Things to Do in Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park is one of Europe’s largest protected areas, covering around 14% of Iceland’s total landmass. Home to the mighty Vatnajökull glacier—the largest ice cap in Europe—the park spans a diverse range of landscapes, from glacial tongues and volcanoes to black sand plains and lush green valleys. It's divided into several visitor-friendly regions, including Skaftafell in the south-west side, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in the east, and the glacier itself, which dominates the central highlands. Whether you're interested in hiking, photography, geology, or guided adventure tours, the park offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Why Vatnajökull

Popular Destinations

Skaftafell

Jökulsárlón

Multi-day Tours

FAQs

Why Visit Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. Located about 4 to 7 hours by car from Reykjavík, depending on which part of the national park you’re heading to, it’s home to Vatnajökull—the largest glacier in Europe by volume. To put its scale in perspective, the glacier alone covers around 8% of Iceland’s landmass, and its vast white expanse feeds numerous outlet glaciers that spill dramatically into surrounding valleys, plains, and lowlands.

What makes Vatnajökull so special isn’t just its size, but its diversity. From the easily accessible hiking trails and glacier tours in the Skaftafell region in the south, to the thundering Dettifoss waterfall and volcanic canyons of Jökulsárgljúfur in the north, the park spans a breathtaking range of landscapes shaped by both ice and fire. Guided glacier hikes on outlets like Falljökull and Virkisjökull allow you to safely explore the glacier’s crevasses and ice formations, while winter visitors can venture inside crystal-blue ice caves formed deep within the glacier itself. With its unmatched scenery, geological significance, and well-maintained visitor infrastructure, Vatnajökull National Park is a powerful reminder of nature’s scale and beauty—well worth the journey from Reykjavík.

Popular Vatnajökull Destinations

The most popular destinations within Vatnajökull National Park include the Skaftafell area in the south, known for its accessible hiking trails, glacier tours on Falljökull and Virkisjökull, and the striking Svartifoss waterfall; Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, just outside the park boundary, where icebergs float serenely from Breiðamerkurjökull into the Atlantic Ocean; and the Jökulsárgljúfur region in the north, home to Dettifoss—Europe’s most powerful waterfall—and the forested Ásbyrgi canyon. In winter, natural ice cave tours beneath Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers become a major draw, offering visitors the chance to explore surreal, blue-hued caverns formed entirely by glacial meltwater and ice. These areas offer a mix of scenic beauty, geological significance, and adventure, making them the top highlights of Iceland’s largest national park.

Skaftafell - Best for Glaciers Hikes

Troll.is Original

Join us for a walk on the glacier, one of Iceland's most popular outdoor activities. Hike into the magnificent ice-world of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you stunning scenery and astonishing ice formations.

Come and join us on this once-in-a lifetime-experience, a chance to explore Iceland’s largest glacier.

As glaciers continue melting at an alarming rate – roughly more than 1.2 trillion tons per year around the world, we would like to invite you to this unforgettable tour, where you will experience a rare phenomena of how half of our world used to look like, just 12 thousands years ago.

Like all other glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull glacier continues to melt, which will eventually lose half of its current ice by the year 2100 (which currently covers 9% of Iceland). It is estimated that by 2200, most of the glacier ice in Iceland will be forever lost.

Skaftafell 3 hours Easy Level Glacier Hike

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