Part of being the Land of Fire and Ice means that we boast some extraordinary natural wonders, and on the icy side, we have the glaciers. These icy landscapes are impressive, and are a favorite for all sorts of fun activities by locals and visitors alike. One of these beloved glaciers is Solheimajökull.
If you’ve got an upcoming trip to the island planned, read on. We tell you everything you need to know about this magical place and why it’s an absolute must on any Iceland trip itinerary.
Why Solheimajökull Glacier is Such an Impressive Destination
Even though we refer to Solheimajökull as a glacier, it’s actually a glacier outlet of Myrdalsjökull Glacier. Nestled amongst Katla and Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Solheimajökull is probably one of the spots in Iceland that most clearly displays what the Land of Fire and Ice is all about.
You’re probably mistaken if you think you know how to pronounce Solheimajökull. This is one of the places in Iceland that’s very hard to pronounce based on its misleading spelling. It is pronounced sole-hi-ma-yo-coot-luh.
Where is Solheimajökull in Iceland?
Solheimajökull Glacier lies just north of Vik in Iceland, in the southern part of the island. The glacier is just 2 hours away from the capital city, making day trips to Solheimajökull possible from Reykjavík, but it will need to be when the island has plenty of daylight hours so as not to put you in a time crunch.
For example, activities on Solheimajökull can take up to 4 hours, yet you only have 4 to 5 hours of daylight during Iceland’s winter season. Since Solheimajökull Glacier is located so conveniently close to the Ring Road route, many opt to make it a stop along their round trip.
How to Get to Solheimajökull Glacier
Most visit Solheimajökull Glacier in one of two ways:
Via the Tours
First, we need to mention that you cannot explore any of the glaciers in Iceland if it’s not via a guided tour. This is because of safety concerns. The only options you have regarding the tours are whether you book a spot on one of the existing tour packages offered by tour operators here or if you’d like a customized private tour by one of our local guides.
Via a Drive
Driving to Solheimajökull Glacier from Reykjavík is very easy. Head east on the Ring Road, and turn left on Route 221. Continue for just another 4 kilometers, and you’ll already find yourself in the Solheimajökull Glacier parking lot.
The Best Time to Visit Solheimajökull Glacier
Our glaciers stay open to the public all year round, with only tour operating hours being affected during our “down season”. If you want to do a combo tour with some of our ice caves as a destination, you also need to remember that most of our ice caves are closed during the warmer seasons for safety reasons. Generally, one would recommend taking on icy adventures during the colder months.
Just ensure you have enough daylight hours not to put your trip itinerary under any unnecessary pressure, and watch out for extreme weather conditions (but follow your guide’s lead on this). Irrespective of seasons, our local saying says that “you can experience all four seasons in one day in Iceland”, so whatever you do and wherever you go on the island, we highly recommend always keeping one eye on the Iceland weather forecast.
Have Solheimajökull Glacier Glide into Your Ring Road Road Trip
We are convinced that visiting Solheimajökull Glacier is best done as a stop along a Ring Road road trip. This way, you can truly immerse yourself in the Icelandic landscape and have complete control over your time and itinerary.
If you rent a campervan in Reykjavík, you’ll also have both your accommodation and transport sorted and be able to explore the island in a unique yet affordable way. We highly recommend Vik Camping if you want to stay over and discover everything the area offers. But whatever you choose to do, you can rest assured that while the terrain might be frosty, you will never receive a cold welcome on a tour to Solheimajökull Glacier.