Sólheimasandur is a sand desert formed by jökulhlaup, or glacial outburst floods, from the Katla volcano system that lies underneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. In 1973 a DC-3 US Navy plane ran out of fuel and landed on the beach of Sólheimasandur. Everyone survived the landing; the plane wreck is still there and has become a popular site. Driving to the plane wreck is forbidden, but by the main road #1, there is a good parking place, and possible to walk from there to the site. Each way takes a little less than an hour to walk. Note: In wintertime, there is a lack of daylight, and the weather can change quickly. It is easy to get lost in the area, so people are advised to know the weather forecast and have enough daylight for the walk.

• Destination

  South Iceland

• Country

  Iceland

• Type of experience

  Nature

• Best time to visit

  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Autumn
  • Summer

• Nearby stations

  • Landeyjahöfn
  • Vestmannaeyjar Airport