Iceland is known as the “Land of Fire and Ice” for good reason. While its volcanic activity has captured global attention, the country’s glaciers are equally fascinating and awe-inspiring. Covering roughly 11% of Iceland’s landmass, these glaciers are not only stunning to behold but are also crucial to the country’s geography, culture, and natural environment. Whether you’re planning to visit for a glacier hike, an ice cave tour, or simply to witness the majestic beauty of these icy giants, Iceland’s glaciers offer some of the most unforgettable experiences on Earth.
What are Glaciers?
Glaciers are massive, slow-moving rivers of ice that form when snow accumulates faster than it melts. Over centuries, the snow compresses into dense layers of ice, creating these impressive frozen landscapes. Iceland’s glaciers are temperate glaciers, meaning they are close to their melting point, making them more dynamic and accessible for activities like glacier hiking and ice climbing.
The Importance of Glaciers in Iceland
Glaciers play a key role in shaping Iceland’s landscape. Over millennia, the movement of glaciers has carved out deep valleys, fjords, and mountains, contributing to the country’s dramatic topography. They also serve as a vital water source, feeding Iceland’s rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, and are essential for producing hydroelectric power, which is one of the country’s main sources of renewable energy.
However, like glaciers worldwide, Iceland’s glaciers are sensitive to climate change, with many of them retreating rapidly. This makes visiting and experiencing these glaciers not just an adventure but also a chance to witness an important part of Iceland’s natural history before it changes even more.
The Largest and Most Famous Glaciers in Iceland
Iceland is home to around 269 named glaciers, but several stand out as the most popular and accessible for visitors. Here’s a closer look at some of the most iconic glaciers in Iceland:
Vatnajökull glacier
- Size: Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe, covering an area of 8,100 km², which is about 8% of Iceland’s landmass.
- Location: Southeast Iceland
- Highlights: Vatnajökull is so vast that it covers multiple volcanoes, including Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga, and feeds some of Iceland’s most famous rivers and waterfalls, such as Dettifoss and Skaftafell. Vatnajökull is also the centerpiece of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Activities: Visitors can explore the glacier through glacier hikes, ice cave tours, and Super Jeep tours. The area around Vatnajökull, including Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, is one of the most popular destinations for photography, especially when icebergs break off the glacier and float across the lagoon.
Langjokull Glacier
- Size: Langjökull is Iceland’s second-largest glacier, covering an area of 935 km².
- Location: West-central Iceland
- Highlights: Known as the “Long Glacier,” Langjökull offers incredible opportunities for visitors to explore its icy depths. The glacier is known for its man-made ice tunnels, which allow visitors to explore the interior of the glacier and learn about its structure from within.
- Activities: Popular activities on Langjökull include glacier snowmobiling, glacier hiking, and exploring the ice caves. The glacier is also close to the Golden Circle and the South Coast, making it a convenient stop for those exploring some of Iceland’s most famous landmarks.
Hofsjokull Glacier
If you are a thrill seeker more than anything else then, Hofsjokull glacier is the place for you to be. Located amidst the highlands, it is the third biggest glacier of Iceland and probably the hardest one to get to. Highlands can only be traveled to in summertime when the weather is not as rumbunctious as it is in winters. Although, traveling all the way to the middle of the highlands still poses quite a few challenges including crossing rivers, walking on very thin paths, etc. A 4×4 vehicle is required to travel in the highlands. Needless to say, a trip to the Hofsjokull glacier will be nothing short of a thrill-induced experience and will prove to be one of the best one for adventure lovers.
Mýrdalsjökull
- Size: Mýrdalsjökull covers an area of about 600 km² and is the fourth-largest glacier in Iceland.
- Location: South Iceland
- Highlights: Mýrdalsjökull is notable not just for its size but because it covers the Katla volcano, one of Iceland’s most active and dangerous volcanoes. Although Katla is closely monitored, the glacier’s landscape is shaped by the volcanic activity underneath, creating rugged ice formations and crevasses.
- Activities: Glacier hiking and snowmobiling are popular, and due to its proximity to Reykjavik, Mýrdalsjökull is often included in Super Jeep tours.
Solheimajokull Glacier
- Size: Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the much larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
- Location: South Iceland, near the towns of Vík and Skógar.
- Highlights: Sólheimajökull is one of the most accessible glaciers in Iceland, making it a popular spot for day trips from Reykjavik. The glacier is known for its stark contrasts of blue and white ice mixed with black volcanic ash, giving it a surreal and otherworldly appearance.
- Activities: Glacier hiking and ice climbing are popular here, and visitors can easily combine a visit to Sólheimajökull with nearby attractions like Skógafoss waterfall and the Reynisfjara black sand beach.
Eyjafjallajökull
- Size: Eyjafjallajökull is one of Iceland’s smaller glaciers, covering about 100 km².
- Location: South Iceland
- Highlights: Despite its small size, Eyjafjallajökull became world-famous in 2010 when its volcanic eruption disrupted air travel across Europe. The volcano beneath the glacier erupted, sending ash into the atmosphere and capturing global attention.
- Activities: While hiking and glacier walking are available, visitors are often more interested in learning about the 2010 eruption. The area around the glacier, including the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center, offers a deeper understanding of the eruption’s impact and the glacier’s volcanic activity.
Snæfellsjökull
- Size: Snæfellsjökull is much smaller than Vatnajökull, covering about 11 km², but it is one of the most famous glaciers in Iceland due to its beauty and location.
- Location: Western Iceland, on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
- Highlights: Snæfellsjökull is a stratovolcano with a glacier covering its peak, rising to 1,446 meters (4,744 feet). It is best known as the setting for Jules Verne’s novel, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, where the volcano is depicted as the entrance to the Earth’s core. The glacier and its surrounding Snæfellsjökull National Park offer breathtaking views of both the glacier and the surrounding ocean.
- Activities: Hiking to the glacier’s summit is possible during the summer months, though it is recommended only for experienced hikers or with a guide. The area is also perfect for Super Jeep tours, which take visitors to higher altitudes for sweeping views of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its rugged coastline.
