Skaftafell, Reykjavik: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Skaftafell is a preserved area within Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland, set between glacier tongues descending from the Vatnajökull ice cap and the black sand outwash plains of Skeiðarársandur. The most popular hike is the 5.4-kilometer round trip to Svartifoss, a 20-meter waterfall framed by hexagonal basalt columns that inspired the design of Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja church. Longer trails lead to glacier viewpoints above Skaftafellsjökull. The area's sheltered microclimate supports birch woodland that is rare elsewhere in Iceland's highland regions. is just one of many options in Reykjavik. Major attractions worth considering include Strokkur, Thingvellir National Park, and Akurey Island (Puffin Island).