1/10 of Iceland

Glaciers and ice cover one-tenth of the largely green land we call Iceland.

By far Vatnajökull Glacier is the largest in Iceland, and the largest glacier in the world outside the polar regions, covering 8 percent of the country.

Inside an ice-cave in Vatnajökull glacier.

HIGH AND MIGHTY

The white veil of Vatnajökull’s ice conceals the highest mountains in the land, the greatest among them Hvannadalshnjúkur in Öræfajökull, towers more than 2 km into the sky.

People climbing the Hvannadalshnúkur in Öræfajökull glacier / volcano, the highest peak in Iceland, 2110 m / 6952 ft.

All the contrasts of the island can be found around the rim of Vatnajökull: colorful rhyolite of Lónsöræfi, whole cities of icebergs biding their time, floating in the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, mossy craters of Lakagígar, and the lake dotted landscape of Veiðivötn.

All year people hike on Sólheimajökull glacier tongue in Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

A WHITE CROWN

From afar, Snæfellsjökull, one of Iceland’s smallest glaciers, seems to float on the surface of the sea like a perfect mountain, crowned white, sailing the ocean.

Snæfellsjökull glacier, sitting on top of stratovolcano, West Iceland.

On a clear day, Snæfellsjökull, Iceland’s westernmost glacier can been spotted over the Faxaflói Bay, 120 km/78 miles north and west from Reykjavík.

Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland.

The glaciers of Iceland are in a league of their own, an awesome and enchanting one. A guided tour into this world takes you to the intriguing land we call— Ice-Land.

Jökulsárlón, glacier lagoon, in the shadow of mighty Vatnajökull glacier.

Text and photos: Páll Stefánsson