Walking to the DC3 Plane Wreck

Path to Wrecked DC-3 Plane on Sólheimasandur, Iceland

Save

View all 1 photos

All 1 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

5 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Steve Robert

On Saturday Nov 24, 1973 a United States Navy Douglas Super DC-3 airplane was forced to land on Sólheimasandur’s black sand beach in the south of Iceland after experiencing some severe icing. Luckily all crew members survived the crash, but the airplane’s fuselage was abandoned.

The Sólheimasandur airplane wreckage is located on Iceland’s South coast between Skógafoss waterfall and the town of Vik. After driving past Skógafoss going East on Route 1, you will notice a spot to park on the side of the road. From there you will start your 4km walk on the trail to the plane. Driving to the plane is now banned and a lot of people walk there. It is a good idea to visit the plane overnight and avoid the crowds during the summer months.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

Beach

River

Scenic

Walking to the DC3 Plane Wreck Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Iceland's Black Sands

Since WWII, four US planes have perished above Iceland's black sands. Here is one of them, sunken into the beach in the middle of nowhere since 1973. After running out of fuel above the town of Vik, the crew mis-executed an emergency landing and felt their wheels snap upon contact with the too-soft sand. All crew members made it out safely.Hiking from Route 1, allow around two hours to reach th...

Explore DC-3 Airplane Wreckage in Sólheimasandur

If you've ever felt the urge to go to Iceland and explore one of the planet's most geographically fascinating locations, you've most likely seen photos similar to mine: dilapidated wreckage of an old airplane on a black sand beach. The United States Navy Douglas Super DC-3 in Sólheimasandur was forced to make an emergency landing on November 24, 1973, and since the crash, it has remained in it'...

Explore Sólheimajökull

Starting from the parking area, follow the wide and well beaten road/trail along the lake and to the base of the glacier. You can go down to the base of the lake and hike up to the base of the glacier. Exercise caution in the area- the glacier can break off at any moment and rocks also fall from above the trail. You can also pay to do an ice hiking tour at the little restaurant near the parking...

Walk Behind A Hidden Waterfall at Kvernufoss

Begin by driving to the Skogar Museum, just off the Ring Road (1). You will take the same turn to get here as you would to get to Skogafoss, so it makes sense to plan to see both at the same time. Just past the Skogar Museum on your left, you'll see a warehouse/hangar building with two large garages. You can park your car here.From this point, continue east on foot down the road you came, past ...

Explore Skógafoss in the Winter

Throughout all seasons of the year, Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most visited waterfalls. This waterfall is in the top 5 largest in the country, with a dizzying drop of 60 meters. Skógafoss is especially unique because it comes directly from two glaciers. Millions of gallons of glacier water cascade over the huge cliff every day. Because it is located right off the Ring Road in a small town ca...

Hike to the Falls above Skógafoss

You can see Skogafoss from the highway. You will also immediately see the tourist buses and the throngs of people working hard to make the same photo. Yes the waterfall is truly amazing (put on your rain gear and get as close as possible to feel its power), but there is so much this river has to offer. Go up the stairs to the right side of the falls to the upper viewing platform. This is where...