- Address: Reykjavík, Iceland;
- Phone: +354 470 8300;
- E-mail: skaftafell@vjp.is;
- Area: 4,807 km ²;
- Date of foundation: September 15, 1967.
Iceland is a country of ice and flame, one of the most unusual and mysterious European states. The amazing nature of this region has won many cinematographers and writers, what can we say about a simple tourist who falls in love with Iceland at first sight once and for all. Among the most interesting local attractions , special attention deserves the National Park Skaftafell (Skaftafell) - one of the largest nature protection zones of the country. Let's talk more about it.
Features of the park
Find on the map Skaftafetl National Park is quite simple: it is located in the south-west of Iceland, between the two popular tourist towns of Kirkjubailläklejstühr and Höbn . The date of the foundation of the reserve falls on September 15, 1967. During its existence, it expanded its borders twice: for example, in 2008 Scaftafetl with an area of 4807 km² became a part of the Vatnayöküld National Park , which today is considered to be the largest in the country.
Despite the favorable climate and an unusually large number of sunny days in the summer, which is completely uncharacteristic of the south of Iceland, now this area is empty, although previously people lived here and even was one of the main farms in the region. The reason for this was the catastrophic eruption of the erayvaikudul volcano in 1362, during which all houses and structures were destroyed, as well as many local residents suffered.
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Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna of Skaftafetl National Park is very interesting. Thanks to the mild climate, here you can meet quite a few unique plants for this region. Trees are mainly represented by birches, willows and mountain ash, but among the flowers one can distinguish the gentle blue bells and the bright-yellow saxifrage familiar to us.
Despite the fact that the only mammals of the park are the field mouse, Arctic fox and American mink, the fauna of this place is very diverse. In addition, Scaftafelt is considered a very popular bird watching area. In its forests there live a tap dance, a wren, a snipe, a tundra partridge, a golden plover, etc.
What to see?
The main natural attractions of the National Park Skaftafetl are, of course, its volcanoes and glaciers. The terrain is very similar to the Alpine: it was formed for thousands of years by various influences of the fire (active volcanoes Grimsvet and Eravaijokudl) and water (the Skeidarau River, the Skaftaftelljokudl Glacier).
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Only here, walking through the snow-covered valleys, you will find lakes with huge ice-icebergs floating on them. To catch this unique sight is a dream of photographers from around the world, so do not be surprised if you see on the shore a crowd of people with photo and video cameras.
For adventurers and cave lovers, Scaftafell National Park also prepared a couple of surprises. So, one of the most visited places on the whole territory of the reserve is the ice grotto , created by Mother Nature herself. The color of the cave is represented by all shades of blue: from ultramarine to pale cornflower blue. Unfortunately, you can get here only in the winter season, when the frost comes and the ice gets stronger.
Another no less important natural landmark of the park and the whole of Iceland is the famous Svartofoss waterfall , surrounded by black basalt rocks that resemble a giant organ. This unique phenomenon inspired many creators to create their own works, but the main masterpiece of art was the central Reykjavik Cathedral - the Hadlgrimskirkia church, designed by the brilliant Icelandic architect Goodyon Samuelsson.
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Useful information for tourists
The national park of Skaftafell is open for visitors all year round. You can get to it as a part of the excursion group, or independently by car. The distance from the nearest town of Chebna to the reserve is 140 km, and from the capital of Iceland - 330 km.
It is worth noting that the territory of the park is the Tourist Center, in which travelers can get acquainted with the history of the creation of this place and possible routes. In the period from May 1 to September 30, everyone can stop at the camping and tent camp, having previously received permission from the park administration.