Svartifoss waterfall hike12/27/2023 It’s one of the more apparent areas in which you can see just how Iceland’s glaciers are disappearing. It’s a fast-retreating glacier tongue, retreating to reveal jagged mountains, cliffs and more. But it’s worth it hardly any hikers come out in this direction. Much further north than the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue, it takes a longer while to get here. It’s also possible to get up close and personal with the Morsárjökull glacier tongue, located in the northwest of Skaftafell. It’s also nice to ignore the tough mountain and continue through the valley instead. Like mentioned, the hike is a long one, taking around 7–8 hours (17.9km round trip). Once you’re back down from the mountain peak, the trail continues through Gemludalur and heads back down towards the visitor centre past Sjónarnípa viewpoint. From here, the steep trail to the top of the mountain branches off. Instead of turning back, the trail then leads upwards to the Gemludalur valley. To start the hike, follow the trail up to Svartifoss and the Sjónarsker viewpoint. The waterfall was revealed in 2007 as Morsárjökull glacier tongue retreated over the cliffs. On a clear day, there’s also a view of Morsárfoss, Iceland’s tallest waterfall at around 240m. The peak offers hikers an uninterrupted and incredible view over Vatnajökull. One of the longer hiking trails in Skaftafell is the one leading to the top of Kristínartindar mountain. Looking for a longer, multi-day hike? Check out the best trails in Iceland here. The hike will take about 1–1.5 hours (3.7km round trip). Getting even closer is allowed, but always pay attention to any warning signs about what you can/cannot do. Once at the end, hikers are close to the base of the glacier tongue. For the most part, it’s over relatively flat ground, paved for half of the way and then a gravel path the rest of the way. It’s great to see the ice up closer after seeing it from above and getting a different perspective. The easiest trail in the area is one that heads out towards the base of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue. In total, it takes about 2–2.5 hours (6.4km round trip). After you’ve reached the viewpoint, it heads back down towards the visitor centre by following along the edge of the cliff, trailing through a small forest. The trail to get here starts along the same path leading towards Svartifoss waterfall but turns off before you reach it. The ice is streaked black with ash, and as it retreats year by year it reveals further lagoons underneath. Located above the glacier tongue, the viewpoint allows hikers to see all the way up the ice spill towards where it meets the glacier itself. From the viewpoint, hikers are offered one of Skaftafell’s most astounding vistas: an uninterrupted view over the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue spilling down through the valley. The second most popular trail leads towards the Sjónarnípa viewpoint, northeast of Svartifoss waterfall. In total, the hike to all three sights would take about 2 hours (5.5km round trip). If you want, it’s possible to continue to towards the Sjónarsker viewpoint nearby, and then swing by the old farm Sel on your way back to the trail. The hike to Svartifoss takes about 40 minutes, one way. At first, it’s a steep incline, but it’s well maintained by the rangers manning the visitor’s centre. The trail, like all others, begins from the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. It’s one of Iceland’s more unique waterfalls, and as such attracts a lot of first-time visitors to Skaftafell. It’s from these basalt columns that the waterfall takes its name, which in English translates to Black Falls. This waterfall is a picturesque sight, rushing perfectly over a cliff of black, hexagonal basalt columns. Svartifoss Waterfall Hikeīy far the most popular trail in Skaftafell is the hike to Svartifoss. But without further ado, let’s look at the best hiking trails in Skaftafell. It’s also one of the best spots to get up and onto the glacier, which is a must-do in Iceland. For extended stays, there’s a campsite inside the reserve, and a popular spot not too far away at Svínafell as well. Trails that head deep into the reserve scale the mighty peaks, dwarfed in turn by the glacier itself.įor campers, spending a few days hiking in Skaftafell is immensely rewarding – visitors who stop for just a short walk before moving on miss out. Others explore the wild heath of the hills, protected from the outside winds by the ice on either side. You can hike through valleys of flat, black sand, where glacial floods push out sediment towards the coast. Cradled between the icy arms of Vatnajökull glacier, trails throughout the bowl-shaped reserve explore every facet of the glacier’s power. With easy access to glaciers, wonderful geographical features, and some of the most inspiring views on earth, there’s nowhere else like it. There’s no other way to put it – the hiking in Skaftafell is incredible.
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