Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland is the largest national park in Europe. The park was founded on June 7th, 2008 and includes the former Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur National Parks. Containing 12,000 km² the park covers about 12% of the surface of Iceland. The park is home to Iceland's highest mountain (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull), and Europe's most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss).

Understand

The park lies on the west side of Vatnajökull - Europe's largest glacier. Skaftafell is the name of the hill that runs along one of the glacier fingers and between the mountains. There is a visitor center (open til 4pm) and campsite (open mid May) with full amenities and disability access.

History

Skaftafell is mentioned early in the Saga of Burnt Njal (a popular Icelandic Saga). It is home to some of the best fertile land in the country and so has a long history of farming. Unfortunately, it also has a history of severe flooding, when volcanoes under the Vatnjökul glacier cause mass melting and flooding of the low lands. As a consequence, farmers abandoned their lush lowland farms and moved to higher ground.

Climate

The Eastern side of Iceland is the leeward side getting less precipitation than the Western side. Consequentially, this sea-level area is part of the low desert in Iceland, the high desert being represented by the area East of Mývatn.

Landscape

Lowland, rivers, black sand, a very big glacier, some picturesque mountains, hills, waterfalls, quicksand, quiet brooks - what more could you ask for?

The Skaftafell is the hill where farmers settled to avoid the floods from the giant glacier. There are well established hiking paths up the hill where you can access viewpoints that look across the glaciers, several stunning waterfalls, and a mixture of fauna and bird life. The high point of the hill is around 600m and takes around two hours to reach the highest point. One of the highlights of the trek is Svaturfoss (Black Falls). There is a road that goes to quite near the top allowing disabled access to the stunning views.

Things to do

• January-March, find a guide to ski Hvannadalshnúkur.
• Hike up the hill and see all the waterfalls and great views.
• Glacier Guides . Offers tours, ice walks and ice climbing around Skaftafell
• Bergmenn Mountain Guides . Iceland's only certified mountain guides, offering guided ascents within Vatnajokull National Park.

Eat

There is a small road side service station around 5km east of the park, opposite the Skaftafell Hotel. The food is good and reasonably priced, but the choice is limited. There is also a mini supermarket within the service station, where you can buy many things from tea to soap.

Sleep

Lodging

• Bolti Farmhouse, Tel:++354 4781626.

Camping

There is a large campsite which opens late May to 1 September and gets very busy during the summer months. No tents for hire.

Safety

Stick to the paths and don't venture onto the glacier without a guide - danger of death.