Hoffellsjökull is an outlet glacier which flows from the ice cap of Vatnajökull. It is located in the municipality of Hornafjörður, southeast Iceland. Hoffellsjökull takes its name from Hoffell; a mountainous area and a farmland. Hoffellsjökull and the Hoffell area are a part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Hiking routes in the area:
Fláajökull, Heinabergsjökull, Skálafellsjökull
Nearby places:
Hoffellsjökull was largest around 1890 and for the next fifty years it reached the moraine ridge in front of it. Lorries used to be driven up onto this ridge, and filled with glacial ice which they transported to the town of Höfn. The ice was used for chilling fish, both onshore and at sea.
Due to climate changes, Hoffellsjökull has retreated a considerable distance. A deep lake is rapidly developing in the depression left behind, and will become constantly larger as the glacier retreats.