| Vatnajökull National Park Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður | |
 | |
| Area type | National Park |
|---|---|
| State | Iceland |
| Region | Southern Iceland |
| Surface | 12,000 km² |
| Foundation year | 2008 |
| Institutional website | |
Vatnajökull National Park is a protected area located in Iceland.
 | ATTENTION: Some of the contents shown could generate dangerous situations or damage. The information is for illustrative purposes only, not exhortative or didactic. Use of Wikivoyage is at your own risk: read the warnings. |
To know
It is the largest national park inEurope. The park was established on June 7, 2008 and includes the former national parks of Skaftafell is Jökulsárgljúfur. The park covers about 12% of Iceland's land area. It is home to Iceland's highest mountain (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull) and Europe's most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss).
Geographical notes
Vatnajökull National Park: full screen map.The park is located on the west side of Vatnajökull - the largest glacier in Europe. Skaftafell is the name of the hill that runs along one of the glacier's fingers and between the mountains. There is a visitor center (open until 4pm) and a campsite (open mid-May) with full facilities and disabled access.
Plains, rivers, black sand, a very large glacier, some picturesque mountains, hills, waterfalls, quicksand, silent streams - what more could you ask for?
Skaftafell is the hill where farmers settled to avoid flooding the giant glacier. There are well established hiking trails up the hill where you can access viewpoints looking across glaciers, several stunning waterfalls, and a mixture of wildlife and birdlife. The highest point of the hill is about 600 meters and takes about two hours to reach the highest point. One of the highlights of the trek is Svartifoss (Black Falls), with stunning black basalt columns around the falls. There is a road that approaches the top allowing disabled access to the stunning views.
When to go
The eastern side of Iceland is the leeward side that boasts less rainfall than the western side. Consequently, this area of the sea level is part of the low desert in Iceland, the high desert is represented by the east of Mývatn.
How to get
The Skaftafell information center (Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafellsstofa, 785 Öraefi - Tel. 354 4708300) is open every day all year round, from 10:00 to 16:00 (longer in summer). Free toilets, expensive shop, very expensive Internet (including Wi-Fi), around 1000 kr / hour. Be aware that staff may not always be aware of the current state of tracks and routes, despite what they say. Free parking.
By plane
The island's main international airport is Keflavìk's Leifur Eiriksson (KEF), 48 km from Reykjavík. The Icelandic company Icelandair does not make direct connections with Italy, so you have to make a stopover in other European cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Frankfurt, Oslo, Paris or Stockholm. In the summer months, however, a direct flight is available Milan-Reykjavík.
Smyril Line offers a seasonal ferry service from the port Danish of Hanstholm at somewhat salty prices.
Permits / Rates
Free admission to the park.
How to get around
Hiking only.
What see
- Waterfalls. Some of those present are among the most impressive ofEurope.
- Glaciers. There are underground and non-underground ones, which create beautiful play of colors.
What to do
- Walk up the hill and take in all the waterfalls and beautiful views.
- Glacier Guides. It offers tours, ice walks and ice climbing around Skaftafell.
- Bergmenn Mountain Guides. Iceland's only certified mountain guides offering guided ascents within Vatnajokull National Park.
- Adventure tours on Vatnajokull. Organized tours by skidoo, snowmobile, super safari, ice climbing, trekking and sailing among the icebergs in Jökulsárlón.
- Icelandic Mountain Guides, ☎ 354 587 9999. They have been offering easy glacier hikes and ice climbing from Skaftafell since 1994, as well as guided hikes to Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland's highest peak.
Shopping
Where to eat
There is a small road side service station about 5km east of the park, opposite the Skaftafell hotel. The food is good and reasonably priced, but the choice is limited. There is also a mini supermarket inside the gas station, where you can buy many things, from tea to soap at high prices.
- 1 Fosshotel Nupar. It houses a restaurant open for lunch and dinner. A la carte menu and group menu. There is also a bar.
Where stay
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Accommodations
- Hostel Hvoll (The closest hostel, located about 40km west on the Ring Road.). Reasonably cheap, but very isolated (and no internet!)
- 1 Fosshotel Vatnajökull, ☎ 354 478 2555.
€ 239.00 upwards. Hotel with panoramic views of the Vatnajokull glacier. MNRooms with private facilities, internet access in the hall, bar, TV room. Open from May to September.
€ 239.00 upwards. Hotel with panoramic views of the Vatnajokull glacier. MNRooms with private facilities, internet access in the hall, bar, TV room. Open from May to September.Huts
Several huts are located in the area. All huts have a kitchenette and a bathroom. Some huts have showers. Camping facilities are available nearby.
- 2 Dreki. 7.500 kr per night per person. Hut managed by the Akureyri tourism association.
- 3 Dyngjufell. 5,000 kr per night per person. Hut managed by the Akureyri tourism association.
- 4 Heilagsdalur. 3000 kr. Hut managed by the Icelandic tourism association.
Campsites
There is a large campsite which is open from late May to September 1st and gets very busy during the summer months. No rental tents.
Safety
Follow the routes and do not venture on the glacier without a guide: danger of death.
Note that there are few petrol stations in the area. One is located a few kilometers east of the Skaftafell National Park entrance, on Ring Road No. 1.
How to keep in touch
Around
Itineraries
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Vatnajökull National Park
Commons contains images or other files on Vatnajökull National Park
