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Skaftafell

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Practical info — Skaftafell

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Stop at the Visitor Center first to check current trail conditions; the weather can change extremely rapidly in this area.
The hike up to Svartifoss waterfall is a steady uphill climb taking about 45 minutes each way. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended.
Parking requires digital payment via the Parka app. License plate scanning is active at the entrance.
If you want to walk on the glacier, book a guided glacier hike in advance. Never step onto the ice without a professional guide and crampons.
Feel free to drink directly from the clear streams on the hiking trails; the water is clean, ice-cold, and perfectly safe.

🍽 Food

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Packed Lunch

Since food options in the park are limited, it's best to bring your own sandwiches and snacks for your hikes.

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Skaftafell Café

The visitor center café provides hot soups, simple sandwiches, and cakes, handy for warming up after a rainy hike.

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Energy Snacks

Stock up on chocolate or energy bars at the visitor center shop before heading out on a longer glacier tour.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Skaftafell Visitor Center

The best place in the area to purchase detailed hiking maps, literature about the national park, and small keepsakes.

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Hiking Essentials

A small section of the center sells basic gear like rain ponchos, gloves, and hats in case you forgot something important.

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Sjónarnípa Viewpoint

Hike further up from Svartifoss. Sjónarnípa has a wide-open, peaceful view looking down over the Skaftafellsjökull glacier.

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Hundafoss

An often overlooked but beautiful waterfall you pass on the way to or from Svartifoss. Great for a quiet photo stop.

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Bæjarstaðaskógur

A longer, flat hike takes you to this unexpectedly quiet birch forest, a rarity in the otherwise rugged Icelandic landscape.

Skaftafell was once a standalone national park and is now a major hub within the vast Vatnajökull National Park. The area is famous for its surprisingly mild microclimate, supporting lush birch forests surrounded by a stark glacial landscape. The contrast of green vegetation, black sand outwash plains, and white glacier tongues makes it a favorite for hikers and photographers alike. The most iconic sight is Svartifoss (Black Falls), which tumbles over a cliff of dark, hexagonal basalt columns. This geological formation inspired the design of Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja church. Beyond Svartifoss, the park has trails with views of Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland's highest peak, and close-up experiences with the Skaftafellsjökull and Svínafellsjökull glacier outlets. The Skaftafell Visitor Center provides trail maps and serves as the meeting point for guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours in winter. Facilities include a large campsite and basic dining options. Good hiking boots and weather-appropriate layers are essential as conditions can change rapidly. While the walk to Svartifoss is moderate, more challenging routes lead up to higher plateaus for wide-open panoramic views.