Photo by: Svetlana Blaustein
Vatnajökull National Park is a vast protected area in southeastern Iceland, encompassing the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, and its surrounding landscape. Established in 2008, the park covers around 14,141 square kilometers (5,460 square miles), making it one of the largest national parks in Europe.
The park includes geothermal areas with hot springs and other geothermal features. It also encompasses several active volcanoes, including Grímsvötn, Bárðarbunga, and Öræfajökull. The interaction between volcanic activity and the glacier creates dramatic landscapes. There are several visitor centers within the park, such as the Skaftafell Visitor Centre and the Gljúfrastofa Visitor Centre, providing information, exhibits, and services for tourists.
If travelling by car the most common route to get to the park is to take Route 1, also known as the Ring Road, which encircles the country. The drive from Reykjavík to Vatnajökull takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on your specific destination within the park.