Skaftafellsjökull
Skaftafell, East Iceland, 23F4+5WW
With its ripples of ice flowing down a wide valley, Skaftafellsjökull is a glacier tongue, which extends from the Vatnajökull ice cap that covers much of southeast Iceland. The rugged ridges of Skaftafellsjökull glacier have become a playground for visitors to experience what it’s like walking on a glacier, while the black and green hills nearby serve as viewpoints to this slowly-melting natural phenomenon.
The basics
Tours are the best way to get the most from Skaftafellsjökull and the other Vatnajökull ice cap glaciers. Most tours include the opportunity to walk onto the glacier and the chance to explore a nearby ice cave.
If you visit Skaftafellsjökull independently, you’ll be able to do the walking circuit that leads to views overlooking the glacier, but won’t be permitted to walk on the glacier itself without joining a tour. It’s best to allow around two hours to complete the return hike. If you’re not too tired, you can start a second hike to the Svartifoss Waterfall from the Skaftafell Visitor Center.
Things to know before you go
- Hiking boots are not needed for the circuit with views of the Skaftafellsjökull, as it is paved or gravel the whole way.
- Make sure to wear appropriate layers of clothes as it can get cold in the mountains and out on the glacier.
- Follow all instructions on the warning signs at the end of the trail if hoping to get closer to the glacier.
- At the Skaftafell Visitor Center there is paid parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a café.
How to get there
Skaftafellsjökull, in the Skaftafell National Park of southern Iceland, is a roughly 45-minute hike from Skaftafell Visitor Center. The visitor center is situated just off the Iceland Ring Road; from Reykjavik, it takes a little over four hours to reach by car. You can only go to observation points next to the glacier if visiting independently, but glacier walks require a tour booking.
When to get there
While glacier hiking activities take place throughout the year, winter is the best time to come if you want to see the region’s ice caves, as this is when they’re at their most stable. Visitors can walk the trails to the viewpoints over Skaftafellsjökull year-round, although summer is sure to provide the most pleasant weather for spending hours outdoors.
Glacier walks at Skaftafellsjökull
Travelers are regularly led on glacier walks at Skaftafellsjökull, equipped with helmets, harnesses, crampons, and ice axs. In single file, you’ll navigate the glacier, seeing the colors of the ice up close and looking down into crevasses. Tours that list the location as Skaftafell are often referring to the nature preserve rather than the specific outlet glacier; check ahead, as they could be taking place at Svínafellsjökull or Falljökull nearby.
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