceland views you can’t replicate from Google Maps: long south-coast stretches, dramatic skyscapes, and the sense that glaciers and volcanoes are all part of the same system. There’s even free Wi‑Fi on the bus, which is useful for downloading offline maps or quickly messaging friends back home.
One practical tip: bring layers you can manage. Iceland weather changes fast, and you’ll want to be able to peel off or add a shell depending on whether you’re stuck on the bus, standing at viewpoints, or suiting up for crampons.
Sólheimajökull: Where the Gear Makes the Walk Feel Doable
Sólheimajökull is the highlight for a reason. This is an outlet glacier with ice formations you can actually walk through and study up close. Your glacier guide—English speaking and certified—equips you with the right gear, and you’ll hike for about 2.5 hours.
What’s especially helpful here is that the equipment is included: you get crampons and an ice axe, and that changes how you experience the terrain. One recent first-time guest said the hike felt less challenging than expected because, in good weather, it can feel more like a careful walk with support from the tools rather than a technical climb. That tracks with how glacier hiking usually works: the crampons give grip, and the guide teaches you how to move safely.
You’ll need to be ready for two physical realities:
- You’ll be outside for about 2.5 hours.
- You’ll be on uneven ground while wearing crampons for roughly 1 hour.
That’s not “hardcore mountaineering,” but it’s not a casual stroll either. It’s a hands-on outdoor day, which is exactly why people love it. You’ll move slowly on purpose, stop for explanations, and look at details you’d miss from a distance.
What you’ll likely notice on the ice
Even without “technical talk,” you’ll come away with a new appreciation for how glaciers work:
- how the ice surface can change over short distances
- how melt and refreeze affect texture and grip
- how the guide connects what you’re seeing to the wider Mýrdalsjökull system
If your guide is Alvaro, for example, you may get the kind of explanation style that’s been praised as kind, helpful, and full of information. The best glacier guides don’t just keep you safe—they help you understand what you’re looking at.
Seljalandsfoss: A Short Stop That Still Feels Worth It
Between glacier time and lagoon time, the tour includes a stop at Seljalandsfoss. It’s only around 20 minutes for sightseeing, and that brief window is intentional. You’re not trying to “finish” Iceland’s waterfalls in one day; you’re getting a quick, classic moment while the schedule keeps everyone on track.
Admission to Seljalandsfoss is included, so you don’t need to budget time (or money) for ticketing. The value of this stop is mainly emotional: you get that immediate waterfall payoff before switching into relaxation mode.
The main drawback is also obvious: 20 minutes is short. If you want extended photo time from multiple angles, plan to be selective and move efficiently. Think of this as a bonus breather, not a full waterfall deep dive.
Sky Lagoon: The Best Way to End a Cold Adventure
The tour ends at Sky Lagoon with drop-off from the bus. Sky Lagoon is about 10 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, and the staff can help you get set for the facilities once you arrive.
Because admission is included, you can treat this part as a real unwind, not a scramble to find tickets. Wear that mindset from the start: glacier hikes can leave you chilled and tired, so you’ll enjoy Sky Lagoon more if you arrive ready to slow down.
A few planning reminders based on what the tour asks you to bring:
- Swimwear is required.
- You should come with the expectation that your day includes a lot of outdoor time, then indoor/relaxation time.
If you like a clean finish—where the last hours feel restorative rather than just “more sightseeing”—Sky Lagoon is a strong match. One guest specifically called the lagoon inclusion a good deal and said they felt super relaxed and ready for the next day’s adventure. That’s the point of putting this at the end.
Price and Value: Why $305 Can Make Sense Here
At $305 per person for a ~10-hour day, the price can look steep if you’re only thinking about the glacier as “a walk.” But when you break down what you’re getting, it starts to feel more reasonable.
Here’s what’s built in:
- Round-trip transfer from Reykjavík (minibus)
- English certified glacier guide
- Glacier hiking equipment
- Admission to Seljalandsfoss
- Admission to Sky Lagoon
- Free Wi‑Fi on the bus
The biggest value drivers are the guide + equipment + admissions. Glacier hiking isn’t something you should DIY lightly. The crampons and ice axe, plus the guide’s safety setup and pacing, turn a potentially risky environment into a guided experience you can actually enjoy.
And then Sky Lagoon makes the price feel less like “paying for transport.” You’re also paying for a real recovery stop. That added admission changes how the day feels emotionally. Instead of ending cold and sore, you end warm and calm.
One cost you’ll still plan for: food and drinks aren’t included. There’s a short local café break (about 10 minutes), so I’d expect that you’ll buy something small there or plan snacks ahead if you’re the kind of person who gets hungry during outdoor days.
Who This Tour Is For (and Who Should Skip It)
This tour is for people who want a structured outdoor day without needing to be an experienced hiker. It’s a small group, max 15 participants, which helps on glacier terrain where spacing matters.
It’s not suitable if:
- you’re under 12 years old
- you have heart problems
- you have high blood pressure
- you have low level of fitness
- you weigh over 209 lbs (95 kg)
If you fall somewhere in the middle—reasonable fitness, okay with uneven ground, and you can follow instructions calmly—this could be a great “first glacier” experience. One first-time guest said it felt easier than they expected, especially in good weather, mainly because the gear supports you and the guide keeps the pace manageable.
What to Bring (So You Don’t Lose Time on Day-of Prep)
The tour gives you the glacier gear, but you still control comfort and safety with what you pack.
Bring:
- Swimwear (for Sky Lagoon)
- Hiking shoes (for uneven ground and crampon walking)
Also, smart add-ons (based on typical Iceland weather reality, not specifically required by the tour):
- warm layers you can adjust quickly
- a rain shell you’re comfortable getting splashed in
- a small bag for personal items during the hike
The tour also gives you a heads-up on time outdoors: plan for about 2.5 hours outside and roughly 1 hour wearing crampons.
If you want your day to feel smooth instead of stressful, pack like you’re going from cold adventure to warm recovery. That mindset keeps you from forgetting the one thing you actually need for Sky Lagoon.
Should You Book This Glacier Hike + Sky Lagoon Day?
I’d book it if you want:
- a guided Sólheimajökull glacier hike with included crampon/ice axe equipment
- a realistic southern-coast day with Seljalandsfoss as a short, worthwhile bonus
- the best kind of ending: warm, quiet Sky Lagoon admission included
Skip it if:
- you don’t handle uneven outdoor terrain well
- you’re in any of the categories listed as not suitable (heart problems, high blood pressure, low fitness, age under 12, over 95 kg)
- you hate being outside for hours and switching layers in variable weather
If you want one day that feels like a complete story—ice hike, waterfall pause, lagoon reset—this is a strong choice.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 10 hours.
What is included in the price?
It includes minibus transfer to and from Reykjavík, an English-speaking certified glacier guide, equipment for the glacier hike, free Wi‑Fi on the bus, admission for Seljalandsfoss, and admission for Sky Lagoon.
What is not included?
Food and drinks are not included.
Where are the pickup points in Reykjavík?
Pickup is available at Ráðhúsið (City Hall) bus stop #1 and at Bus Stop #9 on Snorrabraut.
How long do I spend hiking on the glacier?
You hike on Sólheimajökull for about 2.5 hours.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear and hiking shoes.
Who isn’t this tour suitable for?
It isn’t suitable for children under 12, people with heart problems, people with high blood pressure, people with low level of fitness, or people over 209 lbs (95 kg).
