Skaftafell National Park

Region: South Iceland
Coordinates: 64.0146707° N 16.9739249° W
Weather: °C, Wind at km/h, % Humidity
Population: 35

The Southern Part of National Park Vatnajokull

The second national park, Skaftafell., established in 1967 (400-500 square kilometres), contains some of the most precious natural pearls of the country. The rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers, the flora and the fauna have a magnetic influence on the visitors.

In 1984, it was increased in area (1736 square kilometres) including a considerable part of Glacier Vatnajokull. In November 2004 the area of the park was still increased to 4,807 square kilometres. It now comprises the Laki Area as well as about half of Euorpe’s largest icecap, Vatnajokull.

There are no roads in the park, but a network of trails offers the opportunity for differently extended hikes. The camping grounds are large but it is difficult to hammer the tent pegs into the gravel surface. Among the services rendered in the park are toilets, washing machines, a restaurant, a small shop and a very interesting Visitors Centre. The park wardens offer regular guided walking tours and daily bus tours tours from the park to the volcanic Laki area and Jokulsarlon as well as the daily schedule. A comprehensive brochure with maps and hiking trails is available at the Visitors’ Centre. The distance from the capital is about 340 km.

On June 7th 2008, the whole glacier and some of its surroundings, two existing National Parks, and some nature reserves, were declared Europe’s larges National Park, Vatnajokull.

Skaftafell is one of the two National Parks merged with this larger park, and it became one of its visitors’ centres.

Vatnajokull map

National parks in Iceland

Skaftafell National Park in Icelandic

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