Mýrdalsjökull is a glacier in the south of the Icelandic highlands. It’s the country's fourth largest ice cap, covering nearly 600 sq km (232 sq miles), and its highest peak is almost 1500 meters (4,921 ft) tall. It’s most well-known for sitting atop the notorious and explosive volcano, Katla. Driving up onto the ‘island-mountain glacier’ by snowmobile offers a close-up look at this powerful force of nature. You’ll have a chance to examine its structure, ridges and layers, learn about its formation and history, and enjoy panoramic views over the south coast, the interior and the highlands.
After a short briefing on safety procedures, you’ll be fitted with a snowsuit and helmet and set off in ‘a real glacier truck’ for Mýrdalsjökull. Driving up to the snow line, you’ll navigate your way over bumpy tracks through an otherworldly landscape of lava, ash, boulders and ice until you reach the lower slopes of the glacier and the snowmobile base.
Conditions will vary depending on the time of year and amount of snow cover on the glacier, but whenever you decide to visit, driving about on this snowy wilderness is an eye-opening experience. On clear days you’ll get sweeping views of the south coast, into the interior and of the highland peaks. Even on a cloudy day, a visit gives a great sense of the scale of the island’s natural landmarks and the forces of nature that have shaped them.
Exploring the glacier from above gives a totally different view of the surrounding landscape and the dramatic upheavals and geological changes that have taken place here. While driving the snowmobiles can be a thrilling experience, opting to be a passenger gives you more time to examine the formations in the glacier and to enjoy the views while still moving.
In your tour today there will be plenty of time to take photographs and enjoy the serenity that comes with being in such an unusual location.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Iceland specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Full day Þórsmörk private Superjeep tour with BBQ lunch
Formed by thousands of years of volcanic and glacial activity, Þórsmörk is one of Iceland’s most dramatic hiking and off-roading destinations, where braided rivers weave through black sands and rugged peaks and glaciers lord over a sweeping valley.
Small group glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull glacier
This three-hour hike takes you up onto Sólheimajökull to learn about its formation and see the dramatic ice sculptures, ridges and crevasses on its surface. En route, you’ll learn about its structure and get sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
