National park of Skaftafell

The National park of Skaftafell is located between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Höfn in the south of the Iceland.

It was founded the September 15th 1967 and widened twice since (1984, 2004). Today, its surface measures approximately 4800 km2. One finds there for example the valley Mörsárdalur , the mountain Kristinartindar and the Glacier Skaftafellsjökull .

The landscape points out the Alps, but it was rather formed by the volcanicity and the Jökulhlaup of the rivers Skeidará, Morsá and Skaftafellsá . The park is dominated by the glacier Öræfajökull with the Volcan Hvannadalshnjúkur. Its eruptions destroyed many farms with the Moyen-âge.

Skaftafell is known for its special Climat, its days of sun. The vegetation was rehabilitated after the interdict to make there feed the Mouton S. It is characterized for example by small forests of Bouleau X ( Bæjarstaðarskógur ). One can meet there much birds of different species, Renard S and sometimes even of the Vison S.

With the Middle Ages, there existed some large farms in the surroundings. But one had to give up them after volcanic eruptions. The two remaining farms live mainly Tourisme.

At the entry of the park, one finds an information center and a campsite. Many paths cross the park and lead in particular to the famous fall Svartifoss.

External bonds

Card of the park on site UNEP-WCMC
National Park Skaftafell
Photographs

Random links: