Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park
4.5
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4.5
1,172 reviews
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Bryan J
7 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Svartifoss Falls is not as great in size as other waterfalls in Iceland but it is pretty and worth the 2 mile hike if you are in the neighborhood. The more impressive (and easier) hike is to the Skaftafell glacier. There will be tons of people at the park but parking was manageable (you can pay by card or apps easily, unlike other parks in the country).
But if you are pressed for time, I would skip Skaftafell National Park and continue on to the Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsaron). Way more beautiful and many things to do there! Do NOT park at the 3 parking lots closest to the bridge (you need to either use a parking app where you will not have WIFI or drive to another parking lot to pay by card (thus paying twice - welcome to Iceland!)). Instead use the two free lots to the west of the bridge and hike into the Lagoon and Diamond Beach.
But if you are pressed for time, I would skip Skaftafell National Park and continue on to the Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsaron). Way more beautiful and many things to do there! Do NOT park at the 3 parking lots closest to the bridge (you need to either use a parking app where you will not have WIFI or drive to another parking lot to pay by card (thus paying twice - welcome to Iceland!)). Instead use the two free lots to the west of the bridge and hike into the Lagoon and Diamond Beach.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom J
London, UK1,843 contributions
Aug 2023
We stopped off at Skaftafell National Park to stretch our legs and hike to Svartifoss whilst on a ring road tour of Iceland. Having paid the 1000 ISK to park for the day we decided to set off on the S2 route from the camp site. We had a sunny warm day which with that incline did make it a tad warm but thats why you layer up in Iceland :)
The views are spectacular, whether looking out to the coast or towards the glacier its definitely a mesmerising place! The waterfalls are also something else, incredible to see and just take in.
The views are spectacular, whether looking out to the coast or towards the glacier its definitely a mesmerising place! The waterfalls are also something else, incredible to see and just take in.
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simmondsi
Darmstadt, Germany747 contributions
Aug 2020
We only had a few hours when our tour group stopped here so we took the mostly flat trail out to the glacial lagoon, which was pretty good. Looking at some of the other photos here I wish we had had longer and walked some of the other trails.
So my advice: Research before you come!
So my advice: Research before you come!
Written December 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BLT1991
Toano, VA901 contributions
Aug 2022
There is pay parking (the Parka app can be used here). There are toilets and a mediocre gift shop. Unlike the friendly and informative folks at Thingvellir’s Visitor’s Center, the gentleman at this one was curt and unhelpful…perhaps he was having a bad day. There are a variety of hikes. The easiest will take you about 1.5 hours. It’s flat, wide and has a good surface. It will bring you to the tongue of the glacier.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QualityTime4us
Leicester, UK397 contributions
Jul 2022
Day 4 of our Ring Road Road Trip and bright and sunny. Stopped at the visitor centre to register parking and get advice. Whilst only one machine working at the carpark there were more in visitor centre and easier to use. The staff suggested the 30 minute walk to the glacier face and lagoon which being in our 70s was ideal. Nice level walk with lots to see and experience followed by coffee and chocolate croissants in the sunshine on the terrace. Perfect moment.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bskramer
The Villages, FL320 contributions
May 2022
My daughter and I visited Skaftafell Glacier as part of a tour on our way to the Vatnajökull National Park. At the Skaftafell Visitor Center, we had the option to either take a 35-minute walk to Skaftafell Glacier or take a shorter trail to the top of his for views of both Skaftafell and Skeiðarárjökull Glaciers. We opted to walk to Skaftafell Glacier with the hope of getting close to the glacier. This proved to be a good choice. The walk was flat and went quickly. It took about 40 minutes because we stopped to take many photographs. On the day we visited, it was possible to walk right up to the glacier. This would have taken about an additional 20 minutes. We walked halfway but unfortunately did not have enough time to get up close and touch the glacier. The views and photographs were terrific. After a few minutes, we had to turn around and head back to our bus. We stopped to use the restrooms at the Visitor Center and arrived about 5 minutes past our allotted time. A few other visitors were straggling in at the same time. Like most glacial walks, the distances look closer than they are. If you have the opportunity and time. definitely take the walk to Skaftafell Glacier.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndreaGambadoro
London, UK465 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
I managed to go only towards the glacier. The walk from the visitor center is about 30 minutes. Once there there is a quite good view on the lagoon and the glacier. I would suggest to go here only if you have enough time. If you’re tight on time I’d suggest to head straight to Joculsarlon as you can park straight by the lagoon and found it more impressive (even though also much much more busy!).
Written February 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica K
101 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We hiked to the glacier in Skaftafell last week and loved this experience. It took quite a while to get there but was well worth the effort! We only saw a handful of other people, and it felt completely secluded! You could hear the glacier cracking, which was a really incredible thing to experience.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudio R
Palermo, Italy234 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
You haven't seen Iceland if you haven't climbed the paths of the Staftafell National Park: guided routes along the waterfalls, rivers and viewpoints allow you to admire the wonders close to the Vatnajokull glacier up close. I followed the S2 route, easy even for people who are not particularly expert. It takes about three hours to do it all (but it is possible to cut; I don't recommend it, however).
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAR51
Waldorf, MD64 contributions
Jun 2022
OK, you US folks, Iceland does not have the National Park system we do, it is very much toned down. We actually missed the sign for it while driving the Ring road as it was so poorly marked. The Visitors center and film was nothing to get excited about. We hiked the pavement to the foot of the glacier. You had an option to hike down where the water was flowing from the toe. You have a limited view of the glacier . and I expect you would see more if you hiked up on the glacier with a guide.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am planning to do the S1: Skaftafellsjökull walk in late September/early October. Is this one I can do on my own, or is a guide recommended at that time of year? The website says it is an easy walk. Also, is the 1 - 1.5 hr time pretty accurate?
Thank you in advance!
Written December 31, 2019
We hiked in the park on our own but did not go on the glacier. Not sure what specific trail we did but it was a loop
Written January 1, 2020
We are travelling to iceland with our two sons (age 8 & 13) and will be there in late May. I am interested in the walk you did to Skaftafell National Park sites with a guide. can you tell me where i find out more? I am wondering if we need a guide or can do it ourselves. I am thinking we'll only do the short 30-60 min walks to waterfall, glacier etc... is it doable with kids?
Cheers
Written January 5, 2019
We didn't use a guide at all. All paths are clearly marked. We hiked many things with our elderly parents so kids that age shouldn't be a problem.
Written June 2, 2019
Hi there! I wanted to know, roundtrip, how long it took to hike to the waterfall and the base of the glacier, from the visitors center. An estimate is fine! I will be visiting in 2 weeks and tryin to plan ahead...Thanks!
Written September 4, 2018
Hi. Sorry but I Mixed up.Two way I saw in google map from 1road, one to glacier parking lot, other to Skaftafell national park.But many reviews speak about hike from Skaftafell to glacier,Is there a way? In addition ,we plan to visit svinafellsjukul itself. Is there a view from Skaftafel?
And for someone who can do easy hiking,Skaftafell is a good place to visit after Glacier visit?
Written August 21, 2018
Hi there. Yes, you can get to both the National Park and to the glacier's edge. Upon entry (paid parking) you will find some very helpful maps, along with a tourism station. The park and falls are to the left and the glacier walk to the right. Glacier walk is beautiful and very flat. (easy hiking). You can also take a paid Glacier walk with a group (about $200 per person) to get on top of the Glacier. You need to reserve in advance at the tourism hut. I did not see a vew to svinafellsjkul. Have fun!
Written August 22, 2018
Can you tell us which guides you used if any? We'd like a challenging, beautiful, but not rigorous or very uphill walk (we're two sisters, 60 and a fit 73). We're going in June. Thank you!
Written May 16, 2018
Guides aren't necessary for the trails. They're well marked. You'll like both S1 and S2 trails. S1 to glacier is flat and scenic. S2 had some climbing but my 76 yr old husband handled it will.
Written May 16, 2018
I'll be going to skaftafell on 24th November and was wondering what kind of shoes I would need to wear to do the hike to see the svartifoss waterfall. Should I wear sports shoes or snow shoes?
Written November 17, 2017
Watwerproof and warm shoes or boots.
Written November 18, 2017
We are looking to book a tour of the ice caves this month. With the sun setting earlier these days will a tour starting after 2:00 pm have ok light? Is it Better to go earlier? Assuming of course it's not overcast...
Thanks!
Written October 31, 2017
We went during summer which has no night time for us! Can hardly see sunset even at 0200! Not sure during autumn or winter. Better go as early as possible as I believe sunset very early!
Written November 2, 2017
Bonjour, vous avez fait la randonnée seule par vos propres moyens ou est-il préférable de prendre un guide ?
Written October 1, 2017
Hola
No creo sea necesario un guía, nosotros hicímos el recorrido reseñado sin ninguna dificultad pues está muy bien señalizado.
Si tienes alguna duda más, no dudes en preguntar....
Un saludo
Written October 3, 2017
Is it really missing out to do the waterfall and glacier tongue hikes and not do a glacier hike? Is not booking a tour to walk on the glacier missing out I guess is the question
Written August 5, 2017
The glacier hike we did was one of our top experiences in Iceland. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. The hike was really fun, interesting and even a bit challenging. And you really get to see climate change as the guides show you where the glaciers used to be - a year ago. I recommend the glacier hike up at Skaftafell - it was awesome. Hope you enjoy your trip; we loved our time there.
Written August 5, 2017
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