There is a short walk behind the hotel that will lead you to the glacier in our backyard, Svínafellsjökull. Directly translated it means „PigMountainGlacier“.
It is an outlet glacier from the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. It is sometimes called Iceland’s biggest Hollywood star featured in many movies and TV shows like ,,Batman Begins“, ,,Interstellar“ and ,,Game of Thrones“. It is also known for its deep blue color and massive crevasses.
The hike from the hotel to the glacier is about 1 km but you can also do a longer hike for about 5 km to the glacier from the hotel and a circle that ends at the hotel. There is a governmental warning for the glacier because of a crack forming in the mountain on the right side of Svínafellsjökull.
The crack is being monitored by the Icelandic Met Office and because of that Svínafellsjökull is off limits concerning glacier hikes but there are other outlet glaciers in the area open for glacier activities like Skaftafellsjökull and Falljökull.
Companies like Local Guides, Troll Expeditions, Glacier Guides,and Icelandic Mountain Guides are offering glacier hikes and ice climbing on those glaciers and many more companies are offering Ice Cave tours around the Glacier Lagoon which is 34 km from Hotel Skaftafell.
Going on glaciers is not allowed without a guide and proper equipment but to watch and admire it is totally allowed. Ask for advice in the lobby if you need more information, or send us a post on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hotelskaftafell) or via email at info@new.hotelskaftafell.is.
Looking forward to your visit