When it comes to things to do in Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park should be at the very top of everyone’s list. Covering 13% of Iceland’s surface, this is the largest national park in Western Europe, and has a range of outstanding natural wonders which truly capture the interplay between fire and ice.
In this region white glaciers descend to black sands, hot streams erupt from frozen banks of ice, and the park is home to Iceland’s highest mountain, (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull), and Europe’s most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss). The following are the highlights of Vatnajökull National Park.
1. Skaftafell
The area known as Skaftafell used to be its own national park, until it was combined with the glacier Vatnajökull, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in the north, and a few other areas and made to fall under the one umbrella - Vatnajökull National Park. This area is the favourite of many Icelanders, and for good reason – it has some of the most favourable weather conditions in the whole country, and amazing scenery to match. A quick stop-off at the informative visitor’s centre and you’ll quickly realise the area has a wealth of hiking trails. The most popular route to take is to visit the waterfall Svartifoss, a beautiful waterfall cascading over cliffs of black basalt columns. The route is about 1.5 hours return, and suitable for every level of fitness, but the end of the trail near the waterfall can get a bit muddy. From here, you can either turn back or continue to the viewpoint Sjónarnípa with amazing views out over the glacier tongue.
2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Perhaps the most popular attraction along the south coast, Jökulsárlón is a massive lagoon at the base of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Fed by one of the glacier tongues, large chunks of glacier ice are forever breaking off into the water, chaotically floating around until being washed out to sea. The vast lagoon is also home to seals, playing around in the water and often popping their heads up to check out the humans. One of the most popular things to do is to go out sailing amongst the ice, throwing you in the middle of this surreal world. Across the road is the coast, a beautiful stretch of black sand called ‘Diamond Beach’. Washing up here on the sand are the chunks of glacier that float out to sea before being sent back to shore by the tide. Large chunks of ice rest on the black sand, slowly shaping themselves into beautiful natural sculptures. A walk along the Diamond Beach is a must on a visit to the area.
3. Ice Caves and Glacier Hikes
During the wintertime, underneath the behemoth Vatnajökull it freezes over enough to form the most majestic caves made completely from ice. Expeditions into these caves is an unreal experience that explores the natural formations of the glacier. Awaiting inside is a wide spectrum of electric blues, from bright to dark, and an unforgettable experience. Another great activity to get up close and personal with Europe’s largest icecap is to go for a guided glacier hike across the ice. Guides who grew up in the area impart their wisdom and knowledge about the glacier as you tramp across the icecap, peering into crevasses whilst on the way to a lookout point, affording you astounding views.
4. Snæfell Wilderness Area
Snæfell is the name of the tallest mountain in Iceland that is currently not underneath a glacier cap. The mountain and the plains surrounding it are famously known as the grazing grounds for the Icelandic population of reindeer, introduced from Norway in the late 18th Century with the intentions of farming them. This never caught on, and now the wild population of the reindeer roam across the East of Iceland, in the summer months heading up closer to the highlands to this region. A large amount of undiscovered hiking trails makes their way through the area, taking you far off the well-beaten Icelandic path to discover your own small part of the country. Aside from sighting the herds of reindeer, you’ll find all of the usual natural sights on offer as well; waterfalls, hot springs, and great views of glaciers glinting in the distance.
5. Snowmobiling
For an injection of adrenaline, book yourself a snowmobiling tour for on top of the glacier. Driving up onto Vatnajökull glacier in a super jeep before transferring to a snow cat is a great experience, but it won’t be until you’re flying at 30 miles per hour/ across the compacted snow and ice with nothing but the glacier horizon in front of you that you’ll know what a rush feels like. Tours leave from various points around the glacier, taking you up to various parts of Vatnajökull to go riding. Stops are made along the way for photos of the far away coastline and for Q and A sessions with the guides about the glacier itself.
