NATIONAL PARKS OF ICELAND
Iceland has created three national parks, each with its own unique nature and history.
Thingvellir National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in southern Iceland, only about 45 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik. At Thingvellir, the continental rift zone between the North American and Eurasian tectonic sites is manifested in large lava canyons and a 10 km wide rift valley containing Iceland’s largest natural lake, Tingwallavatn. The Icelandic Parliament was founded there in 930, making it the oldest parliament in the world.
Snyfellsjökudl National Park is located on the edge of the Snifellsnes Peninsula in the west of the country. It is named for its crown glacier and volcano, known in Jules Verne’s story as the entrance to the center of the earth. It is the only park that reaches the coast and preserves Iceland’s maritime history since its settlement in the Middle Ages.
Vatnajokull National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site covers more than 12,000 square kilometers or 13% of Iceland’s territory, making it one of the largest national parks in Europe. It envelops Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökudl Glacier, where volcanic and glacial interactions have created otherworldly landscapes of black sand beaches, glaciers and iceberg-packed icebergs.
Vatnajökudl National Park is one of the largest national parks in Europe.
VATNAYOKUDL NATIONAL PARK
Established in 2008, Vatnajökudl National Park encompasses Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökudl, and the surrounding area. These include the previously existing national parks of Skaftafelli in the south-west and Jokulsarglufur in the north. The modern park occupies 13% of Icelandic territory and is one of the largest national parks in Europe.
Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, one of the most popular travel destinations in Iceland
Despite the fact that much of the national park lies beneath the Vatnajökudl glacier, its landscapes are diverse, mainly due to the interaction of volcanic activity and glaciers . Few other parts of the world are exposed to as many natural phenomena as Vatnajökudl, formed by the combined forces of rivers, glacial ice, volcanic and geothermal activity.
Nowhere in Iceland, with the exception of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, does it rain more or does more water flow into the sea than on the south side of Vatnajökull. In fact, there is now so much water in the Vatnajökudl that it will take Iceland’s largest river, the Olfus, more than 200 years to transport that amount of water to the sea.
SOUTH – OUTPUT GREECE, GLACIAL LAGOONS AND MOST OF THE PEAK OF ICELAND
Skaftafell is one of Iceland’s natural treasures
The southern side of Vatnajökudl is characterized by many high, majestic mountain ranges, between which headwater glaciers drop down to the lowlands. The southernmost part of the glacier encloses the central volcano Orefayokudl and Iceland’s highest peak Hvannadalshnukur. Protected by high ice, the plant oasis of Skaftafell overlooks the black sands west of the River Skaider. This sand consists mostly of ash caused by frequent eruptions of Grimswotn Volcano and brought to shore by glacial floods or yokulhlaupami .
Iceland’s largest glacial lagoons, Jokulsarlon and Fälsarlon, are in Vatnajökudl National Park, both easily accessible from Route 1, between Skaftafell and Hefn in Hornafjördur. Glacial lagoons were created by retreating glaciers as the original glaciers began retreating from the Atlantic coast. Boat tours are offered in both lagoons. Advance booking is recommended.
NORTH – GIANT HORSESHOE CANYON AND THE MOST POWERFUL WATERFALL IN EUROPE
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe
Located in the northern part of Vatnajokudl National Park, Jokulsarglufur takes its name from the gorge formed by Iceland’s second longest river, Jokuls-a-Follum. Huge catastrophic glacial eruptions are believed to have carved deep gorges and rock caves, the most famous of which is the horseshoe-shaped Asbirgi Gorge. Not far from Ásbyrgi is Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, with a drop of 44m and a flow of 200 cubic meters per second, tumbling over the edge. The trail runs along the gorge from Dettifoss to Asbirga.
An area of lush vegetation in the Jokulsarglufur region, Holmatungur is an area of sharp contrasts: crystal clear streams and boiling streams traverse the earth and then flow into a stormy torrent of chocolate colour. The delicate balance of flora and fauna thrives in the shelter of rocks and slopes. The hiking trail between Hlodaklettar and Holmatungur, near Jokuls-a-Föllum, is one of the most beautiful in Iceland.
EAST – HIGH MOUNTAIN DESERT IN THE KINGDOM OF REINS
Wild reindeer are found in eastern and southeastern Iceland
The Sniffell Wildlife Area covers much of Iceland’s central highlands. Snæfell or “Snow Mountain” – the central volcano is at 1833 m the highest mountain in Iceland that is not surrounded by glaciers. The stunning Lonserefi area reveals colorful geological formations in an extinct central volcano sculpted by glaciers.
The 3 day hiking trail between Sniffell and Lonserefe is challenging but very rewarding with stunning scenery, beautiful alpine vegetation and a good chance of seeing reindeer.
WEST – CRATTER ROWS AND UNIQUE HYALOCLASTITE RIDGE
Stunning Lake Langisor sandwiched between two hyaloclastite ridges
The lowlands of the southwestern part of Vatnajökudl National Park are characterized by moss-covered lava fields around the town of Kirkübayarklaustur. The lava formed during the Lakagingar eruption in 1783 is the largest and deadliest eruption in Iceland in historical times, which has temporarily cooled the world’s climate. Another prolific lava contribution in the region, the Elja Crack, was formed by the Katla volcanic system during a major eruption in 930 AD, just six decades after the first settlers arrived in Iceland.
Further into the highlands, numerous linear hyaloclastite ridges lie side by side, directing the flow of glacial flows and forming a 20 km long and 2 km wide langisor or “long lake” sandwiched between two ridges. Hyalocladid ridges are unique to Iceland and formed during the eruption of subglacial fissures during the Ice Age.
TINGWELLIER NATIONAL PARK – THE PEARL OF THE CROWN OF ICELAND
The Thingvellir area is considered Iceland’s national treasure due to its great historical and geological importance. Iceland’s first national park was established there in 1928, and the district of Thingvellir is now recognized for its Outstanding Universal Value and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
HISTORY – THE LAND OF THE NATION
Tingvellir’s magnificent landscapes were created by tectonic forces in the continental rift zone.
The name Velingvellir literally means ‘Plain of Gathering’ and this place symbolizes Iceland’s history. Alþingi, or the Icelandic Parliament, was established there in 930, making it the oldest functioning parliament in the world. Parliament met in the fields of the Oxara River for 868 years or until 1798. Hence, there have been many significant events in Iceland’s history and Icelanders consider it the birthplace of the nation.
NATURE – BROKEN BY TEXTONIC FORCES
The enchanting landscapes of Thingvellir are created in the unique geographic setting of the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The lava fields in Thingvellir are being ruptured by tectonic forces, leaving great canyons and fissures in their wake. The most impressive of them, Almannaja, is the center of the national park. The footpath leads through a huge gorge to the “Rock of the Law” and the Oxara River, surrounded by impressive walls of basalt rocks.
The vast Almanac Gorge marks the edge of the North American Plate and the start of the Thingvellir Rift Valley.
Partially filled with groundwater, the Rift Valley is Iceland’s largest natural lake, Tingwalavatn. The lake has a unique ecosystem where four different species of loach have evolved since the end of the last Ice Age.
The beautiful headwater Oxara partially flows into the Almannaya Gorge on its way to the lake, forming a stunning waterfall where it enters. Some of the fissures are partially submerged by groundwater, and the crystal-clear water makes Sylphre divers feel like they’re floating in mid-air. Thanks to a unique experience, the Silfra Crack has entered the top 10 dive sites in the world.
VISIT THE NATIONAL PARK
Silfra-Crack im Thingvellir-Nationalpark
Þingvellir is one of the main attractions of the Golden Ring 1-Day Tour and is a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik. The park has a variety of hiking trails, as well as additional activities such as fishing, horseback riding, and scuba diving in the Silfra Gorge.
The visitor center offers a café and souvenir shop, as well as an exhibition about the history and nature of the park called “Heart of Iceland”. The national park itself is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, there is a fee for parking vehicles and admission to the exhibition.
Stratovolcano and Sniffelsjokudl glacier, crown of Sniffelsjokudl National Park
SNIPHELLSYOKUDLE NATIONAL PARK
Snifelsjökudl National Park was established in 2001 and covers approximately 170 km2 of the westernmost part of the Snifellsnes peninsula. The park is named after the infamous stratovolcano and Sniffelsjökudl glacier, which is a magnificent shape, the crown of the national park.
Beautiful columnar basalt formations on the Arnarstap coast
The boundaries of the park run from a varied coastline to the summit of Sniffelsjokudl volcano, which is 1446 m (4750 feet) above sea level. Snæfellsjökull is one of Iceland’s 32 active volcanic systems and last erupted around 1800 years ago. There is a small ice cap on Snæfellsjökull.
INSPIRING MAGIC SNÆFELLSJÖKULL
Throughout history, the beauty of Snyfellsjokud has influenced people spiritually and inspired novelists, artists and other artists. The best-known work of art is Jules Verne’s science fiction novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, which he wrote under the influence of a volcano. Whether the volcano is really the entrance to the center of the earth, one of the seven earthly “chakras”, or harbors the spirit of Bardur from the saga of Bardur Snifelsas, testimonies of the beauty of the volcano and its surroundings leave no one. untouched.
BREATHTAKING SCENERY AND HISTORICAL SIGHTS
The park offers beautiful and varied coastal scenery with spectacular rock formations at Arnarstap, black and gold beaches and bird cliffs, moss covered lava fields and numerous beautiful volcanic craters and lava tube caves. In addition, the park is full of historical monuments associated with medieval fishing culture.
VISITOR CENTRE
The Mallarrif National Park Visitor Center has an exhibit that offers a great look at the wonders of the park. Park rangers can provide many tips for hiking and other activities.
Entry to the National Park or Visitor Center is free.