Vatnajökull glacier
Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier by volume, covering around 8,100 square kilometres and roughly 8% of Iceland's total land area. Beneath its ice lie several active volcanoes, over 30 outlet glaciers flow from its edges, and the vast Vatnajökull National Park that surrounds it is the second largest national park in Europe.
Europe's Largest Glacier, with Active Volcanoes Beneath the Ice
Vatnajökull translates as the Water Glacier, a name that reflects how much freshwater is locked within its ice. The glacier averages 380 metres thick and reaches nearly 1,000 metres in places, covering an area equivalent to around 8% of Iceland. Beneath it lie some of the country's most active volcanoes, including Grímsvötn, which has erupted repeatedly in recent decades, and Öræfajökull, whose summit at 2,110 metres is the highest point in Iceland. When subglacial volcanic eruptions melt large volumes of ice rapidly, they trigger catastrophic glacial floods known as jokulhlaups, which have historically reshaped the South Coast landscape. More than 30 outlet glaciers flow from the main ice cap down into the surrounding valleys, and it is these tongues of ice, with their vivid blue formations and layers of volcanic ash, that most visitors experience up close.
The Vatnajökull National Park was established in 2008 and now covers around 14% of Iceland's total land area, making it the second largest national park in Europe. It encompasses some of Iceland's most celebrated attractions. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs calve from the Breidamerkurjökull outlet and drift toward the sea, is one of the most visited sites in the country. The adjacent Diamond Beach, where ice washes ashore on black sand, sits just metres away. Skaftafell in the park's southwest offers accessible hiking trails and guided glacier walks on Svínafellsjökull. In winter, natural ice caves form beneath the glacier and can be accessed on guided tours from November through March, when the ice is stable enough for entry. Each cave is different every season, shaped by the previous summer's meltwater.
The main access points along the Ring Road are Skaftafell, roughly 327 kilometres east of Reykjavik, and the area around Höfn further east. The glacier is visible from the road for long stretches of the South Coast, providing a dramatic and constant backdrop to the drive. Guided glacier hikes operate year-round from Skaftafell, with no prior experience required. Walking on any glacier independently is both dangerous and prohibited. The national park is free to enter, though some car parks charge a fee. Check vatnajokulsthjonusta.is for current visitor information, trail conditions, and tour operators.
