Skaftafell

also known as Skaftafell Nature Reserve

326 km from Reykjavík · ~4h 30m

Caution

Nature reserve in Vatnajökull National Park. Glacier hiking, Svartifoss waterfall, and access to the ice cap. Drive with extra care. Some segments have slippery spots or strong wind. (Low confidence - limited live data; double-check road.is and vedur.is.) (No live road-surface data for this area - based on current weather only.)

No live road-surface reports for this area - score reflects weather only
Strong wind (17 m/s)
Gusty wind (gusts to 21 m/s)
Campervans/RVs: not recommended - above the ~15 m/s guideline

Our assessment based on official data. Verify at road.is.

Our assessment based on current conditions. Always verify with road.is and vedur.is.

Moderate crosswind across the road. About 14 m/s blowing across the road on the way to Skaftafell - keep a firm grip, especially in a campervan or high-sided vehicle.

Current weather at Skaftafell

Temperature9°C

Wind17.0 m/s (gusts 21)

Forecast: next 24h

0:007°C1 m/s

3:007°C3 m/s

6:004°C2 m/s

9:006°C3 m/s

12:007°C4 m/s

15:006°C2 m/s

18:008°C4 m/s

21:005°C1 m/s

Live road cameras nearby

Live images from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin). Click to enlarge.

Guides for this trip

Electric

Driving an electric car in Iceland: charging network & range reality

Rental

Renting a car in Iceland: what you actually need

Winter

Winter driving in Iceland: the real local guide

Drives to Skaftafell

Reykjavík → SkaftafellTo Skaftafell nature reserve in Vatnajökull National Park - glacier walks and Svartifoss.
Vík → SkaftafellSouth Coast east past Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park.

Part of these routes

Live conditions for the full circuit, not just the road into Skaftafell.

South Coast376 km

Today's road conditions Live traffic counts Active alerts

Nearby destinations

All of South Coast →

Svartifoss0 km away

Waterfall framed by black basalt columns in Skaftafell. Inspiration for Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja architecture. 1.5km hike from visitor center.

Breiðamerkursandur36 km away

Black sand beach where icebergs from Jökulsárlón wash ashore. Glittering ice crystals on volcanic sand - looks like diamonds.

Jökulsárlón37 km away

Glacial lagoon filled with icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull. Diamond Beach on the opposite shore with ice on black sand.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur60 km away

Historic village on the South Coast. Once a Catholic convent. Gateway to Fjaðrárgljúfur and Laki craters.

Lakagígar61 km away

Volcanic crater row from the devastating 1783 eruption. 130 craters stretching 27km. F-road access required.

Requires 4x4

Fjaðrárgljúfur65 km away

Dramatic 100m deep canyon carved by a glacial river. Lush green walls, winding river below. Featured in Justin Bieber's music video.