Dominated by Vatnajokull, the massive ice cap, the spectacular Skaftafell National Park in east Iceland was founded in 1967 with the help of the World Wildlife Fund. Many walks, climbs and hikes are possible in the area 220 mi/355 km east of Reykjavik. The glacier is 3,000 ft/900 m thick in places, but it has tongues that have lodged in lower areas, allowing easy access for visitors.
Short hikes (less than two hours) go to Svinafellsjokull (the glacier near the park headquarters) and Svartifoss (The Black Waterfall). Svartifoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, with water pouring down over hexagonal columns of black basalt; the eroded base of Svartifoss was the model for the design of the interior of the National Theater in Reykjavik. Hofn is the nearest town.
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