18-10-2023
The largest national park in Iceland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vatnajokull National Park is one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for visitors to the island, and it’s certainly not hard to see why Vatnajokull is so popular! With mighty glaciers, active volcanoes and majestic waterfalls, Vatnajokull combines some of the best of Iceland’s geology in one incredible location.
Let’s learn more about what you can see and do at Vatnajokull National Park, as well as how to get there and guided tours you can take, so you can prepare to make your trip the best experience possible!
Established in 2008, Vatnajokull National Park is one of three national parks on the island of Iceland. The largest of these, Vatnajokull National Park, actually covers a whopping 14% of Iceland’s landmass!
If Iceland is the Land of Fire and Ice, then Vatnajokull National Park is, for sure, the Park of Fire and Ice! That’s because the unique geology of Vatnajokull National Park has been shaped by the interaction between the Earth’s very own dynamic sources of fire and ice: volcanoes and glaciers.
Home to Iceland’s largest glacier (the mighty Vatnajokull glacier), active volcanoes, glacial rivers, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, lush forests and impressive canyons, this unique park is full to bursting with geological wonders.
To get from Reykjavík to Vatnajokull National Park, you simply need to take Route 1 towards the south of the island and follow it until you reach Vatnajokull. You’ll be pleased to know that it’s very easy to get to Vatnajokull National Park, as this incredible natural area is located right next to the main Ring Road in Iceland, also known as Route 1.
As this National Park covers such a large area, you can stop at many different parts of the park, although one of the first areas of the park you’ll reach when driving from Reykajvik is Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which is around 4 hours by car from the capital.
When visiting Vatnajokull National Park, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with incredible sights and things to do everywhere you turn! We’ve broken down the best things to do at Vatnajokull National Park into a convenient must-see list, so you won’t miss out on anything – let’s go!
Of course, Vatnajokull Glacier has to be at the top of your must-see list when visiting Vatnajokull National Park. Whether you want to walk on the glacier, explore its ice caves or simply marvel at its vastness, Vatnajokull Glacier is the crown jewel of this park and hard to miss!
Located within Vatnajokull National Park is the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which is a wilderness area with natural wonders as diverse as glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and woodlands.
Here, you can explore the dramatic landscapes up close by enjoying a Skaftafell ice climbing and glacier hike adventure, or simply walk through the green meadows and volcanic landscape at your own pace, soaking in the beautiful views of flora, fauna and birds as you go.
Svartifoss and Detifoss are amongst the two most famous waterfalls you can find in Vatnajokull National Park. Crashing over dramatic basalt rock columns, Svartifoss Waterfall is well worth a visit – you’ll definitely want to bring your camera here!
As the second-most powerful waterfall in Europe, the mighty Detifoss is also one for your Vatnajokull National Park bucket list. Just make sure to bring a raincoat to protect yourself from the waterfall’s spray.
Including the Svartifoss loop, Vatnajokull glacier hike and many other beautiful hiking routes, Vatnajokull National Park is one of Iceland’s most popular hiking areas. With many amazing walking routes to choose from, you’ll find routes to suit different experiences and physical fitness levels.
Walking inside an ice cave is, undoubtedly, one of the most unique and unforgettable things you can do in Vatnajokull National Park. Experiencing the bright blue ice of Skaftafell ice cave for yourself is a sight you won’t soon forget!
You can take a Vatnajokull ice cave tour to enjoy the best experience of these majestic ice caves, including learning more about these incredible structures from an expert guide. Just keep in mind that the ice caves aren’t accessible during the summer months.
Nesting seabirds, including puffins and skuas, can be found in Vatnajokull National Park. Keen bird watchers might like to take a guided bird watching tour of Vatnajokull National Park. Bring along your binoculars and camera for an epic trip exploring this incredible natural area and its diverse birdlife.
Vatnajokull National Park is a popular area for camping in Iceland, with Skaftafell Campground offering over 400 camping spots. With restaurants, access to electricity and hygiene facilities, this campground is perfect for an overnight stay in the beautiful Vatnajokull National Park. You can choose to stay in a tent or campervan, depending on what suits you best.
While you’re in the Vatnajokull National Park area, you definitely have to make a stop at the incredible Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. These stunningly unique natural wonders are among the most popular sights to see in Iceland for their striking beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes.
You can watch icebergs float along the surface of the crystal clear water at this wonderful glacier lagoon, then admire the incredible views of the iceberg-strewn black sand beach across the road, which is called Diamond Beach due to the chunks of ice glistening like diamonds amongst the volcanic sand – sounds magical, right?
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