National Parks in Iceland
Iceland has three national parks: Þingvellir, Vatnajökull National Park and Snæfellsjökull National Park. Together they cover about 15% of the country and protect some of the nation's most important natural and cultural heritage.
Overview
| National park | Founded | Size (approx.) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir National Park | 1930 | 240 km² | South Iceland |
| Snæfellsjökull National Park | 2001 | 180 km² | West Iceland |
| Vatnajökull National Park | 2008 | 14,700 km² | South, East and North Iceland |
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir became Iceland's first national park in 1930, on the thousandth anniversary of the Althing. It is a unique combination of history and geology: on one hand the ancient assembly site and booth ruins, on the other a rift valley on the plate boundary where you can see the Earth's crust pulling apart. Lake Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland, and the Silfra fissure is one of the most popular dive sites in the world. The visitor centre is at Hakið above Almannagjá. Þingvellir was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004 as a cultural site.
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park was founded on 7 June 2008 and is one of the largest national parks in Europe. It covers the whole of Vatnajökull and extensive areas around it, and it absorbed the older national parks of Skaftafell (from 1967) and Jökulsárgljúfur (from 1973). In 2019 the park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for its unique interplay of fire and ice.
Main areas of the park: - Skaftafell – Svartifoss, Skaftafellsjökull and trails to Kristínartindar. - Jökulsárlón – icebergs and seals on a lagoon at the foot of Breiðamerkurjökull. - Jökulsárgljúfur – Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, Hljóðaklettar and Hólmatungur. - Askja and Holuhraun – volcanoes and lava fields north of the glacier. - Lakagígar – the crater row of the Laki fires of 1783. - Kverkfjöll – ice caves and a high-temperature area on the northern edge of the glacier. - Eldgjá – the largest volcanic canyon in the world.
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park was founded on 28 June 2001 and is the only national park in Iceland that extends to the sea. It includes the Snæfellsjökull glacier, lava fields, coastline and old fishing stations. Highlights include Djúpalónssandur, Dritvík, Vatnshellir cave, Saxhóll, Skarðsvík and Öndverðarnes. The park's visitor centre is at Malarrif.
Other protected areas
Besides the national parks, there are more than 100 protected areas in Iceland, including nature reserves, natural monuments and country parks. Well-known examples:
| Area | Type | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fjallabak Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | Landmannalaugar, colourful rhyolite mountains |
| Hornstrandir | Nature reserve | Abandoned settlements and Arctic foxes |
| Mývatn and Laxá | Special law | Birdlife and geological features |
| Surtsey | Nature reserve | UNESCO World Heritage |
| Þjórsárver | Nature reserve | Wetland oasis and pink-footed geese |
| Gullfoss | Protected | Natural monument |
| Dyrhólaey | Nature reserve | Birdlife |
| Reykjanes Country Park | Country park | Outdoor recreation near the capital |
Visiting national parks
Special rules apply in national parks: stay on marked paths, camp only at campsites, take all rubbish with you and do not disturb vegetation, geological features or wildlife. Drone flying is prohibited or requires a permit in many places. Rangers are on hand in summer and offer guided walks that are open to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are there in Iceland?
There are three: Þingvellir, Vatnajökull National Park and Snæfellsjökull National Park.
What is the largest national park in Iceland?
Vatnajökull National Park, about 14,700 km², one of the largest in Europe.
Does it cost anything to visit national parks in Iceland?
Entry is free, but parking fees and campsite fees are charged in many places.