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National park in Iceland
Photo: Justraveling.com, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland is the second largest national park in Europe (the largest is Yugyd Va in Komi, Russia) and a natural world heritage site. The park was founded on 7 June 2008 and includes the former Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur National Parks. Containing , the park covers about 14% of the surface of Iceland. At 2,106 metres, the park is home to Iceland's highest mountain (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull), and Europe's most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss). The former Jökulsárgljúfur park is covered in its own article, in addition to the area around Jökulsárlón, a large glacial lake.
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Further inland, along the glacial river that once shaped Ásbyrgi are the canyons through which the mighty river still flows. Among the sights in the area is Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland. Previously a national park of their own, Jökulsárgljúfur are today a part of the Vatnajökull National Park.
A large glacial lake where you can take boat tours to see the ever-changing ice formations.
Iceland's highest waterfall with a drop of over 240 metres.
A canyon of winding rivers, covered in lush moss and dramatic cliffs.
A volcano that collapsed in on itself after an eruption in 1875. Since then, water has accumulated in the crater, making a 220 metre deep pool of water.
This tuya, surrounded by a lava field, was not ascended until 1908. At a height of 1700 m it is known as "the Queen of Icelandic Mountains" and was added to Vatnajökull National Park in 2019.
Offers tours, ice walks and ice climbing around Skaftafell
Certified mountain guides offering guided ascents within Vatnajokull National Park.
Vatnajokull.com
Organized skidoo tours, snowmobile, superjeep safari, ice-climbing, trekking and sailing between the icebergs in Jökulsárlón.
Have offered easy glacier tours and ice climbing from Skaftafell since 1994 as well as guided hikes to Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland's highest peak.
Melrakki Adventures is a small tour operator in Skaftafell. Certified glacier guides offering extra small group glacier hikes and ice cave tours.
The closest hostel, located about 40 km to the west, on the Ring Road. Add another 4 km on a bad gravel road. Reasonably cheap, but really isolated (and no Internet at all!)
Hotel offers rooms with private facilities: single, double and superior with views of the glacier and Hvannadalshnjukur. Restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi internet access in all the building.
Hotel with panoramic view of the glacier Vatnajokull. MNRooms with private facilities, internet access in the lobby, bar, TV lounge. Open May - September.
Hut run by the Akureyri touring association.
Hut run by the Akureyri touring association.
Hut run by the Akureyri touring association.
Hut run by the Akureyri touring association.
Hut run by the Akureyri touring association.
Hut run by the Icelandic touring association.
Skaftafell information centre is open everyday all year round, from at least 10:00–16:00 (longer in summer).
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Höfn · Regional · HFN
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Nature & adventureWikivoyage has information about national parks, both about a host of individual ones, general information on parks in some countries and general advice for hiking and some related topics.
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