Near the black plains of Sólheimasandur, amongst the hills, is a great glacier outlet and icefall called Sólheimaskriðjökull. The icefall has a picturesque lagoon at its base and floating icebergs that have broken from the shattered glacier above. The glacier has deep crevasses and stunning ice formations, coloured with ash from nearby volcanoes and sediments that it has picked up on its way as it crawls through the landscape. The location offers a dynamic and ever-changing landscape with sculpted ice that glistens in the sun and even gives off a mesmerising beauty in rainy or cloudy weather. Towering seracs and massive mounds of broken ice result in a world of frozen beauty. The surrounding landscape is also very interesting, bearing witness to the power of nature as the ice moves and carves its way through the land, leaving behind a unique and stunning environment.
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Accessibility
The location lies 4.5 kilometers off route number 1. From the parking lot, there is an 800-metre-long easy hike along an excellent walking path. You could, with a special permission, drive further up the path to the root of the glacier with in a 4-wheeler.
Services nearby
There are a few hotels at Skógar, which is a cluster of houses close to this location. There are restaurants and regional museum on site as well. Nearest hospital is in Selfoss, 108 kilometres away, but basic healthcare is within 50 kilometres. Within 40 kilometres radius, there are convenience stores, a gas station, restaurants and more hotels and other services.
Permits
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Basecamp and facilities
The parking lot at Sólheimaskriðjökull is massive and could accommodate a large basecamp. There are basic facilities on location and phone coverage is excellent at the car park but goes average at the base of the glacier.
Risk factors
Icefall glaciers are constantly moving from the pressure above, they are also covered in crevasses, deep and narrow. Ice blocks can collapse without warning and the temperature is cooler than elsewhere with a risk of hypothermia. Climbing the glacier should not be attempted without climbing guides and a safety team. The lagoons can be deep, and the water is cold and not suitable for swimming.
Visitors
The area is very popular with tourists and several companies have hiking tours planned on and around the glacier.
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