Skaftafell nature reserve

About Skaftafell

Skaftafell sits where the highland ice cap Vatnajökull meets green, sheltered lowland, a contrast that makes it one of the most varied hiking areas on the south coast. The visitor centre at the entrance is also the main gateway to this part of Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest national park by area, and the starting point for every trail in the reserve.

The best-known walk leads to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by dark, symmetrical basalt columns that are said to have influenced the design of Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja church. From the same network of paths, other routes lead to viewpoints over the glacier tongue Skaftafellsjökull and up to Sjónarnípa for wider views across the ice.

Skaftafell was its own national park before merging into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008, and it remains the most visited part of the park because of its easy access from the Ring Road and its range of trails for different fitness levels.

Skaftafell lies in Öræfi, the district between the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the town of Höfn. In one view you get green slopes, black outwash sands and white glacier tongues. In summer the birch woods and flowers are at their best against the ice, and in winter the glaciers and frozen waterfalls take over. Around 250 plant species and about 30 kinds of birds have been recorded here.

Quick facts

From national park to part of Vatnajökull National Park

Skaftafell was made a national park in 1967, covering about 500 square kilometres at first. It was enlarged twice after that, and in 2008 it became part of the much larger Vatnajökull National Park. People had farmed here for centuries before that, on slopes sheltered by the ice cap, and the name Skaftafell National Park is still widely used for the area.

How to get to Skaftafell

Hiking in Skaftafell: trails from the visitor centre

All routes start from the same car park and are signed by difficulty and length.

Trails can be muddy after rain and icy in winter; check current conditions at the visitor centre before setting out.

Glacier hikes, ice caves and high peaks

Skaftafell is one of the two most popular places in Iceland for glacier hiking, along with Sólheimajökull. All of these activities need a guide.

Never walk onto a glacier or into an ice cave on your own. Crevasses and falling ice are real risks, even close to the edge.

Best time to visit Skaftafell

Safety and practical tips

• Wear proper walking shoes; the Svartifoss path has uneven sections and steps.
• Bring water and a rain jacket, since weather can change quickly on the open trail sections.
• Do not approach the glacier edge or walk onto the ice without a guide.
• Check trail conditions at the visitor centre, especially outside summer.
• Fuel up before or after your visit, as the nearest fuel stations are some distance away along the Ring Road.

Facilities and accessibility

The visitor centre, right by the car park, has toilets, information staff, an exhibition about the area, a small shop and a café. The campsite is just west of the car park and is among the best equipped in Iceland. There is no fuel station at Skaftafell itself.

On the map

Nearby places worth a stop

SvartifossThe basalt-column waterfall inside the reserveJökulsárlónGlacier lagoon, about an hour eastDiamond BeachBlack sand beach opposite the lagoonFjallsárlónQuieter glacier lagoon nearbyVatnajökull National ParkThe wider park that Skaftafell belongs toKirkjubæjarklausturVillage and services to the westSjónarnípaViewpoint over Skaftafellsjökull, reached on foot from the visitor centreSvínafellsjökullGlacier tongue a few minutes east along the Ring RoadHofskirkjaTurf church at Hof, a short drive eastFjaðrárgljúfurWinding canyon near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, on the way from Reykjavík

Where to stay near Skaftafell

There is a campsite at Skaftafell itself, open all year with fewer services in winter. You pay as signed on site or through the national park. There are also hotels and guesthouses along the Ring Road nearby and in Kirkjubæjarklaustur to the west.

Skaftafell FAQ