Skaftafell National Park
National Park in the south of Iceland, located between the cities of Kirkjubeyarklaustur and Hofn.
Description:
Skaftafell is the second largest national park in Iceland. It was founded in 1967, its area is approximately 5000 square kilometers. Every year, 160,000 tourists visit the park. Its natural beauty is unique – as a result of favorable weather conditions, the impact of fiery volcanic lava and water from glaciers and the Skeidar River, a real fabulous oasis was formed here.
You can stroll through the vast glaciers, one of which is the famous Skaftafellsjokull, the journey takes two hours in both directions. The glacier is gradually decreasing in size and over the past 50 years has lost about 1 kilometer in diameter.
And what is the blue ice of lakes with huge icebergs, ice waterfalls and glacial rivers? Here you will see unique rocks and cracks formed by volcanic activity, canyons, valleys, shimmering tunnels and huge arches of ice! The flora and fauna of the park is fascinating: wild flowers, rare birds, animals and plants. This park serves as a nesting ground for about 30 different bird species.
The business card of Skaftafell is the Svartiphoss waterfall, surrounded by unusual basalt columns. A special pride of the park is the active volcano Grimsvotn, which in 1998 threw a column of steam 10 kilometers high.