Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For the best view of Skaftafellsjökull, Morsárdalur and the Skeiðarársandur, it's worth
scaling the summit of
Kristínartindar
(1126m). The best way follows a well-marked 2km
route (classified difficult) up the prominent valley southeast of the Nyrðrihnaukur lookout,
and back down near Gláma.
Morsárdalur & Bæjarstaðarskógur
The seven-hour hike (20.6km return) from the campsite to the glacial lake in Morsárdalur
is ordinary but enjoyable. Alternatively, cross the Morsá at the foot of Skaftafellsheiði and
make your way across the gravel riverbed to the
birch woods
at Bæjarstaðarskógur. The
return walk to Bæjarstaðarskógur takes about six hours (13km return). This is also the trail
to follow if you're exploring on
mountain bike
.
Tours
Glacier Hikes, Ice Climbing, Ice Caves
The highlight of a visit to Skaftafell is a
glacier hike
. It's utterly liberating to strap on
crampons and crunch your way around a glacier, and there's much to see on the ice: water-
falls, ice caves, glacial mice (moss balls, not actual mice!) and different-coloured ash from
ancient explosions. But - take note: as magnetic as the glaciers are, they are also riven
with fissures and are potentially dangerous, so don't be tempted to stride out onto one
without the right equipment and guiding.
A number of authorised guides operate in the area (and at glacier tongues further east,
towards Höfn). The largest companies, Icelandic Mountain Guides and Glacier Guides,
have info and booking huts in the car park at Skaftafell visitor centre, where you can talk
to experts and get kitted out for glacier walks (warm clothes essential, waterproof gear and
hiking boots available for hire).
Both companies go further than just easy glacier hikes, offering more-challenging op-
tions and ice climbs, right up to summiting Iceland's highest peak (
Click here
)
. Both offer
combos, such as a glacier hike plus Jökulsárlón or Fjallsárlón boat trip or Ingólfshöfði vis-
it. For many trips, they can arrange pick-up from Svínafell campsite and Hótel Skaftafell
(prebooking required). See the websites for suggestions.
New and in hot demand: winter visits to
ice caves
. Local Guide is the expert for this,
running tours from around mid-November to March. Winter is a super-scenic and less-
