From Reykjavik: South Coast and Glacier Hiking Tour

This tour is interesting because it links two classic South Coast stops with a hands-on Sólheimajökull glacier walk. I love the mix of ice features like ridges and crevasses with the practical safety lessons that make it feel doable, even if you are new to this. I also love that you finish with two major waterfalls, so the day ends with big scenery you can enjoy right away. The main drawback is that glacier hiking depends on weather on the ice, so the exact conditions can change, and you need to be comfortable walking on cold, uneven ground.

A big reason this works is the guiding. In the reviews I read, guides like Bart and Gary are praised for keeping people on the right route, answering questions, and using the right gear when you get close to risky ice features. Even drivers get called out, including Tomek, for smooth, careful driving. One practical consideration, especially in winter, is timing for daylight, so you will want to choose the departure time that gives you enough light at the waterfalls.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• A real glacier walk (1.5 to 2 hours) at Sólheimajökull, with guided instruction and safety gear
• You learn glacier basics for walking safely over ice, not just sightseeing from the bus
• Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier, tied to Mýrdalsjökull, with disappearing-giant context from your guide
• Seljalandsfoss is a stop you can walk behind, so rain gear really matters
• Skógafoss delivers a strong finish, and it is known as a trailhead for Fimmvörðuháls toward Þórsmörk
• Small-group energy, with one review noting a group size around 10

Why Sólheimajökull glacier hiking plus two waterfalls works so well

If you only have one day from Reykjavik, this is a smart way to pack in variety without feeling rushed in the wrong places. You get the tactile part of Iceland, the one where your boots crunch, your legs work, and you learn how glaciers move. Then you transition to the easy-win parts, the waterfall viewpoints at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, where you can take your time and warm up after the cold.

The glacier segment is the heart of the day. You are not just looking at ice from a distance. You are walking on the glacier tongue, where the surface can change minute to minute as weather, melt, and wind reshape ice. The best part is that the guide teaches you the basics of using the glacier equipment and reading the terrain as you move.

Then the waterfalls keep the day emotionally bright. Seljalandsfoss gives you the classic option of going behind the water. Skógafoss gives you a dramatic wall of water and a good chance to stretch your legs on the viewpoints in between photo stops.

The Reykjavik to South Coast route, including the Eyjafjallajökull moment

This tour is timed as a full-day loop, built around a longish drive from Reykjavik into Iceland’s south. You spend about two hours on the road, and along the way you pass under the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano that made headlines back in 2010.

Even if you know the headline version of that story, it is a different feeling to see that volcanic landscape in person. From the bus, it adds context to the whole region. You are surrounded by ice and volcanic systems that are very much alive, in motion, and still influencing what you see.

Then you head toward Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier from Mýrdalsjökull. That matters because it helps explain why Sólheimajökull looks like a spreading tongue of ice instead of a sealed wall. Your guide uses this kind of background to connect what you are stepping on to the bigger glacier system up the chain.

Entering the ice: what the 1.5 to 2 hour glacier walk really involves

Your glacier hike is guided and usually runs about 1.5 to 2 hours. That window is long enough to feel like a real experience, not a quick photo sprint. You will be issued ice hiking gear and safety equipment. Then the guide shows you how to use it properly so you can walk with confidence.

Expect a walking rhythm that is shaped by safety. You are moving over an environment with deep crevasses, icy ridges, and places where the ground can be slick. One review mentioned a guide letting people peek through a crevasse using proper safety equipment. That is the kind of moment this tour is built for, a balance between wonder and control.

This is also where the guide really earns their pay. In the reviews, people praise guides like Bart for keeping everyone on the right trail and answering questions throughout the hike. Another review credited Gary with explanations that made the glacier feel less like a mystery and more like a system you can understand.

Two important things to set expectations clearly:

• Ice climbing is not included. This is a glacier walk, with basic instruction, not a ropes-and-anchors climbing style activity.
• Your effort level should be moderate to solid. Reviews mention it can be physically in the mid range, so if you rarely hike, give yourself a reality check. You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need stable walking ability and no knee or joint issues that flare on uneven terrain.

Safety gear, crevasses, and why good instruction matters

Glaciers sound scary from afar. Up close, they feel huge and fragile at the same time. That is why the safety approach matters more than the gear itself.

The equipment you get helps you move over ice. Your guide also shows you how to walk on it. Reviews highlight that guides are attentive to different speeds, and they help people who are not used to hiking on slippery surfaces. One review specifically noted that the guide adjusted to slower walkers, which is a big deal when you are in a group and the terrain does not forgive mistakes.

Another theme across the reviews: guides make time for questions and for photos, without rushing past the scary parts. That means you do not just follow blindly. You learn enough to recognize what you are looking at, and you understand why you are being asked to step a certain way.

There is also a weather component you should respect. This tour depends on conditions on the glacier. That can mean less ideal visibility or changes to the route. It does not mean you get a meaningless plan B. It means the experience is governed by real-world safety and access.

Seljalandsfoss: the waterfall stop where your clothes matter

After the glacier, you head back toward Reykjavík with waterfall stops. The first one is Seljalandsfoss, famous because you can walk behind it.

That is not just a gimmick. Walking behind the waterfall changes the sound, the mist, and the way the rock face frames the cascade. It is also cold. So you want to be prepared for getting wet, even if it is not raining.

Bring a raincoat or waterproof coat if you plan to go behind. One practical point from the tour description is clear: warm clothing helps, and waterproof layers make the behind-the-water part much more comfortable. If you hate getting wet, you can still enjoy Seljalandsfoss from the front viewpoints, but you would miss out on the signature experience.

Seljalandsfoss also ties to the water system feeding from Eyjafjallajökull via the Seljandsá river, which adds a satisfying sense of connection. You are moving from ice, to water, to a place where the water keeps traveling.

Skógafoss: the dramatic finish and its trail connection to Þórsmörk

Skógafoss is the second waterfall stop, and it is a strong one. Expect a wide, powerful cascade with excellent viewing from the usual waterfall viewpoints.

This stop has a practical hiking link too. Skógafoss is the starting point of the Fimmvörðuháls walk toward Þórsmörk. You do not have to hike that full route on this tour, but knowing it is there helps you understand why Skógafoss feels like a gateway. It is not only a picture. It is a launchpad into the interior highlands if you have more time in your Iceland trip.

Skógafoss is also a known filming location. The tour description notes it appeared in Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. If you are into film locations, this gives you something extra to notice when you are standing there with your camera.

Price and value: does $213 make sense for a 10.5 hour day?

At around $213 per person for a 10.5-hour day, the value comes from the part that is hardest to do on your own: the guided glacier time.

You are paying for:

• A glacier hike of about 1.5 to 2 hours
• Glacier hiking gear and safety equipment
• Trained guidance on using the equipment and walking safely over ice
• Long-distance transport from Reykjavik with stops

Food and drinks are not included, so you will want to plan for snacks or water. That said, reviews mention it is possible to buy food and drinks at places during the day, and that many travelers use card payments. Still, treat it as a budgeting item, not an afterthought.

The best way to think about the price is this: Iceland can be expensive, but glacier instruction is also specialized and time-sensitive. You are not just buying transport and a viewpoint. You are buying safe access to a place most people cannot approach without guidance.

If you love outdoor experiences, this is a fair spend. If you mainly want easy scenery with minimal effort, you might decide to keep this money for a shorter, less physically demanding day. Your choice depends on whether you want to work a little for the payoff.

What to pack and how fit you should be for the ice

The tour description is direct about what you need: warm clothing, rain gear, and hiking boots. That is not optional for comfort.

Here is the practical approach I recommend:

• Wear insulated layers you can move in. Wind on ice is not the same as wind on a street.
• Use hiking boots with traction. This reduces the fatigue factor because you are not constantly correcting your footing.
• Bring a waterproof layer if you want Seljalandsfoss behind-the-water access.
• Expect cold even if the rest of Iceland looks mild that day.

How physically demanding is it? Reviews describe the glacier hike as in the mid range for people who are not used to hiking. Your legs will feel it by the end. If you have knee issues or you do not like uneven surfaces, consider whether a glacier walk is the right kind of challenge for your trip.

Good news: you do not need to be an expert. Multiple reviews say guides are attentive to comfort and pace, including teaching how to put on crampons or similar equipment and how to walk safely.

Meeting point and timing: making the day feel smooth

The tour starts at the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, and you should arrive 15 minutes early. That matters. You are traveling to a glacier area where timing is everything, and the bus schedule is not built around late arrivals.

The day is long, about 10.5 hours total. You will spend serious time on the road, then focus time on the glacier, then transition to two waterfall stops.

One review also points out a timing detail worth thinking about: in winter, daylight is limited. If your schedule allows it, you want enough time at the waterfalls when visibility and light are best. That can mean preferring an earlier departure when multiple start times are available.

Who this tour fits best, and who should choose something else

This is a great match if you:

• Want a guided Sólheimajökull glacier experience, not just a view
• Like learning while you move, especially glacier basics and safety techniques
• Are comfortable with moderate hiking and cold weather
• Want one day that covers ice and waterfalls in a single route

It might not be the best match if you:

• Want an entirely low-effort day. The glacier hike is the physically demanding segment.
• Travel with young kids. Children aged 9 years and younger are not permitted on this tour.
• Are hoping for ice climbing. That is not included.

Also keep in mind that the glacier conditions drive the experience. The guide will make calls based on what the ice is doing that day.

Should you book this Sólheimajökull South Coast day trip?

Book it if glacier walking is on your Iceland list and you want a guide-led, safety-first way to do it. The price is justified by the specialized access, the equipment, and the time with trained guides like Bart and Gary who are repeatedly praised for keeping people safe, answering questions, and helping with photos.

Skip it only if you know you will struggle with cold, wet conditions, or uneven footing, or if ice walking is not your style. In that case, you might prefer a slower sightseeing day.

If you do book, do two things: show up on time at the BSI Bus Terminal, and pack like you plan to actually get cold and wet. That is how you turn a good tour into a memorable one.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik South Coast and Glacier Hiking Tour?

The total duration is 10.5 hours.

How long is the glacier walk at Sólheimajökull?

The guided glacier hike is listed as 1.5 to 2 hours.

Where do I meet the tour in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is the BSI Bus Terminal, and you should be there 15 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup is not included.

What is included in the glacier part of the tour?

You get ice hiking gear and safety equipment, plus a guided glacier hike.

Is ice climbing included?

No, ice climbing is not included.

What should I bring for comfort and safety?

Bring warm clothing, rain gear, and hiking boots.

Is the tour affected by weather?

Yes. Operation of the tour depends on weather conditions on the glacier.