Iceland: Zip Line Tour + Glacier Adventure

Glacier ziplining on ice sounds unreal. This tour combines a Sólheimajökull hike with a zip line over a vertical moulin, giving you big views for a half-day format. I like that you get both the walking part and the flight part, not just one thrill.

Two things I really appreciate are the included glacier equipment (crampons, harness, ice axe, helmet) and the small-group feel, capped at 12 people. I also like the guide team approach, with named guides such as Dario and Elias and a setup specialist like Stefan helping keep everything smooth.

One consideration: the glacier can be colder and windier than you expect, and winter clothing is not included, so your layers matter.

Key things to know before you go

• First glacier zip line in the world, with zip time taken by rotation so everyone gets a turn
• 6 to 8 km total hiking, with a gradual uphill on the glacier for about 40 minutes
• Gear is provided, including crampons, harness, helmet, and ice axe
• Wind and cold are real, especially while you wait for your zip turn
• Photos are included, 5-shot edited package per person, plus lots of encouragement on the line
• Age minimum is 10 in winter (8 in summer), and it is not suitable for everyone with heart problems or mobility limits

Sólheimajökull Glacier Car Park: where the ice adventure begins

This tour is based around Sólheimajökull, one of Iceland’s most famous glaciers in the south. You meet at the Sólheimajökull Glacier Car Park, then you spend the next four hours working your way onto the ice and ending with the zip line run.

What makes this location special is the way it sets you up for both a grounded glacier hike and a more dramatic view from above. You’re not just standing on a lookout. You’re actually walking onto the ice field with proper traction, then gliding over features you normally only see from ground level.

Also, you’ll want to think about your winter setup early. The glacier is often colder and windier than people assume, and a lot of the discomfort comes not from the walking, but from standing still while your group rotates through the zip line turns. If you show up in the right layers, the day feels like an adventure. If you don’t, it turns into a shiver-fest.

The 4-hour rhythm: hike, rotate, zip, and photo time

The overall plan is built for a small group and shared turns. On the glacier portion, you’ll likely do some combination of setup and movement, then your group splits. Some people take a short walk while others are kitted up and ready for the glacier zip line. After that first set of turns, the group rotates so everyone gets a go.

This structure matters for two reasons. First, it keeps the group moving without wasting long stretches of time. Second, it makes the waiting part more manageable because you are not stuck waiting alone for your turn. You’ll still feel the cold, but the pacing helps.

The guides also play a big role in how the day feels. Guides I saw mentioned by name include Dario and Elias, and there’s also a team member like Stefan described as focusing on getting the zip line ready. That kind of division of roles is what you want in glacier conditions: the person who handles safety and gear is focused on that, while the zip setup and team rhythm run smoothly.

You’ll finish with the photo process. Included in the price is a 5-shot edited photo package per person. You’re also given guidance for photo poses on the line, which is helpful if you’re usually the type who freezes mid-picture.

Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull: the walking part you should respect

This is a real hike. The total distance is roughly 6 to 8 km, and the terrain is not the same the whole way.

The first half is described as moderate and rocky, relatively easy for someone with average fitness. This part is about getting your footing, adjusting to the cold air, and learning how to move safely in traction equipment. It’s also where you warm up a bit from activity, which helps later when the glacier wind tries to steal your warmth.

Then you shift into glacier walking. The second half is the glacier itself, with a gradual incline for about 40 minutes. Even though the hike is rated “easy” overall, glacier walking has its own physics. Steps are shorter, surfaces can be uneven, and you need to focus on where you put your crampons.

One practical takeaway: plan on slow and steady. If you try to power-walk like you would on a trail, you’ll feel it more and get less enjoyment out of the scenery. The win here is the gradual build, from rocky approach to ice incline to the moment you transition toward the zip line area.

Crampons, harness, and ice axe: why the gear matters

A lot of people book this for the zip line. Smart move. But the safety and comfort come from what happens before you ever clip in.

Your tour includes the glacier gear: helmet, harness, crampons, and an ice axe. That’s a big value piece because buying or renting proper glacier equipment elsewhere can add up fast, and it’s not a place to improvise.

Crampons change the hike. They give you grip, which lets you move with confidence on ice surfaces. The harness and helmet matter for the zip line because the activity is physically exhilarating, and you need secure, correct fit. An ice axe typically supports balance and safe movement on steeper or uneven glacier sections.

If you’ve never worn crampons, don’t worry. Your guide will kit you up. You’ll still want the right base layers and footwear. The tour lists hiking shoes as the footwear you should bring, and it’s worth taking that seriously, even though crampons provide traction on the ice.

The guide team approach also shows up in how the day is described. Guides are credited with kitting people properly and making the whole session fun, not scary. That combination is what you want: competence plus good energy.

The glacier zip line over a moulin: wind, speed, and huge views

Now for the main event. This tour is marketed as the first and only glacier zip line in the world, and the run is across the glacier with dramatic scenery below.

The zip line path includes a glide over a vertical moulin. A moulin is a vertical shaft feature on a glacier, and from above it looks like a natural chute carved into the ice. You also get panoramic views of the blue and white expanse beneath you.

What you’ll likely feel most is the wind rush and that slightly unreal sensation of moving above a frozen world. People often remember how fast you pick up speed once you’re going, but the lasting memory tends to be the view. You’re high enough to see shapes and textures that you never notice during the hike.

How to make the experience feel even better: listen to instructions for body position and timing. If the guide encourages playful poses, take them seriously in the moment, because that’s when you’ll get the best photos. One tip that came up in the experiences shared: the wait before your turn can be chilly, so if you’re the type who runs cold, bring something warm to sip while you wait, like a thermos drink. (Hot chocolate was specifically suggested by someone who’d done the tour.)

Included photographer and the 5-shot edited photo package

Good glacier days end with photos you actually want to keep. This tour includes a guide and photographer, and the package is 5 edited photos per person.

That matters more than people think. On snow and ice, lighting can be tricky. A photographer who understands glacier conditions can time shots around the best light and keep you from looking like a blurry dot on a giant white background.

You’re also not just thrown onto the line and told good luck. The tour setup is described with encouragement to do different poses on the zip line, plus plenty of photos. That means you can be a little silly while still getting usable images, which is exactly the vibe you want from a once-in-a-lifetime adrenaline activity.

One practical note for photo quality: keep your goggles and face covered if the wind is sharp, but don’t hide everything. You want some visibility for portraits, and your guide will help you get geared up properly.

Price and value: is $360 worth it?

At $360 per person for a roughly 4-hour experience, you should ask where the money goes.

Here’s what you get for that price, based on what’s included:

• A live English guide
• A photographer
• Glacier equipment: helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe
• 5-shot edited photo package per person
• A small-group format, limited to 12

That bundle is the value core. You are paying for instruction, safety gear, and documentation, all tied to a specific glacier. If you tried to piece together your own glacier day, you’d likely spend money on transportation planning, guided entry, and gear rentals, and you might still miss the zip line component.

Also, the small group limit matters for quality. In cold, time-sensitive glacier environments, fewer people tends to mean less scrambling for attention and quicker turnaround on gear, photos, and turns.

You do pay a premium, but this is one of those experiences where the infrastructure is expensive and the logistics are tight. When a tour includes safety gear and photos, the $360 starts to look less like a pure adrenaline fee and more like a full package.

What to bring for glacier cold and wet wind

This tour explicitly warns that it will be colder and windier than you think, so you should plan like you’re going to be outside for long stretches in moving air.

What to bring:

• Warm clothing
• Rain gear
• Hiking shoes
• Winter gloves, hat, warm layers, and a wind or rainproof jacket are specifically called out as not included, so bring them

What is not included:

• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Packed lunch
• Winter clothing (gloves, hat, wind/rainproof jacket, warm layers)

That leads to a simple packing strategy. Dress in layers you can add or remove. If you have rain gear, use it even if it seems dry. Wind on ice can cut through thin fabric fast. And bring something for warmth while you wait, because the waiting is part of the rotation.

One small but useful mindset tip: treat this like a weather-dependent sport day, not like a sightseeing walk. When people suffer on cold tours, it’s usually because their clothing plan was built for a calm day, not glacier wind.

Who this is best for, and who should skip it

This is an adventure tour with real cold and real traction hiking. It is not suitable for:

• People with mobility impairments
• People with heart problems
• Children under 10 years old (winter standard), and the minimum drops to 8 in summer

It also has a group rule: all persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

So who should book? You’ll enjoy it most if you:

• Have average fitness and can handle 6 to 8 km of total walking
• Feel comfortable with cold weather and outdoor time
• Want the combo of glacier hiking plus a zip line run
• Care about safety gear and guided instruction more than “DIY adventure”

If you’re someone who dislikes cold waits, you’ll still have a great time, but you need to pack smart. A good layering setup can turn a potentially miserable day into a memorable one.

Should you book Ice Pic Journeys for the zip line and glacier hike?

I think this is a strong booking if you want one glacier experience that goes beyond photos. The mix of a guided crampon hike and a real zip line run is what makes it worth your time, and the included gear and photographer reduce the typical friction of glacier tours.

If you do book it, go in with the right expectations. This is not a stroll. You’ll walk enough to feel it, you’ll feel the glacier wind, and your experience will depend heavily on dressing for cold.

My call: book it if you’re ready for cold air, real movement, and a thrilling glacier ride that includes safety gear, small-group attention, and photos you can actually use.

FAQ

How long is the Iceland Zip Line Tour + Glacier Adventure?

The tour duration is listed as 4 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the Sólheimajökull Glacier Car Park.

What age is the minimum for this tour?

The minimum age is 10 years old. The tour also notes that children are allowed over 10 in winter and 8 in summer.

What glacier and safety equipment is included?

The tour includes glacier equipment such as a helmet, harness, crampons, and an ice axe.

How much walking is involved, and how difficult is it?

The hike is about 6 to 8 km total. The first half is described as moderate and rocky and relatively easy for average fitness, while the second half is on the glacier with a gradual incline for about 40 minutes. The overall hike is rated easy with some areas requiring moderate effort.

What should I bring if winter clothing is not included?

Bring warm clothing, rain gear, and hiking shoes. Also bring winter gear like gloves, a hat, and a wind or rainproof jacket with warm layers, since those are not included.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.