Skaftafell
The green oasis on the south edge of Vatnajokull, home to Svartifoss and Iceland's most accessible glacier tongues.
Svartifoss waterfall framed by black basalt columns
What to expect at Skaftafell
Skaftafell is the southern hub of Vatnajokull National Park, a pocket of birch woodland and braided rivers wedged between the ice cap and the black desert of Skeidararsandur. Two glacier tongues — Skaftafellsjokull and Svinafellsjokull — end within an easy walk of the car park, and the trail network fans out from the visitor centre to the iconic Svartifoss waterfall, framed by hexagonal basalt columns that inspired the design of Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja.
For a half-day visit, do the Svartifoss loop (5.5 km, 2 hours) and then drive 200 m to the Skaftafellsjokull viewpoint trail (a flat 1.7 km each way). If you want to step on the ice, meet a guide at the visitor centre car park for a 3-hour glacier walk on Falljokull ($95). Bring rain layers whatever the forecast — Skaftafell has its own microclimate and can be sunny when the coast is fogged in.
Questions about Skaftafell
Free to enter. Parking is $10 per day via the parkid.is app or the machine outside the visitor centre.
Skaftafell itself is always free. Parking is charged 24/7 but the fee is a flat daily rate.
3-4 hours for Svartifoss and the glacier viewpoint. A full day if adding a guided glacier walk.
Trails are open year-round. The visitor centre closes 24-25 December.
No for hiking. Yes for glacier walks and ice climbs — book with Icelandic Mountain Guides or Glacier Guides, 1 week ahead in summer.
The visitor centre car park is directly on Ring Road 1, 327 km from Reykjavik. Straeto bus 51 stops on request.
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