Skaftafell National ParkAbout Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park was a protected area in southeast Iceland that is now incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park and is renowned for its glaciers, waterfalls and accessible mountain trails. The area serves as a popular base for hiking and guided glacier activities on the margins of Europe’s largest ice cap by volume.
Key natural attractions include Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by distinctive basalt columns, and glacier tongues such as Skaftafellsjökull that descend from Vatnajökull. The park contains marked hiking routes of varying length and difficulty and a visitor centre with trail information.
Historically Skaftafell was designated for protection in the 20th century to conserve its unique glacial and volcanic landscapes; its incorporation into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008 expanded protection across a larger portion of the ice cap and surrounding terrain. The area has a long record of scientific interest in glaciology and volcanology.
Skaftafell lies in southeast Iceland on the southern edge of Vatnajökull, accessible by road from Iceland’s Ring Road; the landscape combines glacial outlets, volcanic features and coastal plains to the south.
- Park status and services: The area became part of Vatnajökull National Park in 2008; visitor services include a staffed centre, marked trails and information on guided glacier activities.
- Visiting season and conditions: Best visiting season for most trails is late spring to early autumn when access is easiest; weather can change rapidly and proper clothing is required.
What to See#
- Svartifoss: Svartifoss waterfall, notable for its columnar basalt formations, is a principal natural attraction reached by marked trails from the park visitor centre.
- Skaftafellsjökull: Skaftafellsjökull is a glacier tongue of Vatnajökull visible from several short hikes in the park and accessible for guided glacier walks where conditions and permits allow.
Nearby Attractions to Skaftafell National Park
Best Time to Visit Skaftafell National Park
Best in summer (June-August) for trail access and milder weather; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds, while winter requires guided trips and winter gear.
Weather & Climate near Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1616 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 143 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 146 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 3° | -4° | 134 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 103 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 112 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 18.2h |
| June | Poor | 6° - 12° | 6° | 117 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 20.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 108 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 19.3h |
| August | Poor | 7° - 13° | 8° | 151 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Poor | 4° - 10° | 4° | 146 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 172 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 143 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 141 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
How to Get to Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell (now part of Vatnajökull National Park) is on Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) in southeast Iceland. Drive east from Reykjavík on Route 1 to reach Skaftafell-roughly a 4-5 hour drive (about 320-330 km) depending on conditions. The park has a visitor centre and car park adjacent to the main trailheads; in summer there are also scheduled coach services from Reykjavík and other towns. From the car park marked trails lead to popular sights (walks range from short strolls to multi-hour hikes).
Tips for Visiting Skaftafell National Park
- Enter Skaftafell via the visitor centre where you can pick up up-to-date trail information and glacier-hike operator details; the centre is the hub for routes like the Svartifoss waterfall trail.
- Book guided glacier hikes well in advance during summer months-operators run out of spots-and arrive early on popular days to avoid the biggest tour-bus crowds at trailheads.
- To escape the busiest stretches, walk past Svartifoss toward the Skaftafellsjökull viewpoint or one of the longer ridge routes; many visitors stop at the waterfall and miss these quieter glacier outlooks.