A white American plane crashed into a desert of black lava in the South of Iceland. This 1973 headline went round the world at the time. Now, this plane wreck Iceland intrigues thousands of visitors each year… We tell you its story, how to visit it, photograph it and more.
This spot is a rite of passage for all travelers on a 6-day South Iceland itinerary. It’s not every day you get to visit an almost untouched plane wreck, this photogenic!
Just like the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the Sólheimasandur plane wreck name has crossed Icelandic borders. What happened? What were the consequences?
How do you get there if it’s in the middle of nowhere? And above all, how to get there in the best possible conditions? After visiting it several times, here is what we learned and how to have the best possible experience.
Plane Wreck Iceland Location
The Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is located right by the Ring Road, on the south coast of Iceland. It is a 12-minute ride after the famous Skogafoss Waterfall and a 20-minute ride before the town of Vík.
It really is in the middle of the best places to visit in the South of Iceland, so it’s very easy to add to any road trip itinerary.
What is the story behind the Sólheimasandur plane wreck?
The Sólheimasandur plane wreck is the remains of a U.S. Navy C-117 aircraft that crashed on Iceland’s black sand beach on November 21st, in 1973.
What happened? The plane was used to transport supplies between Keflavík from Höfn.
The weather quickly deteriorated and ice built up in the engine, causing it to stop completely and suddenly. There were even holes in the fuel tank… The crew thought they were lost!
The co-pilot had the idea of steering the plane towards the sea and managed to land just a few meters from it, on a black sand beach! This emergency landing went surprisingly well, fortunately with no fatalities.
Soldiers came to retrieve the valuables from the plane a few days later, but left the carcass on the beach as this model of aircraft was no longer produced by the US military.
How to get to the Plane Wreck Iceland: 4 Ways to Visit in 2025
First, in any of the first three scenarios below, you need to reach the parking lot of the Sólheimasandur plane wreck. It’s a fabulous 2 hour and 20 minute drive from the capital, Reykjavik.
You will drive through the Golden Circle and its mind-blowing geysir (good pun, right) and Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and… the magical Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool, the oldest swimming pool of Iceland.
Then, you have several options to visit the Iceland plane crash. And if you don’t want to rent a car during your Iceland road trip, the fourth option is for you.
By walk: hike to the plane wreck in Iceland
You can walk from the parking lot to the Sólheimasandur plane crash. It’s a flat, but rocky hike of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). It takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour to reach the plane.
We recommend starting the hike at least 3 hours before the sun sets. This allows a good hour at the plane, which is more than enough time to see it from all sides and take pictures. Wear windproof clothing and take a bottle of water with you!
By shuttle
Yes, walking to the plane wreck IS tiring. But you actually don’t have to if you don’t want to, or if you are in a rush. There are shuttle vans going directly to it from the parking lot!
They run every 30 minutes every day, from 10 AM to 5 PM, depending on daylight hours. It costs 22€ per person and the journey one way takes about 10 minutes. You can buy tickets online or at the parking lot.
By quad
This is the fun option! You can drive to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck with a quad. The journey itself through a desert of black lava is impressive. The tour is led by an instructor, so anyone is welcome to try it.
With a South Iceland tour from Reykjavik
If you don’t drive, or simply don’t want to rent a car in Iceland, there are different tours that leave from Reykjavik to visit the South of Iceland, including a stop at the famous Plane Wreck Iceland.
Tips to visit the Plane Wreck Iceland
How to photograph the Sólheimasandur plane wreck?
The Icelandic airplane wreck is a dream for photographers, offering the perfect image composition: a white plane resting on a black sand beach.
This unique spot offers an apocalyptic atmosphere that’s perfect for photography. So, how to best capture it? We advise you to play with the aircraft’s openings, taking photos from its windows or doors, for example.
You can also zoom in on parts of the plane, or stand back and take wide-angle shots. The best vantage points are at the front, on the side and at the back the plane. If necessary, wait a few minutes so that no one appears in the photo.
However, DON’T climb on the roof of the plane! It’s very damaging, and it’s important to keep this relic of the past in the best possible condition.
What is the best time to visit the Iceland plane wreck?
You can visit the plane wreck in Iceland all year-long, as long as the weather allows it. Then, what time of the day is best?
We recommend starting your hike to the place from the first hour of daylight to 3 hours before sunset. That means you will hike back to the parking lot before sunset, even if you spend one hour at the Sólheimasandur plane wreck.
Sunrise and sunset hours are also great, but that means you either have to hike to or from the airplane wreckage at night or with low light. If you do so, go prepared.
Can you see northern lights at the plane wreck Iceland?
Yes, if northern lights are up in the sky, without clouds, there’s no reason why you should be able to see them at the plane crash. We understand it’s an incredible spot for photographers.
That being said, you should not go there if you are unaware of the weather conditions and of the difficulty of hiking there at night.
The hike may be flat, it’s not an easy one nevertheless. Walking 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) on a rocky path exposed to the wind is tiring. And it gets even more dangerous in Iceland at night, with the weather being able to change very quickly and the fact you’re unfamiliar with the region.
That’s why we recommend taking part in a private northern lights tour instead! This greatly increases your chances of not only seeing the northern lights, but also photographing them (which isn’t easy), and doing so in complete safety!
Can you visit the plane wreck in Iceland for free?
Absolutely! There’s no entrance fee to visit the plane wreck Iceland. However, if you come by car as most people do, you have to pay a parking fee of 750 ISK (around $6 USD).
What to wear to hike to the Iceland plane wreck?
It depends on the season, but we recommend wearing hiking shoes to walk more easily on rocks for an hour. Then, your usual Iceland outfit, with a beanie and scarf to protect you from the wind.
Don’t forget your water bottle and any snacks you may need, which you have to take back with you.
Does the plane crash in Iceland have facilities?
Keep in mind there is absolutely no facilities at the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck or on the way to it. So go to the bathroom beforehand and pack your water and snacks in your bag!
It’s no problem if you have it in mind before you leave the parking lot. It makes the experience even more unique. Having no facilities helps keeping this natural place clean. Please leave no trace behind.
Where to stay near the Sólheimasandur plane wreck?
Plane Wreck Iceland: 3 Fun Facts
The lie about the plane
The wreckage of the Sólheimasandur aircraft is known worldwide as a Douglas DC-3. However, it was never a model Douglas DC-3 aircraft, but a Douglas C-117D transport plane.
The unexpected savior if the aircraft team
Captain James Wicke sent a distress call and gave control to his copilot Fletcher, who was still in formation. He had only flown 21 hours on this type of airplane.
Fletcher decided to avoid crashing into a mountain by attempting a sea landing. Instead, they broke through the clouds and Fletcher safely landed the plane on a frozen black sand beach, just six meters from the ocean. All members of the flight crew are left unharmed!
An ideal spot for movies and video clips
The aircraft wreckage is a dreamy location for filming! Justin Bieber filmed parts of the music video of his song I’ll Show You there.
It also appears in the documentary Heima by the famous rock band Sigurrós, in the show Top Gear America, on the album cover of Hijrah by the American musician George Hirsch, or even in the Netflix sci-fi drama Katla.
Best things to do near the Iceland plane wreck
There’s SO MUCH to do next to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck! This part of the south coast is home to famous wonders, but also to some of the best hidden gems in Iceland.
DC-3 Airplane Wreck at Eyvindarholt
We had a hard time believing it too… But there is another plane wreck 30 minutes from the Sólheimasandur one. And a very pretty white and red plane, whose story is really unique.
You can visit it after seeing the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Keep driving for about 10 minutes on Route 249 until you reach the parking lot!
Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool
This is one of the most magical free hot springs in Iceland. Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool is the oldest outdoor pool in Iceland.It’s located on a mountainside, enclosed on one side by rock.
The pool was built by man to teach the inhabitants to swim, as the ocean was too dangerous. It is fed by water heated naturally by the thermal energy of Icelandic soils. It’s far from being the hottest water source, but it’s probably the most sumptuous.
Seljalandsfoss, Kvernufoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
These three iconic Icelandic waterfalls are all less than a 30-minute drive from the Sólheimasandur plane wreck.
Seljalandsfoss is famous for its picturesque curtain of water, behind which visitors can stroll in summer for a unique perspective.
Kvernufoss is a more hidden, less touristy waterfall, where you can take a beautiful nature walk. Skógafoss is one of the country’s largest waterfalls, with a drop of 60 metres! Staircases lead to the top of the waterfall, with a viewpoint from which to observe it from above.
Dyrhólaey Arch
This is one of the famous Iceland rock formations and it’s very worth a visit! Only 12 minutes away from the Iceland plane wreck, this natural wonder amazes with its shape, with the waves crashing on it.
You have an incredible view on the coastline from there, and it’s a popular spot for birdwatching, particularly puffins.
Plane Wreck Iceland: Final Thoughts
The Sólheimasandur plane wreck is a fascinating spot that you have to visit if you explore the south coast of Iceland. It impresses everyone, from tourists to history lovers and photographers…
With several ways to reach the site, from hiking to shuttles or even quad tours, it’s an easily accessible adventure for visitors of all types.
Plan your visit wisely, finding out in advance about weather conditions and the best time to go hiking, and taking water and snacks with you!
You want to visit Iceland on a budget? To better understand the costs involved in a trip to Iceland, from accommodation to tours, check out our detailed post on the Iceland trip cost.
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