HEINABERGSLÓN IN SHORTHeinabergslón is a glacier lagoon fed by the Heinabergsjökull outlet glacier, part of Vatnajökull, in Southeast Iceland. It is about 40 km west of Höfn, reached by an 8 km gravel side road off Route 1, free to visit, and best known as a quieter alternative to Jökulsárlón, with kayaking tours in summer.
About Heinabergslón
Heinabergslón sits below Heinabergsjökull, one of the smaller outlet glaciers running off the southern edge of Vatnajökull. Icebergs break off the glacier and drift across the lagoon, much like at the better-known Jökulsárlón further west, but with a fraction of the visitors. The setting is quieter and wilder, with black sand, glacial silt and the ice front visible in the distance.
The lagoon and the land around it are within the boundaries of Vatnajökull National Park. From June to September the area is used for guided kayak tours among the icebergs, and it is also good ground for short hikes. Reindeer roam wild in this part of Iceland, and large herds are often seen around Heinaberg from autumn to spring.
Heinabergslón is often compared with Jökulsárlón, and the comparison is fair: the same blue and white icebergs on a smaller scale, long spells of stillness and very few people. If you like places off the main track, it is an easy one to add, and the two lagoons fit well into the same day's drive along Route 1 between Skaftafell and Höfn.
As everywhere close to the ice cap, the weather is unpredictable. Expect wind off the glacier and periods of rain even in July. Summer days are usually between 5 and 15°C; in winter it stays around or below freezing and feels colder in the wind.
Quick facts
GlacierHeinabergsjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull
RegionSoutheast Iceland, within Vatnajökull National Park
From HöfnAbout 40 km west, around 30–40 minutes by car
Turn-offSignposted Heinaberg on Route 1, between Skálafell and Flatey
RoadAbout 8 km of gravel from Route 1; a 4x4 is recommended and the road is not maintained in winter
EntryFree
Kayak seasonJune to September, with a guide
ToiletsChemical toilet at the lagoon, open all year
Time needed30–45 minutes, longer with a kayak tour or a hike
How to get to Heinabergslón
On a guided tourKayaking tours run on the lagoon from June to September, led by local guides and launched from the shore among the icebergs. There are tours for beginners as well as experienced paddlers, and this is the main organised way to experience Heinabergslón.
By carTurn off Route 1 onto the gravel road signposted Heinaberg, between the farms Skálafell and Flatey, west of Höfn. It is about 8 km of unpaved road to the lagoon. After a little over 5 km you come to a junction: keep left for Heinabergslón. The right fork leads to the old Heinaberg farm and Bólstaðafoss waterfall. The national park describes the road as difficult for ordinary city cars and recommends a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
By public transportThere is no public bus to the lagoon, so a rental car or a booked tour is the only practical way to get there.
The access road is a seasonal gravel track and is not kept open through winter, so plan a visit for the warmer months and check conditions on umferdin.is beforehand.
What you can do at Heinabergslón
Most people come for the quiet and the icebergs. If you have more time, there is a good deal more to the Heinaberg area than the lagoon shore.
Kayak among the icebergsPaddling on Heinabergslón is one of the best glacier kayaking trips in Iceland, with the ice front ahead of you and hardly another boat on the water. Go with a guide, follow the safety briefing and keep your distance from the icebergs, which can roll over without warning.
Walk the marked trailsThe national park has marked 13 trails in the Heinaberg area, from a 10-minute walk to a full-day route of 27.5 km. Shorter options include the 1.8 km trail to the old Heinaberg farm (about 1 hour) and the 5.6 km Geitafellsbjörg trail (2–3 hours).
Look for reindeerSoutheast Iceland is reindeer country. Herds come down to the lowlands around Heinaberg from autumn to spring, so keep an eye on the flats beside the gravel road.
The old bridgeOn the way in you pass a bridge built over the Heinabergsvötn river in 1948, one of the landmarks of the area and a reminder of how much the glaciers and their rivers have changed since.
Go on to HöfnHöfn is about 30 minutes further east, a fishing town of around 2,000 people known for its langoustine, often sold as Icelandic lobster. It is the natural place for a meal after the lagoon.
Four glacier tongues come down in this area: Skálafellsjökull, Heinabergsjökull, Fláajökull and Hoffellsjökull.
Best time to visit Heinabergslón
Summer (June–September)The access road is open and kayak tours run from June to September. This is the easiest and most reliable time to visit, with temperatures of roughly 5–15°C.
WinterThe gravel road is typically not maintained, so the lagoon is difficult or impossible to reach without local knowledge of conditions. Days are short and it is around or below freezing.
Safety and practical tips
- Check the road is open before you drive out, especially outside the summer months.
- Keep a safe distance from the water's edge and from icebergs; conditions can be unstable.
- Bring warm, waterproof clothing even in summer, as the area is exposed and close to the ice. Wind and rain arrive quickly.
- Walk carefully near the shore: the ground is glacial silt and loose stones, and it can be slippery.
- Drive the gravel road slowly and do not take a small city car in after heavy rain.
- Visit Jökulsárlón and Heinabergslón on the same day to see the busy lagoon and the quiet one side by side.
Facilities and accessibility
There is a chemical toilet at the lagoon, open all year, and nothing else: no café, shop or shelter. Höfn, about 40 km away, has fuel, shops, cafés and restaurants.
Nearby places worth a stop
Where to stay near Heinabergslón
Most visitors stay in Höfn or in guesthouses along Route 1 between Skaftafell and Höfn, and visit Heinabergslón as a stop along that stretch.
Heinabergslón FAQ
Is Heinabergslón the same as Jökulsárlón?
No, it is a separate, smaller glacier lagoon further east, closer to Höfn, fed by Heinabergsjökull rather than Breiðamerkurjökull.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, visiting the lagoon is free. Kayak tours are a separate paid activity.
Can you kayak on Heinabergslón?
Yes, with a guide. Tours run from June to September and there are options for people who have never paddled before.
Do I need a 4x4 to reach Heinabergslón?
It is recommended. The last 8 km from Route 1 are rough gravel, and the national park says the road is difficult for ordinary city cars.
How far is Heinabergslón from Höfn?
About 40 km, or 30–40 minutes by car, the last part on gravel.
Can I visit Heinabergslón in winter?
It is possible but not guaranteed, since the gravel access road is not routinely maintained outside summer.
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