Iceland review - 2014, Page 69

ICELAND REVIEW 67
In Awe
Covering 14 percent of Iceland (13,920
km2 /5,375 mi2) Vatnajökull National
Park is Europe’s largest national park
outside of Russia. Established in 2008, it
encompasses two previous parks: Skaftafell
in the south and Jökulsárgljúfur in the north.
Where to start? Vatnajökull National Park
has more than its fair-share of highlights,
including the highest peak in Iceland:
Hvanna dalshnjúkur on the mighty ice-cov-
ered volcano Öræfajökull. From the top, you
have a spectacular view towards the green
oasis Skaftafell in the west, and to the east
you have one of Iceland’s most popular des-
tinations, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
West of the Vatnajökull glacier you have
the wonders of Lakagígar volcanic craters,
Eldgjá volcanic fissure and Iceland’s most
picturesque lake, Langisjór.
On the northern side of the Vatnajökull
ice cap, which is the key feature of the park,
covering more than 8,000 km2 (3,088 mi2),
you will find the strange world of ice and fire
at Mt. Kverkfjöll. And if we continue our trip
north, we have Askja volcanic lake. Here,
Armstrong trained for his journey as the first
man on the moon. The landscape, the terrain
of Askja, is not of this world.
Then we follow the mighty glacial river
Jökulsá á Fjöllum northwards, passing Mt.
Herðubreið—named Iceland’s national
mountain not long ago—and before reach-
ing the horseshoe-shaped gorge Ásbyrgi, we
will enjoy Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful
waterfall. *
Inside the Vatnajökull National Park, you will find many of Iceland’s most valued natural sites, includ-
ing Askja, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Langisjór, Lakagígar and Skaftafell.
sPeciAl Promotion
WORdS ANd PHOTOS By PÁll StefÁnSSon