South Iceland · Iceland
Skaftafell
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.
About Skaftafell
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.
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.
Key Facts
- ✔Part of Vatnajökull National Park — largest national park in Europe
- ✔Devastated by volcanic eruption in 1362 and glacial floods
- ✔Home to the Svartifoss waterfall with basalt column cliffs
- ✔Multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty
- ✔Visitors can walk on glaciers with a licensed guide
