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- Svartifoss (the Black Waterfall) — A compact, dramatic waterfall framed by hexagonal basalt columns that look like someone stacked piano keys out of lava. The trail is pleasant and not too long (about an hour round-trip), so you get big scenery without a full-day slog. (personal favorite — the basalt walls are weirdly hypnotic at sunset.)
- Skaftafellsjökull glacier viewpoint — A short walk leads to a sweeping view of a glacier tongue spilling down from Vatnajökull, full of crevasses and blue ice. It’s one of the easiest spots to get a proper glacier fix without paying for a boat or long drive; great for photos and to eyeball where guided glacier hikes start.
- Svínafellsjökull ice tongue — Closer, more rugged ice flows with jagged moulins and ice sculptures that change every season. Photographers
- Svartifoss (the Black Waterfall) — A compact, dramatic waterfall framed by hexagonal basalt columns that look like someone stacked piano keys out of lava. The trail is pleasant and not too long (about an hour round-trip), so you get big scenery without a full-day slog. (personal favorite — the basalt walls are weirdly hypnotic at sunset.)
- Skaftafellsjökull glacier viewpoint — A short walk leads to a sweeping view of a glacier tongue spilling down from Vatnajökull, full of crevasses and blue ice. It’s one of the easiest spots to get a proper glacier fix without paying for a boat or long drive; great for photos and to eyeball where guided glacier hikes start.
- Svínafellsjökull ice tongue — Closer, more rugged ice flows with jagged moulins and ice sculptures that change every season. Photographers and ice-hikers love this spot — you’ll see brilliant blue ice, seracs, and a lot of textures that don’t show up from a distance.
- Sjónarnípa viewpoint — A short but steep climb gives one of the best panoramas over Skaftafell: glacier tongues, black sands, and mountain ridgelines laid out like a wilderness diorama. It’s small effort, big reward — especially when the light plays over the ice.
- Morsárfoss and Morsárdalur valley — A less-crowded, longer hike into a wide valley that reveals waterfalls (including Morsárfoss, exposed as glaciers retreat) and stark glacial scenery. It’s quieter and feels more “wild” than the busy Svartifoss route — expect a fuller day if you go all the way in.
- Birch woods and tundra flora — Skaftafell surprises a lot of people with small birch groves, mossy lava fields, and delicate alpine flowers in summer. These green pockets are great for a low-effort wander, birdwatching, or a picnic away from the open ice.
- Trail network and guided glacier activities — The park’s trails range from 20-minute strolls to multi-hour hikes, so you can stitch together routes to match time and energy. If you want to actually walk on the ice, local guides run glacier hikes and ice-climbing trips from Skaftafell — essential if you’re going onto the glacier (and not something to DIY).
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Blue Ice Discovery – Guided Glacier Hike from Skaftafell
Glacier Hike from Skaftafell - Extra Small Group
Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour
Glacier Adventure From Skaftafell - Small Group Tour
Natural Blue Ice Cave Tour of Vatnajökull Glacier from Jökulsárlón
Skaftafell Adventure Tour - 5-Hour Expedition
Skaftafell Ice Caving & Glacier Hike
Skaftafell Glacier Explorer - Extended Small Group Trek
Ice Cave and Glacier Exploration Tour of Vatnajökull from Jökulsárlón
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.