Vatnajökull National Park

This was amazing and I highly recommend you do some form of kayaking!

Grab a lobster roll next door!

Beautiful experience and you can walk across the road to diamond Beach and see the icebergs riding into the ocean!

Absolutely stunning experience there. Ice caves and glacier just felt like in the movie Frozen, like an ice castle.

All the shades of blue are incredible, it doesn’t feel real to be honest!

Amazing hike on the glacier, this is an unique arctic experience! Absolutely recommend!

This park is very big, so I would recommend visiting some parts with a tour guide/expedition group. I saw the glaciers with my expedition group and it was very marvelous. You have got to see the glaciers before they melt even more in the future! Bucket list item crossed out for me.

This place was spectacular, the view is stunning, I’m definitely coming here again

"Vatnajökull National Park: A Glacial Wonderland in Iceland"

Vatnajökull National Park, situated in the southeastern part of Iceland, is a mesmerizing expanse of natural wonders that left me in awe of Earth's geological marvels. From cascading waterfalls and rugged glaciers to volcanic landscapes, the park offers a sensory journey through some of the most stunning and diverse features of Iceland's environment.

Glacial Majesty:
At the heart of the park is the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest ice cap. The glacial landscapes are a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature. Guided glacier tours provide an opportunity to explore ice caves, crevasses, and ice formations, offering an immersive encounter with the colossal ice masses.

Dynamic Waterfalls:
Vatnajökull National Park is home to several captivating waterfalls. Svartifoss, with its hexagonal basalt columns, stands as a natural work of art amidst lush surroundings. The park's waterfalls, such as Dettifoss and Selfoss, showcase the sheer force and grandeur of glacial meltwater, creating a symphony of rushing water that echoes through the dramatic landscapes.

Diverse Ecosystems:
The park encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from glacier tongues to verdant valleys. The contrast between ice and vibrant flora is striking, creating a harmonious blend of colors and textures. The diverse landscapes provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including Arctic foxes and reindeer.

Volcanic Terrain:
Vatnajökull National Park is situated on an active volcanic zone, and the landscapes are punctuated by volcanic craters, lava fields, and geothermal features. The stark beauty of these volcanic formations adds an otherworldly dimension to the park's natural tapestry.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve:
Within the park, the Skaftafell Nature Reserve stands out as a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The network of trails leads to viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of glaciers, mountains, and coastline. The juxtaposition of rugged terrains and serene landscapes makes it an ideal destination for exploration.

Northern Lights Spectacle:
During the winter months, Vatnajökull National Park becomes a prime location for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. The dark skies above the glacial landscapes provide an optimal canvas for the dancing auroras, creating a celestial display that adds to the park's enchantment.

Visitor Centers and Interpretive Exhibits:
The park's visitor centers, such as the one in Höfn, provide valuable information about the region's geology, flora, and fauna. Interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff enhance the visitor experience, offering insights into the park's ecological importance and conservation efforts.

In conclusion, Vatnajökull National Park is a natural masterpiece that showcases the incredible diversity of Iceland's landscapes. Whether you're captivated by glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic formations, or the elusive Northern Lights, a visit to this national park is an immersive journey into the wonders of the Earth. The harmonious coexistence of contrasting elements makes Vatnajökull a destination that will forever linger in the memory of those fortunate enough to explore its breathtaking terrain.

AMAZING PLACE, MY DOG LOVED IT HERE! Loved your wolves, came from my friend's house, she's breeds them!

Stunning national park. Great for long walk along the glacier and to the impressive waterfalls. Stunning natural decor. Plan to spend most of the day there. In Winter the park is quiet and can be truly enjoyed at its best.

I have only seen a very small portion of this park but so far I am immensely impressed. Saw so many cool things. Glaciers, waterfalls, landscapes, fields. Amazing views. Hiking paths everywhere.
I stayed to the touristy areas and it was super fun.
I am sure "off the beaten path" is just as breathtaking.
I do recommend Glacier Guides if you want a glacier tour. They were a lot of fun.
Please respect the local laws regarding the environment too many people trampling the vegetation.

Absolutely beautiful national park offering spectacular views and many different hiking trail options. We were able to plan out a 10 mile loop that went along the glacier, descended through the rolling hills, and crossed many natural spring creeks. The trails were well maintained and easy to navigate.

Fantastic hike up the glacier. They can drive you to about 10-15 mom walk to the base of the glacier. There are some fantastic I've caves that are beautiful and amazing. Highly recommend and get a good guide. (We used Hidden Iceland)

This is a wonderful track , you pass waterfalls and end up with an fantastic view onto the glacier from the top. We started late afternoon and had a great light on the glacier. To watch the sundown from top was also incredible. The whole track took about 3 hours.

An amazing place with an amazing experience. My only regret was that I was so busy marvelling over the Glacier lagoon I didn't get to see diamond beach. We got to go inside of the Glacier as well. Amazing place over all. We did spin out along the way because the driver was having too much fun but still a great experience. Make sure to bring warm clothing!

This place has such unbelievable beauty !! We were not prepared for how wonderful this hike would be. There are numerous trails of all different difficulty levels. We did S5 which involves hiking up past some waterfalls and then provides a great view of the glacier. The weather in late September was perfect and we found ourselves shedding layers as we got further and further up the trail. It is so nice to breathe such fresh air and be around lush greenery and constantly running fresh water. This is one of the top highlights of our 6 day trip along Southern Iceland and we would consider it a must-do as long as you like hiking. Plan to spend 1 to 4 hours here depending on which hike you choose.

Parking is paid for by your license plate number. There is a nice cafe with vegetarian and vegan options. There is a tap to fill up water bottles for free. Enjoy !

Fabulous beyond words. And huge. Endless hiking opportunities of all levels. Lodges throughout allow for extended through-hiking. Stunning vistas. Guided tours available for glacier walking, ice caving, lagoon sailing, etc. Whether you are just driving through on a Ring Road adventure, or spending several days hiking and exploring, you will be awestruck by the beauty and wonder if this place! Serveral visitor centers have similar & identical materials and services. Same film at both. Staff is helpful but they expect you to have done some homework in advance. Very few organized, Ranger-led activities. But tons to do on your own. Private guides and activities abound. There is a fee for entering & parking which is not well adversaries and no "ticket takers." You have to research & pay on line. If you don't, photos are sent to your rental car company and will be assessed there, possibly with a fine.

It's a great natural park a bit touristy but not crowded. The hike was great i would say medium. There are good paths at some part the views are amazing. There's 3 falls within the path with the most famous svartifoss as the highlight. There is the nearby glacier too if you want to see it. There's 2 parking we chose the 2nd one I believe this is where you cross the bridge. I think it's less of a hike or walk from the 1st parking. Must do or see!

Huge glacier region. We went to the ‘Hollywood Glacier ‘ for glacier walks on 21/12/17, followed by ice caves in different parts of the National park today. As we followed the tour group ‘ Aurora Hunters ‘ with 37 onboard on a 3 days South Coast tour, covering 1200 km over the period, visits to each place was relatively short. Would be great to be able to join smaller group to spend more quality time

Walked up to the waterfall early this morning and it's stunning! The view on the way back down was gorgeous too. Took us about an hour. Take the path to the left of the visitor centre when you walk up from the carpark.
It was a fairly easy walk. No snow on the track. Pretty steep on the way up but there were rubber grip things on all the steeps parts so not too challenging. Just need an average level of fitness to manage the inclines.

Took an amazing hike to the glacier at Skatafell in Iceland. The late December weather was brisk but perfect for hiking. The route in has mini water falls from the cluff on the left and moss cover stones on the right. Got to get up close to the glacier, and icebergs, all the while surrounded by snow capped mountains. Great day. Enjoy!

PICK UP YOUR TRASH, AND STAY ON THE TRAIL!!

Awesome. I could live here forever.
If you're a bus tourist - pay attention to your surroundings, and watch your spacial awareness. Ridiculous.

Miles (or Kilometers lol) of hiking trails, and many glacier expeditions. There is a free guided walk EVERY DAY at 1100 for 1 - 1.5 hours.

Be careful on the trails, as one side is "easy" and the otherwise is "expert" (however, the "expert" side is structured and not slippery, just steps for the incline vs a ramp/hill) - pay attention to where you started, bc the trails are loops and it is easy to end on the wrong side/lot.

This was a crazy drive to get there but wow, 100km off the main road and it was all very treacherous dirt road. But what a beautiful place. Once you arrive there's also an approximate two-mile hike to get to the Crater lake. we did not go into the hot spring because of the mud and steep Bank going down there. Supposedly it wasn't that warm anyways. half of the fun was actually the drive there you have to cross several small rivers. You need to have a good four-wheel-drive. The lava rock formations and the other evidence of volcanoes or volcanic activity is quite amazing. If you are a little adventurous it's well worth a day trip.