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Vatnajökull National Park
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The Vatnajökull Region reaches from majestic Lómagnúpur in the west to scenic Hvalnes in the east. In this area, travelers can visit the glacier Vatnajökull and the Vatnajökull National Park, which has a lot to offer.
Vatnajökull National Park is a magnificent area that boasts incredible ice caves, magical la - goons of floating ice, and crawling outlet glaciers, some within easy reach. The park was established in 2009 and covers 14,141 km2 or approximately 14% of Iceland. Within the park lies Vatnajökull the largest glacier in Iceland and the largest glacier by volume in Europe. It covers over 8 percent of Iceland measuring an area of 7,800 km2, with an average thickness of 400m.
GEOLOGICAL PARADISE
The Vatnajökull National Park offers numerous interesting sites to visit and is a must for all who are interested in geology and beauti - ful natural vistas. The natural en vironment in this part of Iceland spans the greatest variety both in the geology and the flora and fauna. Its geological diversity is what gives the park its uniqueness. A volcanic zone on the tectonic plate boundary runs through the park and includes a large number of volcanos, many of them active.
The glacier has always had a great impact on the people living in the area. It still plays a role in people’s daily life as in no other part of Iceland have people been as aware of both its power and its threatened existence due to climate change. The effects of climate change over the last century have meant easier transportation and communication within the area, but they have also meant the rapid retreat of Vatnajokull’s outlet glaciers.
SKAFTAFELL
The former Skaftafell National Park which was established in 1967 is now a part of Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell and its vicinity is a haven for all visitors of the Vatnajökull Region. Offering magnificent scenery, Skaftafell can be explored on short or long hikes. It is a perfect place to witness the range of contrast and natural wonders that the national park boasts.
Most visitors go to see the beautiful Svartifoss (Black Waterfall), a 20 meter (66ft) high waterfall that is bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns, which gave rise to its name. The hike to Svartifoss starts at the visitor center in Skaftafell. The hike is about 1.5 km or 45 minutes (one way).
There are many more hikes to do in the Vatnajökull National Park area, for example, scenic sites in Hjallanes, Heinaberg and Hoffells - jökull. During the summer, visitors are invited to join park rangers on hikes.
ATTRACTIONS
Vatnajökull National Park has some of the country’s most sensational and unforgettable attractions. In this area, travelers can visit Hvanna - dalshnjúkur, the highest mountain in Iceland, Vatnajökull, the most voluminous glacier in Europe, and of course, the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Jökulsárlón is, perhaps, the most highly esteemed natural attraction in the Vatnajökull Region. It’s still blue waters and almost surreal ice bergs that float from the edge of Breiðarmerkurjökull are a sight to behold. The lagoon flows through a narrow gateway into the Atlantic Ocean that crashes relentlessly into the shoreline below. In wintertime, the fish-filled lagoon hosts numbers of seals who visit the lagoon for an easy meal. All year round curious seals can be seen basking on the blue-tinted icebergs.
Next to Jökulsárlón is an attraction named Breiðamerkursandur, which are fields of sand strewn with chunks of glacial ice that gets carried along the river Jökulsá in Breiðamerkursandur toward the sea and then sent back upon the sands by the tides. The diamond-like pieces of glacier create a mes - meri zing atmosphere in the mist that often visits the beach. These glistening ice-diamonds create an even more spectacular vision in the winter months when the sun comes out and bathes the beach in magical lighting, which reflects off the ice.
ACTIVITIES
Among activities that can be found in the Vatnajokull Region during the wintertime are ice cave tours, ice walks and snowmobile tours. During the summertime, some of the activities available are sailing on Zodiac boats or kayaking on the ice lagoons, ice walks, ice climbing, snowmobile tours and super jeep tours.
