{"id":431,"date":"2012-05-05T17:00:59","date_gmt":"2012-05-05T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icelandaurora.com\/tours\/?p=431"},"modified":"2023-11-19T12:02:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T12:02:32","slug":"skaftafell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/skaftafell\/","title":{"rendered":"Skaftafell National Park – East Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Skaftafell National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Park at Skaftafell is a center of activity regarding glacier-centered adventures. It is a green belt between the vast sands of Skei\u00f0arasandur and the vast ice plains of Europe\u2019s largest glacier, Vatnj\u00f6kull. Skaftafell is the smallest national park in Iceland and shares a boundary with Vatnjokull National Park, which is the largest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitor\u2019s center hosts a large campsite and is a meeting point for glacial tours. There is a free movie showing the last big volcano. A small exhibition describes the history of Skaftafell National Park. There is a cafe and a souvenir shop. A comprehensive network of hiking trails culminates at the visitor center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Svartifoss waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Svartifoss<\/a>
Svartifoss waterfall in the Summer. Click to order a photo print.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Svartifoss waterfall is easy to find on a clearly marked hiking route. The route can be very dangerous if it is icy. Please check the hiking conditions at Svartifoss at the Skaftafell visitor\u2019s centre before attempting to hike. The hiking conditions are written on a chalk board outside the Skaftafell visitor\u2019s centre so you don\u2019t even have to go in to check.\u00a0 One path to Svartifoss leaves from behind the visitor center, the shorter path is from the car park where the road climbs up Skaftafell.\u00a0 By-the-way, this road is strictly for local traffic only, although I think it is OK to walk up it with consideration for local traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking Trails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Skaftafellsjokull
The view from Skaftafell Viewpoint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From Skaftafell there is a network of hiking trails. Some short ones lead up the hill to some beautiful waterfalls and extend further to viewpoints where the views across the glacier are incredible.\u00a0 From the visitor\u2019s center there are organised hiking tours that involve the glacier. Tours range from a simple walk on the glacier to a day-long hike up Hvanndalshnj\u00fakur (Iceland\u2019s tallest mountain). Other hiking trails include the long hikes to M\u00f6rs\u00e1rdalur (10-12 hours) and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Glacier Ice Photos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hiking up to the viewpoint or Svartifoss waterfall can be achieved in 1-2 hours.\u00a0 For the more adventurous hiker, there are several routes that take 8\u201310 hours.\u00a0 The route around Skaftafell gives you views over Skaftafellsjokull and M\u00f6rs\u00e1rdalur.\u00a0 The round trip will take about 8 hours with photo stops.\u00a0 Add another couple of hours to this if you want to include one of the\u00a0peaks of Kristinartindar<\/a>\u00a0Mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"M\u00f6rs\u00e1rdalur
M\u00f6rs\u00e1rdalur Glacier Lagoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are a keen hiker or enjoy glacier activities like live ice climbing or caving, then you could enjoy the area around Skaftafell National Park for several days. The Hotel Skaftafell is just five minutes from the National Park and one hour’s drive from Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach<\/a>, making it a good choice for a central location.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sponsored<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skaftafell Hotels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These hotels and guesthouses are a short drive from Skaftafell National Park. The hotel closest to the national park is Hotel Skaftafell<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n \r\n Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins>