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NATIONAL PARK THINGVELLIR
How to get there.
 Thingvellir-The
Parliamentary Plains are the most important
historic site of the country. It is located just below the western fault
line of the Icelandic Graben within the boundaries of the first National
Park, which was established in 1928. The oldest parliament of the world
was founded here in 930 on the lake Thingvallavatn,
the largest natural lake of the country with an area of 83,7 km². Its
greatest depth is 114 m, and this lowest point lies 13 m below sea
level. Its discharge is the river Sog, the longest spring fed river of
the country with a very constant volume of 112 m³/sec. Three hydro
electric power stations are situated on the river, which counts among
the good salmon rivers. Very little water enters the lake on the
surface, which means that it is mainly spring fed.
The natural surroundings are majestic and the
contrasts are great. There is a system of interesting hiking trails all
over the park. The present natural landscape has been in creation for
about 9000 years and is still being created by the plate tectonics. The
lake contains an abundance of at least four species of trout and char
and angling is a popular pastime there. The farmers in the area net the
lake and process the fish for the domestic and foreign markets. The
distance from the capital is 49 km.
Information
Thingvellir
801 Selfoss
Sími: 482-2660
silfra@thingvellir.is
NATIONAL PARK SKAFTAFELL
How to get there.
 The second national park, Skaftafell, established in 1967, contains some of the most precious natural
pearls of the country. The rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers,
the flora and the fauna have a magnetic influence on the visitors. There
are no roads in the park, but a network of trails offers the opportunity
for differently extended hikes.
After National park Vatnajokull was
established on June 7th 2008. the NP Skaftafell, came part of the
National Park Vatnalokull.
The camping grounds are large but it is difficult to hammer the
tent pegs into the gravel surface.
Among the
services rendered in the park are toilets, washing machines, a
restaurant, a shop and a petrol station The park wardens offer regular
guided walking tours and daily
bus tours from the park to the volcanic Laki area
and Jokulsarlon as well as the daily
schedule. A comprehensive brochure with maps and hiking trails is
available at the Visitors' Centre. The distance from the capital is
about 340 km.
Skaftafellsstofa
785 Öræfi
Tel.: 470 8300
Fax: 470 8309
skaftafell@vjp.is
NATIONAL PARK
JOKULSARGLJUFUR
How to get there.
 Jokulsargljufur
National
park was established in 1973. Its area was 150
km² on a 35 km long stretch along the western
side of
glacial river Jokulsa a Fjollum. The northernmost part, Asbyrgi, was
incorporated in 1978. The river canyon is about
25 km long and resembles the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
There are several
places of exceptional natural beauty in the park,
such as the Asbyrgi Canyon,
The
Whispering Cliffs, Forvod, Holmatungur
and the mighty Dettifoss
waterfall. The park is ideal for short or long hikes. There is no
better way to enjoy its charm fully. The park wardens sell brochures
with detailed information and maps.
After National park Vatnajokull was
established
on June 7th 2008. the NP Jokulsargljufur, came part of the National Park
Vatnalokull.
Travel info. at
Ásbyrgi.
Tel.: 47-710-7100
asbyrgi@vjp.is
NATIONAL PARK
SNAEFELLSJOKULL
How to get there.
 The Snaefellsjokull
National Park was officially established on the 28th of June
2001, thus becoming the fourth national park of the country.
Its boundaries follow the eastern border of the Gufuskalar estate
on the northern part of the peninsula, a line east of the glacier and
along the eastern edge of the Haahraun lava field to the Gjafavik cove
in the south.
Þjóðgarðurinn Snæfellsjökull
Klettsbúð 7
S. 436-6860
360 Hellissandur.
Attractions in Snaefellsjokull National Park and
vicinity
Arnarstapi <>
Budir
<>
Djupalonssandur and Dritvik <> Gufuskalar
Hellnar <>
Ingjaldsholl <>
Laugarbrekka <>
Londrangar
/ Thufubjarg
Snaefellsjokull
Snaefellsjokull National Park geological phenomena and historic sites
The
Mountain View and Hiking Routes
Day tour from Reykjavik to National Park
Snafellsjokull!!
NATIONAL PARK
VATNAJÖKULL
Map of
Vatnajokull
 National
Park Vatnajokull was established
on June 7th 2008. Its area is 12,000 square kilometres, almost
12% of Iceland's area, which makes it the largest NP in Europe.
The Icelandic government agreed to present a bill to realize the
establishment on November
10th, 2006. It comprises the NP Skaftafell, NP Jokulsargljufur,
almost all of glacier Vatnajokull, lava fields Hagonguhraun and
Veidivatnahraun, Vesturoraefi, Mt Snaefell, Eyjabakkar and a part of
Hraun to the north of the glacier. Most of the areas within the
NP area are the property of the state.
The NP management also includes some nature reserves, which are most
probably going to be merged in the future.
The Langisjor area is
expected to become a part of the NP.
Visitors' centres are in six places:
Asbyrgi, on
Lake Myvatn, at
Skriduklaustur,
Hofn,
Skaftafell, and
Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Proposed centres for NP wardens are in the following
places:
Drekagil in Askja,
Herdubreidarlindir,
Kverkfjoll,
Hvannalindir, at
Mt Snaefell,
Lon,
Heinaberg area,
Hrauneyjar,
Nyidalur/Jokuldalur, and in
Vonarskard. |
