Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Iceland, in the south-east of the country, and it covers about 8 percent of Iceland. Its area is around 7,700 square kilometres. The ice is about 380 metres thick on average, and up to about 950 metres at its deepest.
What and where Vatnajokull is
Vatnajokull is an ice cap in the south-east of Iceland. It is the largest ice cap in Iceland and covers about 8 percent of the country.
The size of the ice cap
Vatnajokull has an area of around 7,700 square kilometres. Its ice is about 380 metres thick on average, and up to about 950 metres at its deepest.
Outlet glaciers and the highest peak
Around 30 outlet glaciers flow down from the ice cap, including Breidamerkurjokull, which feeds the Jokulsarlon lagoon. Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, rises at the southern edge of Vatnajokull near Skaftafell, at about 2,110 metres.
Vatnajokull National Park
The ice cap lies within Vatnajokull National Park, one of Iceland's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Several volcanoes sit beneath the ice, and their eruptions can cause glacial outburst floods, known as jokulhlaups. For live conditions, check safetravel.is.
Visiting Vatnajokull's glaciers
Vatnajokull is a large ice cap with around 30 outlet glaciers extending from it, and visits often focus on glacier areas rather than the full ice cap itself. To compare options, see ice cave tours.
Look at the roads first
Use Iceland road conditions alongside this guide to Vatnajokull Glacier: Key Facts for Visitors, particularly when weather may affect access.
