South Coast, Glacier Hike and Northern Lights Winter Tour

A glacier walk followed by a Northern Lights hunt makes for an unusually full Iceland day: first, you’re walking over ancient ice at Sólheimajökull; later, you’re looking up at the night sky from the countryside. In between come waterfalls, volcanic views and Reynisfjara’s black sand and basalt cliffs.

I like that the glacier hike is more than a photo stop: a certified guide supplies the necessary glacier equipment and explains how the ice forms and moves. I also like the mix of South Coast icons, especially the chance to walk behind Seljalandsfoss and see the Reynisdrangar rock stacks from Reynisfjara.

The trade-off is the length. At about 16 hours, this is a long day with a return to Reykjavík around 7:00 PM, followed by another pickup for the Northern Lights outing. You’ll need stamina, warm layers and proper hiking shoes, and the aurora may not appear.

What makes this tour worth considering

• Walk on Sólheimajökull: A certified glacier guide provides hiking equipment and introduces you to crevasses, glacier movement and the formation of the ice.
• Get close to Seljalandsfoss: A path leads behind the waterfall, offering a different view of the falling water when conditions allow.
• See Reynisfjara’s basalt features: The black sand beach, basalt columns, cave and Reynisdrangar stacks bring the South Coast’s volcanic geology into view.
• Climb above Skógafoss: The staircase beside the waterfall has 527 steps and leads to views over the falls and, on clear days, rainbows.
• End with a Northern Lights hunt: The evening guide searches the countryside for aurora colors, but sightings depend on conditions and cannot be promised.

A South Coast day with two very different chapters

This outing combines a full day of sightseeing and glacier hiking with a separate evening search for the Northern Lights. That means you get a broad introduction to the South Coast without arranging transport between the stops yourself, then have a chance to look for the aurora after dark.

The day begins with pickup at an authorized location in Reykjavík. You travel from the capital toward the South Coast, where waterfalls and volcanic scenery set the pace before the glacier hike and Reynisfjara visit. The return to Reykjavík is expected around 7:00 PM. After time for dinner, you’re picked up again at the original location for the Northern Lights tour.

That split matters. It gives you a break between the daylight trip and the night outing, but it also makes for a demanding schedule. I’d treat this as a major day of your Iceland itinerary, not a light excursion to squeeze between other plans.

The price is $255 per person. For that, you get Reykjavík pickup, transport between the South Coast stops, a glacier hike with a certified guide and equipment, and the Northern Lights tour. You’ll also have free WiFi on board. Food, drinks and hiking shoes are not included, so plan for those costs and bring what you need.

Seljalandsfoss: a waterfall you can walk behind

Seljalandsfoss is one of the first major stops, and its path behind the falling water gives you a view that a roadside pull-off cannot. It’s a memorable way to encounter a waterfall: rather than only looking at it from the front, you follow a route around the cascade and see the water from the other side.

Bring waterproof outerwear. The tour specifically recommends rain gear, and a waterfall path is a good place to have it. The route can also be wet underfoot, so sturdy shoes are more useful than casual footwear.

The stop gives you a welcome change of pace before the glacier walk. You’ll be outside in the elements, so keep your gloves and warm layers easy to reach rather than buried in your bag.

Sólheimajökull: the day’s most hands-on stop

At Sólheimajökull, the tour shifts from looking at Iceland’s scenery to walking on it. A certified glacier guide supplies glacier hiking equipment and explains the ice, including how glaciers form and move, and what crevasses are. You may also hear the ice crack as it shifts, an audible reminder that a glacier is not a fixed, silent block.

The glacier hike is a standout part of the day because it adds context to the views. Instead of seeing a glacier only from a distance, you get guided time on the ice and an explanation of what you’re walking across. Past participants have singled out this hike and the guides’ professionalism as highlights, so if you’re choosing the trip for one feature, this is a strong reason to consider it.

Your footwear matters here. Bring sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support; the tour does not include them. Crampons must attach to your shoes, and the permitted shoe size is 35 to 50 EU. If your shoes fall outside that range, you won’t meet the stated requirement for joining the hike.

This is not the place for jeans or sandals. The tour advises against both, and recommends warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, a hat, gloves and a scarf. Pack a small backpack with water and snacks, too. The glacier section is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

Reynisfjara: black sand, basalt and Atlantic surf

At Reynisfjara, the black sand beach makes the volcanic character of the South Coast plain to see. The stop includes basalt columns, a cave and views of Reynisdrangar, the striking rock stacks and cliffs that rise from the Atlantic.

This is a dramatic place to look around, but it is also an exposed coastal setting. Stay attentive to your guide and the conditions around you; the tour’s purpose here is to see the beach’s formations and coastline, not to linger without a plan. The dark sand and hard-edged basalt make a sharp contrast with the white surf, so take a moment to look beyond the first photo.

The visit is a good counterpoint to the glacier. One stop shows ice and movement inland; the other puts volcanic rock and the ocean in the foreground. Both help explain why the South Coast feels so varied, even within a single day.

Skógafoss: 527 steps and a higher view

Skógafoss is the final waterfall stop described on the South Coast route. You can view the falls from below, or take the staircase of 527 steps beside them for a higher vantage point. On clear days, rainbows can appear in the spray.

Those steps are worth knowing about before you arrive. You can appreciate the waterfall from the lower area, but climbing gives you a different perspective and takes more energy. After a glacier hike and several stops, you may prefer to decide on the spot rather than feel obliged to climb every step.

On clear days, the route may also offer views of Iceland’s volcanoes, including Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla, as well as volcanoes around the Westman Islands off the coast. The views depend on visibility, so think of them as a bonus, not a promise.

The Northern Lights: a second outing, not a guaranteed finale

After the South Coast portion, you return to Reykjavík around 7:00 PM. You have time to get dinner, then the evening tour picks you up again at the original location and heads into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights.

The aurora may show green, yellow, white or sometimes purple. But no guide can promise a sighting, and this tour is clear about that. Your guide will do their best to find the lights, but clouds and other conditions can keep them out of view. Go for the experience of the search as well as the possibility of seeing the aurora, and you’ll be less likely to feel that the day has failed if the sky stays dark.

Frank, the Northern Lights guide, has been praised for his warmth and for making the outing enjoyable even apart from a sighting. That is useful to know because the evening can be a long wait if the lights do not appear. A good guide can make the search worthwhile, but he cannot control the sky.

What the $255 price includes, and what it doesn’t

At $255, the price covers two substantial outings in one booking: the South Coast route with a glacier hike, and an evening Northern Lights search. The glacier guide and equipment are included, as are Reykjavík pickup, a general tour guide and onboard WiFi. If you want to see several major South Coast sights and add a guided glacier walk without arranging separate transport, that package has practical value.

The exclusions are important. You pay for your own food and drinks, and you must bring suitable hiking shoes. On a day this long, snacks and water are not minor extras. Pack enough to keep yourself comfortable through the daytime stops and the evening outing, and bring warm, waterproof clothing for time outside.

The duration is listed as approximately 16 hours, with starting times varying by availability. The schedule includes a return to Reykjavík before the Northern Lights pickup, so don’t assume the day is a single uninterrupted drive. Make sure you have the energy for the second outing after a full day outdoors.

Who will get the most from this long day

This tour suits you if you want a broad South Coast introduction and especially if walking on a glacier is high on your list. It also works well if you’d rather have transport and guides arranged than manage separate stops and an evening aurora trip on your own.

It’s less suitable if you want a relaxed pace, have limited mobility, are pregnant, or don’t have the required footwear. Children must be at least 8 years old. The minimum shoe size is 35 EU and the maximum is 50 EU, a detail worth checking before you book.

Keep your plans flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option means you don’t pay at the time of booking. Pickup is available from authorized Reykjavík locations, so check that your preferred point is included when you review availability.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the glacier hike as much as the waterfalls and beach, and you’re comfortable with a long day that continues after dinner. The strongest value is the combination of guided glacier time, several South Coast landmarks and a separate aurora search, all with Reykjavík pickup.

Skip it if you need a short outing, dislike long days outdoors or would be disappointed if the Northern Lights do not appear. Bring proper boots, rain gear, warm layers, water and food, and treat the aurora as a possibility rather than the day’s guaranteed reward. With those expectations, you’ll be set for a varied, active look at Iceland’s South Coast.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 16 hours. It includes the South Coast outing, a return to Reykjavík around 7:00 PM, and a later pickup for the Northern Lights tour.

Is the glacier hike included?

Yes. The tour includes a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, a certified glacier guide and glacier hiking equipment.

Do I need to bring hiking shoes?

Yes. Hiking shoes are not included. Bring sturdy shoes with good ankle support; they must be suitable for attaching crampons and fall between 35 and 50 EU in size.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The guide will do their best to find the lights, but sightings cannot be promised.

What should I bring?

Bring food and drinks, sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, gloves, a scarf, a water bottle, snacks and a small backpack.

Can children join the tour?

The minimum age is 8 years old. The tour is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.