Walk Distance
4 km each way
8 km round trip across flat black sand from the car park
Sólheimasandur: the DC-3 Plane Wreck on the Black Sand
A broad black sand plain on Iceland's South Coast, home to the much-photographed wreck of a 1973 US Navy DC-3 aircraft.
Location
South Iceland
Between Skógafoss & Vík • Route 1
Sólheimasandur is a broad glacial outwash plain (sandur) stretching between the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Atlantic coast on Iceland's South Coast. The plain is famous worldwide as the resting place of a US Navy Douglas DC-3 aircraft that crash-landed here on November 24, 1973, after running out of fuel in icing conditions. All crew survived, but the stripped fuselage was left on the black sand, where it has become one of Iceland's most photographed landmarks: a silver-grey fuselage on an open expanse of dark volcanic sand with no other feature visible in any direction. The walk to the wreck is 4 km each way across flat, exposed terrain, which adds to the sense of isolation.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
No driving on the sand plain. 8 km round-trip walk required. Dress for exposure; no shelter on the plain.
Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.
Official sources to check
Wreck Year
1973
US Navy DC-3 (C-117D) forced landing; all crew survived
Terrain
Flat black sand
Featureless glacial outwash plain with no shelter or landmarks
What to Expect
DC-3 Plane Wreck
The weathered fuselage of a 1973 US Navy aircraft resting alone on the black sand plain
Vast Black Sand Plain
A featureless glacial outwash plain stretching to the horizon in every direction
Photography Landmark
One of Iceland's most photographed subjects, in any weather or light
Flat Easy Walk
The 4 km path is flat and straightforward, suitable for most fitness levels with proper footwear
Eerie Atmosphere
No trees, buildings, or landmarks; the plain feels completely empty
No Driving Allowed
Vehicles are prohibited on the sand plain to protect the environment; walk or take the shuttle
Getting There
The designated parking area is on Route 1 (Ring Road) between Skógafoss and Vík, approximately 155 km from Reykjavík (about 2 hours' drive east). The turnoff is on the south (ocean) side of Route 1, marked with a small sign roughly 2 km west of the Sólheimajökull glacier turnoff and about 10 km east of Skógafoss. The free parking area has no restroom facilities. From the car park, follow the marked footpath south across the flat black sand plain for approximately 4 km (45-60 minutes walking) to reach the plane wreck. The path is marked with wooden posts but can be hard to follow in fog or snow. Do not attempt to drive on the sand; vehicles are strictly prohibited and offenders face heavy fines. A seasonal shuttle bus operates from the parking area during summer months (typically June through September) for those who prefer not to walk. The nearest fuel and services are in Vík, about 15 km further east on Route 1.
Best Time to Visit
The plane wreck is accessible year-round, but conditions vary significantly. June through August offers the easiest walking conditions, longest daylight (up to 21 hours), the shuttle bus option, and temperatures around 10-14°C. May and September have good light and fewer crowds. October and November bring the first aurora season opportunities with enough daylight for the walk. December through February has just 4-6 hours of daylight, so headlamps are needed for the walk in darkness, but snow-dusted sand and low-angle light make winter photographs distinctive. March and April see improving daylight with still-quiet conditions. Overcast days in any season create the moody, desaturated atmosphere many photographers prefer. For northern lights photography with the wreck as foreground, September through March offers the darkest skies. Wind exposure on the plain is significant year-round, so dress in windproof layers regardless of season.
Planning help
Sólheimasandur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.