We leave from Öræfi/Skaftafell towards Höfn with rain. As the birds the flies the distance is about 90 kilometers, but the real distance is much greater.
Pretty soon we reach the first glacial lake, Breiðárlón. A glacial lake from the Fjallsjökull. This glacial lake can be reached by a short gravel road and has some small hiking possibilities. Because it's rainy we stopped only to enjoy the view. We don't like longs walks in the rain.
The more famous glacial lake Jökulsárlón is next to the Breiðárlón. The Jökulsárlón is much easier to reach with a normal car. This glacial lake was created by the retreat of the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. The Breiðamerkurjökull is a small glacier from the biggest glacier of Iceland, the Vatnajökull. The Jökulsárlón flows into the ocean. The icebergs that break of the glacier, run aground on the bottom of the lake. When they melt enough, they float further towards the ocean. So at the point where the glacial lake flows into the ocean there are a lot of big icebergs. They only melt completely when they are in the ocean. The Jökulsárlón lake is one of the newest glacial lakes in Iceland. Around 1930 this glacial lake emerged after the retreat of the Breiðamerkurjökull. But since that time it's growing very fast. The lake is about 200 meters deep.
Because it was raining the first day we arrived at the glacial lake, we went back 2 days later. Only then did we see the Breiðamerkurjökull and the size of the glacial lake. At the parking area boat trips across the glacial lake are offered.
The third and smallest glacial lake, Fjallsárlón is less easy to reach, we didn't go there.
We already check in our luggage at the farm where we spend the night and head of to Höfn. Here we do some shopping.
On the way back we see our first reindeer. In June they should be further up the mountains. But because it is cold for this time of year, they are still in the lowlands. Obviously we stop and take some pictures before they run away.
We spend the night in Hólmur where we are surprised by the view behind the farm. We have a view of the Skálafellsjökull, the Heinabergsjökull and the Fláajökull. The Fláajökull can be reached by a 8 kilometer gravel road. In 2001 the river was diverted to secure some farms in the spring. A big dam was built, which you can drive over by car. At the end of the road is a nice walk that goes partly over the glacier.
Photo gallery Skaftafell - Jökulsárlón - Skálafellsjökull - Höfn - Iceland
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