Vatnajökull National Park

Experience the awe of Vatnajökull National Park, where Iceland’s highest volcano, Öræfajökull, towers majestically above you. As you explore stunning waterfalls, floating icebergs, and breathtaking glaciers, you'll be captivated by the park's unique beauty and rugged landscapes.

Why is Vatnajökull Iceland special?

Vatnajökull is the only place on Earth where a mantle plume, a divergent tectonic plate boundary, and a massive glacial ice cap coexist. This unique interplay creates a dynamically evolving environment that is not only exceptionally diverse but also globally significant and scientifically intriguing.

Vatnajökull is a remarkable glacier and the largest in Iceland, covering approximately 8% of Iceland's landmass. Its stunning landscapes feature waterfalls, ice caves, and expansive ice caps, creating breathtaking scenery. The glacier sits atop several active volcanoes including Öræfajökull, which showcases the fascinating interplay between ice and fire. Vatnajökull is vital for climate research, helping scientists understand glacial dynamics and the effects of climate change. The surrounding areas also host a rich ecosystem, contributing to Iceland’s unique biodiversity. Additionally, the glacier is steeped in cultural significance, tied to Icelandic folklore and heritage, making it a must-visit destination for both nature lovers and those interested in the land’s history.

Closest accommodation near
the glaciers of Skaftafell, Vatnajökull

Campground near Skaftafell

SVINAFELL CAMPGROUND

Situated just a couple of minutes’ drive from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point and directly beneath Iceland’s highest mountain, Öræfajökull.

Park your camper van, pitch a tent or stay in a cabin in the peaceful Icelandic countryside.

Hotel accommodation near Skaftafell

HOTEL SKAFTAFELL

The closest hotel to a glacier in Iceland

Situated directly in front of the famous Svínafellsjökull glacier and across the road from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point, Hotel Skaftafell is a great choice for a warm and cosy hotel accommodation in Southern Iceland.

Hotel Skaftafell also features a restaurant and a bar.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Takeaway lunch packages can be made upon request.

Guest house near Skaftafell

THE POTATO STORAGE
ACCOMMODATION

Comfortable Apartments
in Svínafell
Between ​Skaftafell and​ Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Situated just a couple of minutes’ drive from the Glacier and Volcano Expeditions meeting point and directly beneath Iceland’s highest mountain, Öræfajökull.

The Potato Storage Apartments have a private entrance, private kitchen and a private bathroom.

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Visiting Vatnajökull National Park

Glacier and Volcano Expeditions are lucky to have the opportunity and ability to guide our tours on several different outlet glaciers within Vatnajökull National Park so we will always choose the most suitable glacier to guide each day. We are a small company with a simple structure so we have the flexibility to easily change plans as conditions change.

Vatnajökull National Park is an extremely dynamic environment which means that the natural conditions are constantly changing. The weather, structure of the glaciers, integrity of the mountains, snow conditions, river flows, glacier lagoon ice conditions and human factors such as overcrowding at specific locations are just some of the factors that influence our decision on which glacier we choose to guide on any given day. 

Some of the glaciers only require a short ten minute walk for an average fit person to reach the ice, while some of the other glaciers require a hike of up to 45 minutes to reach the ice. All of the glaciers are incredibly beautiful and have their own individual quirks. With safety and comfort as our main priorities we will always do our best to provide an incredible experience by taking our guests to the glacier that has the safest and best conditions. 

To maximise your experience within Vatnajökull National Park we advise you to allocate an entire day (as a minimum) towards your visit here. A short three-hour glacier hike will give you a taste of what is on offer here, however you can experience so much more with just a few more hours with Glacier and Volcano Expeditions.

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 Where can I buy outdoor equipment in Iceland?

GG SPORT

Iceland’s best outdoor equipment store

GG Sport stock a wide range of top quality outdoor equipment including waterproof layers, outdoor clothing, footwear, camping equipment, hiking accessories, backpacks, skis and snowboards.

GG Sport are based in Reykjavík and the shop is open 7 days a week. Their helpful staff speak fluent English so if you are in need of any outdoor equipment do not hesitate to call them on +354 571 1020 or pay them a visit at Smiðjuvegur 8, 200 Kópavogur

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 The glacier kayaking guide
to Iceland

Explore Iceland over land, water and ice

The glacier kayaking guide is constructed by Glacier and Volcano Expeditions in order to answer any questions that you may have if you are interested in joining a Glacier Kayaking Iceland or a Glacier Hike and Kayaking Combination tour.

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Glacier and kayaking tour options

See more tour options