Here below you can find photos from various hard to reach locations within Vatnajökull National Park. Select a gallery to view photos from each location. Some of the areas shown here require advanced mountaineering experience and should not be attempted by anyone except well equipped and highly experienced mountaineers with good knowledge of the area.
Holuhraun eruption 2015
Holuhraun is a large lava field just north of the Vatnajökull ice cap, in the Icelandic Highlands, in Suður-Þingeyjarsýsla, Northeastern Region, Iceland. The lava field was created by fissure eruptions. After a research expedition in 1880, the lava field was initially called Kvislarhraun.
Sveinstindur
Sveinstindur is the second highest peak in Iceland, 2044 meters high. It is located in Öræfajökull glacier and it was climbed first by dr.Sveinn Pálsson in 1875. There are 2 different routes leading up to Sveinstindur, but neither one should be attempted except by very experienced mountaineers. Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Extremely difficult
Breiðamerkurjökull
Breiðamerkurjökull is an outlet glacier of the larger glacier of Vatnajökull in southeastern Iceland. Emerging as a tongue of the Vatnajökull, it ends in a rather large and well known glacier lagoon, known as Jökulsárlón. Over time, it has gradually been breaking down. Several ice caves can be found in this outlet glacier. Photos by: Snorri Þór Tryggvason (www.snorrithorphotography.com) Hike difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Herðubreið
Herðubreið is a tuya mountain located in north-east Iceland. It is situated in the Highlands of Iceland at the east side of the Ódáðahraun desert and close to Askja volcano. The desert is a large lava field originating from eruptions of Trölladyngja and other shield volcanoes in the area. Herðubreið was formed beneath the icesheet that covered Iceland during the last glacial period. Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Snæfell
Iceland’s tallest mountain (excepting glaciers) or 1833 m tall. Start from the parking area approx. 1.5 km south of Snæfellsskáli hut. It is a long moderately difficult walk yet the trail is fairly smooth. The trail is staked and suitable only for experienced hikers. Elevation is approximately 1000 m and hikes’ distance is seven to eight km. The mountain is the highest part of a volcanic center. The cylinder with visitors’ log and stamp is up on the mountains’ top. If it is covered or hidden by snow there is a stamp in the Snæfellsskáli hut. Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Lónsöræfi
Lónsöræfi is a wilderness area in south-east Iceland. The region is characterised by its varied geological formations.[citation needed] These mostly date from a period between 5 to 7 million years ago, when the volcano Kollumúlaeldstöðvar was active.[citation needed] The glacier tongues of the eastern extreme of Vatnajökull also impose themselves on the area. Visible to the north-west is Snæfell (1833m), the highest peak in Iceland that isn’t part of a glacier. Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Miðfellstindur
Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Extremely difficult
Þverártindsegg
Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Extremely difficult
Vonarskarð
Photos by: Ólafur Már Björnsson (www.fifl.is) Hike difficulty: Moderate
Fellsfjara
Fellsfjara, also known as “The Diamond Beach” is a black sand beach located right below the famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The beach is often filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes that have washed out to sea from the glacier lagoon. Photos by: Snorri Þór Tryggvason (www.snorrithorphotography.com) Hike difficulty: Easy