Mýrdalsjökull

South Coast

Mýrdalsjökull covers roughly 600 square kilometers of the South Coast highlands directly above Katla, one of Iceland's most powerful volcanoes. Katla has erupted roughly every 40 to 80 years historically — last major eruption in 1918 — and when it does, meltwater surges from beneath the ice create catastrophic floods across the black sand plains below. The most accessible part is Sólheimajökull, an outlet tongue between Katla and Eyjafjallajökull that descends to the lowlands and is visibly streaked with dark ash bands from both volcanoes. Glacier walks and ice climbing tours run year-round from the Sólheimajökull parking area, reached via a short gravel road off Route 1. All glacier access requires a guided tour; solo walking on the ice is not permitted. Ice caves are accessible on guided tours typically from October through March. The glacier is about 30 km east of Vík and two and a half hours from Reykjavík. Budget around three hours for a glacier walk tour. Snowmobile and super-jeep tours on the upper icecap are also available through local operators.

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