Where is Skaftafell Nature Reserve?
Skaftafell is a nature reserve located in Vatnajökull National Park in the south-east of Iceland.
The National Park is huge, in fact it’s the second largest National Park in Europe after Yugyd Va in Russia. Due to its size it would take a long time to fully explore, so it’s a good idea to decide on which attractions you’d like to see before arriving.
To give you a head start, one attraction has to be Svartifoss, a stunning waterfall that is famed for its unique appearance made from basalt rock.
Svartifoss Waterfall
If you see the suffix ‘foss’ at the end of a word in Iceland it means waterfall, and Svartifoss is one of the most unique waterfalls in Iceland. It might not be as big as the likes of Gullfoss, Dettifoss and Skogafoss but what makes it special are the black basalt columns which surround it to give a distinct appearance.
How long does it take to hike to Svatifoss?
It depends on the route you’re taking, but if you’re pushed for time the quickest route is approximately 35 minutes from the visitor centre one way. Out and back it should take you approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to complete.
I definitely recommend going to the visitor centre first. Using the visitor centre as a starting point for your hike is a great way to orientate yourself.
However, it’s pretty simple to navigate: if you go to the direction right of the visitor centre, you hike to the foot of Vatnajökull glacier; and if you go to the left, you hike to the waterfall.
Or, if you’re after a longer hike you can do a loop that goes to both.
Since we were trying to cram in a lot of sightseeing we just opted for the short hike to Svartifoss.
Hiking to Svartifoss
The hike is clearly signposted and it isn’t too hard or particularly strenuous. The incline is gradual so you don’t notice really the ascent. You could call it a walk, but I would still certainly recommend practical footwear.
The trail is very picturesque, with rich flora at every turn. Keep your eyes peeled for cloudberries and mushrooms as I spotted quite a lot on the ground. You will also pass a couple of look out points along the way.
After about half an hour you get a glimpse of the waterfall in the distance. The area slowly changes in the lead up from a ‘normal’ canyon to the iconic thick, irregular shaped black columns surrounding the waterfall.
If you’re interest in knowing more about how basalt columns are formed, and where you can find them elsewhere in Iceland, read more here.
Arrival at Svartifoss
On arrival at Svartifoss, it’s hard not to be impressed by the spectacular vision of the unique waterfall. The Nature Reserve has done a great job of erecting a small bridge nearby so you can get more photos from different angles while still maintaining a respectful distance.
From the bridge, you can also continue off onto a different path to explore more hidden treasures in the National Park by foot.
All in all, the short hike to Svartifoss is well worth including in any trip to Iceland. It’s slightly off the beaten-path and close to many other beautiful attractions across the South Coast of Iceland.
Related → Iceland’s Most Majestic Waterfalls
Accommodation in Skaftafell
There’s quite a lot to see and do in the area, particularly in terms of nature and hiking opportunities. As well as hiking to Skaftafell, you shouldn’t miss heading a bit further east to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This makes Skaftafell or somewhere nearby a good base from which to explore.
The nearest accommodation is Hotel Skaftafell. It does the trick and the location is great, however, I found it a bit tired looking. So if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more modern and design-focused, I recommend staying at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
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