Top 5 Iceland National Parks You Can’t Miss: A Guide to Natural Wonders
Iceland is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, where volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and geothermal activity create a tapestry of natural wonders. Among its many attractions, Iceland’s national parks stand out as sanctuaries of pristine beauty and ecological significance.
1. Þingvellir National Park: A Historical and Geological Marvel
Location: Southwest Iceland, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik
Why It’s Popular: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of immense cultural and geological importance. It was here that Iceland’s first parliament, the Alþingi, was established in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest parliamentary sites in the world.
How to Reach It: Take Route 1 (the Ring Road) and then Route 36 from Reykjavik. It’s a straightforward drive and a popular stop on the Golden Circle tour.
Interesting Facts:
- Þingvellir is situated in a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, making it a prime spot for diving and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra fissure.
- The park features stunning landscapes, including the Öxarárfoss waterfall and the picturesque Þingvallavatn lake.
Personal Recommendation: Spend some time walking along the Almannagjá fault line, where you can literally stand between two continents. The sense of history and natural beauty is overwhelming.
Thingvellir National Park
2. Vatnajökull National Park: The Land of Ice and Fire
Location: Covers approximately 14% of Iceland, primarily in the southeast
Why It’s Popular: Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, home to the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, several active volcanoes, and diverse landscapes from lush valleys to barren highlands.
How to Reach It: The park has several entry points, with Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón being the most accessible. From Reykjavik, drive east on Route 1 for about 4.5 hours to reach Skaftafell.
Interesting Facts:
- The park includes the Hvannadalshnúkur peak, Iceland’s highest point at 2,110 meters.
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is a must-see, where icebergs drift lazily in the water, creating a surreal landscape.
Personal Recommendation: Don’t miss a glacier hike or an ice cave tour in the winter. The surreal blue ice formations are like stepping into another world.
Vatnajökull National Park
3. Snæfellsjökull National Park: Mystical and Majestic
Location: Western Iceland, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Why It’s Popular: Dominated by the Snæfellsjökull volcano, which inspired Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” this park blends coastal beauty, lava fields, and mystical charm.
How to Reach It: Drive northwest from Reykjavik on Route 1, then take Route 54 to the peninsula. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Interesting Facts:
- Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-capped volcano, and on clear days, its peak is visible from Reykjavik.
- The park’s coastline features dramatic cliffs, black sand beaches, and intriguing rock formations.
Personal Recommendation: Explore the Djúpalónssandur beach, known for its black pebbles and remnants of a shipwreck. The setting is hauntingly beautiful.
Snaefellsness Peninsula
4. Jökulsárgljúfur National Park (Part of Vatnajökull National Park): The Grand Canyon of Iceland
Location: Northeastern Iceland
Why It’s Popular: Known for the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, this area offers rugged beauty and spectacular geological formations.
How to Reach It: From Akureyri, drive east on Route 1 and then north on Route 862. The drive takes about 2 hours.
Interesting Facts:
- The park features the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, believed to be formed by a catastrophic glacial flood.
- The Hljóðaklettar rock formations, known as the “Echo Rocks,” are a natural amphitheater where you can hear echoes of your voice.
Personal Recommendation: Take a hike along the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and visit Dettifoss. The sheer power of the waterfall is humbling, and the surrounding landscape is otherworldly.
Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
5. Þórsmörk (Thorsmork) Nature Reserve: A Hiker’s Paradise
Location: Southern Iceland, nestled between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull
Why It’s Popular: Þórsmörk is a lush, green valley surrounded by rugged mountains and glaciers, offering some of the best hiking trails in Iceland.
How to Reach It: Accessing Þórsmörk requires a 4x4 vehicle due to river crossings. From Reykjavik, drive east on Route 1 and then take Route 249. Alternatively, take a highland bus or a guided tour.
Interesting Facts:
- The Fimmvörðuháls trail, which starts in Þórsmörk, passes by the site of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
- Þórsmörk is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder, reflecting the valley’s dramatic and powerful landscape.
Personal Recommendation: Spend a night in one of the mountain huts or camp under the stars. The serenity and beauty of Þórsmörk at dusk are simply magical.
Thorsmork Nature Reserve