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Sólheimajökull: glacier hikes, and the July 2026 hazard warning

The tongue of Sólheimajökull glacier in south Iceland
Sólheimajökull, the south-western outlet of Mýrdalsjökull (Commons description, translated from Polish). Glaciers change from year to year, so it may look different today. Photo: Jerzystrzelecki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized).
Current status uncertain Unverified. On 22 July 2026, the Icelandic Met Office warned of increased hazard at the edge of Sólheimajökull:
  • a small lagoon had formed east of the glacier tongue;
  • the ice ridge used to reach the glacier had thinned and become unstable;
  • rockfall from Jökulhaus is possible along most of the trail, and more likely in heavy rain and freeze-thaw;
  • conditions change from day to day.
Tour operators cancelled trips as a precaution while they looked for safer routes [1] [2]. We have not confirmed whether or how tours have resumed. Check Safetravel's Sólheimajökull page [3] and your operator.

What Safetravel advises

  • Conditions are changing rapidly, and Safetravel recommends going with a guide who knows the area.
  • Stay off the ice ridge.
  • Keep away from the lagoons.
  • Spend as little time as possible below slopes, because of rockfall from Jökulhaus.
  • Safetravel also notes that operators have cancelled trips [3].

The IMO adds a general warning for retreating glaciers: lagoons form, quicksand can occur near the edges, and slopes are unstable. Paved roads reach almost to the glacier tongue, so inexperienced travellers can easily get into hazardous situations [1].

Seasons listed by one operator Operator claim

Icelandic Mountain Guides says it runs tours "all year long" at Sólheimajökull [4]:

  • Glacier Discovery: 3.5 hours, GBP 107 on 2026-10-23 [4]. Up to 15 people per guide, minimum age 10 [5].
  • Kayaking: May–October.
  • Glacier Exploration and Panorama Trail: June–September.
  • Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Exploration: November–April, with cave entry "when conditions allow".

The season listings are on the operator's tour overview page [4]. They were on the operator's site in October 2026, after the July warning, but that does not prove the routes are unchanged.

Sources

  1. Increased hazard due to changing conditions at the margin of Sólheimajökull glacier
    Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands) · published 2026-07-22 · accessed 2026-10-23
  2. Vara við aðstæðum og ferðir felldar niður
    mbl.is · in Icelandic · news report · published 2026-07-22 · accessed 2026-10-23
  3. Sólheimajökull safety
    Safetravel / ICE-SAR · accessed 2026-10-23
  4. Sólheimajökull Glacier Tours
    Icelandic Mountain Guides (tour operator) · tour operator (commercial claim) · accessed 2026-10-23
  5. Glacier Discovery: 3.5-hour Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike
    Icelandic Mountain Guides (tour operator) · tour operator (commercial claim) · accessed 2026-10-23
  6. Travel conditions (alerts)
    Safetravel / ICE-SAR · accessed 2026-10-23
  7. Travel plans
    Safetravel / ICE-SAR · accessed 2026-10-23
  8. Vatnajökull National Park (English home)
    Vatnajökull National Park · accessed 2026-10-23
  9. Safetravel.is home page
    Safetravel / ICE-SAR (Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg) · accessed 2026-10-23