Experience the best of Skaftafell

Skaftafell is a green oasis in south-east Iceland, set between black sand plains and the white ice of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume. It forms part of Vatnajökull National Park, and from the visitor centre trails lead through birch scrub and heather to glacier tongues and waterfalls. The Skaftafellsjökull, an outlet glacier, is in view from several paths, and the huge outwash plain of Skeiðarársandur stretches to the coast.

Svartifoss, a waterfall falling over dark hexagonal basalt columns, lies at the end of an uphill walk and is said to have inspired the design of Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík. Higher routes lead to the viewpoint of Sjónarnípa and to the peak of Kristínartindar. The glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón lies to the east along the Ring Road, and Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest summit in Iceland, rises on the rim of the Öræfajökull volcano nearby.

Icelandic lamb soup, skyr, dense rye bread and Arctic char are the staples, served in the cafés and farm restaurants along the Ring Road. Summers are cool with almost endless daylight; winter brings snow, short days and the northern lights.