Tröll Expeditions · Tröll meeting point, glacier car park
Tröll Expeditions take a newer, longer route to the ice: 2.3 km each way through a quiet corner of the moraine, past a small lagoon. It suits walkers who like the approach as much as the glacier, and the coffee and chocolate at the end are a nice touch.
You meet a certified English-speaking guide at the Tröll Expeditions meeting point in the Sólheimajökull car park; Tröll's own page says to look for the bus marked Tröll Expeditions and arrive 20 minutes early. The hike takes about 4 hours. The big change is the new access route: 2.3 km each way instead of the old 1 km. Most of it is fairly even, but the last section before the ice is steeper. On the way you pass a small glacier lagoon where icebergs are sometimes floating.
At the ice the guide fits your crampons and shows you how to walk in them, then leads you past crevasses, moulins and the dark volcanic ash of the Katla system, explaining how the glacier is changing. Harness, helmet, crampons and ice axe are included, with coffee and chocolate after the hike. Boots with ankle support are required and can be rented, as can rain gear. The minimum age is 8, the smallest crampons fit EU 34, and Tröll caps groups at 14 in winter. The tour runs all year.
Be ready for effort. One guest called the roughly 40-minute walk in the toughest part, uphill at a fast pace to save time for the ice; in rain the route is harder still. Since the Icelandic Met Office warned on 22 July 2026 of a thinning ice ridge between two lagoons and of rockfall from Jökulhaus above the trail, operators decide each morning which route onto the ice is safe, and they have paused or rerouted tours when conditions demanded it. Access to the glacier stays open, and guests were posting 5-star reviews from the ice in October 2026. In August 2026 a guest's booking was moved the day before because the path was not passable, and Tröll offered other dates. Check your booking the day before. Every tour on this site cancels free up to 24 hours before the start. Parking at the end of Road 221 costs ISK 750 per car (2026, paid in the Parka app).
At the Tröll meeting point in the glacier car park. Rent boots or a rain jacket here if you need them.
2.3 km to the ice, mostly even, steeper at the end, past a small lagoon.
The guide fits crampons, harness and helmet at the ice edge and teaches the crampon walk.
A slow, careful pace among crevasses, moulins and ash layers, with stops to explain the geology and the glacier's retreat.
The walk out is easier, mostly downhill. Coffee and chocolate are waiting.
★★★★★This was the highlight of our entire weeklong trip in Iceland!! [...] The toughest part of the hike was the ~40 minute walk to get to the glacier because it's uphill and the pace is fast to maximize glacier time itself. [...] The pace on the glacier itself was slow and safe, our guides explained so much to us, and we all got to drink some glacier water. The hike back to base was much more relaxed.
★★★★★Our originally booked tour was unfortunately canceled the day before because the path was no longer passable. We were rebooked for a later tour (but had several dates and options to choose from!). This tour was more challenging (about 6 km walking time), but still doable for our 70-year-old mother!
★★★★★It was a fantastic experience. Our guide was very friendly and gave very thorough explanations. [...] It's a bit strenuous, so those who aren't used to uphill climbs should think carefully before booking. It was raining during our tour, but there was the option to rent everything we needed [...] they were really well organized.
★★★★★Absolutely fantastic. The guide, the experience, the glacier, without doubt the best experience my teenage daughter and I had. [...] The hot chocolate at the end of the tour was a plus.
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2.3 km each way on the new route, up from 1 km before. Guests put it at about 40 minutes going in; the last section is steeper.
A certified guide, helmet, harness, crampons and ice axe, plus coffee and chocolate. Boots and rain gear are extra and can be rented.
8 years, with a shoe size of at least EU 34 for the crampons.
Yes, when the guides judge the route unsafe; guests have been offered other dates. Check your booking the day before. It cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Ready to book
Tröll's four-hour hike on the new, quieter access route, with coffee and chocolate on the way.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike, Meet at the GlacierThe classic hike from the glacier car park: crampons, axe and a certified guide, about 4 hours and 6 km, from age 8.★ 4.7 · About 4 hours · from $104
Guided Glacier Walk from the Base CampIcelandic Mountain Guides' hike from their base camp: a classic or a longer option, up to 12, tea, coffee and restrooms.★ 4.8 · 3.5 to 5.5 hours · from $104
Small-Group Glacier HikeFour hours with a local company from the glacier car park: crampons, axe, helmet, a small group. Bring your own boots.★ 4.7 · 4 hours · from $120