How To Find Iceland’s Famous Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
Famous Plane Crash in Iceland
Sólheimasandur Beach, Iceland
I’m sure you’ve seen photos before. Twisted wreckage from an old airplane crash in Iceland on Sólheimasandur black sand beach. Here are the directions to find it.
It’s one of Iceland’s most iconic & haunting photography locations. 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 running out of fuel.
Luckily all crew members survived the crash, but the airplane’s fuselage was abandoned. Now it’s become a photography dream location.
If you don’t know where to look, it’s a difficult place to discover on your own. Below you’ll find my directions to the plane if driving a rental car.
Mysterious Airplane Wreckage
Airplane Wreckage In Iceland
These days the 40 year old weather-beaten aircraft has become one of Iceland’s most dramatic photography spots due to its remote location on a desolate black sand beach. It kind of looks like a ghost plane out of some zombie movie!
The wings & tail are missing, the plane is full of holes, and the crumbling fuselage is covered in wind-blown black sand.
I spent the night at this airplane crash site in my Happy Campers Van to capture photos of the Northern Lights. Luckily the aurora activity was very strong that night with clear skies, which can be rare in Iceland.
Photographers traveling through Iceland shouldn’t miss this spot!
If you want to shoot the Northern Lights here, make sure to face North (inland), dress warm, and keep your eyes to the sky all night. I’ll be writing a complete guide to photographing the Northern Lights soon — sign up for email updates if you want to be notified.
Epic Spot For Northern Lights!
Directions To Crash Site
The 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’ll cross a bridge with blinking yellow lights and an access road to Sólheimajökull Glacier on the left.
The road sign here (PHOTO #1) marks the glacier access road. From this point, keep driving East for about 2 kilometers and keep your eyes open for a dirt road turnoff and gate on your right (PHOTO #2).
It should be the only opening in the fence after the bridge. If you end up crossing a 2nd bridge, you’ve gone too far.
PHOTO #1: Road Sign After 1st Bridge
PHOTO #2: Gate & Turnoff that Leads to Plane
Four Wheel Drive Only? (you don’t need it)
Driving On The Beach
Once you pass through the gate, you’ll see a yellow sign that indicates the track is for 4×4 vehicles only. But unless the road is covered with fresh snow, you should be fine without it.
The black-sand road is packed down very well, (more gravel than sand) and a two wheel drive car will make it if driving slowly. There are some big potholes, so just be careful.
Left At The Fork
There’s one fork on the dirt road, and you’ll want to stay left here. It’s only a few hundred yards after the gate. Then the road heads straight onto the barren black sand beach towards the ocean. Someone has actually installed road markers on each side of the track, so it’s easy to follow even at night.
Just keep driving until you see the crashed airplane, it’s a few miles out.
You won’t spot the wreckage until the last minute because it’s hidden behind a sand dune near the edge of the ocean. Enjoy! ★
Turnoff GPS Coordinates
63.4912391,-19.3632810
Airplane GPS Coordinates
63.459523,-19.364618
Map: Skógafoss Waterfall to Turnoff
More Information
Location: Sólheimasandur Beach, Iceland (Map)
Car Rental: Happy Campers
Useful Tips: Check the weather forecast for clear skies & spend the night if you want shots of the Northern Lights. The plane is in the middle of nowhere though, so make sure you don’t run out of gas or lock your keys in the car — it’s a long walk back to civilization.
READ NEXT: Iceland Photography: Land Of Fire & Ice
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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
