Glaciers in Iceland

Iceland is renowned as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ due to its combination of glaciers and volcanoes scattered throughout the island. How many glaciers exist in Iceland, where are they located, and what defines a glacier?

A glacier is a vast, enduring mass of ice that forms on land when snow accumulates and compacts into ice over extended periods. These ice masses deform and move gradually due to their sheer weight, resembling slow-flowing rivers. Despite their stability, glaciers can develop crevasses, cracks, and even stunning glacier ice caves!

Exploring Natural Glacier Ice Caves in Iceland

Natural glacier ice caves in Iceland offer a unique experience with their ever-changing size and shape, showcasing stunning ice formations and mesmerizing blue ice that captivates visitors. It’s no wonder these ice caves are a popular travel destination.

Best Time to Visit Ice Caves

For a memorable natural ice cave experience, consider embarking on a tour between mid-October and March each year. The timing may vary depending on the tour operator, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.

Top Ice Cave Tours

In Iceland, numerous volcanoes and glaciers have combined to form a unique geological landscape. Eruptions from these volcanoes can lead to the rapid melting of glacier ice, resulting in powerful glacial floods known as jökulhlaups.

These jökulhlaups have caused considerable damage in Iceland, as seen with the destruction of the Skeiðarárbrú bridge during the 1996 glacial flood. Today, the remnants of the bridge have been repurposed into a picturesque picnic spot, complete with informational plaques detailing the event and its aftermath. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of Svínafellsjökull in the backdrop, adding a natural charm to this historic location.

With glaciers covering more than 10% of Iceland’s terrain, they play a prominent role in shaping the country’s scenery. Travelers can engage with these massive ice bodies through thrilling pursuits like ice caving, snowmobiling, or glacier hiking, offering unforgettable experiences suitable for all skill levels.

Explore Iceland’s Iconic Glaciers

Discover the fascinating tales behind Iceland’s most famous glaciers, which play a significant role in shaping the nation’s cultural heritage.

Vatnajokull Glacier

Vatnajökull glacier is not just the largest glacier in Iceland but in Europe as well. Located in the southeast of Iceland, Vatnajökull boasts numerous glacial tongues with distinct names.

One of the most notable tongues is Öræfajökull glacier, known for its popularity among hikers due to its association with Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier Hiking Tours from Skaftafell Nature Reserve

One of the well-known glacier tongues is Svínafellsjökull, and glacier hiking tours from the neighboring Skaftafell Nature Reserve frequently visit this location. Svínafellsjökull gained popularity as the filming site for scenes in movies like Interstellar and Batman Begins. For convenience, it is advisable to reserve accommodations in South Iceland to remain in proximity and avoid driving back to Reykjavik after the adventure.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Vatnajökull National Park

Welcome To Iceland combines Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in 2008 to form Vatnajökull National Park, encompassing the vast Vatnajökull glacier.

Despite this merger, the primary information center for Vatnajökull National Park remains at Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Visitors can access amenities like a campsite, cafeteria, starting points for various hiking trails, and the meeting area for glacier excursions.

Volcanic Activity in Vatnajökull Glacier

The Vatnajökull glacier hosts the most active volcano system in Iceland known as Grímsvötn. The volcanic activity in this glacier was exemplified by the eruption at Holuhraun in Bardarbunga, which lasted from August 2014 to March 2015.

Exploring Glaciers in Iceland

Welcome To Iceland offers a glimpse into the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, situated by the Vatnajökull glacier in the southeast region. This picturesque spot is renowned for its beauty and is recognized as Iceland’s deepest lake, showcasing numerous large icebergs that have calved from the glacier itself.

Another must-visit location is the Diamond Beach in Iceland, adorned with striking blue icebergs, creating a mesmerizing sight. This unique coastal stretch is a testament to the dramatic beauty of Iceland’s natural wonders.

Exploring the Beauty of Iceland’s Diamond Beach

Not far from the lagoon, visitors can discover Iceland’s Diamond Beach, where small icebergs washed out to sea are thrown back to shore, slowly melting on the black sands.

Discover Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park encompasses the entire glacier and a vast surrounding area, making it the largest national park in Europe, covering a total of 12,000 km2 (4,600 sq miles)!

Exploring the Vastness of Vatnajökull Glacier

Due to its immense size, fully exploring Vatnajökull Glacier can be challenging. The best way to experience it is by visiting Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón or driving alongside it on the east side. To see the north or west side of the glacier, a 4×4 car is essential and can only be done during the summer months.

Best Jokulsarlon Excursions

Langjokull Glacier

Langjökull stands as Iceland’s second-largest glacier, named for its elongated shape. Positioned in the western part of the Icelandic highlands, it is easily visible from Geysir.

Langjökull is a popular destination for snowmobiling tours, often combined with The Golden Circle, given its close proximity to Gullfoss waterfall. Engaging in snowmobiling on the glacier provides a unique opportunity to explore a significant portion of Langjökull and experience the glacier’s grandeur.

Exploring Langjökull Glacier from the Inside

If you prefer not to snowmobile across the glacier, another option is to explore it from the inside!

Starting from 2015, visitors have had the opportunity to venture inside Langjökull glacier, thanks to man-made ice cave tunnels.

You have the option to participate in an ice cave tunnel tour or even organize special events like parties or weddings inside the glacier, as there is an ice chapel available.

Furthermore, Langjökull glacier is home to two active volcanoes, adding to its unique features.

Hofsjokull Glacier

Hofsjokull Glacier, the third largest glacier in Iceland, is located in the heart of the Icelandic highlands. Accessible only during the summer months, reaching this glacier requires a 4×4 vehicle and ideally a knowledgeable guide familiar with the area.

Glorious Hofsjökull: Iceland’s Largest Active Volcano

Welcome To Iceland boasts Hofsjökull as the most massive active volcano in Iceland, characterized by its shield shape and caldera. Moreover, this majestic volcano serves as the origin of several Icelandic rivers, notably the country’s longest river, Þjórsá.

Exploring Kjölur Road: A Highland Connection

One of the vital connections in Iceland, the Kjölur road, traverses between Hofsjökull and Langjökull, linking the southern and northern regions of the country. This road, nestled in the highlands, is accessible exclusively during the summer months, offering a unique and picturesque journey through Iceland’s stunning landscapes.

Myrdalsjokull Glacier and Eyjafjallajokull Glacier

Mýrdalsjökull glacier is the fourth largest in Iceland and is located next to Eyjafjallajökull glacier, the sixth largest in the country, both situated in the southern region of Iceland.

Despite being larger and housing one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, Katla, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Eyjafjallajökull glacier has gained more recognition due to its 2010 eruption.

Connecting the two volcanoes is the popular hiking trail known as Fimmvörðuháls, leading hikers to the top of the recently erupted volcano, with a warm, newly formed mountain. The trail begins with a staircase adjacent to the famous Skógafoss waterfall.

Solheimajokull Glacier

Sólheimajökull glacier, a part of the larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier, is known for being easily accessible from the ring road. This glacier tongue is a popular spot for ice hiking and climbing due to its rugged terrain and impressive ice crevasses.

Exploring Sólheimajökull may lead to encounters with small ice caves or tunnels, adding to the excitement of glacier hikes and ice climbing in this remarkable location.

Best Ice Climbing Adventures in Iceland

Drangajokull Glacier

Located in the Westfjords, the Drangajökull glacier is the fifth largest in Iceland. Unlike many others, it has maintained its size in recent years and is unique as the only glacier entirely below 1000 meters.

Accessing Drangajökull glacier can be challenging due to its remote location in the far north of the Westfjords, just south of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. However, there are opportunities for both a Drangajökull Glacier Adventure and a Drangajökull Glacier Midnight Adventure during the summer months to experience the beauty of the midnight sun.

Best Tours in the Westfjords

Snaefellsjokull Glacier

Snæfellsjökull glacier is the 13th largest glacier in Iceland and is unfortunately experiencing a rapid decline in size. Despite its relatively small size compared to other glaciers, it holds significant fame in Iceland. Located at the edge of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, this glacier is a prominent landmark visible from Reykjavík, resembling a crown across the Faxaflói bay on clear days.

Exploring Snæfellsjökull Glacier: A Natural Marvel in Iceland

The iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier, situated in Snæfellsjökull National Park, stands as a testament to Iceland’s natural beauty. This small glacier is not just any ordinary ice cap; it is a volcano, specifically a stratovolcano with a cone-like shape.

Snæfellsjökull gained international fame as the entrance to the center of the earth in Jules Verne’s classic novel, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth.” Moreover, in a notable event in August 2012, the summit of this glacier was devoid of ice for the first time in recorded history.

Surrounded by a captivating landscape, including lava fields, enchanting black and golden beaches, diverse bird and seal populations, magnificent waterfalls, unique rock formations, and towering cliffs, the area of Snæfellsjökull offers a truly breathtaking experience. The Snæfellsnes peninsula, where the glacier is located, is easily accessible, allowing visitors to either drive around the glacier or embark on a challenging hike to its summit. It is advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle when navigating the mountain road on the eastern side of the glacier for an optimal experience.