Most glacier hikes start in a car park and go straight onto the ice. This one takes the scenic route: a walk up a quiet, moss-covered valley first, so you see the whole sweep of Sólheimajökull before you ever clip on a crampon.

Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue flowing down from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap on the South Coast, and Arctic Adventures runs this four-hour glacier hike on it.

What you'll do on the Sólheimajökull glacier hike

After a safety briefing and a run-through of the equipment, you head up through the valley towards the glacier access point. On the way the views open up over Sólheimajökull, the surrounding mountains, black volcanic sand and the glacier lagoon.

Then it's crampons on and onto the ice behind a certified glacier guide. Expect crevasses, ice ridges, meltwater channels and blue ice. Your guide will talk about how the glacier formed, its link to Iceland's volcanic history and how climate change is visibly reshaping it. Keep an eye out for dark bands in the ice, which are layers of ash from past eruptions.

What's included

• Guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull
• Certified glacier guide
• Glacier gear: crampons, helmet, harness and ice axe

Good to know before you go

The tour is rated 2 out of 5, easy to moderate. You don't need experience, but you should be ready to hike around 6 km over uneven terrain with some climbing. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory; if you don't have them, boots, waterproof jackets and trousers can be rented for a fee, either in advance or on site. Crampons fit shoe sizes 35 to 50 EU, so feet outside that range can't join.

Dress in layers with warm outdoor clothing and waterproofs, plus gloves and a hat that fits under a helmet. All participants sign a waiver before setting out.

Pro tip: Bring a reusable water bottle and a snack. The valley walk before the ice adds to the day, and you'll be glad of both by the time you reach the glacier.