Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park, founded in 2008, is the largest national park in Europe, and covers about thirteen percent of Iceland. Divided into four sections called the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Territories, the park includes the Vatnajökull glacier, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Mountt Snaefell, and the lava fields of Hagonguhraun and Veidivatnahraun. Each of the four sections is managed locally with separate park managers, park wardens, and park rangers whose mission is to help visitors, and administer the rules and regulations set out by the Board of Directors and each area's official Committee.

According to the official website, "The objective of the Vatnajökull National Park's establishment is to conserve the area's landscape, biology, geological formations and cultural heritage and enable the public to experience and enjoy its nature and history". Interestingly, a large portion of the park is actually under the icecap of the Vatnajökull glacier. But this provides an excellent attraction, as glacial hiking tours are quite popular. With the activities from both the volcano and the glacier, the national park is quite diverse in its appearance, and lends itself to spectacular displays of nature. Park rangers are very friendly, and only too willing to impart their vast knowledge of the areas to tourists.

Although some tours do include ATVs, Jeeps and snowmobiles, off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited and enforced. Aside from the danger of driving on unknown surfaces, the country and its people wish to maintain and protect their precious landscapes which have evolved for centuries. Even tour operators who offer horse back riding are fully aware of the potential footprint left on the land. For real adventurers, camping is permitted in Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur where official sites are set up for tents, trailers, and recreational vehicles. Campfires are not permitted within the park, and visitors are expected to respect the environment.

Areas within Vatnajökull National Park that will be of great interest to tourists are:

Ásbyrgi, formed by floods caused by glacial bursts, is a wide, horseshoe-shaped canyon that includes a small pond with lush vegetation, a unique rock formation called Eyjan, and steep cliff faces. The area's woodlands consist of birch, willow and mountain ash, and the park recently planted several thousand pine trees.

Askja, a sunken crater in the Dyngjufjöll Mountains, is the center of volcano activity from more than one volcano, and has erupted several times in recorded history, as recently as 1961. It was created at the end of the Ice Age from a major ash eruption. In 1875, Lake Askja was formed and it is the deepest lake in Iceland.

Dettifoss, is a massive waterfall thought to be the most powerful in Europe. The area has walking paths down to the actual waterfall, and to a smaller waterfall called Selfoss.

Grímsvötn, Iceland's most active volcano, is also the most active geothermal area in the world. Glacial bursts begin here and most of the area is under ice. Much research is conducted here so the Icelandic Glaciological Society built three cabins for the use of researchers and other visitors.

Jökulsárgljúfur was a national park formed in 1973, but became part of Vatnajökull National Park when it was created. It is characterized by a series of massive waterfalls that spill into a deep canyon. Amazingly, the canyon was originally formed from water, ice and fire. For those interested in plants and wildlife, this area is home to many unique species.

Kringilsárrani is the grazing area for reindeer.

Kverkfjöll, divided into two western and eastern halves, is a mountain range created by a volcano on the icecap. The name Klofajökull actually means "Split Glacier". This is an exciting area to hike, as it is home to one of the most powerful geysers called Gámur.

Lakagígar, now known as "Fires of the River Skaftá", is a group of craters formed in 1783-84. Lasting eight months, the lava continued to flow across the land and icecap. The largest crater is called Laki.

Öraefajökull, Iceland's highest mountain, although, interestingly, it changes height depending on the amount of snow and the season, is a "stratovolcano" because it is shaped like a cone with its top cut off.

Skaftafell, originally a manor farm, was established as a national park in 1968, but is now part of VNP. Two of the three farmhouses built in the 1800s are still in use today.

Snaefell, a dormant volcano for the last ten thousand years, is a majestic component of Iceland's landscape, and is home to large herds of reindeer.

Stafafellsfjöll, a farming estate, is encircled with the Stafafellsfjöll Mountains. The area is diverse with lush vegetation, barren plains, colored stones, gullies, wildlife, waterfalls, trails, and is home to the most protected area in Iceland called Lónsöraefi.

Wherever you choose to enter Vatnajökull National Park, and whatever you choose to do, be sure to check in with one of the Visitor Centers, have good maps handy, and take precautions to ensure a safe outing.