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 The second national park, Skaftafell., established in 1967
(400-500 square kilometres), 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.
In 1984, it was increased in
area (1736 square kilometres) including a considerable part of Glacier
Vatnajokull.
In November 2004 the area of the park was still increased to 4,807 square
kilometres. It now comprises the Laki Area as well as about half of
Euorpe's largest icecap, Vatnajokull.
There are no
roads in the park, but a network of trails offers the opportunity for differently extended
hikes. 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 small
shop and a very interesting Visitors Centre. The park
wardens offer regular guided walking tours and daily bus
tours 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.
On June 7th 2008, the whole glacier and some of its
surroundings, two existing Nationa Parks, and some nature reserves, were
declared Europe's
larges National Park, Vatnajokull.
Skaftafell is one of the two National Parks merged with
this larger park, and it became one of its visitors' centres.
Kirkjubaejarklaustur
69 km <Skaftafell>
Jokulsarlon 64 km.
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Skaftafel tourist
Information |
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