The north east corner of Iceland touches the Arctic Circle (66°N). At these latitudes glaciers form on the high mountains and carve their way to the sea. Today, 12% of Iceland’s land mass is covered with ice.

There are 6 permanent glaciers -

In the Western Fjords is Drangajökull; Snaefellsjökull is in the west, Langjökull and Hofsjökull are in the central highlands. In the south and south-east are Myrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull Vatnajökull is by far the most impressive and is larger than all the ice-caps in Continental Europe. 

Location of glaciers

Most visitors only see the edges of the glaciers as the ice-tongues flow down from the highlands. The glaciers can only be safely explored by Super Jeeps and snowmobiles in the company of experienced guides, but the Ring Road runs close to the edge of Vatnajökull and in Skaftafell National Park, several trails lead to the ice.

The glacial tongues often end in ice lagoons bounded by terminal moraines. Glacial ice is many shades of blue and its true beauty is often revealed after heavy rain.

See also Jökulsárlón

Images of Iceland’s glaciers

© icephotos.com