Skaftafell Glacier Hike in Vatnajokull National Park 24 spots available for 3 Oct 2020 Step your way through the icy world of the legendary Vatnajokull for phenomenal views of Europe's largest glacier. Backpacking for 5 days in Iceland - Núpsstaðarskógar to Skaftafell Trek. If you are planning on going all along the Ring Road or just exploring the Southern Coast, there are a few towns nearby that could work for you. Skaftafellsstofa is an information and education centre where visitors can find answers to their questions about the Skaftafell area, along with information about hiking trails, accommodation and nearby recreational options. Kristínartindar Mountain. Hope you enjoy it! You can also use the ones here on the right; click on each picture for enlarged version. From the camp site walk up towards Svartifoss. Read Up On Some Top Rated Iceland Guide Books Before Your Trip. Trail Map. Choose that path towards Sjónarnípa. Skaftafell is located 57 km (about 50 minutes) west of Jökulsárlón Lagoon and offers a number of hiking trails for all skill levels. The same route will take you back towards Grjóthóll but instead of crossing the bridge you should continue on the trail next to the river all the way down to another walking bridge by Götugil. If you arrive early, you can visit Skaftafell Visitor Center, which has a gift shop, cafe, and restrooms. If you have some additional time around the area I highly recommend exploring the national park a bit and take part of some of those great trails. Looking for a longer, multi-day hike? On the return you take the same path towards Grjóthóll and continue across the walking bridge on Morsá river. The park is farther east in Iceland, near the town of Hof. The distance to Höfn is 136 km and the distance to the Glacial Lagoon is 56 km. If you are going to Skaftafell National Park odds are you will be heading there from nearby rather than a day trip from Reykjavik. Find your adventure in the land of fire and ice with Troll Expeditions. The map below can give you a better sense of where it is relative to the rest of the country. The route to Kristínartindar goes from Skaftafell Visitor Centre through the campsite and up into the mountain heath as if you were going to Svartifoss. Fantastic basalt Columnar next to the waterfall. Distance: 10 km (20 km round-trip)  Walking time: 6 hrs.  Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)Â. Hiking maps for Skaftafell are available in visitor centres, information offices and from park rangers. The distance to Höfn is 136 km and the distance to … » You can also take part of a Skaftafell Glacier Hike, where you will have the chance to hike on a nearby glacier. Distance: 2 km (4 km round-trip)  Walking time: 2 hrs.  Route difficulty: 1 (easy)Â. Skaftafell is a nature reserve within the larger Vatnajökull glacier National Park. S1: Skaftafellsjökull Cross the bridge on follow the marked path that leads to the camp site. A restaurant can be found in Freysnes which is 5 km to the east from Skaftafell (opposite Hotel Skaftafell). amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Your email address will not be published. The list includes several different essentials such as: As you arrive at the base of Skaftafell you are to see a bunch of boards with maps of the area. Do not miss any of our freshly baked posts!. The hike starts at Skaftafell Visitor Centre where you can start on the Svartifoss trail or any of the other trails heading upwards. Hiking routes in Skaftafell – Getting there By car: Road 1 goes from Reykjavík to Skaftafell (326 km). Located in Skaftafell, this waterfall is close to glacier hikes, marks the starting point of Kristinartindar Mountain, camping, and other beautiful waterfalls. If you are heading to Skaftafell you are most likely doing so from right nearby or a town/city not too far away such as Vik, Kirkjuaejarklaustur or Hofn. - Skaftafell is located around 4 hours and 30 minutes from Reykjavík 327km (203 miles). amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; It is one of very few places in Iceland that is known for good weather, and especially so in the summer. You can take a look at Hotel Skaftafell and some places nearby it. The Skaftafell Visitor Centre can provide all the necessary information about Vatnajökull National Park and its surrounding areas such as hiking trails, history, nature, services, and activities. We stayed overnight in Skaftafell and were able to scope out all the hikes and tours in the area. The last section of this guide goes into more detail about some of the accommodation options to choose from. If you are wondering what to bring along when taking part of hikes in general take a look at the comprehensive Hiking Packing List that I put together. As you get closer to the bottom of the hike you will have the option to make a pit stop at Svartifoss, which is one waterfall not to miss out on. The S3 hike takes you all throughout the trails of Skaftafell. Whether you just have a couple hours or a full day, Skaftafell will have something for you. You can rent shoes during the booking process. For the most part after reaching the top portion it is a lot of down hill but there are some valleys that you must climb up as well during the descent. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; Distance: 2 km (4 km round-trip)  Walking time: 1½ hrs.  Route difficulty: 1 (easy)Â. The path continues through the woods and past two beautiful ravines that are worth a closer look. I have a Skaftafell Hiking Guide if you want to learn more. Well sign up and join the TripTins community to receive monthly newsletters that will recap everything you need to know to make that trip as memorable as can be. We created this Iceland travel blog to help you discover what to see and do in Iceland. After enjoying the waterfall and its surroundings you should walk up the basalt column steps on the other side of the ravine and follow that path all the way down to the campsite via Lambhagi. If you have any questions when you arrive, feel free to ask those that work there or even those who work at the glacier guides shop to help you out. Skaftafell National Park is located on the southeastern portion of Iceland. Information on accommodation near Skaftafell can be found on the website of the regional tourism organisation. A trip along the southern coast of Iceland is not complete without a stop at Skaftafell National Park to take part of some hiking opportunities. The hike will take about 1–1.5 hours (3.7km round trip). As the name suggests, this comprehensive tour combines ice climbing and glacier hiking. Geology of Svartifoss area; Rauðhellrar geology; Kjós central volcano; Svínafell´s geology; Hafrafell´s geology; The skerry in the Skaftafell glacier; Age dating – dr. Robert Duncan; Handheld magnetometers and geology; Legend for geology; Hot and cold spots . The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Whenever possible the suggestion is a circular route. The trailheads to both of these easy, short hikes start from the Skaftafell Visitor Center. Skaftafell ​is filled with plenty of hiking options. PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE AND READ CAREFULLY IF YOU ARE VISITING IN WINTERTIME. You could spend days here checking out the different trails and taking in the incredible landscape. The setting is Svínafellsjökull glacier, which is part of the biggest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull glacier. According to Skaftafell’s hiking route overview, two of the routes are marked easy, one difficult, and six challenging. From Grjóthóll continue across the walking bridge over Morsá river and straight on the marked path that leads to the woods in Baejarstaðarskógur. Skaftafell is a Nature Reserve set in the Vatnajokull National Park, a protected wilderness hosting snowy mountain peaks, ice caves, and active geothermal areas. The weather can be unpredictable as it can be raining and windy at one moment but the sun can be shining the next, so be prepared for anything. Skip the first signpost for Sjónarnípa. First you go in direction of Lambhagi to reach the Svartifoss waterfall. After passing the ravines it is relatively easy to walk across the sands back towards Skaftafell. A decade ago, no one was talking about this tiny Nordic island in the North Atlantic.  And now it seems to be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list. After a long day of hiking you can take a rest at the visitor center and grab some food from the cafeteria or nearby food trucks for a well deserved recovery. Skaftafell, the jewel in the crown of Vatnajökull National Park, encompasses a breathtaking collection of peaks and glaciers. amzn_assoc_linkid = "f3f43cc79de5da5cff80f0ee54e5d85c"; The map below can give you a better sense of where it is relative to the rest of the country. Road 1 continues to the east from Skaftafell. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "triptins05-20"; A paved path goes from Skaftafell Visitor Centre towards Skaftafell glacier. From that point the path will take you down into the ravine below the waterfall). This Skaftafell hiking guide will go over what the park has to offer and will provide a more in depth review of one of the main hikes to take part of. Also do not forget to bring layers on layers and those hiking boats! amzn_assoc_asins = "1631218131,B06X99W1L6,1566955343,1628871806"; Once you reach the top portion of the hike, you will then make your way around the mountain following that “U” shape before crossing over and making your way back down. A cafeteria is operated in Skaftafell during the summer. A couple top hotel options there would be Hotel Laki and Hotel Geirland. Iceland is a destination that has blossomed in popularity in recent years. If you just have a couple hours you should probably take a look at the two easy routes – S1 and S2 – the first being a nice walk towards the glacier on the lower right hand side of the park and the second being one of those blue lines at the beginning of the park that just ends up at Svartifoss (a beautiful waterfall). Now Skaftafell is not just about glacier hiking. Skaftafell also has a terrific visitor center where visitors can acquire practical information concerning all activities and accommodations in the area. If you are heading to Skaftafell you are most likely doing so from right nearby or a town/city not too far away such as Vik, Kirkjuaejarklaustur or Hofn. When visibility is good It is recommended to do a little extra loop to the viewpoint at Sjónarnípa on the way down. The distance from Reykjavík is 319 km or 198.2 mi. All the signage on the trails is extremely good. The centre has an exhibition room with a film about the soutside of Vatnajökull National Park. Svartifoss is surrounded by dark lava columns which gave rise to his name. Trail Map Trails If not, there are a bunch of small hotels and guesthouses nearby. This fantastic trail will show you several waterfalls in Skaftafell. Another option is to stay about an hour away in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which is a larger town with some restaurant options. For further information check this website: www.straeto.is. There are short, easy hikes over paved roads and a fairly comfortable gravel surface. Road 1 goes from Reykjavík to Skaftafell (326 km). The park is full of regular hiking trails of various difficulties. This is about 1.7 km from the visitor center (1 … This 20 meter tall fall has water pouring over black columnar basalt, giving it a stunning structure that is so commonly photographed. After walking 250 meters from the visitor centre through the campsite take you slightly upwards into the mountain heath in Skaftafell (elevation is 140 meters in 1.5 kilometers). 4. The unique Svartifoss waterfall is pretty central to the park and there are a few hiking routes that pass through it. The Road 998 (2 km) leads up to the visitor centre in Skaftafell. Tel: +354 4708300 e-mail: skaftafell@vjp.is. Skaftafell is located within Vatnajökull National Park along the southeastern coast of the country and it’s known around the world for its incredible sights and hiking opportunities. The Skaftafell Glacier Hiking Adventure. The campground in Skaftafell is in full service from 1 May to 30 September. Have fun out there! The hiking and walking trails vary in length and level of difficulty in Skaftafell. Explore breathtaking ice formations, tall snowy peaks of the surrounding national park, and the best of Iceland's frozen nature. At the base of the park you will find a visitor center, cafeteria, restrooms and some food trucks. To get a better overview of the technical hikes see below in the next section which goes over the longer S3 Skaftafell hike. More soon on the essential items to carry along on your hike! Then continue back towards the camp site via Austurbrekkur. … Distance: 12 km (24 km round-trip)  Walking time: 8 hrs.  Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)Â. The nearest towns to Skaftafell are Kirkjubæjarklaustur, 69km … Hiking on one of the glacier tongues or exploring the constantly reforming ice caves is one of the best experiences you can find in Iceland. Please be ready 30 minutes before departure time of the tour. Some of the trails are nice and easy while others can get more technical. Hiking maps for Skaftafell are available in visitor centres, information offices and from park rangers. From the Svartifoss waterfall to the never ending glacier views, this hike has it all. From Gláma the path takes you down to Sjónarnípa and then onwards to the visitor centre/camp site via Austurbrekkur. The route will soon turn technical as you begin to walk on dirt, grass, rocks and a whole lot of mountain. The key is to follow the trail signs to Sjonarsker, where there are 360 degree views, and clear trail markers to Kristínartindar. The easy one is to walk the path around the mountain peaks where you will come onto the walking route again. Walk over the bridge on follow the marked path that leads to the camp site. Planning a Trip to Iceland? Skaftafell national park is next to glacier Vatnajökull and thr landscape is beautiful I took the hike to the glacier and it was a nice walk through the trees The visitor center was good Read more Date of experience: May 2020 They can inform you of the conditions of the trail and the expected weather conditions Continue until you arrive in Kjós. - Hiking boots should be tight around the ankle and have a hard sole. It includes everything I bring along on day hikes, and it will have you better prepared when taking part of trails all over Iceland. After 450 meters another ‘Sjónarnípa signpost’ appears. If you are based in Reykjavik you can probably make a very long day trip out of it but it would entail around 8 hours of driving round trip. Here you’ll find stunning glaciers, interspersed with lush areas, waterfalls and … Here you can find maps of Skaftafell (JPEGs): A map of the Skaftafell area. The route goes from the camp site in Skaftafell across the mountain heath to Grjóthóll in Morsárdalur. Scenic nature, favorable weather conditions and a network of hiking trails make Skaftafell an ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities in Icelandic nature. Please note that there is no proper path or way marking. Then instead of walking into the woods you should turn right and walk on the gravel bank of Kjósarlaekur. The hike is about 17km in length (~10 miles) and can take anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on fitness level (and stopping numerous times along the way for photo ops). Hope you enjoy your hiking experience in Skaftafell National Park. We have detailed road and hiking maps of all areas of Iceland. We did an all-day hike – I think we covered about 10 miles – and packed lunch with us as well as lots of snacks. The other option is to walk the path that goes through the rock scree all the way to the top of the mountain. Distance: 7,2 km (15 km round-trip)  Walking time: 5 hrs.  Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)Â. When arriving at the foot of Kristínartindar you have two options. The map of Skaftafell comes in the form of a double sided sheet, one with a map to the scale of 1:100,000, the other with a map of 1:25,000. There is a vide selection of glacier tours from Skaftafell; you can chose from easy 2 hour hikes or longer hikes with ice climbing. You can use the search box above to see accommodation options all around the area that would be the best fit for you. Falljökull is a glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. As mentioned the weather can change drastically in Iceland and you should be prepared for all conditions. Check out the guide for more! As you make your way to the point where S5 meets S6 you will get an incredible view of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier (the point on the map above is called Sjonarnipa). Required fields are marked *, Join our mailing list to receive the latest iTINeraries, guides & helpful tips to plan your next trip, TripTins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Different routes highlighted the chance to hike on a nearby glacier more soon on the gravel bank of.. 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