This GLACIER in ICELAND Took My Breath Away! Overlooking SKAFTAFELL 🇮🇸

Hiking to a breathtaking high altitude viewpoint overlooking the Skaftafell Glacier in South-East Iceland + learning about the glacial floods that turned Skeiðará Bridge into a mangled wreck. 🇮🇸 My Icelandic Ring Road Trip Playlist →    • THE GREAT ICELANDIC RING ROAD - Route 1 (F...   Join me as I continue my solo road trip around Iceland’s iconic Ring Road (Route 1). The further I travel from Reykjavik, the crowds disappear, and the landscape transforms into something truly wild and untamed. In this episode, I explore the dramatic landscapes south of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, and gear up for a challenging hike to one of the most breathtaking overlooks in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. 📍 Highlights of the Journey: Lómagnúpur Mountain: Driving past the moody, cloud-shrouded summit of one of Iceland’s most recognizable landmarks. Skeiðará Bridge Monument: A powerful reminder of nature’s force—this twisted iron structure was destroyed by massive glacial floods (jökulhlaup) in 1996. Hiking Skaftafell: Braving the brutal Icelandic weather. When I arrived, the wind was howling and the rain was relentless. I almost called it quits, but I grabbed my waterproof gear and GoPro to take the chance of reaching a high altitude overlook on the edge of a cliff. The Reward: As I gained elevation, the clouds parted to reveal a stunning contrast of lush greenery against the massive glacier tongue and distant waterfalls fed by mountain snowmelt. Late Check In: Arriving late and self checking into Lækjarhus Farm Holidays where I picked up a bargain price for a single room. Who says Iceland is expensive? 🇮🇸 Why Visit Southeast Iceland? Traveling through the Vatnajökull National Park region offers a sense of isolation you won't find on the Golden Circle. Whether you are a fan of Icelandic photography, van life, or adventure hiking, this stretch of Route 1 is essential. 🚗 This is the eleventh chapter of a solo pilgrimage around Route 1. If you've ever dreamed of visiting the Land of Fire and Ice, or if you’re planning your own Ring Road expedition, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join me as we head into the wild. Chapters 📖 00:00 Greeting’s from Iceland’s South Coast 📖 01:50 The Journey to Skaftafell 📖 03:54 Skeiðará Bridge Monument 📖 06:28 Skaftafell Parking & Visitor Centre 📖 08:21 The Plan 📖 10:00 Skaftafell High Altitude Hiking Trail 📖 11:21 First Look at a Glacier 📖 12:45 Vatnajökull National Park 📖 13:52 Skaftafell High Altitude View Point 📖 14:40 Skaftafell Glacial Tongue 📖 17:12 Extreme Ice Survey Table (IS.003 - Skaftafellsjökull) 📖 20:10 Iceland’s Highest Waterfall (Morsárfoss) 📖 22:29 Goodbye Glacier + a Lonely Drive 📖 24:20 Lækjarhus Farm Holidays (Room for the Night) More Info ❤️ Please LIKE & SHARE the video if you enjoyed it, both really help my channel grow! ⭐ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, it's free & much appreciated →    / @mattwhitingseurope   🎙️ Ask any questions you have! All FEEDBACK and COMMENTS welcome!! 📷 Connect with me on INSTAGRAM →   / mattwhitingtravel   ☕ Buy me a Coffee → https://buymeacoffee.com/mattwhitings... 🇮🇸 See all my ICELAND videos →    • THE GREAT ICELANDIC RING ROAD - Route 1 (F...   🔷 See ALL of my videos on a TRAVEL MAP → https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?m... 📍 Follow my Icelandic Ring Road Trip on a Map → https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vie... 🌍 See ALL of my videos by COUNTRY →    • Post   Soundtrack 🎵 Golden Meadows by Marc Torch 🎵 Play and Create by Mike Parr 🎵 It Really Makes Me Wonder by Loving Caliber 🎵 Green Space by Halcyon Lounge 🎵 Toward Home by Cody Francis 🎵 🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound. Get a FREE month here → https://www.epidemicsound.com/referra...