Vatnajökull means ‘river glacier’, so named because of all the rivers it is the source of. Covering 8% of Iceland, it’s hard to miss. Hofn Airport is 3.1 mi away. 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. You will have to drive the Ring Road or Highway 1 to get to Jökulsárlón. There are actually several active volcanoes hidden underneath the glacier. In 1967, Skaftafell National Park was established, but in 2008 it became a part of the newly established Vatnajökull National Park. There are a few ways to get to beautiful ice lagoon. Ice Cave Tour by Vatnajökull Glacier One of the best ways to get up close and personal with this out of this world natural wonder is a Vatnajökull tour inside the glacier. How to get to Skaftafell and Vatnajökull area. 1 towards Skálafell. Getting to Skaftafell is easy because you can drive there from Reykjavík in your own car or in a rental car which would take a bit over four hours driving. If you see “the Crystal Cave”, “Skaftafell ice cave”, “Vatnajökull ice cave”, or “Breiðamerkurjökull ice cave”, it’s probably all the same cave or at least in the same area! How to get there. Hiking on the hilly terrains of the Vatnajökull National Park, that too amidst the largest glaciers of Europe is a totally different kind of an experience and you should definitely try this out. How to get there.. Summer & Winter Tours. The following winter, the caves freeze to form new ones. There are many places to visit, and experience, the contrasts in the unique nature are magnificent. Also get there by bus or car. 2. : Vatnajökull National Park provides all year round activities. For all the adventure enthusiasts out there, Vatnajökull National Park hiking is one of those things that you surely cannot miss on your visit. The Vatnajokull is the most extensive glacier in Europe and an immense natural park that encompasses several old natural parks since 2011.. To say that I travelled the length and breadth of it would be a lie, so vast is Vatnakokull National Park , but I visited several sites, including Asbyrgi canyon, and the hikes around Skaftafell and Lonsoraefi are amongst my best memories. There are also a number of subglacial lakes under the icecap, likely produced by the high heat flow in that part of Iceland. There were so many names used to reference this ice cave that it can be quite confusing to keep track of whether you’re going to the right cave. You can also buy a Flybus+ ticket to get directly to your accommodation in Reykjavik. The best way to visit Svinafellsjokull glacier would be on a self drive tour in Iceland. Vatnajökull glacier is the highlight of the Vatnajökull National Park. Hvannadalshnúkur is the highest point in Iceland. Camping Near Vatnajökull Here is a list of all the fantastic camping sites near Vatnajökull glacier sure to provide you with a great camping experience and memorable views! Getting to Svínafellsjökull There are 3 ways to get from Reykjavík to Vatnajökull National Park by bus or plane. It is also possible to take the public transport bus there but then the journey would take around 6-7 hours with line 51 from Mjódd. Vatnajökull National Park is vast in size and covers more than 13% of Iceland. A gravel track continues the short distance to Hoffellsjökull glacier. Deals range from a weekend city-break to Reykjavík and its surrounds to all-singing, all-dancing adventure holidays involving snowmobiling across Vatnajökull and whale watching in Húsavík. Vatnajökull is actually the largest glacier in Europe, covering around 8,000 sq km (around 3,000 sq miles) and is over 1,000 meters thick at its thickest point. It covers over 8 percent of Iceland measuring an area of 7,800 km², with an average thickness of 400 m and the highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur, measures at 2,110 m (6,921 ft.). Containing 12,000 km 2 (4,600 sq mi), the park covers about 12% of the surface of Iceland. Vatnajökull National Park – How to Get There The ice cave tours are offered from November to March. Inspired by the breathtaking location, the hotel has been designed to ensure that your stay will be as relaxing as possible. The sheer size of Vatnajökull Glacier National Park makes it difficult to give precise directions on how to get there. How to get to Skaftafell and Vatnajökull area. The glacier can sometimes generate very strong katabatic winds. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and … Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland, and the largest glacier by volume in the whole of Europe. Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland is the largest national park in Europe. Getting to Skaftafell is easy because you can drive there from Reykjavík in your own car or in a rental car which would take a bit over four hours driving. June 2008, covers an area of 14,141 km2 (13,7% of Iceland). An all-inclusive package tour can sometimes turn out to be the cheapest way of doing things. How to get there? 5. Vatnajökull National Park offers its visitors a unique opportunity to experience the dynamic interaction between volcanos and glaciers. 2. Vatnajökull, English Vatna Glacier, extensive ice field, southeastern Iceland, covering an area of 3,200 square miles (8,400 square km) with an average ice thickness of more than 3,000 feet (900 metres).Generally about 5,000 feet above sea level, in the Öræfajökull in the south it rises to 6,952 feet (2,119 metres) on Hvannadals Peak, the highest peak in Iceland. Activity Adventure Lagoon and an ATV From Reykjavik Airport. The campground is open from May to October. From May to September, you’ll experience extra-long days and generally warmer, drier weather, which makes for better hiking conditions. The battle between ice and … In the Vatnajökull Region you can choose from a variety of activities, tours, scenic views, historical sites and many points of interest. Subglacial lakes and hidden active volcanoes add to the mystery. To enjoy Skaftafell's true value it is recommended to spend at least few days there, either staying at the camp site in Skaftafell or in a nearby accommodation. The glacier is uninhabitable, but you can still visit it and enjoy all the activities it has to offer. It is one of the country’s most popular places for glacier hiking due to its incredible formations and excellent views. Despite a large part of the national park being underneath the icecap of the glacier Vatnajökull its landscape is diverse, predominantly due to the interplay of volcanic activity and glaciers. Vatnajökull National Park can be visited at any time of year, although there are more visitors in the summer months between June and August. When to go there? The glacier Vatnajökull reigns supreme, showing no regard for politics in Iceland or the rest of the world. Underneath, there are seven different volcanos, six of which remain active. Check the specialist tour operator websites. The glacier is located on the southeast side of Iceland, to get there you will pass the spectacular South Coast of Iceland. Vatnajökull Glacier can get to 1000 m (3281 ft) deep and its total ice volume is a whopping 3300 cubic kilometers. When it comes to things to do in Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park should be at the very top of everyone’s list. Containing 12,000 km² the park covers about 12% of the surface of Iceland. Vatnajökull national park established 7. The Ring Road. The national park contains one of the largest glaciers in the world called Vatnajökull. The lagoon is in South-east Iceland, near Höfn in Hornafjörður, and by Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull. NASA Earth Observatory image of the Vatnajökull … Photo: Vilhelm Gunnarsson Photo: Marijn Troch Photo: Brynjar Ágústsson Featuring views of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, Fosshotel Vatnajokull offers heated rooms with satellite TV and private bathrooms with shower. The eastern covers 2.384km2. Hofn Airport is 3.1 miles away.. Activities available at Fosshotel Vatnajokull range from guided glacier tours to boat trips on the Jokulsarlon lagoon. Geology. Besides Flybus, there are other bus transfer options available from the airport. Guided hiking trips to Skaftafell National Park can also be arranged. A paved road leads to Hoffell farm, only 3 km from Road 1. The park was founded on June 7th, 2008 and includes the former Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur National Parks. Flybus operates frequently, so you won't have to wait more than 30 minutes. Fosshotel Vatnajökull is a charismatic and attractive hotel in the southeast of Iceland with a spectacular panoramic view of the majestic glacier Vatnajökull. You really have to see the Vatnajökull glacier cave in Iceland to believe it. Activities available at Fosshotel Vatnajokull range from guided glacier tours to boat trips on the Jokulsarlon lagoon. The nearest airport to Vatnajökull National Park is Reykjavik (RKV). Svínafellsjökull is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Europe. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended but not always necessary. Glacier Vatnajökull Day tour from Reykjavik Airport. Skaftafell national park is next to glacier Vatnajökull and thr landscape is beautiful I took the hike to the glacier and it was a nice walk through the trees The visitor center was good Read more Date of experience: May 2020 It is the largest national park in Western Europe and covers 13% of Iceland or 13.600 square kilometers. The weather in the Highland areas around Vatnajökull is the coldest in Iceland while the southern regions get the most rain and snow. Vatnajökull National Park has been nominated for inclusion on the Unesco World Heritage list. There is no direct connection from Nearby airports to Vatnajökull National Park. Featuring views of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, Fosshotel Vatnajokull offers heated rooms with satellite TV and private bathrooms with shower. : By plane from Reykjavík to Höfn airport. Its landscape runs along the southern part of Route 1 (the Ring Road) and flaunts lovely shades of icy blue. However, you can take the bus to Skaftafell then take the travel to Vatnajökull National Park. There are bountiful great options in Höfn but the list would just get too long. Hiking there is challenging, but the view from the peak is worth it. It is also possible to take the public transport bus there but then the journey would take around 6-7 hours with line 51 from Mjódd. It takes about 5 hours to drive from Reykjavik via the Ring Road, aka Route 1, all the way to the south to reach the meeting point for visiting Vatnajokull Ice Cave. Hjallanes and the Heinaberg area are located between Skaftafell and Höfn. ... To get there requires a 4x4 transport. Vatnajökull has 30 outlet glaciers that create a backdrop of brilliant glacier tongues. The most famous ones are Bardabunga, which erupted in 2017, Grímsvötn and Oræfajökull. The bus stops at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik. Best time to visit Vatnajökull National Park.