The Skaftafell National Park is a national park in the southwest of Iceland.
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Travelers Code
- Leave camping and rest areas as you would like to find them yourself.
- No open fire on overgrown areas.
- Keep the water clean and protect springs.
- Protect vegetation and don't tear down plants.
- Do not disturb wildlife.
- Do not destroy geological formations.
- Never drive off the road.
- Never leave the marked paths.
- Follow signs and instructions from the rangers.
background
The national park was founded in September 1967 and has been expanded several times since then. The last enlargement was decided by the parliament in March 2007 and in June / July 2008 the new park Vatnajökulsthjódgardur (National Park Vatnajökull) is to be opened *. This will extend over an eighth of the land area of Iceland up to Jökulsárgljúfur National Park extend. This makes it the largest national park in Europe with an area of around 12,000 square kilometers.
history
Skaftafell used to be a large court and gathering place. The farm originally stood at the foot of the slope, but between 1830 and 1850 it was rebuilt higher up on the slope.
landscape
The landscape in Skaftafell is shaped by the Vatnajökull and the glacier tongues of Skeiðarárjökull, Morsárjökull and Skaftafellsjökull and the rivers that flow out of the glaciers.
Flora and fauna
The largest birch trees in the whole country grow in Bæjarstaðarskógur. There are different types of flowers as well as loads of insects and birds.
climate
The climate in Skaftafell is mild due to the protective mountains.
getting there
by bus
From Reykjavík or Höfn with the BSI Travel.
In the street
Of Reykjavík via Ringstrasse 1 Hofn.
Fees / permits
No.
mobility
There are no roads into the national park at Skaftafell. Parking is available at the campsite and near the Lambhagi. Explorations are only possible on foot.
Tourist Attractions
The times given refer to the way there and back from the campsite. A free leaflet with small hiking maps is available from the rangers.
- Bæjarstaðaskógur. Birch forest approx. 6.5 hours
- Hundafoss. Dog fall 1.0 hour
- Lambhagi. Lambs pasture 0.5 hours
- Morsájokull. Glacier tongue, approx. 7 hours
- Sel. Old farm 1.5 hours
- Sjónarsker. A lookout point with an orientation board 2 hours.
- Skaftafelljokull. Glacier tongue 1.0 hour, unmarked path.
- Svartifoss. Small waterfall over basalt columns 1.5 hours.
- Kristínartindar. Double peaks 976 and 1126 m, 7.0 hours, unmarked path.
activities
- hike
to buy
There is only one small supermarket at Skaftafell.
to eat and drink
A small café is available.
Sleep
Hotels and hostels
In the vicinity.
camping
At Skaftafellstofa.
security
see article Hiking in Iceland
trips
- Núpsstaðaskógar - typical Icelandic forest area
- Jokulsarlon - Glacier lake with icebergs
literature
Web links
- Skaftafell National Park Official Homepage
- Leaflet National Park
