Vatnajökull National Park

Glaciers and ice caves in Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park encompasses a diverse range of glacial features, from the iceberg-filled waters of Jökulsárlón to the rugged outlet tongues of the main ice cap. This selection highlights accessible hiking locations like Skaftafellsjökull, steep icefalls at Falljökull, and seasonal ice caves formed by meltwater. The area demonstrates the dynamic nature of Iceland's geology, featuring volcanic ash layers trapped in ice, expansive outwash plains, and lagoons formed by retreating glaciers.

Glaciers and Ice Caves — Map

Martin Peeks / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Jökulsárlón

Glacial lagoon known for large floating icebergs and deep waters near a major Icelandic glacier.

Gustavo Vargas Coli / CC-BY-SA

B

Crystal Ice Cave

Naturally formed blue ice cave within the Vatnajökull glacier, typically accessible via guided tours during the winter months.

fingalo / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

C

Skeiðarárjökull

A broad glacier tongue that feeds the Skeiðarársandur outwash plain, known for its significant width and history of large-scale glacial floods.

D

Veðurárrönd

Moraine and gravel area situated at the edge of the glacial ice.

E

Ice cave

Naturally occurring cave formed within glacial ice, subject to seasonal changes and meltwater patterns.

F

Skaftafellsjökull

Accessible glacier tongue in the Skaftafell area, characterized by dark sediment ridges and proximity to established hiking trails.

Olikristinn / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Falljökull

Steep glacier outlet featuring a dramatic icefall, frequently used for guided glacier hiking and ice climbing excursions.

H

Svínafellsjökull

Glacier tongue known for its sharp ice ridges and deep crevasses. It has served as a filming location for several major films and television series.

I

Heinabergsjökull

Glacier tongue that terminates in a quiet lagoon, often used for kayaking tours away from the larger crowds of Jökulsárlón.

JøMa / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Fláajökull

Fláajökull is a smaller, slow flowing glacier of Iceland, located on the east side of volcano Breiðabunga in the east of Iceland, in…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

K

Hólárjökull

Glacier tongue located on the southern edge of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

L

Tungnafellsjökull

Tungnafellsjökull is a icecap glacier upon a volcano of the same name in Iceland. The volcano is also known as Vonarskarð.

M

Virkisjökull

Glacier outlet adjacent to Falljökull, exhibiting prominent moraines and clear evidence of rapid glacial retreat.

N

Fjallsjökull

Glacier tongue that calves directly into the Fjallsárlón lagoon, providing views of icebergs breaking off the glacier face.

O

Kirkjan

Symmetrical basalt cave formation in the Hljóðaklettar area, named 'The Church' for its distinct architectural shape.

P

Tungnaárjökull

Major outflow glacier on the western side of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

Q

Köldukvíslarjökull

Glacier tongue situated on the northwestern margin of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

R

Rjúpnabrekkujökull

Glacial outlet located on the northern slopes of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

S

Súlujökull

Southern glacier tongue extending from the Vatnajökull ice cap.

T

Skaftárjökull

Source of the Skaftá river, this glacier is notable for its subglacial volcanic activity and periodic glacial floods known as jökulhlaups.

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