Solheimajokull glacier

Flopping like a great white tongue through a rugged valley, Sólheimajökull glacier is an outlet of the larger Mýrdalsjökull in the south of Iceland. One of the most accessible glaciers in the country, Sólheimajökull is a popular spot for guided glacier hikes, ice cave walks and even ice climbing.

Perhaps due to the way the light plays off the frozen surface, Sólheimajökull means “home of the sun glacier”. It is the most southerly glacier in Iceland and is a glacier “tongue” or outlet of the mighty Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, which covers Iceland’s largest volcanic system – Katla.

Geologists estimate the Sólheimajökull glacier to be between 400 and 600 years old, and it has changed vastly over the centuries. While most glaciers creep ever closer down their valley, Sólheimajökull is actually receding at a rapid pace – around 50 metres a year – and is approximately 8 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide at the moment. The meltwater has left a glacial lagoon at the base of Sólheimajökull, which is a beautiful sight from the top of the glacier. Unfortunately, due to the warming world, Sólheimajökull is melting and scientists predict the glacier will disappear entirely in the next few decades. So, now is the time to visit.