Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RIDING ON THE VATNAJÖKULL ICE CAP
Although Vatnajökull ice cap and its attendant glaciers look spectacular from the Ring
Road, most travellers will be seized by a wild desire to get closer. However, access to Vat-
najökull is limited to commercial tours…unless you happen to be set up for a serious
polar-style expedition. The ice cap is riven with deep crevasses, which are made invisible
by coverings of fresh snow, and there are often sudden, violent blizzards. But don't be
disheartened! You can travel way up into the whiteness on organised snowmobile and
super-Jeep tours.
The easiest route up to Vatnajökull is the F985 4WD track (about 35km east of
Jökulsárlón, 45km west of Höfn) to the broad glacial spur Skálafellsjökull. The 16km-long
road is practically vertical in places, with iced-over sections in winter. Please don't even
think of attempting it in a 2WD car - you'll end up with a huge rescue bill.
At the top, 840m above sea level, is Jöklasel, the base for
Glacier Jeeps
. The
restaurant
(lunch buffet Ikr2900; lunch 11.15am-2pm Jun-mid-Sep) at Jöklasel must have the most epic
views in Iceland - it's like being on top of the world. (Note: there is no accommodation at
Jöklasel.)
From here, the most popular tour option is the awesome one-hour
snowmobile ride
.
You get kitted out with overalls, helmets, boots and gloves, then play follow-the-leader
along a fixed trail. It's great fun, and although it only gives you the briefest introduction to
glacier travel, an hour of noisy bouncing about with the stink of petrol in your nostrils is
probably enough for most people! If the skidoo isn't your thing, you can also take a more-
sedate super-Jeep ride onto the ice. The company also offers longer skidoo excursions,
or glacier hiking.
If you have your own 4WD transport, the snowmobile or super-Jeep options cost
Ikr19,500. For Ikr21,000, you get transport to Jöklasel from the Ring Road. Prices are per
person, with two people to a skidoo - there's Ikr8500 extra to pay if you want a skidoo to
yourself. At 9.30am and 2pm daily from May to October, Glacier Jeeps collects people in
a super-Jeep from the parking area at the start of the F985. It's essential to call ahead to
reserve a space - a day in advance is usually enough for small parties.
Glacier Jeeps runs its snowmobile and super-Jeep tours in the winter months too -
times vary, and tours depart from the company's base at Vagnsstaðir hostel.
There are no scheduled buses that work in with the Glacier Jeeps schedule to drop you
at a suitable time at the F985 car park. If you're without your own wheels, consider using
