| Skaftafell National Park | |
 | |
| Area type | National Park |
|---|---|
| State | Iceland |
| Surface | 4,807 km² |
| Foundation year | 1967 |
| Institutional website | |
Skaftafell National Park is located in theAusturland, the eastern region ofIceland.
To know
The panorama is very similar to an alpine view, but the whole area has been formed by several volcanic events over thousands of years. Small volcanic eruptions under the glacier can give rise to frozen rivers (in Icelandic: jökulhlaup) which contribute to swelling the Skeiðará River in a massive way.
Inside the park there is an information center which you can use before embarking on a visit to it.
Geographical notes
Skaftafell National Park is located between Kirkjubæjarklaustur (or Klaustur), and the city of Höfn and there is the valley Morsárdalur, the mountain Kristínartindar and the glacier Skaftafellsjökull; the latter forms an offshoot in the great Vatnajökull glacier.
The wasteland and sandy land between the glacier and the sea caused by the explosion of the frozen lake is called Sandur. The last such explosion dates back to 1996.
Flora and fauna
The park has a birch forest inside, Bæjarstaðarskógur, and many species of arctic birds and foxes.
When to go
Skaftafell is renowned in Iceland for its pleasant climate and sunny days in summer, which are certainly not common in southern Iceland.
Background
Park established on September 15, 1967, and integrated in 2008 in Vatnajökull National Park.
During the Middle Ages, many farms were located in the area, but were abandoned after two volcanic eruptions that caused frozen avalanches. The two surviving farms are now a tourist attraction.
How to get
Permits / Rates
How to get around
What see
- Svartifoss waterfall (Black waterfall). It has a height of about 12 meters. Its name (black waterfall) comes from the black basalt columns located behind the waterfall itself.
What to do
Shopping
Where to eat
Where stay
Inside the park there is a campsite.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Itineraries
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Skaftafell National Park
Commons contains images or other files on Skaftafell National Park
