Vatnayöküld National Park

• Address: Vatnajökull National Park, Klapparstígur 25-27, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland;
• Area: 13 600 km²;
• Date of Establishment: June 7, 2008;
• Phone: +354 575 8400;
• Official website: http://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is;
• E-mail: hjorleifur@vjp.is.

Tourists from all over the world travel to Iceland to see its amazing natural resources. One of the main attractions of this country is the Vatnayekudl National Park. He certainly deserves the closest attention.

Vatnajekudl National Park - description

On its territory, the Vatnajekudl National Park occupies one-eighth of the area of ​​Iceland. It stretches from the south to the north of the country. The date of formation of the park is 2008. The park of Vatnayekudl includes two former national parks - Yekulsaurgluvur and Skaftafetl , which were founded in 1973 and 1967, respectively. Until now, the construction of infrastructure has not yet been completed. There are plans to erect about four modern centers for guests. But, despite this, there is something to look at anywhere in the park, as natural wonders are located literally at every step. Here you can observe natural phenomena, which, it would seem, should mutually exclude each other. So, you can get really incredible sensations by bathing in hot springs that are under the arches of caves of ice. In the park you can find objects such as volcanic lakes, glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields and much more.

Attractions of the Vatnaieciudl Park

The most remarkable natural objects of the Vatnajekudl National Park are the following:

1. The ice lagoon of Yokursarlon . This place literally attracts photographers from around the world with their beauties. Icebergs that float on the water, look incredibly picturesque. A characteristic feature of the lagoon is the unusual lighting that changes throughout the day. Depending on this, ice blocks acquire a variety of colors. The spectacle that appears as a result looks incredible. This makes it possible to capture a diverse color spectrum of ice floes on photographs. To get to the Glacier Lagoons, leave Reykjavik on Route 1 and head towards Vic.
2. Volcano of Ascia . It is located on the lava plateau of Oudaudarya. The last volcanic eruption occurred in 1875. But at the same time it is considered operational, and it is not known when the time of the next eruption will come. Stratovolcán belongs to a complex of several calderas, which belong to the Dingyufjöldl mountain system. The height of the mountains is relatively small and amounts to 1510 m. As a result of the action of lava flows at the foot of the volcano, black fields appeared, covered with pointed stone waves. Summer is the best time to visit this place. Get to the volcano will have to walk a distance of about 2 km, leaving the car in the parking lot.
3. Lake Yoskyuvatn . It is formed in the Asquia caldera and refers to the deepest in Iceland. From all sides the lake is covered with rocks, which creates an amazing natural corner. If desired, you can even dip in a pond, but it is possible to carry out this venture only from the east side. The peculiarity of the lake is that it is never completely covered by ice. Frozen are only its parts, located on the west side.
4. Lake Viti . It is located in the second crater of the Ascia volcano, in the immediate vicinity of Lake Yoskyuvatn. In size it is small and is only 100 m in diameter. The water in the lake has a deep blue color. The water temperature is always warm. The lake is characterized by a characteristic smell of sulfur. Taking water procedures in the geothermal crater lake of Viti is extremely useful, as it is rich in various trace elements. But it is mainly the extremals who are not afraid of the fact that the Ascia volcano is active.
5. Volcanic cleft Lucky . It is a 25 km long crack that lies to the southeast of the Vatnajokul glacier. It has about 100 volcanic cones. The height of the largest of them is about 100 m. During the eruption of Lucky volcano, which occurred in 1783, as a result of toxic fumes, more than 50% of the livestock and almost all the birds in Iceland were killed. Tourists can only travel here on specially designed routes. This is done so that stones are not damaged, which are very fragile. If you want on the territory you can even carry out a bike ride or ride a horse. Going on a trip to Lucky, you should take into account that there is no comfort. The nearest campsite, which is equipped with a toilet and running water, is 40 minutes away from this facility. To reach the lakes of Lucky, you can take a bus that leaves from the town of Kirkjubeyarklaustur. The trip will take three hours.
6. Glacier Vatnayekudl . It reasonably is considered the largest glacier in Europe, its area is 8100 square kilometers. The average thickness of ice is 400-500 m, and the largest thickness reaches 1 km. As a result of the volcano's actions, lakes are formed, which are hidden under the ice thickness. From the glacier Vatnayekudl the continuation of the river Jekülsau-Au-Fiedlüm takes its course. From it, in turn, formed the waterfall Detifoss, which is the largest in Europe.
7. The Svartofoss waterfall . The second name is "black fall". The height is about 20 m. As a result of crystallization and slow cooling of the lava flow, black columns were formed. They have a hexagonal shape. Columns have been a source of inspiration for many architects who have created real masterpieces. This is the Church of Hallgrimura , located in Reykjavik , as well as the building of the National Theater. It is impossible to reach the waterfall by car. From the parking lot to it it is necessary to reach on foot about 2 km.

How to get to the Vatnayekudl National Park?

You can get to the Vatnajekudl National Park by road number 1, which leads from Reykjavik to Skaftafell. Another landmark is the city of Höbn , from which the park is 140 km to the west.