If you’re looking to see some of the major geographical wonders Iceland is known for in person – glaciers, hiking trails, waterfalls, lava rock fields, volcanoes – Skaftafell National Park will bring you all of that and more in one stop. Skaftafell is located within the Vatnajökull National Park along the southeastern coast of the country and is known around the world for its incredible views and hiking opportunities. There is enough in this area of the country to plan a weeklong trip filled with outdoor adventures.
You’ll want to set aside at least a couple of days to explore this region. The most popular scenes can be seen over the course of a day, but hiking is a more dedicated activity. You can even reach the highest peak in Iceland, if you are in the market for unique views.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting to Skaftafell, planning your visit, and what to do nearby.
Story
Until recently, Skaftafell was considered its own national park. But in 2008, it became part of the new and larger Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell originally started a family farm that was located in what is now the park’s campground. As the glaciers changed, sand began to cover the farm’s fields, forcing the family to relocate.
The massive volcanic eruption of 1362 demolished all the farms in the region, giving the area a new name: Öræfi, or “wasteland.” Eventually the Skaftafell farm returned to its original location, once the fields were fertile again.
Since it became a national park in 1967, it has been expanded twice (first in 1984 and then again in 2008 when it became part of the Vatnajökull National Park). Today, the park spans 5,460 square miles, a far cry from the 193 square miles that the park used to be.
To do
Skaftafell is a wonderful place to visit during any season in Iceland. During the summer, you will have the best climate of the year to enjoy the hiking trails. According to the visitor website Vatnajökull, you can join the rangers on walks through the park between mid-June and mid-August.
Easier hiking trails run to and from Svartifoss waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull, but more experienced hikers can scale Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur. If you don’t have much experience hiking or spending several days in the desert, there are also many private tour companies that offer hiking experiences for large groups and private groups.
During winter, Skaftafell becomes one of the best places in the Arctic to explore ice caves. To do this, you will need an official tour guide. Ice caves are constantly changing, melting and collapsing, and you need to make sure you are in the company of someone who tracks all of this seasonal activity. Glacial Guides offers a variety of ice cave tours, as well as glacier hikes, during the colder months.
How to get there
You can follow Highway 1 from Reykjavik to Skaftafell, but it will take about four hours, and that’s without stopping at any of the many beautiful scenes and towns along the way. (You’ll want to allow at least a couple of hours to watch waterfalls, have lunch at Vik, and take a walk on the black sand beach at Reynisfjara. You’ll find a visitor center on Highway 998, once you exit Highway 1 and head to the park.
What to expect
You’ll want to research their activities before you arrive – like the rest of Iceland, the best things are often not completely obvious to the inexperienced eye. When you get there, you will be placed in the center of some of the most beautiful natural scenes in Iceland. The region is also diverse; In a span, you’ll see snow-capped glaciers, true blue ice caves, moss-covered fields, and waterfalls. But in order to actually hike, you will need to know where to find the route markers and which route you want to take. The visitor center can help with a lot of this.
If you are taking a guided tour, that will help take some of the burdensome research load off.
What to do nearby
One of Iceland’s most photographed sights is a 45-minute drive from Skaftafell – The Glacier Lagoon. Don’t forget to visit Diamond Beach, where small chunks of icebergs float onto the beach across the street from the larger lagoon.
Where to stay
There is a camp in Skaftafell that is open all year round, but note that the visitor center does not offer rental equipment, so you will need to come with all your equipment. Hotel Skaftafell is another popular and very convenient place to stay overnight. Of course, Airbnb is always an option – book early, as rentals fill up quickly. Airbnb is often the best (and least expensive) option for larger groups. There are some impressive rentals to choose from (Fossar Cabin is living proof).
