Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Skaftafell to Jökulsárlón
Glittering glaciers and brooding mountains line the 60km stretch between Skaftafell and
the iceberg-filled lagoon Jökulsárlón, and the unfolding landscape makes it difficult to
keep your eyes on the road.
Freysnes, Svínafell & Svínafellsjökull
The farm
Svínafell
, 8km southeast of Skaftafell, was the home of Flosi Þórðarson, the
character who burned Njál and his family to death in
Njál's Saga
. It was also the site
where Flosi and Njál's family were finally reconciled, thus ending one of the bloodiest
feuds in Icelandic history. There's not much to this tiny settlement now, but there is ac-
commodation.
In the 17th century, the glacier
Svínafellsjökull
nearly engulfed the farm, but it has
since retreated. On the northern side of the glacier (towards Skaftafell), a dirt road leads
2km to a car park, from where it's a short walk to the snout. Don't stride out there unac-
companied - excellent tours venture onto the glacier operated by
Icelandic Mountain
Tours
Glacier Horses
HORSE RIDING
( 847 7170;
www.glacierhorses.is
;
tours adult/child Ikr8500/6000)
Not far past Svínafell (en route to Hof), this new operator offers short (one- to 1½-hour)
horse rides in view-blessed countryside, with departures at 10am, 1pm and 4pm (booking
required).
Sleeping & Eating
Svínafell
CAMPGROUND
( 478 1765;
www.svinafell.com
;sites per person Ikr1300, cabins & rooms per person Ikr3900-4500;
campground May-Sep; )
