Langjokull Glacier: Not An Average Glacier

Not only is Vatnajökull glacier the biggest one in Iceland, it’s the largest in Europe! In fact, covering 8,100 square km, Vatnajökull covers more land than all the glaciers on Europe’s mainland combined! It should be no surprise then that a plethora of activities exist on this wondrous body of ice to keep you occupied for your entire time in Iceland. How To Get There This glacier is surrounded by a national park of the same name, Vatnajökull National Park. The easiest way to access it is via Skaftafell, which is also a part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park. From Reykjavik, follow route 1 along the south coast for approximately 320 km, until you see a sign for Skaftafell National Park, where you will make a left turn. The journey will take around 4 hours in favourable conditions.

One of the country’s greatest natural wonders, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, or Jökulsárlón is said to be Iceland’s crown jewel. It was formed in the 1930s as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacial tongue began to melt. In fact, the lagoon is constantly growing in size as the glacier melts due to global warming. Though not very wide, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is 250 meters deep, making it Iceland’s deepest lake. The lagoon’s crystal-clear surface is scattered with icebergs that are formed as more and more of the glacier breaks away, an unmissable sight! With so much to take in, we want to make sure you don’t miss a thing. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, so you can learn everything you need to know before visiting Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Iceland’s most northern glacier, Drangajokull is located in the remote Westfjords of northern Iceland. Despite its isolated location, this special glacier is worth a visit during your trip to Iceland. Being the only glacier in Iceland whose altitude does not exceed 1000 m, Drangajokull is also one of the only glaciers in the country that hasn’t succumbed to receding in recent years. The Westfjords is a large peninsula in the northwest of the country. Though travel and communication there can be difficult, the mountainous region is known for its beauty and play on light. From the darkest depths of winter to 24 hours of sunlight in high summer, the length of a day takes on new boundaries in this remote part of the world. The Westfjords are home to both the midnight sun and the northern lights, creating a dreamworld for travellers to take in as best they can. While driving in the Westfjords has had a bad reputation in the past, road conditions have greatly improved in recent years. However, as always, safety precautions must be taken in bad weather. Driving from Reykjavik will mean covering approximately 450 km of terrain and will take a little over 5 hours even in favourable conditions.

The fourth largest glacier in Iceland, Myrdalsjokull is a true embodiment of the land of fire and ice. Deep within Myrdalsjokull’s ice cap lies one of the largest active volcanoes in Iceland, the destructive Katla. Set along Iceland’s popular south coast, Mydalsjokull is one of its most easily accessible glaciers, jam packed with activities — a must-visit on your Iceland holiday. Getting to Myrdalsjokull depends on which part you will be visiting - glaciers are quite big after all! However, the two main routes include heading to either Seljalandsfoss waterfall or Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull. Both routes entail driving along Route 1 on the south coast of Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is located approximately 125 km along Route 1 from Reykjavik and Solheimajokull is a further 25 km away.

Solheimajokull may technically be a glacier tongue from the larger Myrdalsjokull glacier, however, it is a popular destination in its own right and is worth a visit during your holiday to Iceland. It travels from the Myrdalsjokull glacier down to the pristine shores of South Iceland. Due to the geography of the area, Solheimajokull is a great way to witness how glaciers are shaped and formed, as well as the effects being wrought on these ice giants by global warming.

Aptly named ‘The Gateway to Hell,’ the Hekla volcano in the south of Iceland is a deadly force with a shocking history of destruction. This reputation caused people in the middle ages to believe that Hekla or Hecla was the entrance to Hell. That however, hasn’t stopped brave travellers from exploring one of Iceland’s active volcanoes!

Often referred to as “Iceland in miniature”, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the one area in Iceland you simply cannot miss if you want to taste everything Iceland has to offer. With a volcano, a glacier, towering mountains, sandy beaches, and small fishing villages, this peninsula has plenty to offer. Read on to discover the area’s highlights and our top tips for travelling to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

A key highlight of Iceland’s southern coast, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, with its stunning cascading falls from a steep cliff, is perhaps one of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland. Standing at an impressive 65 meters tall, Seljalandsfoss is fed from the waters of the glacier-topped Eyjafjallajokull volcano and completely captivates all those who make the trip to see it. No trip to the south of Iceland is complete without a visit to this jaw-dropping work of nature, particularly if you are already taking in the sites of the South Coast route. Seljalandsfoss along with Skogafoss is one of the two main highlights of the famous Golden Circle in Iceland. In this article we cover all the highlights of a visit to Seljalandsfoss, how to get there, and the best way to spend your time.

Every country has its little hidden secrets, and Gljúfrabúi waterfall is one of Iceland’s finest. Gljúfrabúi (also known as Gljúfrabúifoss) is a 40-metre high waterfall on Iceland’s south coast, not far from the incredibly popular Seljalandsfoss. While it may not be quite as famous as its nearby friend, that certainly doesn’t mean it is any less impressive. Translated into English as “canyon dweller” or “dweller of the gorge”, Gljúfrabúi waterfall is a true beauty hidden away below steep cliffs. The waterfall cascades down into a little cave with light pouring in from above — a truly beautiful sight that is worth veering off the beaten path to see! Here is everything you need to know about Gljúfrabúi waterall, including how to get there and what absolutely shouldn’t be missed.

Despite being one of the smaller ice caps of Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland and the world. This is thanks to its most recent eruption in 2010 that resulted in the evacuation of 800 people, caused electrical storms and earthquakes and grounded flights across Europe. Fortunately, another nearest volcano, Katla, that shares its geology did not erupt this time around. Historically speaking, when Eyjafjallajökull erupts Katla often follows suit. Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano that is completely covered by an ice cap that covers 100 square km. The volcano is 1651m tall and has a partially open crater of just under 4km in diameter with three main peaks. Eyjafjallajökull is found in Southern Iceland and is a great diversion for anyone driving the south shore road on their Iceland trip. The south of Iceland is easily accessibly via road. Let's find out what we can do on and around this magnificent volcano.

What makes the Thingvellir National Park different than other national parks in Iceland? With a history dating back to the end of the first millennia, Thingvellir has a story that is as rich as its geography. Amid the shifting continental plates where North America and Europe collide, sits the home of the first parliament of the Icelandic people. A church sits upon the site, dating back to the 19th century, but the faith that preceded it reaches forward across centuries. It is no wonder, that the Icelandic chieftains chose this remarkable place for the site of their annual conclave, for they would gather here with their people, coming by the thousands and staying for weeks or more, to settle grievances, and maintain the balance of power between their various clans. Here, amidst the rugged terrain, and beside the beautiful waters, they made their laws, and kept their peace. Eventually, the seat of power for the Icelandic people would move from Thingvellir to Reykjavik, some 40 km away.

Is it a volcano? Is it a glacier? It’s both! Snæfellsjökull volcano is a glacier-capped volcano in Iceland and the highlight of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a stunning area in western Iceland. Standing at an impressive 1446 metres high, the Snæfellsjökull volcano in Iceland is one of the country’s most notable landmarks and can sometimes even be seen from Reykjavik. What are the top things to know before visiting Snæfellsjökull volcano? Read on to find out.