Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Skaftafell is a wilderness area within Vatnajökull National Park — the largest national park in Europe — offering hiking trails through birch woodlands, past gl…
About
About Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Skaftafell is a wilderness area within Vatnajökull National Park — the largest national park in Europe — offering hiking trails through birch woodlands, past glaciers and to the dramatic Svartifoss waterfall.
Use Skaftafell as a starting point for marked hikes, waterfall walks and glacier-viewing routes in Vatnajökull National Park.
Tours Near Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
Troll Expeditions · 4 hours
Skaftafell 3 hours Easy Level Glacier Hike
Troll Expeditions · 3 hours
Solheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
Troll Expeditions · 4 hours
Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike
Troll Expeditions · 4 hours
Photos
Gallery
Background
History & Background
Skaftafell was once a prosperous farming area but was repeatedly devastated by glacial flood outbursts called jökulhlaups from Vatnajökull glacier. In 1362, one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history — from the Öræfajökull volcano — destroyed all settlements in the area and killed much of the local population. The area was designaged a national park in 1967 and later incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008.
Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park and is one of the park's main visitor areas. Skaftafellsstofa provides current information about trails, conditions and nearby recreation. The map point is placed at the visitor centre so it functions as a safe and useful navigation point for the wider Skaftafell area.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Skaftafell was Iceland's most visited national park before merging with Vatnajökull National Park in 2008. The area sits at the edge of Europe's largest glacier and offers a combination of hiking trails that few places in Iceland can match: the famous Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns, panoramic glacier views from Sjónarnípa ridge, the birch woodland of Bæjarstaðarskógur, and close access to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue. Norse settlers named the area Skaftafell — 'shaft farm' — and the modern visitor centre sits near where the medieval farmstead stood, before the glacier retreated over centuries. The campsite here is Iceland's most-visited.
Did You Know?
Skaftafell was once an independent national park before merging into Vatnajökull National Park.
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Explore
Hidden Gems Nearby
Best Time of Day
Visit Skaftafell Nature Reserve during golden hour (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) for the most beautiful light.
Iceland's low-angle sunlight creates long shadows and warm colors that transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary ones.
Local Knowledge
Ask locals for their favorite nearby spots — Icelanders are friendly and love sharing recommendations.
The best experiences often come from local tips about lesser-known viewpoints, cafés, or hidden natural features.
Weather Changes
Don't leave if the weather is bad — wait 15 minutes and it often changes dramatically.
Iceland's rapidly changing weather can transform a gray scene into a spectacular display of light and clouds in minutes.
Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Location
Location
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