Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This well-organised place has a campsite and six basic cabins (sleeping four), and a spot-
less amenities block with large dining room. With your own vehicle, it's an alternative to
the campsite at Skaftafell. The owner also offers sleeping-bag beds in apartments and
rooms scattered about the hamlet (these are available year-round). Check current prices
online.
Hótel Skaftafell
HOTEL
( 478 1945;
www.hotelskaftafell.is
;Freysnes;s/d incl breakfast Ikr24,500/29,000; )
Formerly part of the Fosshotel chain, this is the closest hotel to Skaftafell. It's 5km east, at
Freysnes, and one of very few hotels in the area, so it's in hot demand - prices reflect this.
Its 63 rooms are functional rather than luxurious; staff are helpful. There's a decent
res-
taurant
(mains Ikr3500 to Ikr4100) plating up local produce.
Söluskálinn Freysnesi
ICELANDIC
( 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, to 8pm Sat & Sun)
The petrol station opposite Hótel Skaftafell sells a well-priced hot dish of the day along-
side burgers, pizzas and a decent section of groceries.
Öræfajökull & Hvannadalshnúkur
Iceland's highest mountain,
Hvannadalshnúkur
(2110m), pokes out from Öræfajökull, an
offshoot of Vatnajökull. This lofty peak is actually the northwestern edge of an immense
5km-wide crater - the biggest active volcano in Europe after Mt Etna. It erupted in 1362,
firing out the largest amount of tephra in Iceland's recorded history. The region was utterly
devastated - hence its name, Öræfi (Wasteland).
The best access for climbing Hvannadalshnúkur is from Sandfellsheiði, about 12km
southeast of Skaftafell. Most guided expeditions manage the trip in a very long and taxing
day (starting around 5am), and although there are no technical skills required, the trip is
both physically and mentally challenging. Total elevation gain is more than 2000m; total
distance is around 23km. Independent climbers should carry enough supplies and gear for
several days, and must be well versed in glacier travel.
The best time for climbing the mountain is April or May, before the ice bridges melt.
Note that each year the ice bridges that make the hike possible are melting earlier and
