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Skaftafell National Park, Vatnajokull National Park

National Park · Nature / Park
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Now considered to be part of Vatnajokull National Park Skaftafell National Park offers the chance to explore Icelandic valleys, glaciers, rivers, and mountains. Starting at the information center, plan a guided tour through the park's grounds or hike the trails yourself. Known for its consistently sunny weather, the park is also home to tons of plant life; birds, such as ravens and merlins; and mammals, such as arctic foxes and mink. You can hike up on the glacier, known to be the largest in Europe. Check out one of the major focal points within the park, Svartifoss waterfall or "black waterfall." Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Skaftafell National Park by using our Vatnajokull National Park trip maker.
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Skaftafell National Park reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
1,156 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • It takes a walk to go to the gletsjer but it’s worth doing it. We had nice weather and the views were great. Unfortunately a storm was expected so we could not spend much time there. 
    It takes a walk to go to the gletsjer but it’s worth doing it. We had nice weather and the views were great. Unfortunately a storm was expected so we could not spend much time there.  more »
  • We hiked to the glacier in Skaftafell last week and loved this experience. It took quite a while to get there but was well worth the effort! We only saw a handful of other people, and it felt... 
    We hiked to the glacier in Skaftafell last week and loved this experience. It took quite a while to get there but was well worth the effort! We only saw a handful of other people, and it felt...  more »
  • Very nice park that has a lot to offer to its visitors. Very nice parking lot.. the visitors complex also have a coffee place. 
    Very nice park that has a lot to offer to its visitors. Very nice parking lot.. the visitors complex also have a coffee place.  more »
Google
  • Svartifoss (1,6km walking) is one of the most beautifull waterfalls here! There are a few more hikes going on over the mountains.
  • Take a dirt road approximately in the middle on your right hand side if you drive from Jokulsralon to Fjallsarlon, and drive as long as you car allows. Enjoy spectacular views on the mountains and the glacier.
  • One of the more unique waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall can be accessed trough one of the multiple hiking trails in the park. It has a nice overview where you can also sit. The parking at the park is around 5€ which is normal for Iceland. The basalt formations make this waterfall unique compared to the other ones
  • Join this adventure tour where you will experience all the fantastic features of a glacier; you will hike up an outlet of Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest glacier, where you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter a crystal blue ice cave. Skaftafell is a beautiful nature reserve in south-east Iceland, filled with spectacular natural wonders. You will explore one of these wonders on a glacier outlet of Vatnajökull glacier. Vatnajökull is not only Europe’s largest glacier, but it is also home of the highest mountain range in Iceland. During the glacier walk, you will be exploring breathtaking ice formations and moulins while learning how glaciers are formed and how they constantly change. The most breathtaking feature you will see is undoubtedly the naturally formed ice cave. You will be able to walk inside this dazzling structure to see the fantastic blue ice found within. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for an incredible journey up and inside a glacier with a fantastic Ice Cave! Your tour will start at Hof, where you will meet your highly qualified glacier guide, 20 minutes before departure. Once you arrive to the spot, your guide will provide you with all the necessary gear – crampons, a helmet, an ice axe, and footwear / rainwear (if needed). Once geared up, you will start your journey towards the glacier. Due to large amounts of melted ice, it will take roughly 20 minutes (by walk) to reach the glacier. On the way, you will be able to see how the ice has deformed the bedrock, the moss line of the surrounding mountains will indicate where ice used to be just a few years ago, and a lagoon, where you’ll see the last remains of the melted ice. Once you reach the glacier, your guide will teach you how to walk on ice, and after a quick safety talk, you’ll start your hike on the icy Falljökull glacier – one of the most magical yet mysterious outlets of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Falljökull outlet is different from other outlets due to the dramatically carved glacier landscapes, which you’ll be able to see while on the 3 hour hike. During the tour, your guide will take you to the most magnificent parts of the glacier – such attractions include crevasses, moulins, glacier mice (a type of moss), and massive ice falls.
  • We loved it here. We walked through the snow to the waterfall and to the gletsjer and it was wonderful. Like in the movie frozen. A fairytale. If you go in the winter wear your ski gear and use spikes under your shoes because it is icy.

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