Iceland's glaciers are a cold beauty that does not leave anyone indifferent. Amazing country Iceland
Do you want to get into a real ice kingdom? We invite you to hike on the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland. Someone prefers to view the snow cap of the glacier from a helicopter, someone descends into the ice caves, while others go to explore Vatnajökull on their own two feet.
Glaciers occupy about 11% of the area of Iceland. Vatnajökull Glacier- the largest in the country. Vatnajökull is simply amazing! Like a fabulous ice shell, it covers an area of 8133 km² in the south of Iceland. Located at the foot of the glacier national park Skaftafell.
The biggest white spot on the map of Iceland is the Vatnajökull glacier. The Vatnajökull glacier can be seen even from the ring road No. 1.
In general, glaciers are something incredible: an opportunity to touch history. After all, the ice on which we will now walk is many, many thousands of years old. And the glacier is almost alive: it moves all the time.
A few words about the origin of the name of the largest Icelandic glacier.
The name Vatnajökull is translated as "giving water": from the words vatna (water) and jokull (glacier).
Where the water from the Vatnajökull glacier goes gives water, we already told in the post 🙂
Not the entire Vatnajökull glacier is available for visiting, but only a small part of it. So we're heading to Iceland's Skaftafell National Park for some adventure!
In order to get to the Vatnajökull glacier and join one of the glacier hikes, you need to drive into Skaftafell National Park. The park is located at the base of the Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland. All excursions on the glacier start from Skafafell.
There is no other way to get to Vatnajökull. And you don't have to - you can't do it without a guide.
What is there to do in Skaftafell National Park?
- See a real ancient glacier up close
- Walk one of the hiking trails
- See the black waterfall Svartifoss
- Visit an ice cave.
There are both short ones and quite long ones. hiking trails, camping.
The Skaftafell park has many trees and the wind is not as strong as in the plains along the coast. 
The entrance to the national park is located just north of the Icelandic Ring Road No. 1. Landscapes are so-so at first: gloomy plains, strong wind (as always in Iceland). The ice caps of the mountains are chilly wrapped in a gray fog.
Before entering Skaftafell you can see the rusty remains of the bridge Skeiðará Bridge Monument next to which there is a small recreation area.
And on the other hand, if you go towards Hefn, you will see a beautiful church in the pictures, but creepy in reality Hofskirkja. By the way, the last church in Iceland with a peat roof!
And it is creepy, because it is surrounded by fluffy mounds of graves, which we initially mistook for cute grassy bumps. Then we looked closely - and it became somehow uncomfortable ...
Let's go to the parking lot national park Skaftafell, where we leave the car. Entrance to the park is free, but you will have to pay for parking by purchasing a parking ticket for the day. There are toilets, a cafeteria and many, many buses and cars of various guides and tour companies with which you can go on a tour of the Vatnajökull glacier.
Hiking trails through the Skaftafell National Park start almost from the parking lot. Most of the routes go, of course, to the unusual black waterfall Svartifoss:
Such a hike will take about an hour one way and is not particularly difficult. As a reward, you will see the most unusual waterfall in Iceland - Svartifoss.
Hiking trails of varying difficulty in the Skaftafell National Park on the map. The picture can be enlarged.
From the parking lot, we walked along a short route to the Svartifoss waterfall H1 - H2 - S2 - S6.
Entrance to the Skaftafell National Park on the map. The place on the glacier, which we visited with an excursion, is also marked here.
An excursion to the Vatnajökull glacier must be booked in advance. During the season, places can be sorted out a couple of weeks or even months before the desired date. While we were looking for an excursion to the glacier that was suitable in terms of dates and time, about 10 sites with almost similar offers caught our eye.
After meeting with the team, we go through a brief briefing and dive into a minibus - then the guide will take us to the tongue of the Svinafellsjökull glacier. Yes, the name of this glacier comes from the word "pig" 🙂 Why - history is silent.
Immediately explanation: Svinafell is the tongue of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier and part of the Skaftafell National Park of the same name. The park, in turn, is part of the large Vatnajökull glacier. Most excursions to the glacier in Skaftafell involve going to Svinafellsjokull or Falljokull.
At first, the group moves slowly and uncertainly: we learn how to handle cats and walk in them.
Here the group is still walking along the ground, the tongue of the glacier begins a little further.
This photo shows a triangular mountain, the guide said that episodes with the Wall from the Game of Thrones were filmed here 🙂
Of course, the Wall was then completed on a computer. Well, we are more like not the Night Watch, but a flock of clumsy hobbits 🙂
The surface of the glacier is all dotted with cracks, forming an interesting ornament. The black color is not dirt, but ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in 2010. In clear weather and in the absence of soot, these faults should be a rich blue color.
And a few more photos from the hike on the Vatnajökull glacier:
That's all. The whole excursion to the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland took about three hours. An hour to get ready and drive, an hour and a half to hike on the glacier, and another half an hour to get back. We did not face danger, but thrill have not experienced
There are glacier tours with elements of rock climbing and visits to the ice cave, so there is plenty to choose from.
It's time to have a bite! As diligent hikers, we know that the best after-workout lunch is al fresco dining. Therefore, they bought the famous Icelandic lamb and potatoes. Very convenient, because the meat is already pickled and salted, and potatoes are also sold in Icelandic supermarkets peeled and marinated.
All this stuff rode with us around Iceland for the first three days, as the strongest wind made it impossible to put on the grill and light a fire.
As a result, we got tired of waiting and nevertheless built a semblance of a hearth out of stones, despite the weather.
Nice place for barbecue. Close to the Skaftafell National Park and overlooking the Vatnajökull Glacier.
Despite the wind and cold, the steak was ready in 15 minutes.
Bon appetit!
Snaefellsnes peninsula.
In the early morning we drove along highway "1" along south coast Iceland in order to reach the largest glacier in Europe in a day and have time to return back to Reykjavik. The distance to the Vatnajökull glacier is 450 km. Under favorable circumstances, you can make this trip during daylight hours.
We again repeat the path passed yesterday, leaving behind the famous Icelandic waterfalls and rocky remains, moving further and further to the east of the island. Landscapes are undergoing significant changes: after the village of Vik, where rocky outcrops protrude far into the ocean, a real glacial desert begins, created by ancient glaciers, which, erasing everything in their path, slowly slide from high mountain plateaus into the valley, towards Atlantic Ocean. We rush along a completely straight section of the road, and an absolutely flat black plain stretches around us, heavy cold rain adds severity to the landscape, the sky is completely covered with lead clouds. Everything around is gray and black, such a picture can be pretty scary, if you do not remember that here the weather can change quickly during the day. Indeed, as we move forward, we observe a gradual change in both landscapes and weather conditions.
The glacial desert looks menacing, it seems that life here has stopped forever, but this is only the first impression, which is far from reality - in some places dense thickets of mosses and lichens turn green on frozen lavas under the rain, in some areas, in deep dips formed along cracks, they manage to grow bushes and even tiny Christmas trees. But as you approach the huge glacier, which occupies more than 20 percent of the territory of Iceland, you feel its cold breath, icy air flows down the intermountain valleys to the ocean, and here we meet a completely flat, lifeless desert, the road cuts through it, a perfectly straight section of the route is surrounded by gravel fields where nothing grows at all. A black, lifeless desert, cold and inhospitable… Having stopped the car, we go out onto this flat surface and feel like we are on another planet. If it were not for the mountains and glaciers peeping on the horizon, one can imagine the infinity of the desert landscape. It is very cold here, a piercing wind blows, and in just a few minutes you freeze so much that returning to the warm interior of the car is no small pleasure.
The track approaches the rocks, they become much higher, piercing the clouds with their sharp teeth, hiding behind each other, from time to time presenting to our eyes hiding between them deep gorges with cascades of waterfalls flowing through them. Finally, in a foggy haze, tongues of a glacier appear, sliding from a mountain plateau, from afar resembling frozen rivers, millions of tons eternal ice, formed 5000 years ago, slowly flow into the valley.
We see the first tongue of a glacier falling from a high mountain plateau towards the ocean, the length of this icy river is several kilometers, then the glacier reminds of itself more and more often, and finally, we drive close to it.
Ice blocks float across the bay, their color is bluish, which is typical for firn ice, which was formed many thousands of years ago. Iceland produces the most popular drinking water in the world, which is 5,000 years old, since then it has been preserved in its original form, being the purest water on the planet, both in the physical and in the energy sense. In those days there was no technogenic civilization, because the water has preserved the memory of a clean ecological environment.
Ducks swim along the ice hummocks, suddenly two seals playing with each other emerge from under the water. Here, near the eternal ice, it is much colder, and the fauna is very different from what we met in the western part of the island. Of the vegetation, only mosses and cold-resistant flowering plants. No trees, no bushes - a real tundra.
We watch the seals for some time, which are exclusively occupied with each other, and we see an unusual vehicle rushing at full speed to the water.
An amphibious vessel on large wheels carries tourists to ride on the glacier, they are wearing bright red life jackets. Here it enters the water with acceleration, the propeller starts up, and now it is already a boat rushing towards the eternal ice.
Unfortunately, due to lack of time, we are unable to use this miracle of technology, we are moving towards the coast, where we find all the same black sands, covered with light gray pebbles, along the surf line - picturesquely turned sea water blocks of ice, having the most bizarre shapes, they ride on the waves of the Atlantic, with a roar falling on the coast.
But time is inexorable in its run, and we still have a long way to go back to Reykjavik. On the way, we still stop by another branch of the glacier, here we manage to get close to it, seeing giant blocks of ice breaking off from the main massif and floating in a large glacial lake formed a little lower.
Among all European glaciers, Vatnajokull has the largest dimensions. However, in the whole world it is surpassed only by the Antarctic and Greenland glaciers. The area of Vatnajökull is over 8300 sq. km, which is almost 1/12 of Iceland. Vertically, the glacier has an average size of about half a kilometer, but there are places where its thickness exceeds 1000 m.
(20 photos ice caves in Iceland)
Due to the colossal size of Vatnajökull, even its branches (“tongues”) are named after themselves, like separate glaciers. 
Usually a glacier is formed due to the fact that a large amount of snow cakes and compacts, but Vatnajökull has a slightly different story, dating back to the distant past. 
The very name of the glacier is translated as “giving water”. And, true, Vatnajokull gave rise to many Icelandic lakes and rivers. On closer examination of the glacier, it looks like an endless snow field, and, having risen to its very high point, you can see both the ocean and the mountains inland at the same time. 
Under a thick layer of ice there are several volcanoes, some of them are still active. During an eruption, lava splashing out of the vent leads to the melting of large areas of the glacier. When the ice melts, new fields are formed where you can graze cattle. 
In 2004, there was a rather significant eruption of one of these "subglacial" volcanoes, Grimsvotna. 
Not far from Vatnajokull is Dettifoss - the most powerful European waterfall, as well as Jokulsarlon - an icy lagoon with icebergs. 
The glacier and lagoon are very popular for filming. So, for example, several moments from the film about Lara Croft and about James Bond were filmed here. 
In addition, a short distance from Vatnajokull is the famous Skaftafell National Park, where visitors can see the local landmark Svartifoss, the name of which can be translated both as “black waterfall” and as “dark fall”. 
So the waterfall was nicknamed because of the columns of black volcanic lava that surround it. Created such a miracle slowly cooling lava flow, part of which crystallized. 
Going to the southern part of Vatnajokull, you can see the stunningly beautiful caves that have been formed in the thickness of the glacier for hundreds of years. 
Their halls and tunnels are carved with water, which was obtained as a result of melting ice. 
Due to the fact that there are very few air bubbles in old glaciers and icebergs, their ice has high strength and a blue color. 
When melting, the water washes away the surface of the glacier - this gives the caves in it an amazing bluish glow, similar to the shine of precious stones. 
Sedimentary rocks from the lower part of Vatnajökull slightly dilute the color scheme with darker shades. 
Continuing your acquaintance with Iceland, you cannot ignore the topic of glaciers.
Glaciers of Iceland
Glaciers in Iceland occupy 11.1% of the total area of the country and have a significant impact on the landscape of the island. There are 13 large glaciers, among which the Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in the country, occupies the first place in popularity among tourists. On the map below, you can see the glaciers of Iceland in the form of white spots, a huge white spot is Vatnajökull:
Photo of the tongues of the glacier taken from above:
Vatnajökull glacier in all its glory:
Huge blocks of ice are in constant motion, imperceptible to the eye. The glacier slowly slides down and melts - this is clearly evidenced by cracks on the ice of the melted lake:
At the foot of the southern tongue of the Vatnajokull glacier, between the Skaftafell National Park and the city of Höfn, there is a unique glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon, the depth of which reaches 200 m. The lake appeared in 1934-1935. and as a result of the melting of the glacier, today it has grown to 18 sq.m.
The coast of the glacial lake Jokulsarlon, formed by solidified lava:
A block of ice in the rays of sunset:
It is noteworthy that there are two more glacial lakes near Lake Jokulsarlon.
The wonders of nature associated with the glacier do not end there. In the Vatnajökull glacier, due to hot springs, the Kverkfjöll cave was formed under the ice. In the 1980s, this cave was measured: it turned out to be 2.8 km long and 525 meters wide.
Landscapes of Iceland
Summing up the sights of Iceland, I bring to your attention a variety of landscape photographs of this country in order to make sure once again that Iceland is unusual, and its landscapes sometimes resemble the terrain of other planets from science fiction films.
Young lava fields on which a new ecosystem is being formed:
Thorsmork Valley:
Valahnyukur mountain in Thorsmork valley:
Flocks of silly birds nest in the Thorsmörk valley in the Stakkholt gorge at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level.
Silly in flight:
Since we are talking about birds, it is impossible not to mention a bird called "dead end", of which there are quite a lot in Iceland. This bird with an original color is interesting in that when chasing fish, it dives and swims under water, using both its wings and legs.
Puffin caught a fish:
Let's continue the contemplation of volcanic landscapes:
The Atlantic coast near the village of Vik, from where you can see the rocks of the "Three Trolls":
Rocks "Three Trolls":
Vik village (South Iceland):
In the villages of Iceland, these well-fed sheep are grown:
Separately, it must be said about horses: in Iceland, all horses are very miniature, this is a special breed of "Icelandic pony", originating from the mixing of northern European forest ponies with Celtic ponies brought by settlers to the island in the 9th century.
These small but very hardy horses for a long time in Iceland were the only means of transportation, transportation of goods and even crossing water (Icelandic ponies are excellent swimmers), and field work was also done with their help.
Icelandic ponies find their way home unerringly, no matter how far they go, so after the annual sheep grading, the farmers who sort the sheep often let the horses go, and they themselves return to their native valleys.
Coast near the city of Husavik:
The city of Husavik is located in a sea bay, ideal for whale watching and fishing. Boats with tourists ply the bay in search of whales. It happens that for the whole day it is not possible to see a single whale, and on another day you can catch a variety of animals performing unimaginable tricks.
Shallow water of the Khvita river flowing through the gorge:
And finally, another feature of Iceland is the northern lights:
If you decide to travel around Iceland by car, then the best route is as follows: St. Petersburg - Vyborg - Turku - ferry - Stockholm - Oslo - Bergen - ferry - Lervik (Shetland Islands) - Torshavn (Faroe Islands) - Seydisfjordur (Iceland). It should be noted that changeable weather in Iceland is a common thing. It may happen that at the end of May there will still be snow, and in December there will be prolonged thaws. Therefore, at any time of the year, equip yourself “with a margin” for unstable climatic conditions and don't forget to get winter tires. And in order not to be a hostage of earthquakes in a mountainous area, not to fall under an avalanche or not to fall into a mud pit, follow the marked tourist routes.
Geographic Encyclopedia
Accumulations of ice that slowly move across the earth's surface. In some cases, ice movement stops and dead ice forms. Many glaciers advance some distance into the oceans or large lakes, and then form a front ... ... Collier Encyclopedia
Moving natural accumulations of ice of atmospheric origin on the earth's surface. They are formed from solid atmospheric precipitation where during the year more of them are deposited than melt and evaporate; respectively consist of the area ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Typical landscape of Iceland Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the Arctic Circle, between Greenland and Norway. Almost the entire territory of the island is a volcanic plateau with peaks up to 2 km, enough ... ... Wikipedia
- ... Wikipedia
Volcanic activity in Iceland- Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where volcanic eruptions occur quite frequently. Almost every type of volcano found on Earth is represented in Iceland. Ice caps and other glaciers cover an area of 11,900 sq. km.… … Encyclopedia of newsmakers
Icelandic winter landscape. The climate of Iceland is cold maritime (Cfc classification), according to Alisov it also qualifies as maritime sub ... Wikipedia
Thoursau ... Wikipedia
Main article: List of volcanoes in the world Eyjafjallajökull eruption April 17, 2010 Vulka ... Wikipedia
This term has other meanings, see Iceland (meanings). Iceland Coordinates: Coordinates ... Wikipedia
Books
- Wonders of nature The most beautiful corners of the planet, Polbennikova A. (ed.). Incredible landscapes, enchanting landscapes, breathtaking views - the book introduces the most beautiful masterpieces of nature, spanning all continents... From Niagara Falls to the path...
