Mýrdalsjökull Glacier: Get Close To An Active Volcano
The fourth largest glacier in Iceland, Myrdalsjokull is a true embodiment of the land of fire and ice. Deep within Myrdalsjokull’s ice cap lies one of the largest active volcanoes in Iceland, the destructive Katla. Set along Iceland’s popular south coast, Mydalsjokull is one of its most easily accessible glaciers, jam packed with activities — a must-visit on your Iceland holiday.
Getting to Myrdalsjokull depends on which part you will be visiting - glaciers are quite big after all! However, the two main routes include heading to either Seljalandsfoss waterfall or Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull. Both routes entail driving along Route 1 on the south coast of Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is located approximately 125 km along Route 1 from Reykjavik and Solheimajokull is a further 25 km away.
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What to do in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Covering 595 square km, Myrdalsjokull is a vast glacier with a variety of activities and excursions available across the main and outlet glaciers. Incredible ice caves, majestic volcanoes and magical waterfalls are all in the vicinity of this natural giant and make for some unforgettable experiences. Here are some the activities to do:
- A One Day Hike
One of the most famous hiking trails in Iceland is the one day Fimmvorduhals hike. The hike begins at Skogafoss waterfall and will take you through a variety of landscapes before you pass between two majestic glaciers in Iceland, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajökull. This is a very challenging hike of 25 km. Maximum elevation is 1068 m, the hike will take a minimum of 12 hours and is best completed July – September.
- Exploring the Ice Caves Around Mýrdalsjökull
An experience that will have you believing that you’re on another world, exploring incredible ice caves is a must for a winter visit to Iceland. Between December and April, these naturally formed masterpieces will take your breath away. It’s necessary to book a guided tour, and they are generally available from both Myrdalsjokull itself or with a pick-up from Reykjavik. The minimum age for participation is 12 years old. Both a super jeep tour and ice equipment such as crampons are normally included. Warm clothing and hiking boots are essential.
- Glacier Walking
Glacier walking is a great way to truly appreciate the size of these natural giants. Solheimajokull is an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull and a popular area for glacier walking tours. This is a year-round activity and when you step foot on the glacier, you’ll come face to face with ice sculptures, crevasses, water cauldrons, giant rock formations and much more! Glacier walking does not require any technical skills, but should be done with a professional guide.
Good To Know
Driving in adverse conditions can often lengthen journeys so always allow adequate time. It is also imperative that you only head onto a glacier with a professional guide and always wear adequate clothing for the conditions.
Myrdalsjokull is perfectly located to explore the best of Iceland, from the black sand beaches in Reynisfjara to the peak of the glacier's ice cap. For the more adventurous, Iceland has some of the best locations for volcano tours, and ice cave tours.
