Sólheimasandur

The South


On 21 November 1973, a US Navy aeroplane was forced to crash-land at Sólheimasandur. The crew all survived, but the wreckage of the militarised Douglas DC-3 remains on the black-sand beach, a lean shell whipped by the wind. There was once a road down to the beach but visitors must now walk from a basic car park. Be aware, it's an easy, but not pretty, walk. It's around 4km each way (roughly three hours to do the round trip).

There is talk of paving a road to the site. Find the Sólheimasandur trail-access car park 8km from Skógar on the right, when travelling towards Vík.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Sólheimajökull

3.12 MILES

One of the easiest glacial tongues to reach is Sólheimajökull. This icy outlet glacier unfurls from the main Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and is a favourite spot…

2. Kvernufoss

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3. Skógar Folk Museum

4.65 MILES

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4. Skógafoss

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5. Drangshlíð Rock

6.3 MILES

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6. Dyrhólaey

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7. Reynisfjara

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8. Reynisdrangur

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Vík’s most iconic cluster of sea stacks is known as Reynisdrangur, which rises from the ocean like ebony towers at the western end of Vík's black-sand…

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