You don’t have to make much effort to admire Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. Simply park your car, order a coffee at Frost and pull up a chair in front of the restaurant’s picture windows. Gazing out over the iceberg strewn Jökulsárlón is equally straightforward. There, visitors crowd the shore of the lake and watch the playful antics of the seals that frolic in the icy water. But what if you want to find a spot to view the area’s glacier lagoons that feels a little more isolated? The good news is that there are a number of hiking trails and walking paths with epic views in this part of Iceland. In this article we’ll talk you through where to explore and what to expect.
It’s possible to hike between Fjallsárlón and Breiðárlón glacier lagoons with views of Vatnajökull glacier.
The Breiðármörk trail
If you’re keen to complete the entire 15 km long Breiðármörk trail then you’ll need to allow at least five hours to do so. The path connects Fjallsárlón to Jökulsárlón, passing Breiðárlón along the way. In places the trail gets a little rocky but for the most part you’re traversing sandy ground and moraines. It’s a solid opportunity to broaden your understanding of what a glacial landscape looks like.
Hiking around the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon allows you to experience the floating icebergs and the glacier up close.
The Fjallsárlón path
If you’re able to invest only an hour or so, the circular Fjallsárlón trail is a great choice. Beginning close to Frost restaurant, you’ll hike to a viewpoint that overlooks Hrútárjökull, Ærfjall, Fjallsjökull, Breiðamerkurfjall and of course Fjallsárlón itself. There’s an option to head east towards Jökulsárlón but instead hike up a small hill and follow what was once the main road back to Frost. In all it’s about 1.5 km long.
Eystri-Fellsfjara, or the Diamond beach, has be come a main attraction in recent years in Iceland.
The Eystri-Fellsfjara walk
This level, family-friendly trail connects Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with the coast. Fellsfjara is better known as Diamond Beach. This strip of black sand is often strewn with icebergs washed ashore by the Atlantic Ocean waves, giving it this apt nickname. The path leads beneath the ring road and along the beach. How far you get depends on the nature of the icebergs at the time of your visit and how distracted you become.
It’s possible to hike around the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon area on an easy hiking path.
The Jökulsárlón route
While you can view the icebergs in Jökulsárlón just a few steps from where you’ve just parked your car, it’s worth following this easy trail to get a slightly different perspective. If you head up to Helguhóll you can take in the view of Jökulsárlón and Breiðamerkursandur. Continue on, descending from this low ridge to a cove called Bátavík and beyond to an area characterised by moraine. Not only will you be able to see Breiðamerkurjökull clearly from here, you might also catch sight of Mávabyggðir and Esjufjöll on a clear day.
For the ultimate glacier experience, nothing beats hiking on one of Iceland’s glaciers.
The glacier hike
For a completely different perspective, nothing beats signing up for one of our glacier hikes and stepping onto the surface of the ice. With crampons pulled over your boots and a helmet to protect your head, this is a far more adventurous way to satisfy your wanderlust and achieve those epic views you crave. The exact route your guide will take depends on current conditions up on the ice, but you can expect to see crevasses and other glacier features at irresistibly close quarters.
Whether you intend on embarking on a glacier hike or simply fancy stretching your legs on a short stroll to see the glacier lagoons from an alternate angle, exploring this part of Iceland on foot is a must. Combining a glacier hike with a boat trip on Fjallsárlón lagoon is as simple as clicking a button on a website, so there’s really little excuse not to make the most of your stop in this way.
