Sólheimajökull glacier viewpoint

From the car park at the end of road 221, follow the broad gravel path east up the valley between moraine ridges, with the glacier tongue ahead. The path ends at a viewpoint on the moraine above the lagoon at the foot of the ice, by a warning board. Turn here and return the same way. The dark bands in the ice are layers of volcanic ash, and the glacier has drawn far back up its valley in recent decades.

It is 1.7 km there and back with 25 m of ascent; allow about half an hour. The grade is Easy: a broad gravel path with a gentle rise.

Go no further than the viewpoint. Since July 2026 the Met Office and Safetravel have warned that the glacier front is changing fast: the ice ridge between the lagoons may collapse, and rocks fall from the slopes above. Guided glacier walks were suspended. Keep away from the lagoon shore, where the wet sediment can act like quicksand, and never go onto the ice without a certified glacier guide.

Parking costs 750 ISK per car for the day, paid through Parka; overnight stays are not allowed. Road 221 is paved and open all year, a short drive off the Ring Road between Skógar and Vík. Strætó route 52 passes on the Ring Road but has no stop at the turning.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.